FinanceBuzz looked up turkey prices in every state to find out where home cooks can expect to pay the most and least for their Thanksgiving dinner.
Home chefs across America are gearing up for the biggest feast of the year. While individual tastes dictate what side dishes are at the table, at the center of most Thanksgiving meals is an entrée thats a time-honored tradition: the turkey.
Turkey also tends to be the most expensive part of a Thanksgiving feast, so our team at FinanceBuzz wanted to help give cooks a leg-up on their shopping by calculating how much they should expect to budget for their bird this year.
To determine the average cost for a turkey in 2024, we collected prices from multiple U.S. grocery stores across the country and determined how much shoppers in each state can expect to pay for a Thanksgiving turkey this year.
How Much Does a Pound of Turkey Cost? Pricing Breakdown by Type
With turkey being a lean, versatile and budget-friendly protein option, it’s no wonder why it continues to be a staple protein on many grocery lists. But with prices fluctuating throughout the year, many wonder – how much does a pound of turkey cost on average?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the average cost per pound of turkey by type, look at what impacts pricing, provide tips for saving money, and discuss how turkey costs stack up against other proteins like chicken and beef.
Average Turkey Prices Per Pound
The average price for a pound of raw turkey across all types in the United States is $3.29, according to recent data. However, there is significant variability in per-pound turkey costs depending on the specific cut or product purchased.
Here is a detailed breakdown of average per-pound prices for different turkey products:
- Whole Frozen Turkeys – $1.35/lb
- Turkey Breast Cutlets – $6.49/lb
- Ground Turkey – $4.29/lb
- Turkey Tenderloins – $9.99/lb
- Deli Sliced Turkey – $11.49/lb
As you can see, whole frozen turkeys are by far the most economical choice at just over $1 per pound. However, convenience products like pre-sliced deli turkey and specialized cuts like tenderloins cost significantly more.
What Impacts the Cost of Turkey?
Several factors account for the fluctuations in turkey prices throughout the year and differences between products:
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Type of Cut – As shown above, different turkey cuts vary widely in price per pound depending on desirability. A whole turkey is the most affordable choice.
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Time of Year – Prices drop in spring/summer when demand decreases after the winter holidays. Expect peak pricing in November/December.
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Frozen vs. Fresh – Frozen whole turkeys are about 30% cheaper than fresh. Convenience commands a premium.
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Organic/Free-Range – Specialty birds are smaller in size and run $1-2 more per pound on average.
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Store Type – Warehouse clubs offer the best deals on frozen turkeys when stocking up for holidays.
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Location – Regional pricing differences account for +/- $0.25 per pound across different areas of the U.S.
Tips for Saving Money on Turkey
Here are some tips and strategies for getting the best possible deal when purchasing turkey:
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Buy whole frozen turkeys – The most budget-friendly option, often under $1 per pound.
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Shop warehouse stores – Stock up when whole frozen turkeys are heavily discounted leading up to holidays.
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Check ads and buy in bulk when on sale – Stock up on extra turkey to freeze for later when prices drop.
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Go with generic store brands – Save up to 20% opting for store brand over name brand turkey.
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Buy larger pack sizes – Larger-volume packages are typically cheaper on a per-pound basis.
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Use lesser-known cuts – Wings, thighs, drumsticks and other parts often cost less.
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Make your own ground turkey – Grind and cook your own for burgers, meatballs, etc.
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Purchase near “sell-by” dates – Ask for discounted turkey nearing its sell-by date for quick cooking/freezing.
Monitoring ads for sales, buying generic brands, purchasing whole birds, and stocking up when prices are low are great ways to beat the average price per pound for turkey.
Turkey Prices Over Time
Over the past decade, the average retail price for turkey has steadily increased, driven by factors like higher production costs and growing consumer demand. Here are the national average turkey prices per pound over the last 10 years:
- 2022 – $3.29
- 2021 – $3.19
- 2020 – $3.12
- 2019 – $2.99
- 2018 – $2.89
- 2017 – $2.79
- 2016 – $2.69
- 2015 – $2.59
- 2014 – $2.49
- 2013 – $2.39
As you can see, turkey prices have risen around 35% over the past 10 years. The expectation is turkey costs will continue gradually increasing over the next decade as well.
How Turkey Compares to Chicken and Beef
Despite the rise in prices over time, turkey remains one of the most affordable and lean sources of protein compared to beef and chicken:
- Ground Beef: $4.99/lb
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: $3.99/lb
- Lean Ground Turkey: $4.29/lb
- 85% Lean Ground Beef: $5.49/lb
- Whole Frozen Turkey: $1.35/lb
So while fresh boneless chicken breasts are cheaper than ground turkey, a whole frozen turkey is by far the most economical choice. And turkey provides more lean protein per calorie than higher-fat beef options.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to buying turkey, pricing can range significantly based on the cut, whether it’s frozen or fresh, time of year, and retailer. But focusing on whole frozen turkeys, buying larger quantities when on sale, and seeking out discounts will help you land the best deal. Compared to beef and chicken, turkey remains a wallet-friendly protein option for shoppers looking to stay within budget.
