4 Things to Know About Thanksgiving Grocery Deals

1. Use Per-Person Math for Meal Deals

One of the best ways to prepare for Thanksgiving savings is to look at last year’s deals. In 2025, the Walmart Thanksgiving meal basket was priced at $39.93. Serving 10 people, that came out to $3.99 a person. The turkey included in the basket was a 13.5lb Butterball priced at $0.97 per pound, totalling to about $13.10 for the bird itself. This is the per-person math you can use to see if a deal is worth purchasing. Always look at the item count, serving size and per-person cost before you make a purchase.

2. Check the Fine Print for Every Deal

The fine print can make or break a deal when it comes to Thanksgiving grocery shopping. Check to see if an item is available online and in-store, or if there is free pickup or free shipping available. Never assume the headline deal price will be the final total. Something might be listed for $15, but after fees and the cost of shipping, you can be paying upwards of $20-$25. Always read the details.

3. Look Beyond the Turkey to Save on Sides

Turkey is the main event, but it’s not the only thing you’ll be serving at your Thanksgiving dinner. For example, Walmart’s Thanksgiving deal has featured more than 20 items in the past, including stuffing, gravy, cranberries, potatoes, canned vegetables, pie crusts and pumpkins. When you’re looking for Thanksgiving grocery deals, this is what you want to see. Instead of just looking at the price of the turkey, check to see if other items are available for a discounted price. That’s how you’ll know to buy.

4. Shop Like a Savvy Shopper, Not a Casual Browser

A Thanksgiving deal is only real if your account qualifies for it, so always check the customer eligibility, start date, expiration date, minimum spend and excluded categories before you shop. A promotion might sound promising at first glance, but it’s the details that will actually help you save money.

Savvy shoppers also look into any stacking opportunities. For example, Walmart has offered free delivery with a $35 minimum purchase with the code THANKFUL for its Thanksgiving meal deal in previous years. This can be stacked on top of the promotion to increase your savings.