Aldi and Walmart are going head-to-head with incredible Thanksgiving meal deals for 2025, each offering a full feast for 10 people for around $40.
Explore this curated guide to compare both spreads and discover smart tips to stretch your budget, elevate every dish, and serve a holiday meal that feels anything but frugal.
1. The Price Tag (It’s a Tie!)
- Both: ~$40 to feed 10 people ($4 per person)
- Cheapest Thanksgiving turkey prices in years thanks to lower feed costs
2. The Turkey Showdown
- Aldi: Jennie-O frozen turkey (~14.5 lbs @ $0.77/lb) → cheaper per pound
- Walmart: Butterball frozen turkey (~13.5 lbs @ $0.97/lb) → name-brand prestige
3. Total Items in the Basket
- Aldi wins quantity: 21 items
- Walmart: 20 items (down from 29 last year — Reddit is salty about that)
4. The “DIY vs. Done-For-You” Vibe
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- Aldi = Chef energy: celery, onions, spices, marshmallows, extra sweet potatoes → perfect for from-scratch sides
- Walmart = Chill energy: 3 boxes mac & cheese, 3 cans corn, Stove Top stuffing → kid-approved comfort
5. Brand Flex
- Aldi: 95% private label (you already know Aldi brands slap)
- Walmart: National heavy hitters — Butterball, Stove Top, Campbell’s
6. Shopping Experience Winner
- Walmart takes the crown: order the exact basket online, free express delivery for new users (code THANKFUL)
- Aldi: in-store only (or pay Instacart premiums)
7. What Real People on Reddit Are Saying
- r/aldi: “Aldi’s basket is a HAUL this year — smoked the Jennie-O and it was fire”
- r/povertyfinance: “Walmart removed the pecan pie and celery from last year… still good but feels like a downgrade”
- r/frugal: “Aldi turkey + Walmart canned goods = undefeated hybrid move”
8. What X (Twitter) Is Screaming About
- “Aldi’s $0.77/lb turkey is the real MVP”
- “Walmart delivery means I’m not leaving my couch until the parade — blessed”
9. Quick Hacks to Make Aldi Legendary (Under $10 Extra)
- Grab a $1.29 bag of Aldi pecans → instant candied sweet potatoes
- Use the included celery/onions/spices for restaurant-level stuffing
- Bake the mac & cheese with extra cheese + breadcrumbs = crispy top
10. Quick Hacks to Make Walmart Legendary (Under $10 Extra)
- Swap one mac & cheese for Great Value broccoli cheddar soup → instant broccoli casserole
- Add a $3 Great Value pecan pie (Reddit still mourns its removal from the bundle)
- Grill or smoke the Butterball for next-level flavor
11. The Ultimate 2025 Hybrid Play (The Real Winner)
- Aldi turkey + Aldi produce
- Walmart canned corn + mac & cheese + Stove Top
- Total: ~$50–$55 for the most stacked Thanksgiving spread of your life
Final Verdict: There Is No Loser — Only Levels
- Pick Aldi → if you love cooking and want max ingredients
- Pick Walmart → if you want convenience and name brands
- Pick BOTH → if you’re a Thanksgiving legend
