This May Be the Cheapest Place to Get Your Turkey This Thanksgiving

At Taste of Home, we seriously love Thanksgiving. But as heart-warming as hosting can be, it can also put a dent in your wallet. One surprising place to save money? The turkey.

How much is a turkey? Many grocery stores offer competitive pricing around the holidays, so if you shop smart, you can save money on the bird (and use the savings for some fun Thanksgiving table ideas)!

Where to Find the Best Price on Turkey

A 2018 CNBC investigation into grocery pricing included three of our favorite grocery stores: Aldi, Trader Joe’s and Wal-Mart. While prices may vary by area (or if a store has a sale), this should provide a good rule of thumb for how much you can expect to spend.

A bit of a splurge: Trader Joe’s

How much is a turkey? $1.99/lb.

Trader Joe’s is one of our favorite stores because they have some fantastic specialty and ready-made items. If you need to pick up sides or desserts, then Joe’s is a great option. But, if you’re impulse buying a ton of extras, then you might wind up spending more than you save. By the way, these are the things you should only buy at Joe’s.

A great value: Walmart

How much is a turkey:? $0.68/lb.

Walmart has a very low price for turkey. Plus, their grocery prices were reasonable across the board, which makes the store a good one-stop-shop for everything on your list. Here’s how to make the most of your Walmart trip.

The best price on the block: Aldi

How much is a turkey? $0.59/lb.

Of the three stores, Aldi offered the lowest price on turkeys. The store is known for its remarkably cheap prices—with a caveat. They’re able to have low prices on the items they do have because they have a more limited selection than most grocery stores. Odds are, you may need to make multiple stops. Here’s everything Aldi has in store this November.

Every Way to Cook Your Turkey

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Taste of Home

Herb-Glazed TurkeyHoney and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give my Thanksgiving turkey recipe a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true herb turkey recipe never fails to win compliments. —Charlene Melenka, Vegreville, Alberta

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Herb-Brined TurkeyFor an impressive main course, look here. The moist, flavorful bird will have guests counting the minutes until carving time. — Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon

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Grilled Turkey DrumsticksTry something different this Thanksgiving and learn how to grill turkey drumsticks! These smoky, tender turkey drumsticks are easy to make, free up space in the oven and cook in a fraction of the time needed for a whole turkey. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Classic Stuffed TurkeyFor years, my mother has made this moist stuffed Thanksgiving turkey recipe. Now, I do the same thing. The turkey stuffing nicely compliments the tender, juicy slices of oven-roasted turkey. —Kathi Graham, Naperville, Illinois

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Smoked TurkeyMouths will water when you bring this flavorful smoked turkey recipe to the table. Add sprigs of your favorite herbs like thyme, sage or rosemary to the brine for extra flavor. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Turkey Leg Pot RoastWell-seasoned turkey legs and tender veggies make an ideal dinner for a crisp fall day. This Thanksgiving turkey recipe couldn't be easier! —Rick and Vegas Pearson, Cadillac, Michigan

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Romano Basil Turkey BreastGuests will be impressed when you slice this golden, grilled turkey breast, dressed up with a flavorful layer of basil and cheese under the skin. —Darlene Markham, Rochester, New York

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Honey-Glazed TurkeyEven during the holidays, my husband wouldn't eat turkey—until I tried this recipe. Now he loves it! The sweet and spicy turkey glaze gives the bird a wonderful flavor. —Mary Smolka, Spring Grove, Illinois

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Brined Grilled Turkey BreastYou'll want to give thanks for this mouthwatering Thanksgiving turkey recipe! A hint of spice makes this one of our best turkey recipes ever. —Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

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Taste of Home

BBQ TurkeyI don't remember where my sister found this BBQ turkey recipe, but it quickly became a family favorite. From the zesty, flavorful sauce and crispy skin to the juicy and tender meat, it's the best Thanksgiving turkey I've ever tried. —Valerie Delano, Cascade, Montana

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Bacon-Wrapped TurkeyEverything’s better with bacon, including turkey! This impressive Thanksgiving turkey recipe gets a blanket of bacon, which not only adds flavor but helps keep the turkey juicy. The best part? It’s easier than it looks! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Turkey and Root Veggie Sheet-Pan DinnerMy family loves this turkey sheet-pan dinner. I used ingredients I had on hand, including bacon, which lends a nice smoky flavor. It's so quick and easy to prepare. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

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Classic Cheesecloth TurkeyThis cheesecloth turkey uses a classic method, wine-soaked cheesecloth, to give you the juiciest turkey and most flavorful gravy you've ever tasted! Pair with your favorite sides for a complete meal. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Spicy Turkey TenderloinHere's a full-flavored Thanksgiving turkey recipe that will really wake up your taste buds.

