Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you don't want to cook a whole turkey and prepare the sides yourself, then we have an idea to help keep your wallet stuffed!
Americans are expected to pay around $968.8 million for Thanksgiving turkey this year, according to a study on Finder's website, sourced by the National Turkey Federation, American Farm Bureau Federation and University of Illinois Extension.
So, how much do you think you'll spend?
Grocery stores are offering pre-made meals to save you time, and potentially money, when it comes to preparing a feast for your families. Our Smart Shopper team put together a roundup from lowest price to highest price to help you decide what option might be the best for you.
Keep in mind, even though the meals have already been completely cooked, you will still need to reheat the food. So, don't forget to factor in that heating time when you plan to order these meals. Some range from about 30 minutes to a couple hours. And some require 24 to 72 hours of notice when ordering.
LOWEST PRICE FOR TURKEY DINNERS, FEEDING SIX TO EIGHT PEOPLE:
If we are just talking about turkey dinners, that will serve six to eight people, here's what we found:
- Safeway had the lowest price at $49.99, getting you a turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, rolls and cranberry sauce.
- Spend $52.99 at Albertsons for a turkey breast, cornbread dressing, gravy and a dozen rolls.
- Fry's offers a big bang for the buck. The Boneless Turkey Dinner is $55, for a three-to-four pound turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potato souffle, mashed potatoes, gravy, a dozen rolls and a pumpkin pie.
- Pay $59.99 at Food City and get a turkey breast, cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy and a dozen dinner rolls.
- At Bashas', get a Deluxe Traditional Turkey Dinner, serving six to seven people. Spend $69.99, and get an 11-to-13 pound turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry orange relish, a dozen dinner rolls, and an eight-inch pie.
- For the same price of $69.99, Sprouts offers a turkey meal for six to eight people. Enjoy an 11-to-13 pound turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, creamed kale and spinach, gravy, cranberry sauce, and a dozen dinner rolls.
Now, we put together all the details you need to know for each store, including how to order, how soon you need to order, what each meal includes and more! Stores are offering more than turkey, too! We start with the turkey deals, and then show you the ham, prime rib and vegan options.
ALL THE HOLIDAY MEAL DEALS (From lowest to highest in price) AT EACH STORE:
So, let's see who will help you save more. We listed the turkey meals from lowest to highest in price, but also included options or ham, prime-rib an vegan meals as well.
SAFEWAY: All of the dinners are fully cooked, but allow two to three hours at home for heating. You can order online, in-person at the deli counter or over the phone at 1-888-358-7328. The website says the meals have to be ordered 24 hours in advance, but an official spokesperson said the orders should be placed 48 hours in advance. So, if you want it on the November 28, you must order on the November 26. To order online, you must enter a store zipcode to start the order. It might be easier to call or order in person.
1. Rotisserie Boneless Turkey Dinner serves six to eight people and is priced as $49.99. It includes:
- A four-to-six pound fully cooked turkey breast
- 24 ounces of mashed potatoes
- 30 ounces of traditional stuffing
- 24 ounces of gravy
- A dozen King's Hawaiian rolls
- 14 ounces of cranberry sauce
2. Classic Turkey Dinner serves six to eight people and is priced at $54.99. It includes:
- A 10-to-12 pound fully cooked turkey
- 24 ounces of mashed potatoes
- 30 ounces of home style stuffing
- 14 ounces of cranberry sauce
- 24 ounces of turkey gravy
- A dozen King's Hawaiian rolls
3. Deluxe Spriral Ham Dinner serves six to eight people and is priced at $52.99. It includes:
- A seven-to-nine pound fully cooked spiral ham
- 32 ounces of scalloped potatoes
- 30 ounces of green bean casserole
- A dozen King's Hawaiian rolls
- 16 ounces of spiced apples
4. Prime Rib Dinner serves five to six people and is priced at $69.99. It includes:
- Four to five pounds of fully cooked prime rib
- 32 ounces of scalloped potatoes
- 30 ounces of green bean casserole
- 24 ounces of mashed potatoes
- 16 ounces of spiced apples
ALBERTSONS: You can order online, in-person at the deli counter or over the phone at 1-888-358-7328. The website says the meals have to be ordered 24 hours in advance, but an official spokesperson said the orders should be placed 48 hours in advance. So, if you want it on the November 28, you must order on the November 26.
