Walmart cuts holiday meal kit cost to $3.50 per person

American households can buy a full Thanksgiving dinner for $35 starting Wednesday. Walmart released its annual holiday meal kit with a price tag that works out to $3.50 per person for a table of ten. The company says this rate is the lowest it has charged for a one-click basket in the program's existence. Shoppers can order the package online or in stores until December 24.

The retailer attributes the low price to internal survey data. Walmart stated that consumers are actively looking for lower prices on holiday food. The current kit costs 12% less than last year's basket. It also includes 18% more items than the previous offering. The company positioned this package as a direct answer to those price concerns.

The basket contains 26 individual items sourced from 17 different products. The mix includes Great Value private label goods and national brands. The list covers traditional staples, sides, and desserts. Specific contents include two 8.5 oz boxes of JIFFY Corn Muffin Mix and three 15 oz cans of Great Value Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn. Shoppers also receive three 14.5 oz cans of Great Value Cut Green Beans and a 5 lb bag of fresh russet potatoes.

Sauce and topping options feature a 10.5 oz can of Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup. The kit includes two 0.87 oz packets of Great Value Brown Gravy Mix. A 6 oz resealable bag of Great Value French Fried Onions Salad Topping is also part of the order. Baking supplies include two 9-inch pie crusts and pans, a 15 oz can of Great Value 100% Pure Pumpkin, and a 12 fl oz can of Great Value Evaporated Milk. A frozen 8 oz container of Great Value Whipped Topping completes the dessert section.

Staple breads and sides include a 12 oz, 12-count package of Great Value Brown and Serve Rolls. The stuffing component consists of two 6 oz boxes of Stove Top Stuffing Mix. Fresh produce is limited to a 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries and three fresh whole sweet potatoes. The main course is a Butterball Frozen Whole Turkey. This all-natural bird weighs between 10 and 16 lbs and serves seven to 11 people. A 10 oz bag of Jet-Puffed Mini Marshmallows rounds out the list.

Walmart offers free express delivery on the meal basket through November 30. This perk arrives as food costs remain a pressure point for many budgets. The CBS News Price Tracker shows food prices in the United States rose by 2.5% through September. Federal Reserve data indicates that grocery store food costs have climbed more than 30% since 2020.

The company made the announcement on Wednesday. The kit remains available for purchase until the day before Christmas. No further pricing changes were scheduled for release this week.