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.
As the holidays approach, it’s time to start planning the centerpiece of many festive meals – the turkey! Feeding a small to medium gathering? A 20 pound turkey is often the perfect size. But with budgets tighter amidst inflation and rising food costs, how much should you expect to pay? Let’s break down the average cost of a 20 pound turkey and tips to save money.
Average Price for a 20 Pound Frozen Turkey
A frozen 20 pound whole turkey typically costs between $1.49-$1.99 per pound. This works out to $29.80-$39.80 for a turkey of this size. Of course prices vary by retailer, promotions, organic and specialty options. But you can generally expect to spend $30-$40 for a frozen 20 pound turkey.
Here’s what major brands charge:
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Butterball $1.49-$1.99 per lb so $29.80-$39.80 for a 20 lb turkey.
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Honeysuckle $1.19-$1.49 per lb so $23.80-$29.80 for a 20 lb turkey.
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Store brands: $0.99-$1.49 per lb, so $19.80-$29.80 for a 20 lb turkey.
Watch for holiday sales below $1.49 per pound. Buying early, price matching and using coupons can also lower costs.
Factors Impacting Price of 20 Pound Birds
Several key factors impact frozen turkey pricing including:
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Brand – Premium brands like Butterball cost more than generic store brands. Pay for the brand quality.
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Retailer – Grocery store, warehouse club, butcher shop, speciality retailer, etc. Warehouse clubs often charge most.
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Fresh vs. Frozen – Fresh turkeys can cost ~50% more per pound than frozen. Plan ahead.
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Organic & Specialty – Pasture-raised, organic, kosher, heritage turkeys cost at least twice as much.
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Season/Market Trends – Prices fluctuate annually and trend higher before the holidays.
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Turkey Size – Per pound cost sometimes lower on large >25 pound birds.
Ways to Save on a 20 Pound Turkey
Here are some tips to save money when buying a frozen 20 pound turkey:
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Shop sales before and after Thanksgiving when prices drop. Stock up if you have freezer space.
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Join retailer loyalty programs for exclusive deals. Load digital coupons and rewards.
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Price match competitors’ ads and ask about “lowest price guarantees”. Most retailers comply.
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Buy store brands instead of name brands. Often same quality for less.
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Plan early. Late season shoppers pay higher prices as inventory sells down.
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Buy shortly after holidays when prices usually bottom out all year.
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Split large turkey with others. Per pound cost lower on heavy 25+ pound birds.
Expected Cost for a Turkey Dinner with 20 Pound Bird
Here’s an estimate of what you’ll spend for a full turkey dinner featuring a 20 pound frozen turkey:
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Turkey: $30-$40
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Side dishes: $15-$30
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Dessert: $10-$15
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Drinks: $15-$30
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Decor: $5-$10
Total Turkey Dinner Cost: $75-$125
The 20 pound turkey accounts for 30-50% of total costs. With smart shopping you can serve 10-12 guests a delicious turkey dinner for around $100.
Quick Turkey Cost Math
Here’s a quick cheat sheet to estimate costs for your ideal turkey size:
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10 lb turkey: $15-$20
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15 lb turkey: $22-$30
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20 lb turkey: $30-$40
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25 lb turkey: $37-$50
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30 lb turkey: $45-$60
Buy the smallest bird for your expected guests, with a pound or two extra. A 20 pound turkey feeds 8-12 people comfortably.
Take Advantage of Holiday Deals
With the right shopping strategies, you can find 20 pound frozen turkeys priced at $1.49 per pound or lower. Sign up for retailer emails and apps to get coupon alerts and flash sales. Price match competitor deals and buy warehouse club birds with family to save. And most importantly – shop early! By being a savvy shopper, you can serve up a beautiful, budget-friendly 20 pound holiday turkey this season.
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.
How much meat do you get from a 20 pound turkey?
FAQ
How many people does a 20 pound turkey cost?
How many people will a 20-lb. turkey feed? A 20-pound turkey will feed between 12 and 14 people.Nov 25, 2024
What is the average price of a turkey?
- Location: The price of a turkey varies by state and even by store. For example, Hawaii has the highest average turkey prices in the country, while Oklahoma has the lowest.
- Bird flu: In 2022, an outbreak of bird flu caused prices to spike across the U.S.
- Production: Lower production and supplies than last year could affect prices as the holiday season progresses.
How many people will 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 much should I pay for a turkey?
| Weights: | Servings per person (note these are a guide only): | Price: |
|---|---|---|
| 5-6 kg | Aprox. 10 people | £78.75 |
| 6-7 kg | Aprox. 12 people | £89.00 |
| 7-8 kg | Aprox. 14 people | £97.50 |
| 8-9 kg | Aprox. 16 people | £107.50 |
How much does a 20 lb Turkey cost?
Organic, free-range, pasture-raised, kosher and heritage breed turkeys can cost at least twice as much as conventionally raised frozen birds. Expect to pay $3-4 per pound or more for specialty 20 lb turkey varieties. Turkey prices fluctuate annually based on many complex market factors including feed costs, supplier contracts, inventory, and more.
How much does a 15 lb Butterball turkey cost?
On average, Americans can expect to pay $35.40 for a 15-pound turkey this year — an average of $2.36 per pound. How much is Butterball turkeys? Turkey prices: $0.87 per pound for Butterball frozen premium all-natural turkeys. How much would a 10lb turkey cost? How many people will a 16 lb Butterball turkey feed?
How much does a turkey cost at Target?
*Updated for 2024* Target has released its turkey pricing. Buy a Good & Gather Premium frozen whole turkey for $.79 per pound. This is down from last year’s price. If you’d like a Butterball frozen turkey, it’s priced at $1.19 per pound. This is also the same as last year. Note: Prices may vary by location.
How much does a whole turkey cost?
Plan for your feast and choose from Homestyle Turkey, Spiral Ham or Prime Rib with all the traditional sides for as little as $69.99, depending upon meat selection. *Updated for 2023* This year the Member’s Mark Frozen All-Natural Whole Turkey priced at $1.19 per pound (available starting November 10).
How much does a Butterball turkey cost at Aldi?
*Updated for 2024* As of December 19 – The Aldi turkey price is $1.69 per pound for a frozen Butterball Whole Turkey (10 – 22 lb, limit 2). This is a fantastic price per pound for Butterball if you have an Aldi store near you. I especially love that it doesn’t require any additional purchase, coupon, etc. to get this price.
Can I request a 24 lb Turkey?
Q: The description says 20-24 lbs. Can I request a 24 lb one? A: Unfortunately, no. Whole turkeys are sold by weight range, and we cannot guarantee the exact weight of a turkey within the specified range. A: The turkey is not a fresh one. It should say premium. Don’t know the difference. Q: Is this fresh or previously frozen? A: Hi Florida Life!