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Consumers seeking value becomes a Thanksgiving tradition

Consumers said they plan to spend $23.66 on turkey for Thanksgiving, up a slight 0.4% from last year.

By Fred Wilkinson, Chief Editor, The National Provisioner

This Thanksgiving, consumers are prioritizing value – but they are also willing to spend a little more on something special for their feasts.

For Thanksgiving 2025, the 78th National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony continuied a long-standing White House tradition with the two official White House turkeys, Gobble and Waddle, pardoned by President Donald Trump on Nov. 25..

According to the National Turkey Federation, 94% of Americans said they plan to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, with NTF estimating consumers will eat nearly 30 million turkeys across the US this Thanksgiving.

Retail prices per pound for fresh turkey averaged $3.20 in October 2025, according to retail sales data analysis from Circana. In November 2024, fresh turkey prices averaged $1.43 per pound.

Key findings about consumers’ Thanksgiving food purchase decision trends from Deloitte’s Thanksgiving 2025: Grateful for Good Value report include:

Consumers said they plan to spend $23.66 on turkey for Thanksgiving, up 0.4% from last year.
Those hosting Thanksgiving plan to spend $76.70 on turkey and side items, up from $76.01 in 2024 (an increase of only 0.6%).
74% of Americans plan to host or attend a Thanksgiving gathering or celebration this year, but three out of 10 consumers said they plan to invite fewer guests.
48% of hosts surveyed say they plan to ask guests to bring something to offset expenses.
36% of hosts plan to buy prepared sides, and only 31% are considering ordering all or part of their meal from a restaurant or similar retailer.
one-third plan to buy more private-label products or eat a less fancy meal.
59% of surveyed consumers said they would purchase some premium or specialty items for their Thanksgiving meal this year, even if it’s higher priced.

While traditionalists are enjoying their turkey dinners (and, of course, leftovers) this Thanksgiving, others may skip the bird and go with the board — the Turkuterie Board, that is.

Dietz & Watson is promoting ’the Turkuterie Board, a Thanksgiving-themed charcuterie board featuring the company's premium cheeses and meats, including: