Cheapest place to shop for Thanksgiving groceries in Charlotte in 2025
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Thanksgiving is days away, meaning it's time to prepare for the traditional holiday feast as you gather with loved ones this holiday season.
Why it matters: Americans are feeling squeezed, with grocery prices about 30% higher than before the pandemic — and millions facing new food insecurity after the government's SNAP benefits freeze, Axios' Kelly Tyko reports.
Yes, but: For some, Thanksgiving may be a little cheaper this year, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports.
State of play: Thanksgiving often includes a trip or two to the grocery store for essentials. Our team hit nine stores in Charlotte between Nov. 17-20. We found that Aldi had the cheapest prices.
- Sprouts, opened in NoDa over the summer and also operates stores in Steele Creek and Ballantyne, came in as the most expensive.
How it works: We tried to keep our shopping list consistent at each location, opting for the store (generic) brand. There are exceptions, like at Trader Joe's, which doesn't sell canned green beans.
- Our shopping list is based on a whole turkey, stuffing made from scratch (white bread, butter, celery and onions), green beans (sides are different for every family) and mashed potatoes. We did not include desserts, which also vary in price.
- We did not include store specials or prices based on loyalty programs.
From most to least expensive, here's what we found:
Sprouts: $42.03
- Whole turkey per pound: $3.99
- White bread, loaf: $9.99
- Butter, 1lb: $9.99
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: $2.79
- Celery: $2.19
- Whole milk, gallon: $9.99
- Yellow onion per pound: $1.89
- Yukon gold potatoes per pound: $1.20
Go deeper: See inside the new Sprouts grocery store in NoDa
Harris Teeter: $19.42
- Whole turkey per pound: $1.99
- White bread, loaf: $3.29
- Butter, 1lb: $3.99
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: $1.39
- Celery: $1.99
- Whole milk, gallon: $3.29
- Yellow onion per pound: .99 cents
- Yukon gold potatoes per pound: $2.49
Compare Foods: $19.33
- Whole turkey per pound: $1.49
- White bread, loaf: $2.39
- Butter, 1lb: $5.59
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: $1.39
- Celery: $2.29
- Whole milk, gallon: $4.49
- Yellow onion per pound: $0.89
- Russet potatoes per pound: $0.80
Trader Joe's: $18.64
- Whole turkey per pound: $3.99
- White bread, loaf: $1.99
- Butter, 1lb: $3.99
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: N/A; They don't sell canned green beans.
- Celery: $2.49
- Whole milk, gallon: $3.99
- Yellow onion, each: $1.19
- Yukon gold potatoes per pound: $1
Publix: $18.20
- Whole turkey per pound: $1.19
- White bread, loaf: $1.88
- Butter, 1lb: $3.75
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: $1.25
- Celery: $2.99
- Whole milk, gallon: $3.75
- Yellow onion per pound: $1.99
- Yukon gold potatoes per pound: $1.40
Food Lion: $17.33
- Whole turkey per pound: $2.79
- White bread, loaf: $2.39
- Butter, 1lb: $3.49
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: $1.19
- Celery: $2.19
- Whole milk, gallon: $2.89
- Yellow onion per pound: $1.19
- Yukon gold potatoes per pound: $1.20
Lidl: $13.36
- Whole turkey per pound: $1.99
- White bread, loaf: $1.29
- Butter, 1lb: $3.49
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: $0.69
- Celery: $1.88
- Whole milk, gallon: $2.57
- Yellow onion, per pound: $0.55
- Yukon gold potatoes per pound: $0.90
Walmart: $12.07
- Whole turkey per pound: $0.84
- White bread, loaf: $1.42
- Butter, 1lb: $3.67
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: $0.76
- Celery: $0.97
- Whole milk, gallon: $2.57
- Yellow onion, per pound: $0.86
- Yukon gold potatoes per pound: $0.98
Aldi: $10.38
- Whole turkey per pound: $0.97
- White bread, loaf: $1.25
- Butter, 1lb: $3.29
- Green beans, 14.5oz can: $0.50
- Celery: $0.95
- Whole milk, gallon: $2.56
- Yellow onion, per pound: $0.53
- Russet potatoes per pound: $0.33