States with the most affordable Thanksgiving turkeys
Turkeys are most affordable in Oklahoma, where they cost just $19.75 on average. Thats nearly $11.50 cheaper than the national average. One other state also has an average turkey price thats under $20, as Louisianans can get a 15-pound turkey for an average cost of $19.80.
Least expensive states for a Thanksgiving turkey
| State | Cost for a 15-pound turkey |
| Oklahoma | $19.75 |
| Louisiana | $19.80 |
| Mississippi | $22.30 |
| Texas | $22.60 |
| Illinois | $22.85 |
| Ohio | $22.85 |
| Kentucky | $24.85 |
| Tennessee | $24.85 |
| Michigan | $25.35 |
| Indiana | $25.85 |
| Kansas | $25.85 |
The third and fourth-lowest turkey prices in the country can be found in Mississippi and Texas, where they cost $22.30 and $22.60, respectively. Two states are tied with the fifth-lowest average cost, with a 15-pound bird coming in at $22.85 in both Illinois and Ohio.
How much are Thanksgiving turkeys this year? Average turkey costs by state
As is the case with many goods, the most expensive average turkey prices in the U.S. were found away from the contiguous United States. Residents of Hawaii can expect to pay the highest rate in the country ($52.85) for a 15-pound turkey. Thats nearly 70% more than the national average of $31.16.
Turkeys cost almost $10 less in Alaska ($44.85), but that still makes the bird more expensive than in any of the remaining 48 states. Hawaiians and Alaskans are no strangers to high prices. Alaska and Hawaii consistently rank among the most expensive states to live in due to the high costs of transporting goods to the non-contiguous states.
Most expensive states for a Thanksgiving turkey
| State | Cost for a 15-pound turkey |
| Hawaii | $52.85 |
| Alaska | $44.85 |
| California | $39.85 |
| Connecticut | $36.85 |
| Montana | $36.85 |
| New Jersey | $36.85 |
| Nebraska | $36.35 |
| New York | $35.85 |
| Minnesota | $35.30 |
| Georgia | $34.85 |
| North Carolina | $34.85 |
On the mainland, California has the most expensive turkey prices on average, as a 15-pound bird costs $39.85 in the Golden State. Three states are tied with the fourth-highest turkey price in the country, as a 15-pound bird will cost shoppers $36.85 on average in Connecticut, Montana, and New Jersey.
What Size Turkey To Buy – Ace Hardware
FAQ
What is the price of turkey per pound?
Key findings. On average, Americans can expect to pay $31.16 for a 15-pound turkey this year — an average of $2.08 per pound.
How much does 1lb of turkey feed?
As a general rule when buying turkey, plan on 1 pound of turkey per person. This allows approximately 7 cooked ounces of meat per serving.Nov 19, 2024
What is the average price of a 15 lb turkey?
| Turkey Size | How many does it feed? | Turkey Price |
|---|---|---|
| 13 lb. | 26 to 39 | $87.25 |
| 14 lb. | 28 to 42 | $93.75 |
| 15 lb. | 30 to 45 | $100.00 |
| 16 lb. | 32 to 48 | $106.75 |
How much is a 20 lb turkey feed?
“So, for 10 people you should prepare a 20-pound turkey. Home cooks should expect to yield 40 percent of a cooked bird, and between dark meat and white meat preferences, the yield will shrink even further,” DiSpirito says.
How long does it take to cook a 6 pound turkey?
The rule of thumb for an unstuffed turkey is that it cooks at a rate of 13 minutes per pound in a 350ºF oven. At this rate, a 6-pound turkey will take 78 minutes (or 1 hour and 18 minutes). A 15-pound turkey will take 195 minutes (or 3 hours and 15 minutes).
How much meat is in a pound of Turkey?
“One pound of raw whole turkey will equal about eight ounces of raw, usable meat,” he says. “With moisture loss, that is about five to six ounces of cooked meat per person.” Keep in mind that if some of your guests are vegetarian, you can purchase a smaller bird. Consider your crowd’s preferences for light meat versus dark meat, too.
How much Turkey should a 10 pound turkey eat?
The end goal is 1/2 a pound of turkey per adult and 1/3 of a pound per child at the dinner table. So if you’re serving a holiday dinner of 10 adults, you need five pounds of cooked turkey in total. We know we’re going to lose roughly 50% of the weight of a whole bird through cooking and the bones. So you’ll want a 10-pound turkey.