FinanceBuzz looked up turkey prices in every state to find out where home cooks can expect to pay the most and least for their Thanksgiving dinner.
Home chefs across America are gearing up for the biggest feast of the year. While individual tastes dictate what side dishes are at the table, at the center of most Thanksgiving meals is an entrée thats a time-honored tradition: the turkey.
Turkey also tends to be the most expensive part of a Thanksgiving feast, so our team at FinanceBuzz wanted to help give cooks a leg-up on their shopping by calculating how much they should expect to budget for their bird this year.
To determine the average cost for a turkey in 2024, we collected prices from multiple U.S. grocery stores across the country and determined how much shoppers in each state can expect to pay for a Thanksgiving turkey this year.
When it comes to holiday meals, a roasted turkey often takes center stage For a gathering of 8-10 people, a 20 lb turkey is a perfect size But what is the going rate for a turkey of this weight? Let’s dig into the average cost of a 20 lb turkey.
Average Price for a 20 lb Turkey
In general, you can expect to pay between $30 and $40 for a frozen 20 lb whole turkey from popular brands like Butterball The typical per-pound price ranges from $149 to $1.99.
Here are some examples of current pricing on 20 lb turkeys:
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Target – Butterball frozen turkey -$179/lb, so $3580 total
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Kroger – Private selection frozen turkey – $1.49/lb, so $29.80 total
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Walmart – Butterball frozen turkey – $1.78/lb, so $35.60 total
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Costco – Kirkland frozen turkey – $1.99/lb, so $39.80 total
So the average retail price for a 20 lb frozen whole turkey is about $1.60 per pound, or $32 total on average. Watch for holiday sales when the price may dip down closer to $1.49/lb or lower.
What Impacts the Price?
Several factors play into the cost of a turkey, which explains the price variation between brands and retailers.
Brand
Higher end brands like Butterball are typically 10-25% more per pound than generic store brands. You’re paying for quality consistency and flavor.
Retailer
Grocery stores, warehouse clubs, butcher shops, and specialty retailers price turkeys differently based on volume, promotions, and more.
Fresh vs. Frozen
Fresh turkeys can be 50%+ more per pound due to limited availability. Frozen turkeys benefit from increased inventory.
Organic & Specialty
Expect to pay at least double for organic, free-range, pasture-raised and kosher birds.
Market Fluctuations
Feed, inventory, and other industry factors cause turkey prices to vary annually.
Ways to Save on a 20 lb Turkey
Here are some tips to find the best deal:
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Shop holiday sales and promotions at grocery stores
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Buy in bulk at warehouse clubs and split the cost
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Use coupons, rebates, and offers from brands like Butterball
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Ask retailers to price match or beat competitor pricing
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Buy early before inventory sells down
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Opt for a smaller 12-15 lb turkey if you have a smaller gathering
Buying on sale or shopping early in the season can save $5-15 on a frozen 20 lb turkey.
Estimated Cost of a Full Turkey Dinner
Here is a breakdown of estimated costs for a whole turkey dinner:
- Turkey: $30 to $40
- Side dishes: $15 to $30
- Dessert: $10 to $15
- Drinks: $15 to $30
- Decorations, etc.: $5 to $10
The grand total for a turkey dinner for 8-10 guests featuring a 20 lb turkey will be $75 to $125. With smart shopping, you can put together a delicious holiday meal featuring an elegant 20 lb turkey centerpiece for around $100.
Is a 20 lb Turkey Big Enough?
A 20 lb turkey will provide enough food for 8 to 10 people, allowing about 1 to 1.5 lbs of turkey per person. This accounts for meat that is not consumed like bones, cartilage and skin. For smaller gatherings of 6-8 people, a 15 lb turkey may be sufficient.
The Bottom Line
When shopping for your holiday bird, you can expect to pay roughly $1.50 to $1.75 per pound for a frozen 20 lb turkey, putting the total cost in the range of $30 to $40 total. With some flexible shopping strategies, you can find a 20 lb turkey to grace your holiday table for the lowest possible price.
How much are Thanksgiving turkeys this year? Average turkey costs by state
As is the case with many goods, the most expensive average turkey prices in the U.S. were found away from the contiguous United States. Residents of Hawaii can expect to pay the highest rate in the country ($52.85) for a 15-pound turkey. Thats nearly 70% more than the national average of $31.16.
Turkeys cost almost $10 less in Alaska ($44.85), but that still makes the bird more expensive than in any of the remaining 48 states. Hawaiians and Alaskans are no strangers to high prices. Alaska and Hawaii consistently rank among the most expensive states to live in due to the high costs of transporting goods to the non-contiguous states.