1. Turkey Breast serves six to eight people and is priced at $52.99. It includes:
- A fully cooked turkey breast
- Cornbread dressing
- Giblet gravy
- 12 Rolls
2. Smoked Turkey serves eight to ten people and is priced at $57.99. It includes:
- A fully cooked turkey
- Cornbread dressing
- Giblet gravy
- 12 rolls
3. Baked Turkey serves eight to ten people and is priced at $57.99. It includes:
- A fully cooked turkey
- Cornbread dressing
- Giblet gravy
- 12 rolls
4. Spiral Cut Ham serves eight to ten people and is priced at $67.99. It includes:
- Spiral sliced ham
- Green been casserole
- Potatoes Au gratin
- Sweet potato souffle
- 12 rolls
FRY'S: All dinners are packaged cold at time of pick up and should be reheated at home through the given instructions. If you choose to order online, you must enter a zipcode, city or state. Then, use the drop-down arrow under the word "Shop". Then, select Deli or Bakery, and scroll down to click on "Host With The Most". After that, select Home Chef Holiday Meals under the "Dinners" section. There, you'll find:
1. Home Chef Boneless Turkey Dinner serves six to eight people and is priced at $55. It includes:
- A fully cooked three-to-four pound boneless turkey
- Old fashioned bread stuffing
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potato souffle
- Homestyle mashed potatoes
- Turkey gravy
- A dozen King's Hawaiian rolls
- A BFG pumpkin pie
2. Home Chef Medium Bone In Turkey Dinner serves six to eight people and is priced at $70. It includes:
- A 10-to-12 pound oven roasted turkey
- Old fashioned bread stuffing
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potato souffle
- Homestyle mashed potatoes
- Turkey gravy
- A dozen King's Hawaiian rolls
- A BFG pumpkin pie
3. Home Chef Boneless Ham Dinner serves six to eight people and is priced at $55. It includes:
- A fully cooked three-to-four pound boneless Applewood smoked ham
- Old fashioned bread stuffing
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potato souffle
- Homestyle mashed potatoes
- Turkey gravy
- A dozen King's Hawaiian rolls
- A BFG pumpkin pie
4. Home Chef Prime Rib Dinner serves six to eight people and is priced at $80. It includes:
- A three-to-four pound prime
- Old fashioned bread stuffing
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potato souffle
- Homestyle mashed potatoes
- Turkey gravy
- A dozen King's Hawaiian rolls
- A BFG pumpkin pie
Fry's also lists the following fine print: All dinners are packaged cold at time of pick up. Additional seasoning or garnish may be added at home after reheating and will not be added by store associate.Suggested retail price shown does not include taxes or discounts. Prices, promotions and item availability may vary by store and are subject to change. Any pricing promotions or digital coupons will be applied to your order at the time of payment in store. Note: Orders with inappropriate messages or special instructions will not be fulfilled.
FOOD CITY: There are several holiday dinner options to choose from. Click here to see them all. The weekly ad says to order 24 hours in advance, but the website instructs you to order 72 hours in advance. Dinners are sold cold, and heating and serving preparation is required. We looked at an option, serving six to eight people, priced at $59.99. This specific option comes with:
- An oven-roasted, four-pound Average Butterball Turkey Breast
- Two-and-a-half pounds of Cornbread Dressing
- Two pounds of mashed potatoes
- Two pounds of green beans
- One pound of turkey gravy
- 12 dinner rolls
BASHAS': Click here to see all the options.
1. Deluxe Traditional Turkey Dinner serves six to seven people and is priced at $69.99. It includes:
- An 11-to-13 pound fully cooked Jennie-O Turkey
- 30 ounces of Homestyle stuffing
- 48 ounces of creamy mashed potatoes
- 24 ounces of turkey gravy
- 14 ounces of cranberry orange relish
- A dozen freshly baked dinner rolls
- An eight-inch pumpkin or apple pie
2. If you're hosting more people, here is an option for you. The Feast serves 10 to 12 people and is priced at $129.99. It includes:
- An 11-to-13 pound fully cooked Jennie-O Turkey
- An eight-to-10 pound Hormel Spiral Sliced Bone-In Ham
- 60 ounces of Homestyle stuffing
- 96 ounces of creamy mashed potatoes
- 48 ounces of turkey gravy
- 28 ounces of cranberry orange relish
- Two dozen freshly baked dinner rolls
- Two eight-inch pumpkin or apple pies
3. Or if you just want to celebrate with a dinner for two, this Turkey Dinner for Two is priced at $24.99. It includes:
- A fully cooked split Jennie-O Turkey Breast
- 22 ounces of Homestyle stuffing
- 14 ounces of creamy mashed potatoes
- Seven ounces of Homestyle turkey gravy
- 12 ounces of cranberry orange relish
- Four dinner rolls
4. Deluxe Spiral Sliced Ham Dinner serves six to seven people and is priced at $69.99. It includes:
- An eight-to-10 pound Hormel Spiral Sliced Bone-In Ham
- 32 ounces of scalloped potatoes
- 30 ounces of green bean casserole
- 23 ounces of spiced apples
- 24 ounces of mashed sweet potatoes
- One dozen freshly baked dinner rolls
- One eight-inch pumpkin or apple pie
SPROUTS: These meals come with listed ingredients and cooking instructions. Click here, and then click on "Order Fully Prepared Meals". From there, make your selections. At the time this was written, it also said online that you can reserve centerpiece meats, holiday meals or catering trays by November 22, and get 10 percent off your entire purchase at pickup. There's a big red banner on the link above. Be sure to click on that to see the savings, and read the fine print. Here are some options, clearly spelled out for you, including VEGAN OPTIONS!
1. Natural Turkey Meal serves six to eight people and is priced at $69.99. It includes:
- A Sprouts Natural, Fully Cooked Whole 11-to-13 pound Turkey
- 48 ounces of creamy mashed potatoes
- 30 ounces of Homestyle stuffing
- 24 ounces of creamed kale and spinach
- 24 ounces of Homestyle gravy
- 14 ounces of cranberry sauce
- A dozen Hawaiian dinner rolls
2. Boneless Turkey Breast Meal serves two people and is priced at $35.99. It includes:
- A Sprouts Natural, Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast
- 24 ounces of creamy mashed potatoes
- 30 ounces of Homestyle stuffing
- 24 ounces of Homestyle gravy
- 14 ounces of cranberry sauce
- A dozen Hawaiian dinner rolls
3. Spiral-sliced Ham Meal serves six to eight people and is priced at $69.99. It includes:
- A Sprouts Spiral Sliced Ham, Fully Cooked in Natural Juices
- 32 ounces of scalloped potatoes
- 32 ounces of mashed sweet potatoes
- 24 ounces of creamed kale and spinach
- 23 ounces of spiced apples
- A dozen Hawaiian dinner rolls
4. USDA Choice Beef Rib Roast Meal serves six to eight people and is priced at $79.99. It includes:
- A Sprouts Natural, Fully Cooked Beef Rib Roast
- 32 ounces of scalloped potatoes
- 32 ounces of mashed sweet potatoes
- 24 ounces of creamed kale and spinach
- 24 ounces of creamy cauliflower
- A dozen Hawaiian dinner rolls
5. And, they have a Vegan option as well! The Vegan Holiday Roast Meal serves four people and is priced at $39.99. It includes:
- 40 ounces of Gardein Holiday Roast
- 16 ounces of vegan cornbread stuffing
- 16 ounces of vegan sweet potato casserole
- 16 ounces of vegan green bean casserole
- 14 ounces of cranberry sauce
- Market Corner Take & Bake Sourdough Loaf of 14 ounces
WHOLE FOODS: Items are served cold and require reheating. The available pickup dates are between November 21 and November 28. All orders must be placed 48 hours ahead of pick up date and time. Click here to see all the options.
