Thanksgiving dinner can get expensive pretty quickly. You start with the turkey, then add potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, rolls, and dessert. Before long, the grocery cart costs much more than expected. That’s why ALDI’s $40 Thanksgiving meal received so much attention.
The deal was announced for the 2025 holiday season. ALDI said shoppers could buy enough food to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people at around $4 per person. It included a turkey, ingredients for nine sides, and pumpkin pie. This guide will show you exactly what was included and explain how the promotion worked.
What Was Included in ALDI’s $40 Thanksgiving Meal?
ALDI’s shopping list contained 21 different products. Some items came in more than one package, such as the green beans, mac and cheese, gravy mix, and stuffing.
Here’s the full list:
- A whole turkey of around 14 pounds
- Chicken broth
- Condensed cream of mushroom soup
- Evaporated milk
- Hawaiian sweet rolls
- Miniature marshmallows
- Two cans of cut green beans
- One can of 100% pure pumpkin
- Two boxes of shells and cheese
- Three packets of brown gravy mix
- Poultry spices and herbs
- French fried onions
- Pie crust
- Two boxes of chicken or cornbread stuffing
- Whipped dairy topping
- A 3-pound bag of yellow onions
- Baby peeled carrots
- Celery
- Cranberries
- A 3-pound bag of sweet potatoes
- A 10-pound bag of russet potatoes
It looks like a simple grocery list, and honestly, that’s exactly what it was. The products weren’t packed together inside one special Thanksgiving box. Shoppers had to find and purchase the individual items.
What Dishes Could You Make With These Ingredients?
The groceries covered the main parts of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. A few items, such as onions, broth, milk, and herbs, were meant to be used across different recipes.
| Thanksgiving dish | Main ingredients from the list |
|---|---|
| Roast turkey | Whole turkey, poultry herbs, onions, celery, and broth |
| Dinner rolls | Hawaiian sweet rolls |
| Cranberry sauce | Fresh cranberries |
| Carrots | Baby peeled carrots |
| Mac and cheese | Two boxes of shells and cheese |
| Stuffing | Stuffing mix, broth, celery, and onions |
| Mashed potatoes and gravy | Russet potatoes and brown gravy mix |
| Sweet potato casserole | Sweet potatoes, evaporated milk, and marshmallows |
| Green bean casserole | Green beans, mushroom soup, and fried onions |
| Pumpkin pie | Canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, pie crust, and whipped topping |
The turkey was the main dish, with rolls, cranberry sauce, carrots, mac and cheese, stuffing, potatoes, and two casseroles around it. Pumpkin pie finished the meal. It was a fairly complete holiday spread, though every family has its own favorites and may want to add something else.
Was It a Ready-Made Meal Kit?
No, ALDI’s $40 Thanksgiving meal wasn’t cooked and ready to serve. It also wasn’t one sealed meal kit that you could pick up from a single shelf. The offer was based on buying specific grocery products separately and preparing the dishes at home.
ALDI marked the participating products on store shelves during the promotion. Shoppers didn’t need a membership or coupon to get the advertised prices. You still had to season the turkey, prepare the sides, bake the pie, and handle all the usual Thanksgiving cooking. So yes, the low price saved money, but it didn’t save all the kitchen work.
Did the Meal Really Cost Exactly $40?
ALDI based the $40 estimate on selected products, including a turkey weighing around 14 pounds. The company said the meal could feed 10 people, which worked out to roughly $4 per person.
Still, $40 wasn’t a guaranteed final total for every shopper. Your bill could change because of:
- The exact weight of the turkey
- Prices at your local ALDI store
- Missing or unavailable products
- Different brands or substitutions
- Online prices and delivery charges
- Taxes where they apply
A heavier turkey would naturally cost more. Swapping an included product for another brand or larger size could also push the total above $40. Small changes add up, especially across a list this long.
Could You Order the Meal Online?
During the 2025 promotion, shoppers could buy the items inside ALDI stores. Curbside pickup and delivery were also available in supported areas through services such as Instacart, Uber Eats, and DoorDash.
The online total could be slightly higher than the in-store price. Delivery fees, service charges, tips, and product price differences weren’t part of the basic $40 estimate. Also, the meal wasn’t necessarily listed as one automatic bundle. You might have needed to add each item to your cart separately.
Is ALDI Offering the $40 Meal in 2026?
The confirmed $40 Thanksgiving promotion ran from October 15 through December 24, 2025. It was a seasonal offer, not a permanent meal deal available throughout the year.
ALDI may announce another Thanksgiving promotion for 2026, but shoppers shouldn’t assume that the price, product list, or serving size will stay the same. Check your local store and ALDI’s latest holiday announcement closer to Thanksgiving. Prices can change, and some locations may carry different products.
Final Thoughts
ALDI’s 2025 $40 Thanksgiving meal included 21 grocery products for a turkey, nine sides, and pumpkin pie. It was designed to feed 10 people, but it wasn’t a cooked dinner or a boxed meal kit. Shoppers bought the products separately and prepared everything at home.
For a basic Thanksgiving spread, the list covered a lot without getting too fancy. Which dish would you add or replace: mac and cheese, green bean casserole, or sweet potato casserole?
