What’s a Good Price for a Turkey (Per Pound)?
Updated November 3, 2026
A good price for a frozen whole turkey in 2026 is anything under $1 per pound, and $0.50 per pound or less is a great deal. The national average advertised price for frozen turkeys under 16 pounds is about $1.26 per pound right now, according to USDA. The best no-strings deals so far are Target at $0.79 per pound and Walmart at $0.84 per pound. The lowest prices of the year, sometimes under $0.40 per pound or free, usually require a minimum grocery purchase.
We've been tracking the best turkey prices every year since 2010. Here's how to tell whether a turkey price near you is a good deal.
Good Turkey Prices at a Glance (2026)
| Price per pound (frozen, whole) | What it means |
|---|---|
| Free | Best deal, but usually requires spending $150 to $400 |
| $0.50 or less | Great price, usually with a minimum purchase |
| $0.51 to $0.99 | Good price, often with no purchase required |
| $1.00 to $1.30 | About average for 2026 |
| Over $1.30 | High for a frozen store-brand turkey. Wait for a sale, unless it's a premium brand |
Fresh, organic, free-range and heritage turkeys cost more, often $2 to $4 per pound or more, so compare those against each other rather than against frozen sale prices.
What Are Turkey Prices Like in 2026?
Store prices are lower than last year even though wholesale prices are up. USDA's weekly retail report shows the average advertised price for frozen turkeys under 16 pounds at $1.26 per pound in late October 2026, down from $1.49 per pound a year earlier. Nearly three out of four stores were running turkey features that week.
Wholesale prices tell a different story. USDA forecasts the 2026 average wholesale turkey price at about $1.76 per pound, up from about $1.36 in 2025, because supplies of whole birds are tight. Grocery stores often sell turkeys at a loss around Thanksgiving to get shoppers in the door, which is why store deals can beat wholesale prices.
For comparison, the American Farm Bureau Federation's 2025 survey found the average 16-pound frozen turkey cost $21.50, or $1.34 per pound, down 16% from 2024. Its 2026 survey usually comes out the week before Thanksgiving.
Best Turkey Prices So Far in 2026
| Store | Price | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Target | $0.79/lb (Good & Gather) | None |
| Walmart | $0.84/lb (Shady Brook Farms) | None |
| Walmart | $0.97/lb (Butterball) | None |
| Kroger | $1.28/lb (Butterball) | Kroger card, limit 2 |
| Meijer | $1.29/lb (Butterball) | Limit 2 |
BJ's, Giant Eagle, ShopRite and Ibotta also have free turkey offers for 2026. See every store in our best turkey prices at the grocery store guide, and see how to qualify for those offers in how to get a free Thanksgiving turkey.
Lowest Turkey Prices We've Tracked by Year
These are the lowest frozen turkey prices we found each year. Most required an extra grocery purchase, usually at least $30 to $50.
| Year | Lowest price found |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $0.27/lb (Giant, with a $40 purchase) |
| 2022 | $0.49/lb |
| 2021 | $0.49/lb |
| 2020 | $0.47/lb |
| 2019 | $0.49/lb |
| 2018 | $0.47/lb |
| 2017 | $0.47/lb |
| 2016 | $0.49/lb |
| 2015 | $0.69/lb |
| 2014 | $0.69/lb |
| 2013 | $0.59/lb |
| 2012 | $0.49/lb |
| 2011 | $0.29/lb |
| 2010 | $0.26/lb |
The lowest sale prices have barely moved in 15 years, even as the average price has gone up and down. If you're patient and shop the weekly ads, you can usually find a turkey for under $0.50 per pound with a purchase.
What to Look for in a Turkey Deal
Most of the best prices require a grocery purchase
The lowest per-pound prices and free turkeys usually require spending a minimum amount at the store, from about $35 to $400. That's a great deal if you'd spend that much on Thanksgiving groceries anyway. But don't buy things you don't need just to qualify, because that cancels out your savings.
Read the fine print. Some stores count the turkey toward the minimum and some don't, and some use the total before coupons.
Compare the total cost, not just the price per pound
A $0.39 per pound turkey that requires a $50 purchase at a store you don't usually shop may cost you more than a $0.79 per pound turkey with no strings. For a 16-pound turkey, the difference between $0.79 and $0.39 per pound is only about $6.40.
Frozen is cheaper than fresh
The best deals are almost always on frozen turkeys. A frozen turkey needs about one day in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds to thaw, so buy yours at least a week before Thanksgiving. If you wait until the last minute, you may have to pay more for a fresh one.
Brand and type affect the price
- Store brands (like Good & Gather, Kroger or Honeysuckle White) are the cheapest.
- Butterball and other premium brands usually cost about $0.20 to $0.50 more per pound. A good 2026 Butterball price is under $1 per pound, like Walmart's $0.97.
- Organic, free-range and heritage turkeys often cost $2 to $4 or more per pound.
- Where you live matters. Prices vary by region, so check your local weekly ads.
Stock up when you find a great price
If you find a turkey for under $0.50 per pound, consider buying a second one for Christmas or to cook and freeze for meals later. Frozen turkeys keep well in the freezer. Many stores limit you to one or two sale turkeys, though.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a good price for a turkey per pound in 2026?
Under $1 per pound is a good price for a frozen whole turkey in 2026, and $0.50 per pound or less is a great deal. The national average advertised price is about $1.26 per pound.
How much does a 16-pound turkey cost in 2026?
At the national average advertised price of $1.26 per pound, a 16-pound frozen turkey costs about $20. At Target's $0.79 per pound, it's about $12.64.
Are turkey prices higher in 2026?
Not at the store, so far. Average advertised prices are lower than last year, even though wholesale prices are higher because of tight supplies.
Where is the cheapest turkey right now?
So far, Target has the lowest no-strings price at $0.79 per pound, followed by Walmart at $0.84 per pound. See all prices in our best turkey prices guide.
When do turkeys go on sale?
Most stores start turkey sales in early November, and the best deals usually run in the two weeks before Thanksgiving. Some stores mark down leftover turkeys right after the holiday.
Once your turkey's cooked, here's how to carve a turkey.
Sources
- USDA Weekly Turkey Market Report, Oct. 26–30, 2026, IndexBox
- USDA's New Forecast Points to Pricier Turkey, Food World News
- Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Declines (2025), American Farm Bureau Federation
- Best Turkey Prices for 2026, Passionate Penny Pincher
