Thanksgiving dinner is in just a few days, and while many Americans have cut back on their spending recently due to inflation, they might still splurge a bit for the holiday. This means budgets nationwide will take a hit this week because the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be 20% higher than it was last year.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving price survey, which collects data on the prices of items consumed in a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10, found that such a dinner will cost $64.05 on average across the United States this year. This is compared to $53.31 in 2021 and just $46.90 in 2020. (Find out the 16 things you should know about thanksgiving this year.)
Using the Farm Bureau survey, including historical data, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index to estimate costs for the years when the AFBF did not conduct its survey, 24/7 Wall St. listed the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 10 every year from 1947 through 2022.
The components of a traditional Thanksgiving meal considered in the survey include a 16-pound turkey, 14 oz. of stuffing, 3 pounds of sweet potatoes, a dozen dinner rolls, 16 oz. of frozen peas, 12 oz. of cranberries, a half pound of both carrots and celery, ingredients for two pumpkin pies — pie shells, pumpkin pie mix, and whipped cream — and a gallon of milk.
Considering Americans might be forced to spend much more on their Thanksgiving dinners than years past, this might have an impact on another form of holiday-related spending — Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These two days mark the beginning of the holiday shopping period. (Also see, these are the states where inflation is causing the most stress.)
Early reports are showing that Americans might be undeterred by the effects of the current economic situation. One survey showed that Americans would spend an average of $500 on the weekend shopping period, a 12% increase from last year. According to the survey, conducted by Deloitte, 64% of those surveyed planned to shop during the period, compared to 56% in 2021.
Click here to see the cost of Thanksgiving dinner every year since 1987.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
1987
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $24.51 ($50.74 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $10.88 ($22.52 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.05 ($8.38 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $0.90 ($1.86 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $0.68 ($1.41 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $1.56 ($3.23 inflation adj.)
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1988
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $26.61 ($53.01 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $11.84 ($23.59 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.01 ($7.99 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $1.38 ($2.75 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $0.83 ($1.65 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $1.66 ($3.31 inflation adj.)
24/7 Wall St.
1989
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $24.70 ($47.15 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $10.77 ($20.56 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $3.04 ($5.80 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $1.39 ($2.65 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $0.83 ($1.58 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $1.73 ($3.30 inflation adj.)
1990
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $28.85 ($52.75 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $12.84 ($23.48 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.36 ($7.98 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.03 ($3.72 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.39 ($2.54 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $1.51 ($2.76 inflation adj.)
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1991
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $25.95 ($45.92 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $10.67 ($18.88 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $3.41 ($6.03 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $1.36 ($2.41 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.00 ($1.77 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $1.99 ($3.52 inflation adj.)
1992
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $26.39 ($45.48 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $11.05 ($19.04 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $3.32 ($5.72 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $1.32 ($2.28 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.01 ($1.74 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $1.97 ($3.40 inflation adj.)
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1993
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $27.49 ($46.23 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $13.55 ($22.79 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.60 ($7.74 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.15 ($3.61 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.46 ($2.46 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $1.59 ($2.68 inflation adj.)
1994
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $28.40 ($46.78 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $12.00 ($19.77 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $3.34 ($5.50 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $1.62 ($2.67 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.09 ($1.80 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.26 ($3.72 inflation adj.)
1995
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $29.64 ($47.82 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $12.68 ($20.46 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $3.39 ($5.47 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $1.73 ($2.79 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.73 ($2.79 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.39 ($3.86 inflation adj.)
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1996
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $31.66 ($50.00 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $13.46 ($21.26 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $3.75 ($5.92 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $1.82 ($2.87 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.25 ($1.97 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.27 ($3.59 inflation adj.)
1997
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $31.75 ($49.29 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $13.47 ($20.91 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $3.81 ($5.91 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $1.92 ($2.98 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.26 ($1.96 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.17 ($3.37 inflation adj.)
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1998
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $33.09 ($50.96 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $13.71 ($21.12 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.05 ($6.24 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.10 ($3.23 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.42 ($2.19 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.36 ($3.63 inflation adj.)
1999
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $33.83 ($51.36 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $14.23 ($21.60 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.18 ($6.35 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.17 ($3.29 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.37 ($2.08 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.30 ($3.49 inflation adj.)
2000
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $32.37 ($47.93 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $12.52 ($18.54 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $5.50 ($8.15 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.56 ($3.80 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.75 ($2.59 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $1.91 ($2.82 inflation adj.)
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2001
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $35.04 ($50.86 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $15.13 ($21.96 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.71 ($6.84 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.50 ($3.63 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.45 ($2.10 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.37 ($3.44 inflation adj.)
