Turkey is the time-honored centerpiece of most Thanksgiving Day meals. The USDA says that the average wholesale price for a frozen whole turkey will be 96 cents, which is 44 cents less than the average price in 2023. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for deals. People are lucky because they can get a cheap or even free turkey from a lot of different places.
We’ve found the best deals in 2024 to make sure you can afford that tasty bird that will be the center of your Thanksgiving table.
Thanksgiving is a holiday centered around food, family, and giving thanks. But for many families struggling to make ends meet, affording a turkey and all the fixings can be difficult. The average cost for a classic Thanksgiving meal for 10 people is over $50 according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. That’s a lot of money to drop at once.
Luckily, there are organizations and stores that provide free turkeys and meals to those in need during the holidays. I’ve researched all the major options available for getting a free turkey in 2023. Keep reading to find out where you can get a Thanksgiving turkey at no cost this year.
Check Your Local Food Bank
One of the best resources for free food during the holidays is your local food bank Food banks collect donated food and distribute it to hungry families through pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other agencies
Most food banks offer special Thanksgiving distributions where you can get a free turkey and classic side dishes. Availability and pickup details vary by location. I’d recommend contacting your local food bank or searching their website to check their Thanksgiving schedule.
You can lookup your nearest food bank using the Feeding America site Just enter your zip code and they’ll provide all the food banks and pantries in your area, The site also has a hotline at 1-800-771-2303
Look for Turkey Giveaways in Your Community
Along with food banks, many other local organizations like churches, shelters, and charities hold turkey drives and giveaways. Especially around the holidays, nonprofits ramp up their food donation efforts to spread holiday cheer.
Check with places like:
- Local food pantries
- Soup kitchens
- Homeless shelters
- Salvation Army
- Churches
- Community centers
See if any are handing out free turkeys or meals near you. Some may have eligibility requirements based on income, so be sure to ask.
Inquire About Grocery Store Promotions
Certain grocery store chains offer free turkey promotions leading up to Thanksgiving. The catch is you typically have to spend a minimum amount first to get the free bird.
Here are some of the major stores that have offered free turkeys with qualified purchases in recent years:
- Aldi
- Food Lion
- Giant
- Hy-Vee
- Kroger
- Meijer
- Safeway
- ShopRite
- Stop & Shop
- Walmart
Check your local circulars and ads in November to look for free turkey deals. Call ahead to verify your neighborhood store is participating.
Use Coupons and Loyalty Programs
Even if grocers in your area don’t have a free turkey promo, you may be able to use coupons and loyalty programs to score serious discounts.
Check the weekly circulars for turkey coupons you can stack on top of sales prices. Some stores offer special coupons around the holidays.
And if you have a loyalty card or app, see what kind of exclusive turkey deals are offered to members. Around Thanksgiving, rewards programs often have bonus point offers that can be redeemed for free or discounted turkeys.
Don’t Overlook Frozen Turkeys
If you strike out finding a free fresh turkey, remember you can get frozen ones for under $1 per pound at discount grocery chains. Stores like Aldi and Lidl offer frozen turkeys for around $0.59 per pound.
Make sure to factor in enough time to properly thaw a frozen turkey in the fridge before Thanksgiving.
Seek Out Free Meals if You Can’t Cook
If you don’t have a full kitchen to cook a turkey dinner, look for charities and churches providing free prepared Thanksgiving meals. Many will serve holiday meals at their facilities or hand out meals to-go.
Home delivery may also be available in some areas for seniors and people with disabilities. Reach out to Meals on Wheels, community centers, and places of worship to learn more.
Apply for Emergency Food Assistance
In urgent situations, there are government resources that provide emergency food help. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) help feed low-income households year-round.
Contact your state or local social services office to learn more about applying for emergency food benefits. These programs can help free up money in your budget for a Thanksgiving turkey.
Ask Neighbors to Chip In
If you’re really in a bind, don’t be afraid to ask neighbors, friends or family to chip in. Many people are happy to contribute a side dish, dessert or even a turkey if they know a family is struggling.
Post on Nextdoor, Facebook or group texts to share you’re needing help providing Thanksgiving dinner this year. People may surprise you with their generosity!
Don’t Feel Discouraged – There Are Options
How to Get a Free Turkey This Year
There are a lot of grocery stores that offer free turkey deals to get more hungry holiday shoppers in and help people stick to their budgets.
It’s not usually a good idea to spend $300 on random things just to get a bird that you could get for $20 to $30. But if you’re going to spend that money anyway, why not get the turkey on the house?.
This holiday season, think about the food you’ll be making. If you need to buy more spices, dried herbs, or other ingredients that will last, you can do so now. Stock, flour, sugar, canned goods and more will keep through the next cooking cycle. One word of caution about our list: these deals are different at each store, so you should call ahead to make sure your favorite one is taking part.
