By SmashMeals Editorial · Published · Updated
Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Before you build a shopping list, it helps to know what the meal actually costs three different ways: cooking everything from scratch, buying a grocery-store meal kit, or ordering some or all of it prepared. The cheapest option on paper is not always the cheapest in time, waste or stress, and for a table with celiac disease, the math changes again.
The benchmark: about $5.50 a person
The American Farm Bureau Federation has priced a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 every year for four decades. Its 2025 survey came in at $55.18, about $5.52 a person, down 5% from 2024. A 16-pound turkey averaged $21.50, or $1.34 a pound. The 2026 survey usually comes out the week before Thanksgiving.
Prices moved unevenly this year. The USDA's October 2026 Food Price Outlook forecasts grocery prices up 2.3% in 2026, with eggs down 29.3% and beef up 8.7%. Read our news coverage.
Three ways to put dinner on the table
| Approach | Typical cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook from scratch | About $5.50 a person for a classic menu (AFBF 2025), more with premium ingredients | A full day or more, plus shopping | Confident cooks who enjoy the day |
| Grocery meal kit | Target: $30 for six (Nov. 8–29); Aldi: under $39 for 10, per [Tasting Table](https://www.tastingtable.com/2288117/aldi-thanksgiving-meal-2026-price/) | Most of a day; you still cook everything | Tight budgets, no dietary restrictions |
| Order prepared, all or part | Varies; at SmashMeals, smoked turkey is $30 for six or $45 for 12 | Reheat and serve | Busy hosts, small kitchens, gluten-free tables |
Target's $30 meal includes a turkey up to 10 pounds, potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, stuffing mix, jarred gravy and two baguettes. It is a real bargain for many families. Read our news coverage.
The costs that do not show on the receipt
- Your time. Shopping, prep, cooking and cleanup for a full dinner often take most of a day, sometimes two.
- Leftover waste. Buying a 16-pound turkey for six people often means throwing food away.
- Equipment. A roasting pan, thermometer and extra serving dishes add up if you do not own them.
- Oven space. Most home ovens cannot roast a turkey and bake three sides at once.
- Mistakes. A dry turkey or burned pie is money and time you do not get back.
The gluten-free math is different
If someone at your table has celiac disease, a grocery kit stops being a bargain. In Target's box, the stuffing mix, baguettes and fried onions are wheat-based, and condensed soups and jarred gravies often contain wheat flour. Replacing those with certified gluten-free versions costs more, and you still have to keep everything separate in a shared kitchen.
The Gluten Intolerance Group also warns to check turkeys for injected broth, avoid pre-stuffed birds and use a clean roasting pan. Our guide to certified gluten-free labels explains what to look for.
A hybrid plan most hosts like
You do not have to choose one approach. Many hosts cook one or two dishes they love and order the rest. Our guide to hybrid holiday hosting covers how to split the work.
A sample split for eight:
- Order: a smoked turkey platter for 12 and two sides.
- Cook: mashed potatoes and a salad.
- Ask guests to bring: drinks and rolls (gluten-free if needed, kept separate).
SmashMeals Thanksgiving, by the numbers
Our Thanksgiving menu comes from a dedicated gluten-free kitchen in Kingsport, Tennessee, so every dish is gluten-free. Check ingredients for other allergens. A few examples from the current menu:
| Item | Feeds 6 | Feeds 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Smoked turkey platter | $30 | $45 |
| Pot roast | $44.99 | $84.99 |
| Sweet potato casserole | $12 | $20 |
Prices are from our Thanksgiving store as of October 24, 2026; check the current menu for availability. Kingsport pickup is free, eligible holiday delivery is $15 and shipping is $35 where offered. Orders are due Sunday, November 22.
See the full Thanksgiving menu, or order this week's meals to get through the busy weeks before the holiday.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- How much does Thanksgiving dinner cost in 2026?
- The American Farm Bureau's 2025 survey put dinner for 10 at $55.18. Grocery kits in 2026 include Target's $30 meal for six (Nov. 8–29) and Aldi's under $39 for 10. The 2026 Farm Bureau survey usually comes out the week before Thanksgiving.
- Is it cheaper to cook or order Thanksgiving dinner?
- Cooking from scratch is usually cheapest on ingredients, but ordering can save a day of work, cut leftover waste and avoid buying equipment. Many hosts cook a few dishes and order the rest.
- Is a Thanksgiving grocery kit gluten-free?
- Usually not. Stuffing mix, baguettes and fried onions are wheat-based, and condensed soups and jarred gravies often contain wheat flour.