As Thanksgiving approaches, the scent of roasting turkey is already in the air—but so is the sting of rising grocery prices. According to the USDA, wholesale turkey prices have spiked about 40% this year due to avian flu outbreaks that slashed supply by millions of birds. The good news? Retailers are fighting back with aggressive loss-leader promotions, keeping frozen turkeys affordable (or even free) to lure you in for the full feast. With the holiday just over a week away, now’s the time to stock your freezer—turkeys can last up to a year frozen, but aim to thaw in the fridge with about 24 hours per 5 pounds.
We’ve scoured weekly ads, apps, and social buzz to round up the hottest deals valid this week (mostly through Nov. 18-24). Prices vary by location and brand (like Jennie-O, Butterball, or Shady Brook Farms), so check your local store’s app or site. Pro tip: Sign up for loyalty programs to unlock the deepest discounts. Let’s dive in!
Top Straight-Up Low Prices (No Strings Attached… Mostly)
These are the bird bargains where you can grab a frozen whole turkey for pennies per pound without jumping through too many hoops.
– **Aldi**: Jennie-O frozen whole turkey at **$0.77/lb**. No minimum spend—just pure value for a 10-16 lb bird (around $7.70-$12.32 total). It’s a staple in their $40 Thanksgiving bundle for 10 people, too.
– **Walmart**: Butterball or Jennie-O frozen turkey for **$0.97/lb** (up from last year’s sub-$0.90 but still a win). A 15-lb’er runs about $14.55, and it’s part of their under-$40 meal kit for 8-10 servings.
– **Kroger (and affiliates like Fred Meyer)**: Jennie-O frozen turkey at **$0.59/lb** with a $25 separate purchase and loyalty card. Without the min, it’s $0.99/lb—still killer for a 16-lb bird under $10.
– **Publix**: Whole young frozen turkey (12-16 lbs, Grade A) at **$0.49/lb**. That’s roughly $6-$8 total—social media is lighting up with shoppers raving about this Southeast steal.
– **Lidl**: Shady Brook Farms frozen whole young turkey at **$0.39/lb** (or as low as **$0.25/lb** with app coupon for 14-lb or smaller). Limit 2; a steal at under $4 for a mid-sized bird.
– **Meijer**: Store-brand frozen turkey at **$0.32/lb** with digital mPerks coupon (limit 1). Skyrockets to $4.80 for 15 lbs—bonus: Spend $100 in one trip for a $10 future coupon.
– **Giant Food**: Shady Brook Farms frozen turkey at **$0.27/lb** with $40 purchase (excluding the turkey). Redeem loyalty points for free if you’ve been shopping since October.
Regional Gems and Buzzworthy Finds
Deals get hyper-local, so here’s the scoop from shopper chatter and ads:
– **Food Lion (Southeast)**: **$0.39/lb** with MVP card (10+ lbs); $4 for a 10-lb turkey sans card.
– **Winn Dixie**: Grade A frozen turkey at **$0.49/lb**—pair with BOGO potatoes for sides on the cheap.
– **Carlie C’s (NC area)**: As low as **$0.15/lb** after $18 digital coupon off a $1.48/lb base (limit 1, reward members).
– **Vons/Grocery Outlet (West Coast)**: **$0.77/lb** at Vons; seniors get 10% off at Outlet this week.
– **Jewel-Osco (Chicagoland)**: Jennie-O at **$0.69/lb** with $25 spend.
Bundle Up for the Full Feast
Why stop at turkey? These meal kits feed 4-10 for under $50, turkey included:
– **Aldi**: $40 for 10 (Jennie-O turkey + all the fixings).
– **Walmart**: Under $40 for 8-10 (Butterball turkey + 20+ items).
– **Target**: $20 for 4 (Good & Gather turkey at ~$0.89/lb equivalent).
– **Amazon Fresh/Whole Foods**: $25 ready-to-assemble bundle (organic options at $2.99/lb for Prime members).
– **Lidl**: Under $36 for basics.
Final Tips to Maximize Your Haul
– **Thaw Smart**: Fridge method only—plan ahead to avoid a soggy mess.
– **Apps & Alerts**: Use Flipp or Ibotta for real-time coupons; X searches for “#TurkeyDeals” yield fresh tips.
– **Size Matters**: Aim for 1 lb per guest + extras; smaller birds (10-14 lbs) often qualify for better per-lb rates.
– **Backup Plan**: If deals dry up, organic at Whole Foods is $2.99-$3.49/lb for Prime shoppers.
With these steals, your Thanksgiving centerpiece won’t break the bank—leaving more room for pie (eggs are down 86% this year!). What’s your go-to store for holiday hauls? Drop a comment below. Happy hunting! Let’s Save America!