Average cost of a Thanksgiving meal declines

Jeff Ishee
6 days ago
1 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Source: VA Farm Bureau

RICHMOND, VA — The average price for a 10-person Thanksgiving meal in Virginia is $80.48, down from $81.07 last year.

According to an informal survey conducted by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the average cost to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal with items sufficient to make 10 servings is $8.05 per person.

The survey’s menu consists of turkey, ham, stuffing, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, rolls, carrots, celery, cranberries, green beans, peas, milk and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

This year’s statewide average decreased by 59 cents—0.73% less than the 2024 average of $81.07 for a 10-person meal.

A dinner without ham, russet potatoes and green beans cost $58.27, or $5.82 per person. Last year’s meal without those three ingredients was $58.41, or $5.84 per person.

This year, the average price for a 16-pound whole frozen turkey during the data collection was $27.50, or $1.72 per pound. This represents a 2% increase in price versus the 2024 average of $1.68 per pound.

Prices reported by volunteer shoppers were collected between Oct. 20 and Nov. 6—before major retailers began offering holiday discounts, promotional sales or coupons.

“As we get closer to the big day, stores are running more features to attract Thanksgiving shoppers—whether that be coupons, buy-one-get-one deals or other promotions,” noted Elijah Griles of VFBF communications. “Stores are trying to move turkeys, which are the single most expensive item in a Thanksgiving meal.”