The turkey gets the attention, but the rest of the Thanksgiving cart can be just as expensive. Stuffing, vegetables, rolls, pie, and the cream to go with it all need a place in the grocery budget.
Aldi’s Thanksgiving meal deal puts those basics, including a 16-pound turkey, at under $39 for 10 people. One example basket comes to $37.78, or about $3.78 per person. You still have to cook, but you don’t have to buy a membership or spend another $50 to unlock the price.
Prices checked October 31, 2026. Example prices include upcoming promotional items. Prices and availability vary by location, product selection, and stock; delivery and service fees are extra.
How the Thanksgiving basket adds up
The quantities matter here. The meal includes three boxes of stuffing and two bags of peas, not one of each. These are full-package prices, including a gallon of milk and a 32-ounce carton of cream, rather than the cost of the small amount used in a recipe.
| Item | Amount to buy | Unit price | Basket cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer’s Choice whole turkey | One 16-lb bird | $15.84 | $15.84 |
| Chef’s Cupboard stuffing mix | Three 6-oz boxes | $0.79 | $2.37 |
| Baby peeled carrots | One 16-oz bag | $0.89 | $0.89 |
| Celery | One 1-lb container | $0.95 | $0.95 |
| Fresh cranberries | One 12-oz bag | $0.95 | $0.95 |
| Sweet potatoes | One 3-lb bag | $1.95 | $1.95 |
| L’oven Fresh Hawaiian sweet rolls | One 12-count pack | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Season’s Choice frozen peas | Two 12-oz bags | $0.95 | $1.90 |
| Baker’s Corner pumpkin pie mix | One container | $1.99 | $1.99 |
| Bake House Creations pie crusts | One two-count pack | $1.89 | $1.89 |
| Friendly Farms whole milk | One gallon | $2.71 | $2.71 |
| Friendly Farms heavy whipping cream | One 32-fl-oz carton | $4.35 | $4.35 |
| Example basket total | $37.78 |
The total is $37.78 before any applicable tax, delivery charges, or extra ingredients. That leaves $1.22 below the advertised $39 ceiling. Your turkey’s actual weight and your local prices can change the final amount.
The sides cost more than the turkey
At $15.84 for the example 16-pound bird, the turkey accounts for less than half the bill. The remaining groceries add up to $21.94. That’s why a cheap turkey alone doesn’t tell you much about the cost of hosting.
Three boxes of stuffing come to $2.37, while two bags of peas cost $1.90. The three-pound bag of sweet potatoes is $1.95. You can roast the sweet potatoes and serve the peas without adding another casserole’s worth of ingredients to the cart. Marshmallows and crispy onions are separate purchases if your family wants them.
Dessert is included, but it isn’t ready-made
The pumpkin pie mix and two-count pie crust package come to $3.88. Milk and whipping cream bring those four purchases to $10.94, though you won’t necessarily use the whole gallon or carton in one dessert.
Check the pie mix’s package directions before leaving the store. Any additional ingredients your recipe needs belong in the budget, too. And if you already have milk or cream at home, you can skip buying another full container. This is a suggested shopping list, so you can buy the pieces you need without taking the whole lot.
November 11 is the date for a one-trip shop
The ingredients arrive in stages. Fresh cranberries became available October 26, the Farmer’s Choice turkey arrives November 4, and pumpkin pie mix follows November 11. Promotional prices run through November 25.
For the full menu in one trip, plan for November 11 or later and check your store’s stock first. On the shelves, a turkey symbol marks the participating products. The turkey and pie mix prices in the example basket are advertised ahead of their arrival, not a promise that you can pick them up today.
A few familiar dishes are outside the deal
If Thanksgiving at your house means mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, and macaroni and cheese, those need their own shopping money. The advertised menu has sweet potatoes and peas, along with carrots and celery for a vegetable tray.
There’s nothing wrong with adding the dishes people actually look forward to. Just price them before you decide the whole meal is covered. Butter, eggs, seasonings, drinks, and a roasting pan may also be purchases, depending on your recipes and what’s already in the kitchen.
Delivery changes the checkout total
No coupon, loyalty card, membership, or minimum purchase is required for the meal offer. You can shop in person or order through the available pickup and delivery services.
Delivery through DoorDash, Instacart, or Uber Eats can bring service and delivery charges on top of the groceries. Compare the final amount before paying, especially if you’ve added substitutions or a heavier turkey. The $37.78 example is a food subtotal, not an all-in delivery bill.
Buying for fewer people can still work
For a smaller table, the useful question is how much of the food you’ll eat later. The rolls can become turkey sandwiches, leftover vegetables can go into soup, and unopened stuffing doesn’t have to be cooked just because it came home with the holiday groceries.
A 16-pound turkey also takes up plenty of freezer and refrigerator space. If you don’t have room or won’t use that much meat, compare a smaller bird and fewer sides with the full list. Spending less on food you need beats finding storage for a bargain you can’t finish.