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Taste of Home

Turkey in Cream SauceI've been relying on this recipe for tender turkey since I first moved out on my own years ago. I serve it whenever I invite new guests to the house, and I'm constantly writing out the recipe. —Kathy-Jo Winterbottom, Pottstown, Pennsylvania

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Roasted Citrus & Herb TurkeyThe holidays has never been the same since I tried this Thanksgiving turkey recipe. I have made it for the past three years, and it never fails to impress both in presentation and taste. This is a true showstopper! —Nancy M. Niemerg, Dieterich, Illinois

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Grilled Huli Huli Turkey DrumsticksI'm never one to do things traditionally, so when it came time to hosting Thanksgiving, I went in a completely tropical direction. Borrowing my favorite Hawaiian chicken recipe, I substituted turkey legs and have never looked back. —Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California

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Deep-Fried TurkeyThis deep-fried turkey recipe will score you many oohs and aahs this Thanksgiving. It perfectly balances a crispy exterior while keeping the meat juicy and flavorful. Here's our take on how to deep-fry a turkey. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Taste of Home

Apple & Herb Roasted TurkeyMy daughter loves to help me make this moist apple turkey. Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn't eat them first! —Kimberly Jackson, Gay, Georgia

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Herbed Roast Turkey BreastWhen learning how to cook turkey breast for my first formal dinner party as a newlywed, I came across this particular Thanksgiving turkey recipe. It was such a success that this turkey breast recipe has become a standby on all my entertaining menus. —Lisa Mahon Fluegeman, Cincinnati, Ohio

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Turkey Breast Tenderloins with Raspberry SauceSweet and tangy raspberry sauce is a perfect match for this Thanksgiving turkey recipe. In fact, this sauce is so good, you’ll be tempted to eat it with a spoon. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

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Slow-Cooker Turkey BreastTry this wonderfully flavored, easy-to-fix slow-cooker turkey breast when you're craving something delicious. It makes a great holiday dish for smaller families, too. —Maria Juco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Roasted Sage Turkey with Vegetable GravyThere’s no prep like home-style when roasting the big bird. Instead of sage stuffing with turkey, fill this bird with fresh sage and thyme sprigs for the same delicious flavors. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Pressure-Cooker Turkey with Berry CompoteThis delicious Thanksgiving turkey recipe gives you a way to get all that yummy turkey flavor without heating up the house, and the berries make the perfect summer sauce. For a browner turkey, just broil it for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama

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Taste of Home

Turkey Cutlets with Pan GravyUsing cutlets or any boneless meat speeds up cooking time for this quick entree. You can use thin boneless, skinless chicken breast as well. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California

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Taste of Home

Maple-Sage Brined TurkeyWhen the leaves start turning, it’s time for Thanksgiving turkey. We use maple-sage brine to help brown the bird and make the meat incredibly juicy. —Kim Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire

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Happy Orange TurkeyHere’s the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast. Champagne and oranges flavor this special bird that will become one of your favorite turkey recipes ever. —Tara Baier, Menomonie, Wisconsin

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Seasoned Roast TurkeyRubbing the skin with melted butter keeps this simply seasoned turkey moist and tender. —Nancy Reichert, Thomasville, Georgia

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Make-Ahead Turkey and GravyEase the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead Thanksgiving turkey recipe that's ready to serve when you are. It's a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Taste of Home

Marinated Thanksgiving TurkeyMy family enjoys this Thanksgiving turkey because it cooks up tender, tasty and golden brown. Build up flavor by marinating the meat, then grill it to add a tempting barbecued flavor. —Ken Churches, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

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Maple-Glazed TurkeyI prepare turkey with a taste of Canada in mind. The sweet maple flavor comes through even in the breast meat. You may start to notice it's caramelized color after about 2 hours. That's when I cover it loosely with foil while it finishes cooking. The maple-glazed turkey will stay tender and juicy. —Suzanne Anctil, West Vancouver, British Columbia

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TMB Studio

Dry-Brined Turkey To wet brine a turkey the traditional way, you need a container that’s large enough to hold five gallons of liquid. However, a dry brine turkey uses no water, so it takes up less space and requires much less fuss. Go to Recipe

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Pressure-Cooker Italian Turkey Breast This Thanksgiving turkey recipe makes some of the most succulent bird I've ever eaten. High in lean protein, it’s a smart entree for a special occasion. —Jessica Kunz, Springfield, Illinois Go to Recipe