1. Turkey Breast Dinner serves four people and is priced at $69.99. It includes:
- A roasted salt and pepper turkey breast (boneless)
- Green beans with roasted shallots
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Traditional herb stuffing
- Holiday turkey gravy cranberry orange sauce
The prep time is about 40 minutes, and on the website, you'll see nutritional information.
2. Classic Roast Turkey Dinner serves four people and is priced at $79.99. It includes:
- A classic roast turkey
- Green beans with roasted shallots
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Traditional herb stuffing
- Holiday turkey gravy cranberry orange sauce
The prep time is about an hour and 15 minutes, and you'll see nutritional information on the website.
The exact same meal serving eight people instead is priced at $129.99, with a prep time of one hour and 45 minutes.
3. Smoked Bone-In Turkey Breast Dinner serves four people and is priced at $89.99. It includes:
- An apple cider-brined, bone-in turkey breast, smoked over hickory
- Green bean casserole
- Maple mashed sweet potatoes
- Southern cornbread and sausage dressing
- Holiday turkey gravy
- Cranberry orange sauce
This prep time is about 40 minutes, and the nutritional information is on the website.
The exact same meal serving eight people instead is priced at $139.99, with a prep time of two hours.
4. Organic Roast Turkey Dinner serves four people and is priced at $99.99. It includes:
- Organic classic roast turkey
- Organic creamed spinach and kale
- Organic creamy mashed potatoes
- Organic traditional herb stuffing
- Organic holiday turkey gravy
- Organic cranberry orange sauce
The prep time (may vary) is shown to be about one hour and 15 minutes. The nutritional information is on the website.
The exact same meal serving eight people instead is priced at $169.99, with a prep time of 45 minutes.
5. Spiral-Sliced Ham Dinner serves 8 people and is priced at $139.99. It includes:
- A Spiral-Sliced Ham with maple-Bourbon glaze
- Green bean casserole
- Maple mashed sweet potatoes
- Corn pudding
The prep time (may vary) is about 45 minutes.
6. Prime Rib Dinner serves eight people and is priced at $229.99. It includes:
- Salt and Pepper Prime Rib Roast
- Creamed Spinach and Kale
- Cider-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pepitas
- Roasted Fingerlings with Garlic and Parsley
- Red Wine Jus
The prep time (may vary) is about 45 minutes.
7. Festive Feast serves 12 people an is priced at $279.99. It includes:
- Classic Roast Whole Turkey
- Spiral-Sliced Ham with Maple-Bourbon Glaze
- Green beans with roasted shallots
- Creamed kale and spinach
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Sage
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Traditional herb stuffing
- Holiday turkey gravy
- Cranberry orange sauce
- Parker House Rolls
- Apple Pie
- Pumpkin Pie
The prep time (may vary) is about two hours and 30 minutes.
8. Chef Jenné Claiborne's Vegan Meal serves two people and is priced at $39.99. It includes:
- Mushroom Étouffée
- Braised Collard Greens with Tomatoes
- Spicy Cornbread Dressing
- Black-Eyed Pea Fritters
- Whole Foods Market Pumpkin Pie
The prep time (may vary) is about 40 minutes.
9. Vegan Meal serves our people and is priced at $69.99. It includes:
- The Herbivorous Butcher Vegan Stuffed Turk'y
- Green Beans with Roasted Shallots
- Mashed Potatoes
- Mac & Yease
- Mushroom Gravy
- Cranberry Orange Sauce
The prep time (may vary) is about one hour.
Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble up the savings and your special moments shared with friends and family!