Walmart’s $35 Thanksgiving Meal for 10 Is Back: Here’s What’s in the Box
With grocery prices still stretching family budgets, many hosts are dreading the cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year. Turkey alone can eat up a big share of the bill. Add potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and pie, and the total climbs fast.
Walmart says it has an answer. The retailer has brought back its holiday meal basket, and this year it feeds 10 people for $35. That works out to $3.50 a person for a full turkey dinner with all the usual sides and dessert.
The company announced the offer on October 28, and it runs through Christmas Eve. Here is exactly what comes in the basket, how to get it, and what shoppers should know before they head to the store.
What the Deal Includes
According to Walmart, the 2026 basket contains 26 items made up of 17 different products. The company says that is 18 percent more items than last year’s basket. It also says the same items cost 12 percent less than they did a year ago.
Walmart is calling it the lowest-priced basket in the history of the program. The turkey is priced at 97 cents a pound, the same as last year. No membership is needed to get the price.
David Guggina, president and chief executive of Walmart U.S., said in the announcement that the basket is meant to help families celebrate without stretching their budgets. The retailer has offered a similar holiday bundle for several years. Each year the list of items changes a little.
The Full Shopping List
The centerpiece is a Butterball frozen whole turkey weighing 10 to 16 pounds, which the company says serves seven to 11 people. The price example in the announcement is based on a 13.5-pound bird. Everything else on the list is built around the classic side dishes.
For stuffing and potatoes, the basket has two six-ounce boxes of Stove Top stuffing mix, a five-pound bag of russet potatoes, and two packets of Great Value brown gravy mix. A 12-count package of Great Value brown-and-serve rolls is included as well. A 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries covers the cranberry sauce.
Green bean casserole is covered by three cans of Great Value cut green beans, a can of Campbell’s condensed cream of mushroom soup, and a six-ounce bag of Great Value French fried onions. Corn casserole comes from three cans of Great Value whole kernel corn and two boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix. Sweet potato casserole gets three fresh sweet potatoes and a 10-ounce bag of Jet-Puffed mini marshmallows.
Dessert is pumpkin pie. The basket has a 15-ounce can of Great Value pumpkin, a can of evaporated milk, a package of two frozen nine-inch pie crusts, and an eight-ounce tub of whipped topping. The second crust can be saved for another pie or used for a holiday quiche.
What Is Not in the Box
Shoppers should know that this is a basket of ingredients, not a cooked meal. Everything has to be prepared at home. The turkey is frozen and will need several days in the refrigerator to thaw.
A few kitchen basics are not included. Butter, eggs, sugar, milk for the mashed potatoes, and spices for the pie will have to come from your own pantry or be bought separately. Depending on what you already have, that could add a few dollars.
There are no drinks, appetizers, or extra desserts in the bundle either. Families who like macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, or a second kind of pie will need to add those. Even so, the core of the dinner is covered.
How to Get It
The basket is sold in Walmart stores and online. Shoppers can add the whole bundle to their cart with one click at the company’s holiday savings basket page. Curbside pickup, express pickup, and delivery are all available.
Walmart is also offering free Express Delivery on the basket through November 30 with a promotional code, subject to a $35 minimum and certain qualifying items. Other pickup, shipping, or delivery fees may apply to regular orders. It is worth reading the terms at checkout.
The $35 price is valid from October 28 through December 24, 2026. Walmart says the offer excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, and Wisconsin. Prices for a few items, such as the turkey and sweet potatoes, depend on weight.
How It Compares
Walmart is not the only chain competing for Thanksgiving shoppers. ALDI has announced its own meal for 10 at under $39, built around a 16-pound turkey. Other grocers have rolled out bundles as well.
The competition is good news for consumers. Turkey prices have been a concern this season, and the cost of a traditional dinner varies widely by region, as reports from groups such as the Alabama Cooperative Extension System have shown. A fixed-price bundle takes away some of the guesswork.
Shoppers should still compare. A bundle is only a bargain if you will use what is in it. If your family does not eat green bean casserole, buying the items you need one by one may cost less.
Tips for Using the Basket
Plan your thawing time first. A frozen turkey needs about 24 hours in the refrigerator for every four to five pounds, so a 13-pound bird takes roughly three days. The USDA says a turkey is safely cooked when it reaches 165 degrees in the thickest parts.
Check your pantry before you shop so you can pick up any missing staples in the same trip. Butter, eggs, and sugar are the most common ones people forget. It is also smart to shop early, because popular items can sell out the week of the holiday.
Remember that stores will not be open on the day itself. Walmart is among the big chains closed on Thanksgiving 2026, so last-minute runs will not be possible. Buy your extra can of pumpkin now.
Making the Meal Your Own
A basket like this gives you the basics, and you can dress it up from there. Fresh herbs, a homemade gravy from the pan drippings, or Grandma’s dressing recipe can make a budget dinner feel special. Many families add one or two dishes that have been in the family for years.
If you want ideas, this list of Thanksgiving side dishes that show up on most American tables is a good place to begin. Leftovers can stretch the value even further. Turkey sandwiches, soup, and casseroles can feed the family for days.
For many households, the appeal is simple. A full Thanksgiving dinner for 10 at $35 takes some worry out of a costly time of year. Will you be trying a store bundle this Thanksgiving, or shopping for each item the old-fashioned way?
