Target’s Thanksgiving Meal is Back and $5 Less Than Last Year, Serving Four People for $20
Thanksgiving is on the horizon, but tighter budgets mean holiday meals have to adapt. Target’s accounts a meal deal to aim to deliver a traditional feast without the high price tag.
Rising costs have changed how Americans plan their holiday feasts. What once meant a table full of dishes now has to fit within smaller budgets. Target is responding with a $20 Thanksgiving meal, priced $5 lower than last year. The meal includes all the basics for four people: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce. It’s designed to offer familiar flavors while keeping costs low.
What’s Inside Target’s $20 Thanksgiving Meal?
This $20 meal package serves four people at just $5 per person. It can also be doubled to serve eight while still keeping costs manageable. Here’s what’s included:
- Good & Gather Premium Basted Young Turkey (Frozen) – up to 10 lb.
- Good & Gather Russet Potatoes – 5 lb.
- Del Monte Cut Green Beans – 14.5 oz.
- Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup – 10.5 oz.
- Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce – 14 oz.
- Stove Top Turkey Stuffing Mix – 6 oz.
- Heinz Home Style Roasted Turkey Gravy – 12 oz.
The meal combines popular brands with convenience and quality, focusing on a hearty holiday meal without the hassle. At 79 cents per pound, the turkey is 20% cheaper than last year, making it even more budget-friendly.
Major Retailers Adjust to New Realities
Woman housewife looking check in the store
While food prices are still high compared to pre-pandemic levels, they’re rising more slowly than before. The USDA’s Food Price Outlook indicates that grocery prices increased by only 1% in 2024, down from 5% in 2023 and 11.4% in 2022. Key categories like fish, dairy, and fresh produce even saw price drops this year. This easing inflation has enabled retailers like Target to offer lower-priced holiday meals.
According to Oracle’s grocery trend report, private-label sales now make up almost 20% of revenue, with online grovery delivery sales growing faster than in-store purchases. This shift has encouraged more budget-friendly offerings like Target’s $20 meal, designed to meet evolving consumer demands for cost-effective options.
Competing Deals from Other Stores
Other major retailers are also offering budget-friendly Thanksgiving options:
These deals reflect efforts across the retail landscape to make holiday meals more accessible.
Why Target’s Thanksgiving Meal Stands Out
Happy mature woman serving food to her family during Thanksgiving meal at dining table.
This trend goes beyond just holiday meals. It’s a reflection of how retailers are reshaping their strategies to align with a changing economic climate. By offering lower-priced, pre-packaged holiday options, they’re helping consumers navigate financial challenges without compromising on what matters most: sharing a meal with loved ones.
As the holidays approach, it’s clear that budget-friendly options like Target’s $20 Thanksgiving meal deal are more than just deals. It’s a reflection of shifting consumer priorities—maintaining tradition while sticking to a budget. They’re part of a larger effort to keep traditions intact, proving that even in tough times, the core of holiday celebrations—gathering together—remains strong.
