11 days to go. 8 mouths to feed. $50 max to spend. I’ve done it before, and now I’m doing it again for anyone who needs reassuring that it can be done.
(Not sponsored by either store above, by the way [though I’m open to that from either or both!]. These are just the two stores I alternate between weekly where I live [I’m able to feed all of us each week for around $150 or less shopping at H-E-B or Walmart. I go for whoever has the best deals that week, and I wanted to share how I do thanksgiving relatively cheaply by compiling these lists. Hope they’re helpful to someone!)
All prices accurate at my local stores as of today, Sunday, November 16, 2025. Some variance to be expected.
H-E-B (Texas) – $48.20
| Item | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|
| H-E-B turkey | 16 lb | $15.68 |
| Russets | 5 lb | $3.49 |
| Carrots | 2 lb | $1.48 |
| Onions | 3 lb | $2.97 |
| Green beans | 3 cans | $2.64 |
| Stuffing | 2 boxes | $3.64 |
| Rolls | 12 ct | $2.48 |
| Cranberry | 2 cans | $3.16 |
| Sweet Potatoes or Yams | 3 lb fresh | $1.98 |
| Brown sugar | 2 lb | $1.98 |
| Butter | 1 lb | $3.78 |
| Milk/eggs/spices/nuts | pantry | $0 |
| TOTAL | $48.20 |
Walmart (Everywhere Else) – $40.50
| Item | Qty | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Butterball | 16 lb | $15.52 |
| Russets | 5 lb | $3.28 |
| Carrots | 2 lb | $1.68 |
| Onions | 3 lb | $2.94 |
| Green beans | 3 cans | $2.37 |
| Stuffing | twin pack | $3.24 |
| Rolls | 12 ct | $1.98 |
| Cranberry | 2 cans | $2.96 |
| Sweet Potatoes or Yams | 3 lb fresh | $1.48 |
| Brown sugar | 2 lb | $1.68 |
| Butter | 1 lb | $3.48 |
| Milk/eggs/spices/nuts | pantry | $0 |
| TOTAL | $40.50 |
How to Make It All Work Without Going Crazy
- Turkey — I’m a griller. The best way to eat turkey, in my opinion, is smoked on a Po Man Grill (also not sponsored) over Blues Hog (sponsored? You guessed it, no) charcoal for 3-4 hours at 325-350. Oven works too. Just follow the timing directions on the package.
- Potatoes — Stove top, peel (or don’t; your call), dice, boil, mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper. Easy. Delicious.
- Carrots — Stove top, peel (or just wash them off well), dice, boil, add butter and brown sugar. Done.
- Stuffing — Sauté onions in butter (not required but adds flavor), mix with boxes as per instructions, stovetop or microwave. Both work incredibly well and are super easy.
- Green Beans — If green bean casserole isn’t your thing, make the green beans with butter, onions, and chicken bouillon. You will not be disappointed. Add pepper, too.
- Cranberry Sauce — Ever seen Garfield’s Thanksgiving? Grandma’s Famous One Second Cranberry Sauce it is!
- Sweet Potatoes or Yams — Dice, boil, mash together with brown sugar and butter. Bake them with some nuts to the top if you have them, but not required.
- Rolls — Warm in the oven. Done.
- Gravy — Make from scratch to save a few dollars, or spend a few extra to buy packets. Scratch—-flour, onions, and butter or Turkey drippings (or both). Sauté wet stuff and add flour until you get the thickness you like. Tastier, sure, but more work. If you’re dealing with picky eaters and less time, go for the packets (extra $1.50 for three packs).
The turkey will take the longest by far. If your plan is to eat lunch at 11:30 like we like to, you have to start it early, whether on the grill or in the oven. Watch the parade while it does its thing. Or, if dinner is your thing, start after a light lunch. Don’t load up before the big meal.
The Work of Giving Thanks
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be difficult. Is it a lot of work? Yes and no. I love cooking, so it never bothers me to do a lot by myself. I enjoy it. I guess if you’re not a fan of cooking, it might be too much. But for me, I love making a big feast like this every year for my family. My kids love my grilled turkey, so it’s well worth getting up early and getting it going for them to destroy it at lunch.
And yes, I do most of this solo. The kids will help with some, and my wife helps a little, but she’s not a cook because she doesn’t enjoy it. I do. So it is doable by yourself.
Thanksgiving also doesn’t have to be expensive either, as I hope you can see here. I get that groceries are expensive. But feasting with family doesn’t have to break the bank.
Conclusion: H-E-B or Walmart
So, who gets the win? I think H-E-B has a slight quality edge all around, thought it’s only slight, but since it’s only really here in Texas, and pretty much everyone else has a Walmart somewhere close by, I’m giving the First Annual Overall Bring Back Big Families 2025 Seal of Approval to Walmart for the best budget-friendly Thanksgiving meal supplier (feel free to pay for my endorsement with sponsorship, Walmart. I’m open to that!).
One more reason to pick Walmart is because at nearly $8 cheaper than H-E-B, that means you can still afford the one thing missing from any real thanksgiving feast: pumpkin pie. And that’ll set you back only another $5.23, which still puts you under H-E-B’s total.
Walmart for the win.
Happy Thanksgiving
So, there you have it. Now, relax. Take one of the free shopping lists below to whatever store you’re going to. Shop. Cook. Enjoy your family. Enjoy the parade on TV. Enjoy your feast. Then give thanks for the blessing of being able to feed everyone you love for less than $50. I know I will be doing all of that. And I hope you will, too.
Go enjoy your 🦃 day! (And your free shopping lists because who doesn’t love a freebie?!?)
Bring Back Big Families 
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