How Much Does a 20 Pound Turkey Cost? A Closer Look at Turkey Prices This Holiday Season

The holidays are fast approaching, which means it’s time to start planning your festive meals. For many families, the centerpiece of a holiday spread is a roasted turkey. But with inflation on the rise, you may be wondering – how much is a 20 pound turkey going to set you back this year?

I took a deep dive into turkey prices from national brands, local farms and grocery stores to find out just how much you can expect to pay per pound for a bird this size. Here’s a closer look at what I found

The Average Price Per Pound for a Turkey

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 36th annual informal price survey, the average cost per pound for a whole frozen turkey this year comes out to $1.91. This is up 21% from 2021 when the average was $1.58 per pound.

For a 20 pound turkey, at $1.91 per pound, you’re looking at paying about $38.20 for the entire bird.

Of course, prices can vary substantially depending on where you buy your turkey and what brand you choose. National supermarket chains like Kroger and Walmart tend to have lower prices for frozen birds than smaller specialty stores. And premium or organic turkeys usually cost quite a bit more per pound.

Prices at Popular Grocery Stores

To give you a better idea, here’s what major grocery stores are charging for whole frozen turkeys this season:

• Aldi – Their budget-friendly Honeysuckle White turkeys run about $1.07 per pound. A 20 lb turkey would cost around $21.40.

• Walmart – The store’s Butterball frozen turkeys are $198 per pound this year A 20 pounder comes out to $39.60.

• Kroger – Simple Truth organic frozen turkeys are $2.49 per pound, making a 20 lb bird $49.80.

• Whole Foods – Their 365 Organic turkeys are $3.49 per pound. A 20 pound turkey would be $69.80.

So as you can see prices for a 20 pound frozen turkey can range from about $21 on the low end up to $70 at high-end retailers like Whole Foods. Shop around for sales and deals to save.

Local Farm Prices

Another great option for fresh, quality turkeys is to buy directly from a local farm or butcher shop in your area. While these specialty turkeys are more expensive than basic grocery store varieties, you’re often getting a premium product.

I checked prices at a few local farms and found:

• Bob’s Turkey Farm (Massachusetts) – Their fresh turkeys run $4.99 per pound. A 20 lb turkey would be $99.80.

• Draper Valley Farms (Virginia) – They charge $4.50 per pound, so a 20 lb turkey is $90.

• Petaluma Poultry (California) – Their pasture-raised turkeys run $6.99 per pound, making a 20 lb bird $139.80.

Buying direct from a local farm is always going to cost more than a frozen Butterball. But you may think the added flavor and quality are worth the splurge for a special holiday meal.

Money-Saving Tips

With rising food costs across the board, I know many families are looking for ways to save on holiday meals. Here are a few tips if you’re trying to keep your turkey budget under control:

• Buy the smallest turkey that will comfortably feed your group. Stick to 1-1.5 pounds per person.

• Check freezer sections for sales, coupons, and rebates on frozen turkeys.

• Shop earlier – prices tend to rise closer to the holidays.

• Buy a turkey breast rather than a whole bird if you only want white meat. It costs less per pound.

• Check warehouse stores like Costco for deals on large frozen turkeys.

• Plan leftovers into your meal prep. Stretch your turkey with casseroles, soups, sandwiches, and more.

The Bottom Line

So how much should you expect to pay for a 20 pound turkey this year? The average price runs about $1.91 per pound, but costs can vary widely. Budget-friendly frozen turkeys from the grocery store can run as low as $1.07 per pound (or $21 for a 20 lb bird). While premium fresh turkeys from local farms may cost up to $7 per pound (or $140 for 20 lbs).

With a little shopping around, you can likely find a quality turkey to suit your budget. Focus on buying only what you need, use coupons and rebates, and get the best deals you can. With some savvy planning, you can still serve up a delicious turkey dinner without breaking the bank this holiday season.