Here are stores that have announced their free turkey promos for 2024.
Acme is giving away free turkeys when you clip the free turkey coupon on its website.
Then, you’ll have to spend $300 or more while shopping through Nov. 28. You can get your free turkey at the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states chain once you’ve spent that much.
Foodtown locations in the Northeast are rewarding customers with a free 10- to 20-pound turkey when they shop with their Club Card. You will need to spend $400 before Thanksgiving.
You can pick a ham, a turkey breast, a family-sized Stouffer’s frozen lasagna, or a $10 Foodtown gift card if you don’t want a whole frozen turkey.
If you can bank 400 Giant Choice Reward points by Nov. 28, you can redeem your points for a certificate for a free turkey up to 20 pounds.
You can exchange your certificate for a free Stouffer’s family-size lasagna or a free tofurky roast if you don’t like turkey. You can also choose to donate your turkey through Giant to a local food bank.
You can redeem your certificate beginning Nov. 15.
Purchase a Hormel Cure 81 ham or a Honeysuckle turkey, and Hy-Vee will reward you with a free 10- to 14-pound Honeysuckle turkey.
First, you have to earn points on purchases from Oct. 20 through Thanksgiving with your Price Plus club card.
Once you spend a certain amount (check your local store’s circular for details), present your Price Plus club card to the cashier to receive one of 10 free items, including a free turkey up to 21 pounds, turkey breast, chicken, lasagna, Gardein plant-based roast, tofurky, ham or a whole picnic.
You can pick up your free item any day up to and including Thanksgiving Day.
If you’re part of Weis’ rewards program, your reward points could get you a Thanksgiving turkey for free.
It’s pretty simple: From Oct. 20 through Nov. 28, you earn one point for every dollar you spend, and it takes 400 points to receive a free turkey, tofurky roast, tofurky ham, frozen lasagna or frozen mac and cheese.
You also have the option to purchase discounted turkeys and hams after earning 200 points. Say you spend 200 points in the rewards program and then get a Weis frozen turkey for 39 cents per pound.
It’s important to remember that your points do expire. The date is written on the bottom of your receipts. You can claim your free turkey until Nov. 28.
Is Your Paycheck Not Going As Far As It Used To?
We get it. Everything is more expensive than it used to be, but your paycheck hasn’t kept up.
When money is tight, these resources will help nearly everyone.
A $30 Thanksgiving is Possible in 2023! And How to Get a Free Turkey!
FAQ
Where in Brooklyn can I get a free turkey?
What is Cracker Barrel offering for Thanksgiving?
How does Safeway Free turkey work?
How much do you have to spend to get a free turkey at Acme?
Can I get a free Turkey for Thanksgiving 2024?
Free turkeys sold as whole turkey only. No rainchecks for specific brands/weights will be issued if product within the same brand/weight range is available. OFFER EXPIRES THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2024. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Get a Free turkey or ham for Thanksgiving 2024 with our exclusive holiday promotion.
Where can I get free Turkey meals in 2024?
Free turkey meals can also be provided by the Salvation Army during 2024. The faith based church group requests donations from the public and they also enter into partnership with grocery stores or local businesses. They will usually serve a dinner on site. Or in some exceptional cases they will deliver a food box to the sick or elderly.
Where can I get free Thanksgiving turkey?
We have a long list of places, including grocery stores, restaurants, and even major retailers. Historically, KCL had tracked free Thanksgiving turkey promotions and put the info on blast so you can save money on your holiday meal prep.
Can you get free Turkey at Giant?
From now through Thanksgiving Day, use your Choice Rewards card to earn points on all your purchases at Giant and earn 1% cash back. When you reach 400 points, you can redeem them for one of the following: Free frozen turkey (up to 20 pounds). $1 per pound off the price of any other turkey (up to 20 pounds). Free Stouffer’s Party Size Lasagna.
Can you get a free Turkey from giant rewards?
When Giant rewards members earn 400 rewards ($400) points between now and Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23), they can redeem their points for a free frozen Shady Brooks Farms turkey up to 20 pounds starting Nov. 11 until Nov. 23. Points can also be used toward a free Tofurky or Stouffer’s party size lasagna, or $1 off per pound on any other turkey brand.
Can you get a Turkey for free in Foodtown?
Sign up for a ButcherBox subscription plan and get a 10- to 14-pound turkey for free with your first ButcherBox delivery through Nov. 12. Plus, earn 1% cash back. Foodtown customers in the Northeast who use their club card to purchase $400 or more between now and Thanksgiving Day can get a free frozen turkey (10 to 20 pounds).