Walmart sets Thanksgiving meal price at $3.50 per person

Families planning a Thanksgiving dinner for ten people can buy a pre-selected grocery basket at Walmart for $35. The price works out to $3.50 per person. The store announced the offer on October 28, 2026. Shoppers must cook the meal themselves. The package is not a prepared food service.

The basket contains 26 units of food across 17 distinct items. These include a frozen Butterball turkey, russet potatoes, and ingredients for a pumpkin pie. The list combines national brands with Walmart’s private label Great Value. Specific items include two boxes of Stove Top stuffing, three cans of green beans, and a bag of fresh cranberries. The selection also features Jet-Puffed marshmallows and Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup.

The $35 price tag is based on specific average weights. Walmart calculated the cost using a 13.5-pound turkey priced at 97 cents per pound. The calculation also assumes three sweet potatoes weighing a combined 3.2 pounds at 88 cents per pound. If a customer chooses a larger bird or heavier vegetables, the total will rise. The store advises buyers to compare substitution prices if an item is out of stock.

David Guggina, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., stated the basket includes 18% more items than last year. He said the current selection costs 12% less than the same products in 2025. According to TODAY, the 2025 basket cost $39.92 for ten people. Reuters reported this is the lowest price since Walmart launched the program in 2022.

The offer is available in stores and online through December 24, 2026. Shoppers in New York and New Jersey can check inventory at specific locations. These include stores in Valley Stream, North Bergen, Secaucus, and Teterboro. The announced price excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Wisconsin.

Customers can use the code THANKFUL for free expedited delivery until November 30, 2026. This discount applies to orders of at least $35 that include specific items like Butterball turkey or Stove Top stuffing. Outside this promotion, delivery fees can reach $19.95. Taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

The basket does not include staples such as eggs, sugar, or butter. Buyers should add these costs to the $35 total when budgeting. The store notes that product availability varies by location. Shoppers should verify the final cost before paying.