How Much Will Thanksgiving Dinner Cost in 2026?
Thanksgiving may still be months away, but 2026 grocery prices already offer clues about what Americans can expect to spend on turkey and all the trimmings.
Grocery prices were 2.7% higher in July than a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, though some Thanksgiving staples are getting more expensive while others are offering shoppers some relief. Here's what a traditional feast could cost, and which dishes could take the biggest bite out of your holiday budget.
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Expect To Spend Around $80 or More for 10 People
Every year, the American Farm Bureau Federation lays out the average cost of a basic traditional dinner. For 2025, that was $5.52 per person, buying in portions big enough to feed 10 people. That’s probably less than the average person spends on a Thanksgiving meal, but it’s comforting to know it can be done on such a reasonable budget.
With grocery prices currently running 2.7% higher than a year ago, a reasonable starting budget for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 10 is around $80 to $100 in 2026, although aggressive sale shopping and store brands could bring the total lower. Additionally, more premium items and specialty foods, alcoholic beverages or desserts could also increase the total.
Grocery Prices Are Still Higher Than Last Year
Since food-at-home prices were 2.7% higher in July 2026 than July 2025, according to the BLS, and overall food prices were up 3%, it’s a solid bet that most Thanksgiving staples will cost more than they did last year.
However, retailers may also be motivated to move these key products and put them on sale. Shoppers with loyalty accounts or cards may be able to find better deals at their regular stores.
Also, since the Consumer Price Index reported grocery prices actually dipped 0.1% from June to July, there’s hope that further decreases could be possible or at least that shoppers may not see more increases before the holiday hits.
Turkey Prices Could Be a Thanksgiving Wild Card
Turkey can be one of the priciest items on the menu. The USDA raised its 2026 turkey price forecast in August, suggesting turkey may cost more than previously expected as we head into Thanksgiving.
However, the agency also raised its production and ending-stock forecasts, which suggests supplies should be plentiful. Since demand often drives up prices, if there’s plenty to go around, retailers should be able to keep these costs down.
Some Side Dishes May Cost More Than You Expect
Side dish categories are likelier to drive up costs this Thanksgiving. CPI data through July shows that the following items have increased in price:
Fruits and vegetables: +5.1%
Nonalcoholic beverages: +4.1%
Cereals and bakery products: +7%
Meats, poultry, fish and eggs: +1.9%
That suggests bread, pie ingredients, produce and drinks may be more costly this year. However, dairy actually dropped in price by about a half a percent, so your butter slathering won’t have to suffer.
Store Brands Could Cut $15 or More From the Bill
To save money on all non-turkey items, the savviest thing to do is to purchase store-brands and generic brands as often as possible. Wells Fargo's 2025 Thanksgiving analysis found an all-store-brand dinner cost $80 versus $95 for national brands, a $15 difference.
Even switching brands on some of the bigger meal items like stuffing, frozen vegetables, gravy, rolls and canned ingredients can free up money for the items where shoppers care about quality.
Budget $8 to $10 Per Person, Then Adjust for Your Menu
For now, $8 to $10 per person is a safe planning range for a traditional meal, putting dinner for the following guest numbers as follows:
Guests | Starting Budget |
4 | $32-$40 |
6 | $48-$60 |
8 | $64-$80 |
10 | $80-$100 |
12 | $96-$120 |
15 | $120-$150 |
Things that could push the total up include alcohol, appetizers, multiple desserts, premium ingredients and elaborate side dishes.
Either way, it's totally possible to have a frugal yet satisfying Thanksgiving dinner in 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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