How Much Does a Turkey Cost at Walmart? Prices for Whole Frozen Turkeys

With the holidays coming up, many home cooks are starting to think about picking up a turkey for festive meals and gatherings. For those shopping on a budget, Walmart can be a great place to buy an affordable turkey. But how much should you expect to pay for a whole turkey at Walmart?

In this guide, we’ll break down the pricing on whole frozen turkeys at Walmart by size, brand, and other factors. Read on to learn exactly how much a Walmart turkey costs to inform your holiday shopping.

Overview of Walmart Turkey Prices

Turkey prices at Walmart generally range from:

• $0.68 to $1.12 per pound for store brand turkeys
• $0.78 to $1.98 per pound for name brand turkeys
• $9 to $60+ for a whole turkey depending on size

Expect to pay right around $1 per pound for an average sized frozen turkey at Walmart Larger birds, premium brands, and speciality turkeys cost more.

Walmart frequently discounts turkeys during the holiday season through weekly sales, rollback prices, and holiday savings events. Stock up when you see hot deals for the lowest prices.

Average Turkey Prices by Size

On average at Walmart you’ll pay

• 10-16 lb turkey: $11 to $18
• 16-22 lb turkey: $16 to $25
• 22-24 lb turkey: $22 to $30
• 24 lb+ turkey: $30+

The smallest frozen whole turkeys start around 10 lbs Very large holiday turkeys can be 24 lbs or heavier,

For a typical 15 lb gathering-size turkey, expect to spend around $13 to $20 depending on temporary sales and pricing fluctuations.

Walmart Store Brand vs. Name Brand Turkey

Walmart sells store brand turkeys under names like:

• Great Value
• Marketside
• Oak Creek
• Sunnyvale Farms

Name brand turkeys sold at Walmart include:

• Butterball
• Jennie-O
• Cargill
• Foster Farms
• Perdue
• Shady Brook Farms

On average, Walmart’s house brand turkeys cost $0.68 to $1.12 per lb, providing big savings over name brands. Name brand turkeys range from $0.78 to $1.98 per lb.

For a 15 lb turkey, store brand turkeys go for $10 to $17 compared to $12 to $30 for name brand birds at Walmart.

However, loyalty to brands like Butterball or Jennie-O may be worth the price premium to some shoppers.

Factors Affecting Walmart Turkey Prices

Several factors impact the cost of a turkey at Walmart:

• Size – Prices rise significantly for 20+ lb turkeys compared to smaller birds.

• Brand – House brands are cheaper than premium name brands.

• Speciality features – Free-range, organic, kosher, heirloom etc. turkeys cost more.

• Temporary sales – Check for weekly markdowns or holiday pricing specials.

• Inventory availability – Prices may fluctuate based on stock levels.

• Location – Regional pricing differences across Walmart stores.

Checking prices both in-store and online can help find the best deal on the type of turkey you want.

Ways to Save on Walmart Turkeys

Here are some tips to get a great deal on a holiday turkey:

• Shop early for best selection and availability
• Check prices online and in-store to compare
• Buy house brand turkeys for lower cost
• Look for sales, rollbacks, and holiday pricing
• Freeze turkey if buying well in advance of use
• Consider a turkey breast or half turkey to save costs
• Split large turkeys with family or friends
• Use coupons, promo codes, and rebates if available
• Buy discounted gift cards from resellers to save upfront

With some strategic shopping, you can definitely buy an affordable, high quality turkey with the low Walmart pricing.

Common Whole Turkey Sizes at Walmart

Here are some of the more common frozen whole turkey sizes sold at Walmart and their approximate cost:

• 10-12 lbs: $8 to $15
• 12-14 lbs: $10 to $18
• 14-16 lbs: $12 to $20
• 16-18 lbs: $13 to $25
• 18-20 lbs: $15 to $28
• 20-22 lbs: $18 to $32
• 22-24 lbs: $22 to $38
• 24 lbs+: $30+

Aim for a 1-1.5 lb turkey per person when estimating how big a bird to buy for your holiday meal.

Does Walmart Sell Fresh Turkeys?

Yes, some Walmart locations sell fresh turkeys, especially during the holidays. However, availability is limited and pricing is often higher than frozen. Expect to pay $1.99 per lb or more for a fresh turkey at Walmart.

The majority of Walmarts stock frozen turkeys which are more economical. Make sure to shop early as fresh turkeys sell out fast for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Should I Buy a Walmart Turkey?

Here’s a quick pros vs cons rundown when deciding if a Walmart turkey is right for your holiday:

Pros:

• Very affordable whole turkey prices
• Frequent sales and markdowns
• Large frozen turkey selection in-store
• Can order smaller specialty turkeys online
• High quality store brands save money

Cons:

• Limited availability of fresh turkeys
• Need large freezer space to store an entire bird
• Not as much variety as a specialty butcher
• Less convenient than buying just turkey breasts or pieces

Overall, Walmart is a solid budget-friendly option for buying a tasty whole frozen turkey this holiday season. With average per pound prices around $1, it’s a go-to retailer for shoppers looking for everyday low prices on poultry.

The Bottom Line

When looking for an affordable whole turkey this holiday season, Walmart is a great choice for savings. Expect to pay on average about $1 per pound for a typical frozen turkey, with total costs ranging from $10 to $30+ depending on the size.

Look for sales, shop store brands, and buy ahead of time to get the best deal. With some flexible shopping, you can definitely purchase a delicious holiday turkey on a budget from Walmart.