Turkey is the long-standing focal point of most Thanksgiving dinners. That said, wholesale costs for frozen whole turkeys are projected to average about$1.19per pound this season, so hunting for bargains makes sense. The good news:shoppers have many routesto secure an affordable — or even complimentary — turkey.
We’ve compiled some of the top offers for 2025 so you can still place a delicious bird at the center of your Thanksgiving table.
Our Favorite Ways to Cover Your Thanksgiving Meal
Buying everything for the holiday season — gifts, ornaments, travel and more — is one thing. But planning for Thanksgiving? Scrounging up the cash for the kind of feast you want can be tough. If you need to pull together funds quickly, even after the turkey is sorted, the suggestions below can help.
How to Score a Free Turkey This Year
Fortunately, several supermarket chains run free-turkey promotions to draw in holiday shoppers and help families stick to their budgets.
Generally, it’s not sensible to spend $300 on miscellaneous purchases just to nab a bird you could buy for $20–$30. But if you were going to spend that amount anyway, why not get the turkey free?
Consider the other foods you’ll prepare for holiday gatherings. If you need spices, dried herbs or other pantry staples, buy them now — stock, flour, sugar, canned goods and similar items will last for months. One caveat: these promotions differ by store and location, so call ahead to confirm your local branch is participating.
Below are retailers that have revealed free turkey offers for 2025.
1. Acme Markets
Acmeis offering free turkeys when you clip thefree turkey couponfound on its website.
Then you must spend $300 or more while shopping through Nov. 27. After reaching that minimum, you can redeem your free turkey at the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic chain.
2. Weis Market
If you’re enrolled inWeis’ rewards program, your points can translate into a complimentary Thanksgiving turkey.
The process is straightforward: Through Nov. 27, you get one point per dollar spent, and400 points earns you a free turkey, a tofurky roast, a tofurky ham, a frozen lasagna or frozen mac & cheese.
You can also use 200 points for discounted turkeys and hams — for instance, a Weis frozen turkey could be just 29 cents per pound after 200 points.
Note that points expire — the date appears at the bottom of your receipts. Claim your free turkey by Nov. 27.
3. Giant
If you accumulate 400 Giant Choice Reward points by Nov. 27, you can redeem them for a certificate for afree turkeyup to 20 pounds.
If turkey isn’t preferred, the certificate can be swapped for a Stouffer’s family-size lasagna or a tofurky roast. You can also opt to donate your turkey via Giant to a nearby food bank.
Certificates are redeemable starting Nov. 14.
4. Hy-Vee
Buy a Hormel Cure 81 ham or a Honeysuckle turkey, and Hy-Vee will give you afree 10- to 14-pound Honeysuckle turkey.
5. ShopRite
First, earn points on purchases from Oct. 26 through Thanksgiving with your Price Plus club card.
After you hit a certain spending threshold (check yourlocal store circularfor specifics), present your Price Plus card at checkout to obtainone of 10 free options, which can include a turkey up to 21 pounds, turkey breast, chicken, lasagna, a Gardein plant-based roast, tofurky, ham or mac & cheese.
You may pick up your free selection any day through Thanksgiving Day.
6. BJ’s Wholesale Club
Spend $150 in a single transaction between Nov. 1–10, then clip the free turkey coupon from your BJ’s app account or onBJs.combetween Nov. 15–26. Return to BJ’s by Nov. 26 to redeem the coupon and collect your turkey.
The maximum coupon value is $25.
Where to Find Inexpensive Turkeys
Below are other retailers with budget-friendly prices, plus stores likely to lower turkey prices during Thanksgiving promotions in the coming weeks.
7. Aldi
Thanks to an affordableThanksgiving bundle, you can feed 10 people for $40. The kit includes a whole turkey, pumpkin pie components and popular side dishes.
8. City Market
City Market lists aButterball Premium Whole Frozen Turkey (14–16 pounds) for $14.85 (normally $29.85).
Watch for deeper discounts throughout November. Historically, City Market, a Kroger affiliate in the Rocky Mountain region, has run promotions for shoppers meeting a $25 minimum spend.
9. Cub Food
Cub Food offers a variety of whole turkeys — including some priced as low as $1.99 per pound.
Keep an eye on Cub Food weekly ads in the run-up to Thanksgiving; turkeys are often marked down in the two weeks before the holiday. That’s good news for shoppers in Illinois and Minnesota where Cub stores operate.
10. Food Lion
Food Lion is running a $20 savings promotion as part of its MVP Fall Haul.
From Oct. 15 to Nov. 26, customers who shop six times and spend at least $50 per trip using their MVP card will receive a $20 Food Lion coupon after the sixth qualifying shop.
Coupons are linked to personal MVP cards and are valid for two weeks from issuance.
11. Meijer
At the Midwestern chain Meijer, you can currently find aMeijerfrozen turkey for $2.29 per pound, a Butterball for $0.99 per pound or a Honeysuckle frozen turkey for $2.49 per pound.
This retailer frequently drops prices in November, especially for members of itsmPerksprogram.
12. Safeway
This large chain carries a broad selection ofwhole frozen turkeys.
Brands range from Butterball and O Organics to Open Nature and Signature Farms. Depending on the label, prices typically fall between $1.99 and $3.99 per pound.
13. Shaw’s
Shaw’sstocks familiar brands like Butterball and O Organics, with prices often between $1.49 and $2.99 per pound.
Previously, Shaw’s has offered discounted turkeys to customers who made a $25 purchase during the week of Thanksgiving. Look for similar promotions at this Northeastern chain.
Shaw’s also typically honors price matching during the holidays, so if you spot a lower price elsewhere, ask your cashier.
14. Walmart
Walmartis among the best values on this list, with substantial savings.
For example, it has a 16–24 pound Butterball turkey for $0.97 per pound. You can also choose a 10–16 pound Butterball for $13.14 or a Honeysuckle frozen turkey for $11.76 (about $0.84 per pound).
15. Wegmans
You can buy afrozen young turkeyfor $1.69 per pound.
In previous years, this beloved Northeastern chain (now in some Mid-Atlantic markets) has offered sale prices in the two weeks before Thanksgiving and provides a price-match guarantee.
Free Thanksgiving Turkeys and Meals for Those in Need
If you or someone you know cannot afford a turkey, local organizations can often help provide a holiday meal.
16. Food Banks
Food banks coordinate turkey distributions and fundraising efforts to help supply Thanksgiving dinners to families in need. Distributions typically take place the weekend before and in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. You can locate your local food bank by state or ZIP code, and also search food pantries.
17. United Way
Local United Way chapters organize turkey drives to assist families. You canfind your local United Way, or use theUnited Way 211 resourceto reach someone who can guide you to free turkeys or meals nearby.
18. Meals on Wheels
ManyMeals on Wheels providersrun holiday-specific programs.
These holiday meals often include turkey, dressing, potatoes, vegetables, cranberries, rolls, pumpkin pie and milk. Meals are delivered to homes and are available to individuals and families in need, not only seniors.
Check availability by contactingyour local Meals on Wheels.
19. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army offers free Thanksgiving dinners through local programs. Since offerings are managed locally, search for your chapter here.
20. Churches and Local Charities
Many churches and community charities collect donated food items to assemble Thanksgiving meals for low-income households. Contact nearby churches or nonprofit groups if you need help securing a holiday dinner.
