As we’re fond of saying, Thanksgiving is the Mother of All Family Dinners. But even though many of the staple foods, like potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin, are usually low-cost items, producing a holiday feast can also lead to the Mother of All Grocery Bills. And at a time when prices keep climbing — nearly 30% in 5 years, and still rising — while other economic factors are adding to the pressure, a budget-friendly Thanksgiving is going to be a priority for more families.
We started looking at ways to create a meal with the traditional holiday feel, at a potentially lower price point. To compile our list, we tracked prices on items in a few different ways: The USDA’s weekly and monthly updates on national average costs, Federal Reserve reporting on pricing trends, and through online comparisons of prices at common national retailers like Walmart, Target, and Kroger. We also factored in the cost of spices, using only herb and spice products that are available at outlets like the Dollar Tree or Walmart, with a price range of $1.25-$1.99 per item. All prices were tracked during October 2025.
As for the turkey, we noted that the national average price is up to $1.32 per pound this year, which means a big bird for the center of the table may not be within reach. There are certainly local and regional price differences, and some well-known great deals available, like the infamous Aldi 77-cent turkey deal. Some families will also receive turkey coupons as a holiday bonus from employers, or may have other help in securing a turkey for the big day. But we wanted to provide some other ideas in case a big turkey isn’t realistic for you this year. Instead, you might choose one of our suggested recipes that uses chicken leg quarters, which are currently one of the lowest-cost poultry items available; or go with something like our Thanksgiving meatball recipe, which offers tradition with a twist.
Below are 10 Thanksgiving-worthy recipes to choose from, at price points of under $1 per serving, under $2 per serving, and under $3 per serving. Mix and match to create the ideal holiday menu, at the budget that works for you.
Thanksgiving Recipes for Under $1 Per Serving
Clancy Harrison’s Easy Mac and Cheese Recipe
$4.60 for the full recipe; $0.77 per serving if serving 6 people; $0.57 per serving for 8 people
Green beans with Lime
$4.60 for the full recipe; $0.57 per serving for 8 servings
Apple Crisp
$2.79 for the full recipe; $0.47 per serving for 6 servings; $0.70 per serving for 4 people
Eggnog Cake (we omitted the rum, as the recipe suggests)
$4.77 for the full recipe; $0.48 per serving for 10 people
Thanksgiving Recipes for Under $2 Per Serving
Thanksgiving Meatballs
$7.69 for the full recipe; $1.28 per serving for 4 people; $1.92 per serving for 6 servings
Cornbread stuffing
$11.76 for the full recipe; $1.47 per serving for 8 servings; $1.96 per serving for 6 people
Roasted Squash and Apple Mash
$7.41 for the full recipe; $1.23 per serving for 6 servings; $1.85 per serving for 4 people
Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken Legs and Vegetables (using leg quarters)
$10.57 for the full recipe; $1.76 per serving for 6 people
Thanksgiving Recipes for Under $3 Per Serving
Smothered Chicken with Apple Cider Gravy
$8.58 for the full recipe using 3 lbs. leg quarters, $10.02 for the full recipe using 4 lbs. leg quarters; $2.12 per serving for 6 people, $2.50 per serving for 4
Roasted Chicken with Herbed Potatoes
$14.54 for the full recipe; $2.43 per serving for 6 people; $3.63 per serving for 4 people