Homeowners Hosting Thanksgiving Are Really Getting Roasted This Year

If someone in your family is hosting Thanksgiving at their house this year, consider bringing something for the meal as a hostess gift. 

Homeowners have been feeling the squeeze on everything this year—from utility bills to insurance to renovations—but the price of groceries has been the hardest given inflation, tariffs, and supply disruptions. 

From September 2024 to September 2025, food prices rose 3.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and families are going to feel that as they start shopping for their holiday feast. 

Let’s talk turkey 

The price of turkeys is soaring as a stressed turkey supply chain is driving prices sky high. 

The U.S. turkey flock has dropped to its lowest size in nearly 40 years because of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

As a result, wholesale turkey prices have surged 75% since October 2024, according to an analysis by the Purdue University College of Agriculture.

Breaking it down to dollars and cents, wholesale turkey prices averaged 94 cents per pound during October 2024, compared with $1.71 per pound in the same period this year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, Purdue University predicts that the average retail price of a turkey could go as high as $2.05 per pound, which is 25% higher than a year ago, costing consumers about $31 for a 15-pound bird.

That size feeds roughly a dozen people—and doesn’t account for leftovers. 

However, the actual retail price of turkeys will vary dramatically from retailer to retailer. If your local store waited too long to buy its birds, you could be paying top dollar.

“Retailers that didn’t secure their turkey orders early may face steep spot market prices, which could impact availability and cost,” wrote Dr. Michael Swanson, chief agricultural economist for the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.

The rest of the menu 

According to the Wells Fargo Thanksgiving Report, an all private-label (store brand) menu for a 10-person meal comes in at $80, while an all national-name brand menu totals $95.

While that price is actually a decrease by about 2% to 3% compared with its findings last year, it assumes a fairly savvy shopper who is eliminating certain items from their home’s feast. 

For example, the price of a 10-pound bag of potatoes is down 1.5%, which is largely tied to “better potato crop and competition,” Wells Fargo reported, so mashed potatoes can be a win. 

It also found that national name-brand frozen vegetables dropped 15%, and private-brand dinner rolls dropped 22%. Turkey stuffing, prepared gravy mix, and fresh cranberries each fell by up to 4% from last year, and pumpkin pie prices were down 3% annually.

However, David L. Ortega, food economist and Noel W. Stuckman Chair in Food Economics and Policy at Michigan State University, points out that other staples are seeing significant increases, and will likely force shoppers to pivot.

“Shoppers looking to avoid tariff-related cost hikes should opt for fresh produce rather than canned goods,” he says as one example. 

“Canned vegetable prices are up nearly 5%, reflecting higher steel and aluminum costs that have raised packaging expenses.”

So, that green bean casserole might look a little different this year!

Prepping your home and your budget for Thanksgiving

When it comes to budgeting for the big day, the smartest move is to focus on traditional Thanksgiving dishes that are affordable and feed a crowd.

Turkey prices aside, a bird can go a long way—especially when paired with hearty, filling sides. Mashed potatoes, starchy veggies, and stuffing (let it live up to its namesake) can stretch your menu without stretching your budget.

Be sure to hunt for deals, and if you spot a great one, stock up early. Think ahead to the winter holidays and New Year’s—you’ll thank yourself later.

Don’t be afraid to go potluck, either. You’re offering up your home, your heat, and your hospitality—someone else can bring the pumpkin pie.

As for prepping your home for incoming guests, start with the obvious deep clean and declutter of high-traffic areas. Then, take advantage of the occasion to tackle some winterizing tasks while you’re at it.

For example, inspect your home’s exterior while raking leaves. If you spot a missing shingle or clogged gutter, handle it before true winter weather sets in. Check the handrails on stairs, too. No one wants guests taking a tumble because of a loose fitting.

Extra people in the house may make things feel warmer, but to ensure comfort and efficiency, replace your furnace filter so your home circulates clean, heated air. If you don’t have one already, consider investing in a programmable thermostat.

Finally, switch your ceiling fans to the clockwise setting. This pushes the warm air that collects near the ceiling back down into living spaces. It’ll help keep your guests cozy and save you money on heating costs.