Thanksgiving meal deals 2026 are out, and if you are feeding a crowd on November 26, the cheapest options are already on shelves. A FOX 29 roundup published November 5 lists grocery bundles starting around $3.50 per person, and WFSB reports that Walmart’s price is its lowest since the program began in 2022. Here is what is on offer, how to choose, and the part most deal lists skip: which of those leftovers can go anywhere near your dog or cat.

The cheapest Thanksgiving grocery bundles

These are the prices reported on November 5. Availability and price can vary by store, so check your local listing before you drive over.

• Walmart Holiday Meal Basket: $35, feeds 10, about $3.50 per person. Sold in stores and online through December 24, with free Express Delivery on the basket through November 30.
• Lidl: a meal for up to 10 for $35.86, for Lidl Plus members using the free app at checkout, November 11 through 25.
• Aldi: feeds 10 for under $39 with a 16-pound turkey. No coupons, loyalty card, or membership. Through November 25.
• Target: feeds six for $30, including a turkey up to 10 pounds, November 8 through 29.
• Wegmans: serves eight for under $5 per person. Promotions run November 8 through 28, and frozen turkey pricing ends November 22.

If you would rather not cook

Prepared meals cost more, but compare them to a restaurant table for eight before you decide they are expensive.

• Sam’s Club Member’s Mark Thanksgiving Meal: just under $160, feeds up to 16, and takes about two hours to prepare.
• Costco Complete Gourmet Turkey Dinner: $199.99, marked down from $269.99, serves eight. Online only and ships frozen, so leave room in the freezer.
• Cracker Barrel Heat and Serve Turkey Family Dinner: about $119.99 for four to six, with pickup November 21 through 29. Prices vary by location.
• Boston Market: holiday orders through November 23, from $164.99 for six. There are only six restaurants left nationwide, so confirm one is near you first.

WFSB notes that advance ordering is the safe move because pickup slots fill quickly. A good rule: pick your meal this week, and put the pickup time on your calendar the moment you order.

How to pick the right deal

Start with your headcount and your oven. A bundle for 10 is no bargain for four people unless you want leftovers for days. A frozen turkey needs real thawing time, roughly a day in the refrigerator for every four to five pounds, so a 16-pounder bought the night before will not be ready. And before you count the savings, add up what the bundle leaves out. Most baskets cover the basics, while drinks, dessert extras, and anything your family considers non-negotiable are on you.

Now, about the dog under the table

All that extra food in the house is also why this is a risky week for pets. The ASPCA’s Thanksgiving guidance says the best plan is to keep pets on their normal diet. If you do want to share, a small amount of boneless, fully cooked turkey is the classic choice, and the ASPCA suggests mixing a few pieces of turkey, sweet potato, and green beans into their usual dinner.

Keep these away from pets:

• Turkey bones and raw or undercooked turkey. Bones are a choking hazard, and undercooked poultry can carry salmonella.
• Fatty food, like skin, drippings, and buttery sides, which can lead to pancreatitis.
• Onions and garlic, which hide in stuffing, gravy, and green bean casserole.
• Grapes and raisins, which are dangerous for dogs.
• Chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, so check the label on sugar-free desserts.
• Raw yeast dough, which expands in the stomach and produces alcohol.
• The trash. Twine, foil, and bones smell wonderful to a dog. Take the bag out during the day rather than leaving it overnight.

Guests add their own hazards too. Ask them to keep medications in a closed bag up high, and watch the front door when people come and go. Prevention beats a holiday vet bill, and if the worst happens, our guide on what to do when you can’t afford a vet bill walks through the options.

This is general information and not veterinary advice. If your pet eats something dangerous, call your vet or an emergency clinic right away. ASPCA Animal Poison Control is at (888) 426-4435, and a consultation fee may apply.

One thing to do while you are planning anyway

Thanksgiving falls late this year, which leaves less time before Christmas than it feels like. If there is a pet lover on your list, our Good Feels Keepsakes are made from your own photos of their dog or cat. Order printed storybooks and memorial books by December 1, and ornaments, prints, framed portraits, and blankets by December 8, to have them before Christmas. For every other deadline on your list, see our holiday shipping guide.