This Year’s Thanksgiving Dinner Will Cost Consumers Less

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 will cost $.44 less than it did a year ago.

Last year's dinner cost average was $49.98, and this year's will cost an average of $49.04.

“The cost of this year’s meal, at less than $5 per serving, remains an excellent value for consumers,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman, a rice and cattle producer from Texas. “America’s farm and ranch families are honored to produce the food from our nation’s land for family Thanksgiving celebrations,” he said.

The AFBF survey shopping list includes turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. There is also plenty for leftovers.

The most expensive item – a 16-pound turkey – came in at $21.76 this year. That was roughly $1.36 per pound, down about 3 cents per pound, or a total of 47 cents per whole turkey, compared to 2012. The whole bird was the biggest contributor to the final talley, showing the largest price decrease compared to last year.

Get complete cost details here.