Thanksgiving Feast for Under $40? Walmart Says Yes – But What’s the Catch?

Bentonville, Ark., October 21, 2025 – After years of watching grocery bills climb, Walmart is rolling back the clock on Thanksgiving dinner.

The retail giant has just announced the return of its annual Thanksgiving meal basket, promising a full feast for 10 people for less than $40 – that’s under $4.00 per person.

This isn’t just a discount; it’s a strategic move to make holiday traditions accessible, featuring a Butterball turkey at an eye-popping $0.97 per pound, a price point not seen since 2019.

This isn’t Walmart’s first rodeo; the Thanksgiving meal basket has become a holiday staple since its 2022 debut, saving millions of customers significant cash. This year, the announcement highlights an even more affordable offering, packed with over 20 national and private brand items.

Think classic favorites: Stove Top stuffing, Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, fresh russet potatoes, cranberries, and all the fixings for pumpkin pie.

For first-time Pickup and Delivery customers, they’re even throwing in free express delivery on the basket.

Can a single click truly solve holiday stress? Walmart seems to think so, emphasizing value, abundance, and convenience as the core reasons customers keep coming back.

But the holiday cheer doesn’t stop there. Recognizing that “shared meals” extend beyond a single day, Walmart is expanding its one-click meal baskets based on customer feedback. New this year are options like a complete gluten-free Thanksgiving meal, a “balanced” basket with high-protein swaps, and even a Prime Rib meal basket for those looking for an alternative holiday centerpiece. These expanded offerings, available now until December 25, can be picked up in stores or delivered straight to your door, sometimes in as fast as an hour.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer serving approximately 270 million customers weekly across 19 countries, clearly understands the diverse needs of its vast customer base.

Beyond the savings, Walmart is once again teaming up with The Salvation Army, allowing customers to add a donation at checkout when shopping the Thanksgiving meal online. This initiative aims to help provide warm meals for families in need within local communities. So, while the headline-grabbing price point is certainly a draw, the broader impact of this program – from easing financial burdens to supporting charitable efforts – paints a picture of a retailer deeply embedded in the fabric of American holiday traditions.

The question remains: will this return to affordability set a new standard, or is it a temporary reprieve in an ever-changing economic landscape?