According to a report by the Wells Fargo Agri Institute, by changing shopping strategies and choosing store brand packaged meals, Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people can total $80 versus $95.00. A family can save almost 20 percent. The report says budget consumers can mix, and match based on preference.
“If you investigate the report, (compared to last year) they shifted a lot of things from brand names to store brands, and they’ve also reduced the number of ingredients from about 29 different items to 22. So, apples to apples- comparison would not be that much. Basically, I think most people can plan to spend the same or less this year than they spent last year." Texas Economist and CEO of the Perryman Group, Ray Perryman said.
According to the report, the CPI’s highest at home food increase is protein- specifically beef and eggs; neither of these are included in the Thanksgiving meal.
In addition, there are other areas to save, if one is open to these adjustments. National name brand frozen veggies are down a whopping 15% versus fresh vegetables. Also, private brand dinner rolls are down 22 %. The next group of savings comes from stuffing for turkey, prepared gravy mixes and fresh cranberries the report said. Lastly, national brand pumpkin pies are down 3%.
“This is 2 years in a row, both data (2024 and 2025) has shown a little bit of a decrease in Thanksgiving dinner., so that’s good news." Perryman said.
He says doing your research ahead of shopping, using the store brand- not always, but in some areas, the national brands offer a better price, plus buying in bulk can also be helpful. The report also showed beer was up, wine is the same, and it’s best to get 2-liter bottles of soda versus cans. Surprisingly, the report showed a drop in 12 packs by 3% compared to last year.
Despite a year with a government shutdown, FAA shortages and flight delays, at least Thanksgiving meal doesn’t have to contribute to the stress that typically comes along with the holiday season.