Aldi’s $40 Thanksgiving challenge proves you can serve a full, traditional feast for 10 people without breaking the bank.
A complete Thanksgiving feast can be created for under $40, featuring all the classic holiday favorites—from the main course to comforting sides and a sweet dessert to finish.
Below is the complete ingredient list with prices, followed by a step-by-step traditional Thanksgiving recipe to bring it all together.
Whole Turkey: $11.17
- Bone-in, 10-12 lb fresh or frozen bird; serves as the centerpiece protein, roasted whole for juicy slices.
Chicken Broth: $0.99
- 32 oz carton; used for moistening stuffing and as a base for gravy to enhance savory flavors.
Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: $0.70
- 10.5 oz can; creamy binder for green bean casserole, adding umami depth without extra work.
Evaporated Milk: $0.95
- 12 oz can; thickens sauces for mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or pumpkin pie filling for a rich, velvety texture.
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, 12 count: $1.99
- Soft, slightly sweet dinner rolls; perfect for pulling apart and pairing with butter or turkey sandwiches.
Miniature Marshmallows: $0.95
- 10 oz bag; toasted topping for candied sweet potatoes, adding gooey sweetness and holiday nostalgia.
Cut Green Beans (x2): $0.50 each ($1.00 total)
- 14.5 oz cans; drained and mixed into casserole for a classic, crunchy-textured veggie side.
100% Pure Canned Pumpkin: $1.09
- 15 oz can; pureed base for homemade pumpkin pie, spiced into a creamy, spiced dessert filling.
Shells & Cheese (x2): $1.19 each ($2.38 total)
- Boxed pasta kits; boiled and sauced into creamy mac and cheese, a crowd-pleasing comfort side.
Brown Gravy Mix (x3): $0.29 each ($0.87 total)
- Envelope packets; whisked with broth for silky turkey gravy, yielding enough for drizzling over everything.
Poultry Seasoning: $1.19
- 0.6 oz jar; blend of sage, thyme, and herbs; rubbed under turkey skin and into stuffing for aromatic, herby notes.
Rosemary Leaves: $1.19
- 0.6 oz jar; chopped for turkey rub or stuffing; adds piney, woodsy aroma to meats and veggies.
Thyme Leaves: $1.19
- 0.6 oz jar; sprinkled into gravy or mashed potatoes; provides earthy, lemony undertones.
Ground Sage: $1.19
- 0.6 oz jar; key for stuffing and turkey seasoning; delivers a slightly peppery, savory punch.
French Fried Onions: $1.79
- 6 oz can; half mixed into green bean casserole, half baked on top for crispy, golden crunch.
Pie Crust: $1.95
- 2-count refrigerated pack; pressed into a pan for easy pumpkin pie base, flaky and buttery.
Chicken or Cornbread Stuffing (x2): $0.79 each ($1.58 total)
- 6 oz boxes; sautéed with veggies and broth into herbed bread cubes for a moist, flavorful side.
Whipped Dairy Topping: $2.19
- 8 oz tub; dolloped on pumpkin pie; light, airy cream for cooling down warm desserts.
Yellow Onions (3 lbs.): $1.65
- Bulk bag; diced for sautéing in stuffing, gravy, or casseroles; builds sweet, caramelized base flavors.
Baby Peeled Carrots: $0.89
- 2 lb bag; roasted or boiled as a simple side; tender, naturally sweet veggie to balance rich mains.
Celery: $0.95
- 1 bunch; chopped for mirepoix in stuffing or stock; adds crisp, fresh contrast to hearty dishes.
Cranberries: $0.99
- 12 oz bag fresh; simmered into sauce with sugar (pantry); tart, jewel-toned condiment for turkey.
Sweet Potatoes (3 lbs.): $1.95
- Bulk bag; baked or boiled for candied side; starchy, orange-fleshed tubers glazed with butter and marshmallows.
Russet Potatoes (10 lbs.): $3.25
- Large sack; peeled and mashed with milk and butter; fluffy base for a creamy, garlicky potato side.
How to Prep a Thanksgiving Meal for 10
This streamlined recipe draws from Aldi’s list to create a classic spread: roast turkey, sides, and pie. Prep time: 1-2 hours active; cook time: 3-4 hours total. Use a meat thermometer for safety (turkey at 165°F internal). Oven timings assume a standard 350°F preheat—rotate dishes as needed. Yields hearty portions with leftovers; involves some multitasking but keeps it budget-friendly and beginner-accessible.
