With Thanksgiving approaching, Salina households are running the same calculation as the rest of the country: how much will the holiday meal actually cost? A review of current Dillons pricing, paired with national data, shows that traditional Thanksgiving dinners are slightly cheaper this year, though totals still vary depending on how shoppers approach the cart.

The Turkey

Turkey remains the most affordable part of the meal, thanks to aggressive holiday pricing.

At Dillons, frozen whole turkeys in the 10–14 pound range average about $13.86, or roughly $0.99 per pound. Larger birds, in the 14–16 pound range, have been advertised as low as $0.89 per pound.

That places most shoppers in a $12.50 to $14 range for the centerpiece of the meal.

This marks one of the sharpest drops in Thanksgiving pricing nationwide, easing a cost that has climbed in recent years.

Sides, Rolls, and Dessert

Dillons is also promoting a store-brand bundle designed to keep budgets tight, marketed as a “Feast for 10 – Under $4.75 per person.”
The estimated total is about $47.50, and includes:

• Core side dishes
• Rolls
• Pie ingredients
• A turkey option when purchased as part of the bundle

Shoppers who pair a sale-priced turkey with these store-brand staples can expect a total between $60 and $70 for a full meal feeding ten.

National Context

The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates the national cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner for 10 at $55.18, a decline of roughly 5 percent from last year.

Key shifts in national pricing trends include:

• Down: turkey, dinner rolls, several basic staples
• Up: sweet potatoes, frozen vegetables, pre-made trays, and select name-brand products

These patterns are consistent with what Salina shoppers will encounter in local stores.

What Salina Families Should Expect

Depending on brand preferences and optional extras, most households will fall into one of two categories:

Store brands + sale turkey:
$55–$70 total for ten people

Name brand or premium holiday items:
$90–$120+, especially for specialty desserts, fresh produce sides, or upgraded meats

The strongest local savings remain in turkey pricing, basic rolls, and store-brand pantry items. Fresh produce, yams, and specialty foods account for most upward pressure.

How to Keep Costs Down

• Buy the turkey early while sale pricing remains stable
• Prioritize store-brand ingredients for sides and dessert
• Decide in advance where “premium” items matter most
• Monitor the Dillons weekly ad or their online holiday section for rapid price shifts

The Bottom Line

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Salina is still achievable for under $70, provided shoppers lean on sales and store brands. Those who build a more curated or premium menu should expect to spend more. For most families, turkey offers the most relief this year—and the widest price break heading into the holiday.

Thanksgiving Dinner for 10: Full Itemized Receipt (Dillons – Salina, KS)

This list assumes a classic menu: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, rolls, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and drinks.

THE TURKEY

Frozen Kroger Turkey – 14 lb @ $0.99/lb
→ $13.86

MAIN SIDES

Mashed Potatoes

• 5 lb bag Kroger potatoes – $3.49
• Kroger butter (1 lb) – $3.99
• Kroger milk (1/2 gallon) – $2.29

Mashed Potato Total: $9.77

Turkey Stuffing

• Kroger stuffing mix (2 boxes @ $1.25/ea) – $2.50
• Kroger chicken broth (32 oz) – $1.79

Stuffing Total: $4.29

Gravy

• Kroger turkey gravy packets (2 @ $1.29) – $2.58

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

• Kroger cut green beans (4 cans @ $0.79) – $3.16
• Kroger cream of mushroom soup (2 cans @ $1.29) – $2.58
• French fried onions (Kroger brand) – $3.69

Green Bean Casserole Total: $9.43

CRANBERRY SAUCE

• Kroger cranberry sauce (canned) – $1.79

DINNER ROLLS

• Kroger brown’n serve rolls (2 packs @ $2.19) – $4.38

PUMPKIN PIE

• Kroger frozen deep-dish pie crust (2 pack) – $2.99
• Libby’s pumpkin puree – $3.49
• Kroger evaporated milk – $1.29
• Kroger sugar (4 lb) – $2.49
• Kroger eggs (12) – $2.39
• Pumpkin pie spice – $3.99

Pumpkin Pie Total: $16.64

DRINKS

• Kroger apple cider (1 gallon) – $4.99
• 2-liter soda (2 @ $1.49) – $2.98

Drinks Total: $7.97

FINAL TOTAL — FULL THANKSGIVING MEAL

Total: $71.71

Cost per person (10 people): $7.17