Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 20% This Year, Farm Bureau Says

November 23, 2022

The cost of a classic Thanksgiving feast is up 20% this year, according to the Farm Bureau.

Farm Bureau’s 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving meal for 10, which is $64.05 or less than $6.50 per person. This is a $10.74 increase from last year’s average of $53.31.

The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – costs more than last year, at $28.96 for a 16-pound bird. That’s $1.81 per pound, up 21% from last year, due to several factors beyond general inflation. However, the survey was conducted before stores began offering loss leader pricing on frozen turkeys to get shoppers in the door.

The shopping list for Farm Bureau’s informal survey includes turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10 with plenty for leftovers.

In recognition of changes in Thanksgiving dinner traditions, the Farm Bureau price survey also includes ham, Russet potatoes and frozen green beans, in an expanded holiday menu. Adding these foods to the classic Thanksgiving menu increased the overall cost by $17.25, to $81.30. This updated basket of foods also increased in price (up 18%) compared to 2021.

The cost for the classic meal was the most affordable in the South – $58.42, followed by the Northeast – $64.02, Midwest – $64.26 and West – $71.37. The expanded meal (classic meal plus ham, green beans and Russet potatoes) was the most affordable in the South – $74.90, followed by the Midwest – $81.53, Northeast – $82.76 and West – $88.55.

Individual Prices

  • 16-pound turkey: $28.96 or $1.81 per pound (up 21%)
  • 14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix: $3.88 (up 69%)
  • 2 frozen pie crusts: $3.68 (up 26%)
  • Half pint of whipping cream: $2.24 (up 26%)
  • 1 pound of frozen peas: $1.90 (up 23%)
  • 1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.73 (up 22%)
  • Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $4.13 (up 20%)
  • 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.28 (up 18%)
  • 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.84 (up 16%)
  • 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.96 (up 11%)
  • 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): 88 cents (up 8%)
  • 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries: $2.57 (down 14%)

Comments

8 Responses to “Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 20% This Year, Farm Bureau Says”

  1. Bob on November 23rd, 2022 7:14 pm

    @Nicholas

    We are a Constitutional Republic, which is a kind of democracy.

    If you want more power vested in the hands of the people, that means you want the country to be *more* democratic.

    I’m not sure why you’re talking about communism. Corporations setting prices and our multi-billion dollar war machine is about as far from a stateless, classless society as you can get.

  2. Nicholas on November 23rd, 2022 4:46 pm

    This is textbook for destroying the middle class. You are rich or poor. Communism hides behind a familiar name, Democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic and it should be the people who agree to multi billion dollar donations to fund war. Not mis-“Leaders” who self elected themselves into office who caused all of this debt!

  3. Thomas Paine on November 23rd, 2022 1:34 pm

    Y’all realize that the inflation is worldwide right?

    Prices keep going up and corporations make record profits, but this is a blue/red thing, right?

    Keep playing the little political football game while they pick our pockets.

  4. Bob on November 23rd, 2022 1:07 pm

    Republicans, do you want a le sais faire, free market economy? If so, this is what that looks like. Companies see an opportunity to raise prices and increased profits, so they’re going to take it.

    Seriously, this is literally what y’all have been consistently voting for for the last 50 years. Why are you upset that you are getting what you asked for?

  5. Denny on November 23rd, 2022 11:07 am

    Frank, our area’s prices are going up too despite being red. Blame profit-mad businesses, not voting patterns.

  6. Sedition on November 23rd, 2022 10:08 am

    Looks like the current admin’s “Build Back Broker” plan is working out fine.

  7. Frank Denali on November 23rd, 2022 8:59 am

    Funny how these inflated prices affect the blue areas….north east and west the most yet they keep voting the same way LOL Enjoy your inflated prices haha

  8. StraightShooter on November 23rd, 2022 7:04 am

    That dang Putin!!!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News