Roast Turkey
Ingredients (from list): Whole turkey, poultry seasoning, rosemary, thyme, sage, onions, celery, carrots, chicken broth, brown gravy mix (for later). Pantry: Salt, pepper, oil/butter, flour.
- Thaw turkey fully (fridge 2-3 days). Remove giblets; pat dry. Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Mix 2 tsp each poultry seasoning, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Rub under skin and on exterior.
- Stuff cavity loosely with quartered onion, celery stalks, and carrots (for aroma). Truss legs; place breast-up in roasting pan with 1 cup broth.
- Roast 15 min/lb (2.5-3 hours for 10-12 lb). Baste hourly with pan juices. Tent with foil if browning too fast. Rest 20 min before carving into 10 servings.
Mashed Russet Potatoes
Ingredients (from list): 10 lb russets, evaporated milk, onions. Pantry: Butter, salt, pepper.
- Peel and quarter 8-10 potatoes (save extras for tomorrow). Boil in salted water 20 min until fork-tender; drain.
- Dice 1 onion; sauté in 2 tbsp butter until soft. Mash potatoes with ½ cup evaporated milk, sautéed onion, ¼ cup butter, salt, and pepper.
- Whip until creamy (add milk if needed). Keep warm in low oven; serves 10 as a 1-cup scoop each.
Herb Stuffing
Ingredients (from list): 2 stuffing boxes, chicken broth, onions, celery, poultry seasoning, rosemary, thyme, sage. Pantry: Butter.
- Dice 1 onion and 2 celery stalks; sauté in 4 tbsp butter 5 min until soft. Add 1 tsp each seasoning.
- Stir in stuffing mixes; gradually add 2-3 cups hot broth until moist but not soggy.
- Bake in greased dish at 350°F for 30 min, or simmer stovetop 10 min. Fluff and serve; yields 10 half-cup portions.
Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients (from list): 2 green bean cans, cream of mushroom soup, evaporated milk, French fried onions.
- Drain beans; mix with soup, ½ cup evaporated milk, and half the onions. Season with pepper.
- Pour into greased 9×13 dish; bake covered at 350°F for 30 min until bubbly.
- Top with remaining onions; broil 2-3 min for crunch. Cool slightly; serves 10 as ½-cup sides.
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients (from list): 3 lb sweet potatoes, miniature marshmallows, evaporated milk. Pantry: Butter, brown sugar.
- Peel and slice potatoes into ½-inch rounds; boil 15 min until tender.
- Layer in dish with ¼ cup butter dots, ½ cup brown sugar, and ¼ cup evaporated milk drizzle.
- Bake at 350°F 20 min; top with marshmallows and broil 2 min until golden. Serves 10.
Creamy Mac and Cheese
Ingredients (from list): 2 shells & cheese boxes, evaporated milk, onions. Pantry: Butter, flour.
- Boil shells 7-8 min; drain. Sauté diced onion in 3 tbsp butter.
- Make roux: Stir 3 tbsp flour into butter 2 min; whisk in full can evaporated milk until thickened.
- Stir in cheese packets and half the shredded cheddar (if extra); mix with pasta. Bake at 375°F 15 min, topped with remaining cheese. Serves 10.
Pumpkin Pie
Ingredients (from list): Canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, pie crust, whipped topping. Pantry: Sugar, cinnamon, eggs.
- Press 1 crust into 9-inch pie pan; bake 10 min at 375°F.
- Whisk pumpkin, 1 cup evaporated milk, ¾ cup sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp cinnamon. Pour into crust.
- Bake 15 min at 425°F, then 40 min at 350°F until set. Cool; top with whipped cream. Slice into 10 wedges.
Turkey Gravy
Ingredients (from list): 2-3 brown gravy mixes, chicken broth, onions, celery, carrots (from turkey). Pantry: Butter, flour.
- Strain turkey pan drippings; use backbone/celery/onion/carrot bits to simmer 30 min in 2 cups broth for stock.
- Melt 3 tbsp butter; whisk in 3 tbsp flour 2 min. Stir in 2 cups stock and 1-2 gravy packets.
- Simmer 5 min until thick; season. Yields 3 cups for passing at table.
Cranberry Sauce & Sides
- Cranberry Sauce: Simmer bag of cranberries with 1 cup sugar and ¼ cup water 10 min until jammy. Chill; serves 10 spoonfuls.
- Baby Carrots: Steam bag 10 min; toss with butter. Simple 10-person side.
- Rolls: Warm Hawaiian rolls in foil at 350°F 10 min; brush with butter.