2002
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $34.56 ($49.51 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $14.84 ($21.26 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.62 ($6.62 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.37 ($3.40 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.48 ($2.12 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.41 ($3.45 inflation adj.)
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2003
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $36.28 ($50.91 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $15.47 ($21.71 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $4.83 ($6.78 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.95 ($4.14 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.35 ($1.89 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.36 ($3.31 inflation adj.)
2004
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $35.68 ($48.85 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $14.23 ($19.48 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $5.19 ($7.11 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.73 ($3.74 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.63 ($2.23 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.24 ($3.07 inflation adj.)
2005
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $36.78 ($48.95 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $15.11 ($20.11 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $5.26 ($7.00 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.56 ($3.41 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.64 ($2.18 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.27 ($3.02 inflation adj.)
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2006
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $38.10 ($49.32 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $15.70 ($20.32 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $5.34 ($6.91 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $2.91 ($3.77 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.78 ($2.30 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.52 ($3.26 inflation adj.)
2007
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $42.26 ($53.33 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $17.63 ($22.25 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $5.77 ($7.28 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.08 ($3.89 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $1.89 ($2.39 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.40 ($3.03 inflation adj.)
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2008
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $44.61 ($54.68 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $19.09 ($23.40 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $6.30 ($7.72 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.12 ($3.82 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.20 ($2.70 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.57 ($3.15 inflation adj.)
24/7 Wall St.
2009
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $42.91 ($52.75 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $18.65 ($22.92 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $6.34 ($7.79 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.12 ($3.84 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.08 ($2.56 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.65 ($3.26 inflation adj.)
2010
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $43.47 ($52.49 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $17.66 ($21.33 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $6.78 ($8.19 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.19 ($3.85 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.12 ($2.56 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.64 ($3.19 inflation adj.)
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2011
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $49.20 ($57.95 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $21.57 ($25.40 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.51 ($8.85 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.26 ($3.84 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.30 ($2.71 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.88 ($3.39 inflation adj.)
2012
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $49.48 ($57.21 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $22.23 ($25.70 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.36 ($8.51 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.15 ($3.64 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.33 ($2.69 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.77 ($3.20 inflation adj.)
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2013
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $49.04 ($55.94 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $21.76 ($24.82 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.44 ($8.49 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.36 ($3.83 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.18 ($2.49 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.67 ($3.05 inflation adj.)
2014
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $49.41 ($55.53 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $21.65 ($24.33 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.54 ($8.47 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.56 ($4.00 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.17 ($2.44 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.54 ($2.85 inflation adj.)
2015
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $50.11 ($56.19 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $23.04 ($25.83 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.61 ($8.53 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.57 ($4.00 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.25 ($2.52 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.61 ($2.93 inflation adj.)
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2016
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $49.87 ($55.36 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $22.74 ($25.24 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.72 ($8.57 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.60 ($4.00 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.46 ($2.73 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.67 ($2.97 inflation adj.)
2017
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $49.12 ($53.55 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $22.38 ($24.40 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.74 ($8.44 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.52 ($3.84 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.26 ($2.46 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.81 ($3.06 inflation adj.)
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2018
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $48.90 ($52.20 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $21.71 ($23.17 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.88 ($8.41 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.39 ($3.62 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.25 ($2.40 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.87 ($3.06 inflation adj.)
2019
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $48.91 ($51.44 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $20.80 ($21.88 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.92 ($8.33 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.75 ($3.94 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.50 ($2.63 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.68 ($2.82 inflation adj.)
2020
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $46.90 ($48.79 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $19.39 ($20.17 inflation adj.)
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $7.55 ($7.85 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.44 ($3.58 inflation adj.)
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $2.66 ($2.77 inflation adj.)
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.81 ($2.92 inflation adj.)
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2021
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $53.31
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $23.99
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $8.33
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.56
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $3.05
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $2.29
2022
> Cost of a Thanksgiving meal: $64.05
> Cost of 16 lb. turkey: $28.96
> Cost of two pumpkin pies: $10.20
> Cost of 3 lb. of sweet potatoes: $3.96
> Cost of a dozen dinner rolls: $3.73
> Cost of 14 oz. stuffing: $3.88
Methodology
To determine the cost of a Thanksgiving meal every year from 1947 to 2022, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed price data from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving price survey. The survey collects data on the prices of items consumed in a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10. The data is gathered by a team of volunteer shoppers around the country, and the survey first started in 1986. The AFBF found every year that the change in the cost of the Thanksgiving meal tracks closely with the changing price of food at home as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Costs were adjusted for inflation each year using annual data from the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, pegged to 2021, the most recent year for which annual data is available.
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