Thanksgiving dinner will be less expensive this year — but still 25% higher than 2019

Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press
Updated ·3 min read
An annual survey revealed that this year the cost for a classic Thanksgiving meal will be slightly less than last year.
An annual survey revealed that this year the cost for a classic Thanksgiving meal will be slightly less than last year.

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner will be a bit easier on consumers' wallets, according to an annual survey released on  Wednesday.

A traditional dinner will cost nearly 5% less than last year’s record high, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 38th annual survey.

More: Food prices remain stubbornly high despite inflation showing signs of easing

This year’s feast for 10 people came in at $61.17 or just less than $6.20 per person, according to the survey. While the overall cost is less, the meal is still 25% higher than in 2019. In 2022, the meal was $64.05, a record high.

More: Here's what you can expect to pay for your Thanksgiving turkey this year

The Farm Bureau said the higher costs represent how supply costs and inflation have impacted the meal. The U.S. Labor Department's monthly Consumer Price Index report showed that grocery prices still remain high.

For its annual survey, volunteer shoppers for the Farm Bureau checked prices Nov. 1-6, which was before many grocery stores began traditional holiday sales.

During that timeframe, the bureau found the price for a 16-pound turkey was $27.35 or $1.71 per pound. That price represented a 5.6% decrease from last year, the bureau said.

Now, as we are closer to Thanksgiving, many grocery stores have frozen turkeys at 49-59 cents a pound.

“Traditionally, the turkey is the most expensive item on the Thanksgiving dinner table,” said Farm Bureau Senior Economist Veronica Nigh in a news release. “Turkey prices have fallen thanks to a sharp reduction in cases of avian influenza, which have allowed production to increase in time for the holiday.”

The Farm Bureau also noted that while costs may be down slightly, inflation is still affecting families and farmers.

“Growing the food families rely on is a constant challenge for farmers because of high fuel, seed, fertilizer, and transportation costs, just to name a few,”  said Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall in a news release.

In addition to its list of classic Thanksgiving food items, the Farm Bureau added boneless ham, russet potatoes, and frozen green beans. Adding those items brought the overall cost to $84.75 for a dinner serving 10 people.

Here are the individual surveyed item prices

  • 16-pound turkey: $27.35 or $1.71 per pound (down 5.6%)

  • 14 ounces of cubed stuffing mix: $3.77 (down 2.8%)

  • 2 frozen pie crusts: $3.50 (down 4.9%)

  • Half-pint of whipping cream: $1.73 (down 22.8%)

  • 1 pound of frozen peas: $1.88 (down 1.1%)

  • 1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.84 (up 2.9%)

  • Miscellaneous ingredients to prepare the meal: $3.95 (down 4.4%)

  • 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.44 (up 3.7%)

  • 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.74 (down 2.6%)

  • 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.97 (up .3%)

  • 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): $.90 (up 2.3%)

  • 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.10 (down 18.3%)

By region, the AFBF found the Midwest had the most affordable cost for the classic ($58.66) and expanded ($81.83) meals.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Thanksgiving dinner 2023: Less expensive but still at historic highs