Walmart Lowers 2026 Holiday Meal Basket to $3.50 Per Person

Walmart has introduced a $35 holiday meal basket designed to feed 10 people, offering families a budget-friendly option as inflation continues to pressure household grocery spending.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer’s 2026 Holiday Meal Basket contains 26 items, amounting to roughly $3.50 per person.

Compared with last year, this year’s basket offers 18% more food items at a cost that is 12% lower.

At $3.50 per person, the price marks the lowest point since the program launched in 2022, down from $4 last year, according to Reuters. The discount arrives as retailers court value-minded shoppers and consumers navigate persistent inflation ahead of Thanksgiving.

Competitors have also rolled out Thanksgiving deals this month. Target is offering a meal for six at $30, while Aldi’s version feeds 10 people for under $39.

The 2026 Holiday Meal Basket includes 26 items and costs about $3.50 per person. (Walmart)

Grocery prices have risen 2.5% year over year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ September consumer price index. The food-at-home index dipped 0.1% month over month but remains 1.8% higher than last year, while the food-away-from-home index increased 0.2% for the month and 3.5% annually.

The basket features a Butterball turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, and ingredients for sweet potato and corn casseroles.

Dessert includes pumpkin pie with whipped topping.

This year’s basket includes 18% more items while costing 12% less than last year’s selection. (Walmart)

The turkey costs 97 cents per pound, unchanged from last year.

Turkey is priced at 97 cents per pound, the same as last year. (Walmart)

The holiday meal basket is available through December 24.

Walmart-owned Sam’s Club is also broadening its holiday meal selection this year.

Earlier this month, the membership club unveiled its largest Thanksgiving spread yet, designed to feed 16 people for under $10 per person.

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