Most expensive states for a Thanksgiving turkey
| State | Cost for a 15-pound turkey |
| Hawaii | $52.85 |
| Alaska | $44.85 |
| California | $39.85 |
| Connecticut | $36.85 |
| Montana | $36.85 |
| New Jersey | $36.85 |
| Nebraska | $36.35 |
| New York | $35.85 |
| Minnesota | $35.30 |
| Georgia | $34.85 |
| North Carolina | $34.85 |
On the mainland, California has the most expensive turkey prices on average, as a 15-pound bird costs $39.85 in the Golden State. Three states are tied with the fourth-highest turkey price in the country, as a 15-pound bird will cost shoppers $36.85 on average in Connecticut, Montana, and New Jersey.
States with the most affordable Thanksgiving turkeys
Turkeys are most affordable in Oklahoma, where they cost just $19.75 on average. Thats nearly $11.50 cheaper than the national average. One other state also has an average turkey price thats under $20, as Louisianans can get a 15-pound turkey for an average cost of $19.80.
Least expensive states for a Thanksgiving turkey
| State | Cost for a 15-pound turkey |
| Oklahoma | $19.75 |
| Louisiana | $19.80 |
| Mississippi | $22.30 |
| Texas | $22.60 |
| Illinois | $22.85 |
| Ohio | $22.85 |
| Kentucky | $24.85 |
| Tennessee | $24.85 |
| Michigan | $25.35 |
| Indiana | $25.85 |
| Kansas | $25.85 |
The third and fourth-lowest turkey prices in the country can be found in Mississippi and Texas, where they cost $22.30 and $22.60, respectively. Two states are tied with the fifth-lowest average cost, with a 15-pound bird coming in at $22.85 in both Illinois and Ohio.
How much meat do you get from a 20 pound turkey?
FAQ
How many people does a 20 pound turkey cost?
How many people will a 20-lb. turkey feed? A 20-pound turkey will feed between 12 and 14 people.Nov 25, 2024
What is the average price of a turkey?
On average, Americans can expect to pay $31.16 for a 15-pound turkey this year — an average of $2.08 per pound. Across the country, turkey prices in 2024 are down 12% from last year.
How many people will a 20 lb turkey feed?
“So, for 10 people you should prepare a 20-pound turkey. Home cooks should expect to yield 40 percent of a cooked bird, and between dark meat and white meat preferences, the yield will shrink even further,” DiSpirito says.
How much should I pay for a turkey?
| Weights: | Servings per person (note these are a guide only): | Price: |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 kg | Aprox. 10 people | £78.75 |
| 6-7 kg | Aprox. 12 people | £89.00 |
| 7-8 kg | Aprox. 14 people | £97.50 |
| 8-9 kg | Aprox. 16 people | £107.50 |
How much does a 20 lb Turkey cost?
Organic, free-range, pasture-raised, kosher and heritage breed turkeys can cost at least twice as much as conventionally raised frozen birds. Expect to pay $3-4 per pound or more for specialty 20 lb turkey varieties. Turkey prices fluctuate annually based on many complex market factors including feed costs, supplier contracts, inventory, and more.
How much does a 15 lb Butterball turkey cost?
On average, Americans can expect to pay $35.40 for a 15-pound turkey this year — an average of $2.36 per pound. How much is Butterball turkeys? Turkey prices: $0.87 per pound for Butterball frozen premium all-natural turkeys. How much would a 10lb turkey cost? How many people will a 16 lb Butterball turkey feed?
Where can I buy a Turkey for a pound?
Costco – Big savings on large bulk frozen turkeys over 20 pounds for under $1 per pound. Whole Foods – Good sales on fresh organic and heritage breed turkeys, often available for under $3 per pound. You can also find deals from local grocery stores by looking out for turkey sales, coupons, and rewards discounts leading up to the holidays.
How much does a whole turkey cost?
Plan for your feast and choose from Homestyle Turkey, Spiral Ham or Prime Rib with all the traditional sides for as little as $69.99, depending upon meat selection. *Updated for 2023* This year the Member’s Mark Frozen All-Natural Whole Turkey priced at $1.19 per pound (available starting November 10).
Can I request a 24 lb Turkey?
Q: The description says 20-24 lbs. Can I request a 24 lb one? A: Unfortunately, no. Whole turkeys are sold by weight range, and we cannot guarantee the exact weight of a turkey within the specified range. A: The turkey is not a fresh one. It should say premium. Don’t know the difference. Q: Is this fresh or previously frozen? A: Hi Florida Life!
How much does a turkey cost at Target?
Whole turkeys will now be priced under $1 per pound, according to Laney. This year, Target’s line of Good & Gather products includes basted young turkeys for $0.99 per pound. To round out the holiday spread, the retailer also sells everything from festive table linens to maple bourbon mini sweet potatoes.