Thanksgiving is one week from tomorrow, and if your grocery bill has been creeping up, you’re not imagining it.

Wholesale turkey prices are up 40% from last year, according to the USDA. Yet, despite the jump in the main attraction, the total cost of a full Thanksgiving dinner is expected to be about three percent lower than last year, according to Wells Fargo.

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But depending on where and how you shop, you could save even more.

Every year, 5 On Your Side shops Thanksgiving staples to see where shoppers get the best deals. The core “basket” includes: Turkey, potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Even with price swings over two years, the least and most expensive stores stayed exactly the same.

2023 Thanksgiving basket prices (Triangle area)

  • Food Lion: $17.09
    • Publix: $19.06
      • Harris Teeter: $34.70
        • Walmart: $31.23
          • Whole Foods: $53.32

            Food Lion was the cheapest in 2023.

            2025 Thanksgiving basket prices

            • Food Lion: $26.14
              • Walmart: $27.29
                • Harris Teeter: $33.89
                  • Publix (regular price): $51.76
                    • Publix (sale turkey): $19.17
                      • Whole Foods: $55.47

                        For 2025 Thanksgiving staple prices, we found that the cheapest at Food Lion and the most expensive at Whole Foods.

                        Prices increased at three out of five stores between 2023 and 2025. Food Lion remains the most affordable overall, just over $26 for a full Thanksgiving basket.

                        But what’s really driving the increase in prices? Turkeys.

                        In 2023, turkeys at Food Lion were about 29 cents per pound. This year, turkeys are about 99 cents per pound, which is more than triple. 

                        The Department of Agriculture says wholesale turkey prices are up 40% from last year, due to ongoing bird flu and smaller flocks overall. 

                        The cheapest possible Thanksgiving combo

                        While many people prefer the convenience of doing their entire shop in one store, mixing and matching can save you the most money.

                        By combining items from different stores, we found the lowest-cost meal:

                        Cheapest by category

                        • Cranberry sauce: Food Lion – $2.39
                          • Potatoes (5 lb): Walmart – $4.88
                            • Turkey: Walmart – $11.76 or Food Lion – $11.88

                              *Publix beats both Walmart and Food Lion only during temporary turkey sales*

                              • Green beans: Food Lion – $1.89/lb
                                • Pumpkin pie (large 37 oz): Food Lion – $3.99

                                  A blended Food Lion and Walmart haul offers the best value this year.

                                  More ways to save on Thanksgiving dinner

                                  If you want to keep your meal under budget, these simple strategies can help:

                                  • Shop early sales. Publix’s short-term turkey price of 49 cents per pound brought their total basket down to just $19.
                                    • Go generic. Store brands for potatoes, cranberry sauce and pie shells are often 30 to 40% cheaper.
                                      • Check unit prices. Pumpkin pies vary widely in size even when price tags look similar.
                                        • Try frozen or canned. Frozen vegetables and canned cranberry sauce offer major savings without sacrificing quality.
                                          • Several stores offer ready-made bundles that simplify shopping and can lower the total price even more.