The cost of ingredients of a typical Thanksgiving dinner in Tennessee is up by 10.5% in 2025, according to surveys and data collected by the University of Tennessee Extension’s consumer economics leadership team led by Professor Ann Berry.

National media outlets have reported that the cost of Thanksgiving dinner this year will be considerably less than 2024 (USA Today, November 6, 2025, and Forbes, November 6, 2025). These national reports may differ because these analyses used a smaller list of groceries and excluded a popular Tennessee dish, ham, from their list. Faculty, specialists, and agents on the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences’ consumer economics leadership team determined the average cost this year for a traditional Tennessee Thanksgiving dinner will be $128.50, an increase from last year’s $116.26.

Why Are Prices Higher? Andrew Griffith, professor of agriculture and resource economics, said some of the reasons for the increase include the impact of avian influenza on the turkey and egg industries and the higher cost of dairy products.

Wholesale turkey breast prices have been trading over $6 per pound since the middle of August and were $7.23 per pound the last week of October, he said. Turkey breast prices are 261% higher than October a year ago. Similarly, 8–16-pound frozen whole hen prices at the wholesale level are up 70% from a year ago and will likely be trading between $1.60 and $1.80 per pound leading up to Thanksgiving. Turkey production has been negatively impacted by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks this year that have resulted in massive depopulation.

The retail price of eggs in August was $3.59 per dozen, which is an increase of $0.39 per dozen compared to August 2024. This compares to $3.65 per dozen in November 2024. Additionally, the retail price of a gallon of milk is up 3.1% compared to last year at $4.17 per gallon.

The consumer economics leadership team surveyed grocery stores across the state between October 16 and November 1 to find out how much families can expect to pay for the holiday meal. Experts shared that consumers may be able to find better prices closer to the holiday. Sixteen retail grocers from across Tennessee located in rural and urban locations, independently owned grocery stores, supercenters, and conventional grocery stores (retailers such as Publix) were surveyed.

The 22 items on the shopping list included the main ingredients needed to serve traditional turkey (the team priced whole turkeys, not turkey breasts) and stuffing, cranberry sauce, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, English pea salad, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie with whipped cream and rolls. While some families may serve different dishes, like cornbread dressing instead of stuffing, this analysis helps Tennessee consumers budget for the holidays based on the cost of popular Tennessee dishes.

At the time the survey was conducted, the total cost of the holiday meal was $128.50, with a cost per person of $12.80. In 2024, the total cost of the complete meal for 10 was $116.26. Broken down by type of grocery store, the supercenters average the lowest with $103.16. The independently owned grocers cost an average of $118.45. The highest cost for the holiday dinner at $153.64 was found at conventional supermarkets.

The featured items for the holiday meal and usually the items that take the greatest portion of the budget for the meal—the turkey and the ham—average of $27.37 for turkey and $26.24 for ham this year. Last year, these items also took a good portion of the meal budget, with turkey averaging $26.46, and ham averaging $21.10. The turkey price reflects an increase in price of 7.5% and ham an increase of 24.4%.

Berry advises that supercenters and some conventional supermarkets are offering meal packages that are an option, but these market basket deals may include items you may or may not want to serve or may not have the items you traditionally serve at the holiday meal. “Always plan your holiday meal before you head to the grocery store and take advantage of specials and coupons on items on your list,” she said.