Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people for just $35? Walmart is bringing back its popular Holiday Meal Basket for 2026, and this year’s version is just as good a deal as in past years at $3.50 per person. It includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie — more food items than last year, which is welcome news for families trying to keep holiday costs under control amid rising inflation and cost of living.
Walmart’s new 2026 Holiday Trend Report found that 60.9% of shoppers say holiday expenses affect how they feel about the season. Another 70.2% say lower prices would make holiday shopping easier.
Enter the Walmart Holiday Meal Basket. It includes 26 items representing 17 different products, starting with a Butterball turkey priced at just 97 cents per pound. You’ll also get a 5-pound bag of russet potatoes, Stove Top stuffing, brown gravy mix, fresh cranberries and dinner rolls. For the casseroles, Walmart includes green beans, Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, crispy fried onions, sweet potatoes, Jet-Puffed mini marshmallows, JIFFY corn muffin mix and canned corn. Even dessert is covered, with frozen pie crusts, canned pumpkin, evaporated milk and whipped topping. All you need to supply is a few pantry staples like salt, pepper, butter and herbs.
Walmart says the same items would have cost 12% more if you bought them all individually last year. That’s how you know the basket is a great holiday deal.
The Trend Report also shows why Walmart is investing in giving shoppers a way to save on holiday hosting this year. One in three people said they anticipate spending more on food and holiday meals this year, while 42.4% expect to host or attend three or four holiday gatherings. And when asked what would make entertaining easier, 40.7% said keeping costs down.
The Walmart Holiday Meal Basket is available now through Dec. 24, both in stores and online, with no membership required. You can even customize the shopping list, but keep in mind that the $35 price tag is an estimate based on average turkey and sweet potato weights, so your total may vary based on final weights and any swaps you make on items.
Affordable gadgets that make Thanksgiving prep easier
Prepping vegetables for stuffing or casseroles is a lot tidier with this manual chopper. Its rust-resistant stainless steel blades dice ingredients into a 5-cup container. The nonslip rubber base helps keep everything steady and safe, and the unit is top-rack dishwasher-safe for cleanup afterward.
This peeler has swiveling twin stainless steel blades that follow the contours of potatoes, apples and other produce, and a built-in eye remover to dig out blemishes. Its oversized rubberized handle stays grippy even when wet, and the whole thing is dishwasher-safe.
This complete set comes with a ladle, tongs, whisk, spatulas, grater, peeler, measuring cups and spoons, plus a holder. Stainless steel handles pair with silicone tools designed to work on nonstick cookware without damaging it. The utensils are also dishwasher-safe.
This baster holds 28 milliliters (or 1 ounce) of liquid and has both ounce and milliliter measurements on the tube. Its textured silicone bulb is easy to grip. The food-grade tube can handle temperatures up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. It also comes with a cleaning brush.
This masher has a thick 4.5-millimeter stainless steel wire head for mashing potatoes and other vegetables, including softer ingredients, such as avocado. The handle is ergonomically shaped for comfortable handling, and the whole tool is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
This 200-square-foot roll of Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil measures 12 inches wide and 200 feet long. It has a built-in easy-tear edge that makes it fast to use when covering casserole dishes, tenting roasted meat or wrapping leftovers. It can also be used to package food for freezing.
