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ALDI made a big holiday promise this year: that you can host Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people for just $40. 🦃 Naturally, I had to test it out for myself—shopping the list, cooking every dish, and finding out whether this deal truly delivers a full Thanksgiving feast.
Below I’m sharing what I found in-store, what it really costs, how the recipes turned out, and the kitchen tools I used along the way. Spoiler: it was deliciously worth it.
The ALDI $40 Thanksgiving Offer
According to ALDI’s official Thanksgiving page, their “Feast for 10” runs from October 15 through December 24. It includes everything needed for a traditional meal—turkey, sides, and dessert—all priced to total around $40.
You can also find their full shopping list here. I brought it with me on my shopping trip and checked every item off the list.
And if you want to see it all in action, I documented both parts of the experience on my YouTube channel:
Shopping at My Local ALDI
I shopped at my local ALDI with the list in hand and found nearly everything available—and impressively affordable. Sweet potatoes were under $2, onions $1.65, and a 10-pound bag of russet potatoes just $3.25.
Some items weren’t yet stocked (like the Jennie-O turkey), so I substituted with a smaller Kirkwood turkey breast. Even with substitutions, my cart total came to $37.96. When I added butter, milk, and eggs—essentials not listed but needed for the recipes—the total was $45.35. That’s still a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people for about $4.50 per person!
Cooking the ALDI Thanksgiving Feast
A few days later, I cooked the entire meal. Here’s the full menu, along with the recipes I followed (each one simple and budget-friendly):
- Roast Turkey — my first ever! Juicy, golden, and flavorful.
- Air Fried Carrots — I’ll be honest, we prefer roasted over this recipe!
- Mashed Potatoes — creamy and classic with butter and milk.
- Stuffing — I added sautéed onions, celery, and broth for a homemade touch.
- Sweet Potato Casserole — topped with marshmallows, of course!
- Baked Green Bean Casserole — the ultimate comfort side (could easy IMO add in another can or two of green beans and it would still be delicious)
- Pumpkin Pie — perfectly spiced and rich with whipped topping (NOTE: In place of their spices I did 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice)
- Cranberries & Mac ‘n Cheese — no recipes needed, straight from the ALDI list!
The meal turned out amazing. We had eight people at the table, and there was plenty of food. We did run out of rolls (grab an extra pack!), but everything else stretched beautifully. The stuffing and mashed potatoes were especially crowd-pleasers.
What’s Not Included (But Needed)
To make all the recipes work, I had to use a few items not included in ALDI’s official $40 list:
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- Butter (used generously for potatoes, stuffing, and the turkey)
- Milk
- Eggs
- Pantry staples: sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, salt, pepper, and herbs
If you already have these on hand, your cost will stay close to ALDI’s estimate. If not, plan for roughly $55–$60 total for a complete feast with all the extras.
My Honest Verdict
So… can you actually host Thanksgiving for 10 people for $40 at ALDI?
Technically, yes — and it’s delicious! Even with a few substitutions and pantry staples added, ALDI’s effort to keep the holidays affordable deserves major applause. The portions were generous, the flavors classic, and the price unbeatable.
If you love ALDI’s holiday deals, this one is worth jumping on early—especially since turkeys and cranberries sell out fast!
The Tools I Used (Affiliate Links)
These are the tools that made prepping and serving this meal so much easier. They’re also some of my kitchen favorites year-round.
Walmart
- The Pioneer Woman Favorites — colorful, durable, and perfect for holiday cooking.
Target
- Farberware Roasting Pan — sturdy, easy to clean, and perfect for roasting turkey.
Amazon
- Vegetable Chopper
- OXO Vegetable Peeler
- OXO Can Opener
- Glass Spice Jars
- White Casserole Dish
- Joseph Joseph Collapsible Whisk
Final Thoughts
ALDI truly came through with an affordable, family-friendly way to celebrate the holiday without breaking the bank. Even with a few extra purchases, my meal stayed well under what most people spend for Thanksgiving—and every dish tasted like home.
If you’re curious about how it all came together, be sure to watch my ALDI $40 Thanksgiving videos here. 🍽️
Happy Thanksgiving, friends — and cheers to a joyful, budget-friendly feast! 🦃🥧
