How Much Does a 20 lb Butterball Turkey Cost? A Detailed Look at Pricing

Butterball turkeys are a holiday staple in many households. Their convenient frozen whole turkeys take the guesswork out of defrosting and cook up juicy and delicious. If you’re planning on cooking a turkey for a small gathering of 8-10 people a 20 lb turkey is the perfect size. But how much does one of these medium-sized birds set you back? Let’s take a closer look at Butterball turkey prices.

Average Cost of a 20 lb Frozen Whole Butterball Turkey

The average price for a frozen 20 lb whole Butterball turkey ranges from $1.49 to $1.99 per pound. This works out to $29.80 to $39.80 for a turkey of this size. Of course, prices can fluctuate depending on the retailer, time of year, and whether the turkey is on sale. Generally speaking you can expect to spend $30-40 on a frozen 20 lb Butterball turkey.

Here are some typical pricing examples:

• Kroger – $1.49/lb, so $29.80 for a 20 lb turkey
• Walmart – $1.78/lb, so $35.60 for a 20 lb turkey
• Costco – $1.99/lb, so $39.80 for a 20 lb turkey

So if you see a 20 lb Butterball turkey priced somewhere in this range, you’re getting an average market price. Watch for sales around the holidays when prices tend to drop below $1.49/lb.

Factors That Influence the Cost

Several factors impact the retail pricing of whole turkeys like the brand, retailer, fresh vs. frozen, organic, kosher, and more. Let’s look at how some of these affect the cost of a 20 lb Butterball turkey.

Brand

Butterball is a premium turkey brand and commands a slightly higher price than generic store brands. However, many consumers find the consistently good quality and flavor worth the extra cost. Expect to pay 10-25% more for a Butterball vs. a store brand 20 lb turkey.

Retailer

Grocery stores, warehouse clubs, butcher shops, and specialty food stores all price turkeys differently. Warehouse clubs like Costco often have the highest prices, while grocery store sales around the holidays bring the lowest pricing. Shopping around can save you $5-10 on a 20 lb turkey.

Fresh vs. Frozen

Fresh turkeys are more expensive than frozen, sometimes up to 50% higher per pound. Since frozen turkeys can be stocked well ahead of the holidays, they benefit from increased inventory and competition in pricing. A fresh 20 lb Butterball turkey may cost $45-60 vs. $30-40 for a frozen one.

Organic & Specialty

Organic, free-range, pasture-raised, kosher and heritage breed turkeys can cost at least twice as much as conventionally raised frozen birds. Expect to pay $3-4 per pound or more for specialty 20 lb turkey varieties.

Market Trends

Turkey prices fluctuate annually based on many complex market factors including feed costs, supplier contracts, inventory, and more. Some years average retail turkey prices are up 10% or more over previous years. So the year you shop can impact the price as well.

Saving Money on a 20 lb Butterball Turkey

Here are some tips for getting the best deal on a frozen 20 lb Butterball turkey:

• Buy on sale – Look for holiday sales at grocery stores when prices can be at their lowest. Stock up if you have freezer space.

• Shop warehouse clubs – Buy in bulk at Costco or Sam’s Club if you can split the cost and bird with others. Pricing per pound is often better on large 25+ lb turkeys.

• Use coupons – Butterball frequently offers coupons and rebates around the holidays. Check newspaper inserts, apps and website offers.

• Price match – Ask retailers to match or beat a competitor’s advertised turkey price. Stores are usually willing to price match during the holidays.

• Buy early – Shop earlier in the season before inventory sells down. Late season shoppers often pay a premium.

• Buy a smaller turkey – Get a 12-15 lb turkey for a smaller gathering. Average per pound prices are sometimes lower on smaller birds.

Estimated Total Cost for a 20 lb Turkey Dinner

Here’s a rough estimate of what you’ll spend for a full turkey dinner with a 20 lb frozen Butterball turkey:

• Turkey – $30 to $40
• Side dishes – $15 to $30
• Dessert – $10 to $15
• Decorations – $5 to $10
• Wine/beverages – $15 to $30

Total cost: $75 to $125

The turkey accounts for about 30-50% of the total cost. Sides, desserts, and beverages will be your other major expenses for a turkey dinner. With smart shopping, you can put together a holiday feast for 8-10 people featuring a delicious 20 lb Butterball turkey for around $100 or less.

So now you know what to budget for your centerpiece bird. A frozen 20 lb Butterball turkey that feeds a small gathering costs on average $30-40 retail. With some flexible shopping strategies, you can likely find one for the lowest price in your area. Let the holiday feasting begin!