🦃 Thanksgiving on a Budget

internleafb
Nov 10, 2025
3 min read

The holidays are a time for gratitude, togetherness, and of course—great food! But for many families, Thanksgiving dinner can be a financial challenge. Thankfully, several major retailers are offering affordable meal options this year that make it easier to enjoy a warm, delicious holiday feast without breaking the bank.

Here’s a roundup of budget-friendly Thanksgiving meal deals that can help stretch your grocery budget and fill your table with all the classics.

🥔 Aldi Feast for 10 – $40 Total

Feeds: 10 people

Price: $40

What’s included: Whole turkey, chicken broth, condensed cream of mushroom soup, evaporated milk, Hawaiian sweet rolls, miniature marshmallows, green beans (x2), canned pumpkin, shells & cheese (x2), brown gravy mix (x3), poultry spices & herbs, French fried onions, pie crust, chicken or cornbread stuffing (x2), whipped topping, yellow onions (3 lbs.), baby carrots, celery, cranberries, sweet potatoes (3 lbs.), and russet potatoes (10 lbs.).

It’s a full feast for ten at a great value—perfect for large families or potluck-style gatherings.

👉 Check it out on Aldi’s website

🥣 Dollar Tree Thanksgiving Dinner – $20 Total

Feeds: About 4 people

Price: $20

Menu includes: Swanson chicken broth, Kraft ranch dressing, Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, Kraft mac & cheese, turkey stuffing mix, Idahoan instant mashed potatoes, Pioneer turkey gravy mix, dried cranberries, French-style green beans, canned turkey (x2), milk, margarine, sugar cookie mix, Werther’s chewy caramels, and apple pie filling.

Creative cooks on YouTube and TikTok (like Dollar Tree Dinners) have shown how to turn these affordable ingredients into a full meal—complete with appetizers and dessert.

Try this three-course setup:

Appetizer: Mac & Cheese Croquettes with Ranch
Main Dish: “Best of Thanksgiving” Casserole (layers of mashed potatoes, canned turkey, stuffing, green beans, and gravy)
Dessert: Caramel Apple Cookie Bars

Optional extras: casserole dish, block of cheddar, or an extra cookie mix for seconds!

📺 Find Dollar Tree Dinners on YouTube or TikTok for recipes and ideas.

🛒 Amazon Fresh Thanksgiving Meal – $25 Total

Feeds: 5 people

Price: $25

Includes: An 8-lb Butterball turkey, crescent rolls, classic sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and a dessert option.

Order before November 12th for delivery!

*** Some items currently out of stock, but alternative sides are available on Amazon with in a similar price range

👉 Order from Amazon Fresh

🍗 Sam’s Club Thanksgiving Meal – $100 Total

Feeds: 10 people

Price: $100

Membership required

Includes:Smoked turkey, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie, green beans with cranberries and almonds, garlic herb corn, harvest salad, and sweet potato mash.

This ready-to-serve meal is perfect for busy hosts or those who want to skip the prep. Available for curbside pickup or express delivery.

👉 View the Sam’s Club meal

🥧 Target: Thanksgiving Made Easy – Under $20

Feeds: 4 people

Price: Around $20 (depending on turkey size)

What’s included:

Premium Basted Young Turkey (10–16 lbs) – Good & Gather™ ($0.79/lb, up to $12.64)
Heinz Home Style Roasted Turkey Gravy (12 oz) – $2.79
Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Turkey (6 oz) – $2.79
Fresh Russet Potatoes (5 lbs) – $2.99
Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce (14 oz) – $3.19
Soft French Bread (16 oz) – Favorite Day™ – $2.39
Frozen Whole Kernel Corn – Good & Gather™ ($0.99–$2.29)

This simple, budget-friendly list covers all the essentials for a small family Thanksgiving. Everything can be found at Target and added to your online cart for easy pickup or delivery.

👉 Explore Target’s Thanksgiving options

❤️ Our Takeaway

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be expensive to be special. With a little creativity and planning, you can serve a hearty meal, share memories, and celebrate community—no matter your budget.

If you or someone you know could use extra support this season, always check with your local food bank to see what resources or holiday items may be available.

And if you’re an individual or company looking to give back this year, donations of seasonal food items make a huge difference in helping families across our community enjoy a warm holiday meal.

Together, we can make sure everyone in Little Elm has a reason to give thanks this Thanksgiving.