Your Thanksgiving turkey will be 21% more expensive this year but people turn to funky alternatives to replace the bird

CONSUMERS are shelling out more and more cash to serve up turkey on Thanksgiving, with higher grocery store prices for the bird expected this year.

To combat inflation on the holiday staple, Americans are turning to funky alternatives to bump up the flavor of their Thanksgiving meals and cut down costs.

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With the cost of turkey on the rise, more Americans are ditching the bird for more flavorful and affordable options[/caption]

With Thanksgiving about two months out from now, Americans are gearing up to celebrate the biggest feast of the year.

Turkey, the star dish of most Thanksgiving meals, is generally the priciest part of the holiday banquet.

Last year, Americans paid on average $31.16 for a 15-pound turkey, or roughly $2.08 per pound, per FinanceBuzz, a welcome change after the 2022 bird flu outbreak caused a spike in poultry prices.

While turkey prices were down in 2024 by roughly 12% from the previous year, they are on the rise again, with the USDA projecting a 21% jump in the average wholesale price of turkey in 2025.

This means that consumers can expect higher grocery store prices for turkey this year, with factors such as reduced production, the ongoing impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and higher feed and labor costs to blame.

As the cost of the bird ticks upwards, Americans are increasingly re-evaluating or skipping the traditional turkey on Thanksgiving.

A NON-TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING

Aside from price, a spike in plant-based eating, a greater focus on side dishes – a trend driven by Gen Z – and a dislike of turkey has more people ditching the bird.

Many Americans, especially Gen Z, find Thanksgiving side dishes to be tastier than the main course.

More than 55% of people would prefer sticking to just side dishes on the holiday, and almost 40% would be happy with no turkey at all, according to a 2024 survey.

In a playful twist on Thanksgiving, many foodies are opting to host a “Sidesgiving,” skipping the traditional main course to focus on the delicious, and often cheaper, accompaniments.

“No one here even really likes turkey, so we’re just making a ton of sides and appetizers,” wrote one Redditor on a thread about Thanksgiving alternatives.

Another user suggested a Thanksgiving breakfast feast with tasty dishes such as veggie and bacon quiche, pigs in a blanket, homemade biscuits and gravy, or waffles, calling the idea “easy, fast, and fun.”

“Came to suggest breakfast as well!” chimed in one user. “It can be as involved/bougie or as casual as you want.”

SAVVY SWAPS

For Americans looking to swap out the turkey in favor of more affordable or flavorful holiday entrees, there are plenty of options.

Turkey Tips

If you do choose to cook up a turkey this Thanksgiving, there are a few tricks you can use to ensure a tasty bird.

• Start at a higher temperature to crisp the skin, then reduce the heat.
• After cooking, let the turkey rest for 20 minutes under foil. This allows the juices to redistribute into the meat.
• Avoid basting the turkey while it cooks. This can increase the cooking time and dry out the turkey.
• If you forget to remove the giblets before cooking, you can wrap them in paper and cook them safely inside the turkey.
• Don’t leave a raw turkey out at room temperature for more than two hours.

For example, a whole roasted chicken or Cornish hens are generally smaller and much cheaper than turkey.

Duck is also richer in flavor and more affordable in smaller portions than the traditional Thanksgiving bird, with pre-cooked hams being another budget-friendly and easy-to-serve alternative.

Opting to buy pork loin or shoulder is often less expensive per pound than turkey, as is sticking with turkey breast halves or drumsticks instead of a whole bird.

Vegetarian options also can be cheaper than buying a large turkey, such as stuffed squashes or a meatless roast.

For those looking to cut down on costs and effort for Thanksgiving side dishes, instant mashed potatoes and jarred gravy are a great option.

Boxed mac & cheese, stove top stuffing, microwavable corn, and canned cranberry sauce are also cost-effective and quick options.

The U.S. Sun previously spoke with a renowned culinary creator on three secrets to saving money on your holiday meal as well as the single place to splurge.

Plus, check out the cheap $2 item to turn your Thanksgiving turkey from drab to fab – and you can use it in your side dishes too.