Walmart's 2026 Thanksgiving Meal Feeds 10 For $35

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Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people at just $35? Walmart is making that possible with its newly announced 2026 Holiday Meal Basket, which costs approximately $3.50 per person and includes ingredients for a traditional turkey dinner.

Announced on October 28, the deal arrives as American families prepare for another holiday season of grocery shopping, meal planning, and entertaining. But beyond the attractive price, shoppers should know a few important details before adding everything to their carts.

A Thanksgiving Dinner That Costs Just $3.50 Per Person

301294564 m cropped — Photo by ayala127/123rf

The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the price. Walmart’s $35 meal basket is designed to serve 10 people, making it an appealing option for families hoping to celebrate without overspending.

For perspective, the American Farm Bureau Federation estimated that a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 10 cost an average of $55.18 in 2025. Although the two meal assortments differ, Walmart’s offer provides another useful benchmark for holiday shoppers.

Consumer trend analyst Phil Lempert also emphasized the importance of comparing individual item prices when evaluating supermarket meal deals, according to ABC News.

A Butterball Turkey Takes Center Stage

No traditional Thanksgiving dinner feels quite complete without a turkey, and Walmart has included a recognizable brand in its holiday offering.

The basket features a frozen Butterball whole turkey weighing between 10 and 16 pounds, advertised at 97 cents per pound. Walmart says that price remains unchanged from its 2025 holiday promotion.

The advertised $35 basket total assumes an average turkey weight of 13.5 pounds, so shoppers selecting a larger bird may pay more.

Families should also remember that the turkey comes frozen and requires preparation. Planning ahead for thawing and roasting is essential, especially when several side dishes need oven space.

The Basket Includes Plenty of Thanksgiving Classics

Walmart isn’t asking shoppers to settle for turkey and one or two sides. Its 2026 assortment contains 26 individual items representing 17 different products. Together, they provide the foundations for several familiar holiday dishes.

Shoppers receive Stove Top stuffing mix, a five-pound bag of russet potatoes, brown gravy mix, fresh cranberries, and a dozen brown-and-serve dinner rolls. The list also includes canned green beans, Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions for green bean casserole.

These ingredients give hosts a solid starting point, though they still need to prepare the dishes and check for additional pantry items.

More Side Dishes Make This Year’s Deal Even Better

One noticeable change in the 2026 offering is the expanded selection. According to Walmart, this year’s basket includes 18% more items than the previous version, while the featured products collectively cost 12% less than in 2025.

New additions include fresh sweet potatoes and Jet-Puffed mini marshmallows for a traditional sweet potato casserole. The basket also includes JIFFY corn muffin mix and canned corn, letting shoppers make another familiar holiday favorite.

For households where everyone has a different favorite side dish, the added variety may be just as attractive as the lower price.

Pumpkin Pie Makes Dessert Part of the Package

A Thanksgiving meal without dessert can feel incomplete, and Walmart has accounted for that. The holiday basket includes canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, frozen pie crusts, and whipped topping. These products provide several essential ingredients for making a homemade-style pumpkin pie.

However, shoppers should understand that this isn’t a ready-made dessert. Depending on the recipe, you may also need pantry staples like sugar, eggs, or spices.

With turkey, casseroles, potatoes, and pie all requiring attention, keeping the kitchen organized becomes especially useful. These organization ideas make meal prep easier and help you manage a busy cooking space.

Familiar Brands and Flexible Shopping Add Convenience

Another advantage of Walmart’s holiday basket is its combination of national brands and affordable store-label products. Butterball, Campbell’s, Stove Top, JIFFY, and Jet-Puffed appear alongside Walmart’s Great Value products.

Walmart says 96% of the individual items are offered at rollback prices, including four of the five national-brand products. Customers can also buy the full assortment online with one click, then remove unwanted products or add ingredients to match their preferences.

That flexibility matters when households have different holiday traditions. Agreeing on the menu beforehand can prevent unnecessary purchases and last-minute confusion.

Pickup and Delivery Options Make Holiday Shopping Easier

Walmart’s promotion isn’t limited to customers who want to navigate crowded grocery aisles. The retailer offers in-store shopping, curbside pickup, Express Pickup, and several delivery options, subject to availability.

The retailer also offers a limited-time delivery promotion. Through November 30, 2026, qualifying customers can get free Express Delivery with code THANKFUL. The offer requires a minimum $35 order containing at least one qualifying product, including Butterball turkey, Campbell’s mushroom soup, or Stove Top stuffing.

Other conditions apply, so shoppers should check the final order total. For households trying to manage holiday spending, these practical grocery-saving and budgeting tips can complement seasonal supermarket promotions.

The $35 Offer Runs Through December 24, With Some Restrictions

The best part is that Walmart’s holiday meal basket won’t disappear immediately after Thanksgiving. The advertised promotion runs from October 28 through December 24, 2026, so shoppers planning Christmas gatherings can use it, too.

No Walmart membership or coupon is needed to purchase the regular basket, and the retailer says there are no special quantity limits, subject to availability.

However, the $35 advertised amount isn’t guaranteed for every transaction. Turkey and sweet potato weights can affect pricing, and pickup, shipping, or delivery fees may range from $0 to $19.95. Walmart also excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Wisconsin from the advertised pricing promotion.

Customers should review their local cart totals before ordering. Walmart’s $35 Thanksgiving basket offers an affordable starting point for a traditional holiday feast, provided shoppers account for preparation, additional ingredients, and any applicable fees.