Two major retailers have announced Thanksgiving meal deals this week, offering contrasting pricing and meal options for holiday shoppers.
Walmart’s $35 meal serves 10; Target’s $30 meal serves six. Walmart unveiled its 2026 Holiday Meal Basket on Oct. 28, priced at $35 total—or $3.50 per person—serving 10 people. The basket includes 26 items, including a Butterball turkey at $0.97 per pound, Stove Top stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean and sweet potato casseroles, Jiffy corn muffin mix, dinner rolls, and pumpkin pie with whipped topping. The basket is available for pickup or delivery through Dec. 24, with free Express Delivery on the meal basket through Nov. 30.
Target’s $30 deal includes nine items for six servings. Minneapolis-based Target announced a $30 Thanksgiving meal deal on Nov. 8, serving six people at approximately $5 per person. The offer includes a Butterball turkey (up to 10 pounds), a 3-pound bag of russet potatoes, cranberry sauce, two cans of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, turkey stuffing mix, turkey gravy, and two take-and-bake baguettes. The deal is valid from Nov. 8 through Nov. 29, before tax, and is not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
Retailers cite affordability and holiday tradition as key drivers. Walmart’s announcement emphasized its commitment to helping families celebrate affordably, with CEO David Guggina stating, “The Holiday Meal Basket has become one of our favorite traditions at Walmart. It brings our purpose to life in such a meaningful way by helping families make the holidays special without stretching their budgets.” Target framed its offering as part of a broader push to provide budget-friendly holiday meals, with John Conlin, senior vice president of merchandising for food and beverage, noting, “Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving are such joyful moments for our guests, and Target is making it easy and budget-friendly for them to plan meals that include plenty of familiar favorites plus some of the latest food trends.”
Meal preparation varies by retailer. Walmart’s basket includes pre-made sides like green bean and sweet potato casseroles, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, requiring minimal preparation. Target’s deal focuses on staples for a green bean casserole and requires shoppers to prepare and cook the remaining meal components themselves. Both retailers also promote additional budget-friendly sides, pies, appetizers, and wine options.
Industry context: Grocery costs remain a concern. The announcements come as food prices continue to strain household budgets. According to a U.S. Department of Labor report from Oct. 14, the consumer price index for all urban consumers rose 0.6% in September, with the food index remaining unchanged after prior monthly increases. Walmart cited internal survey data showing that 60% of customers say holiday costs determine their shopping mood, and 70% said lower prices would make holiday shopping easier. The retailer also noted that 43.8% of surveyed customers cited paying for holidays as a top stressor.
Availability and exclusions. Walmart’s meal basket is available for pickup or delivery through Dec. 24, with free Express Delivery on the basket through Nov. 30. Target’s deal is valid from Nov. 8 through Nov. 29, before tax, and is not available in Alaska or Hawaii. Neither retailer has announced plans to extend the offers beyond their stated availability periods.
Additional retailer offerings. Target separately announced a 79-cent-per-pound Good & Gather frozen turkey deal beginning in November, though this is not part of the $30 meal bundle. Walmart’s broader holiday promotions include expanded selections of budget-friendly sides, pies, appetizers, and wine, aligning with its emphasis on affordability.
Public reaction and online discussion. Online reactions to the deals have been mixed. Some shoppers highlighted the value of Walmart’s larger meal basket, while others noted Target’s deal as a competitive option for smaller gatherings. Discussions on social platforms have focused on the affordability of holiday meals amid ongoing economic pressures.