I Brought the Same Thanksgiving List to Aldi & Walmart - Here’s Who Was the Clear Winner

Thanksgiving gets more expensive every year. And that's why I took my holiday dinner shopping list to two different chains: Aldi and Walmart.

Both retailers advertise Thanksgiving meal deals that undercut many local grocery stores. Aldi has a $39 dinner for 10, while Walmart also offers budget-friendly buys specifically for "Turkey Day."

Which store makes it easier to tackle high grocery costs? After comparing the prices of common Thanksgiving menu items, I crowned one winner. If you're not sure where to shop this year, keep reading to find out where I spent the least and which products were the best bargains.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Turkeys

Winner: Walmart

What is "Turkey Day" without a turkey? This poultry product is the star of your Thanksgiving table. And that means it's one item that is on almost everyone's shopping list.

If you have 10 people to feed, Aldi's "Thanksgiving Under $39" deal makes the turkey extra affordable. The bargain bundle includes a 16-pound Farmer's Choice turkey, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes, sweet rolls, frozen peas, baby carrots, celery, pumpkin pie mix, pie crusts, whole milk, and whipping cream.

Walmart sells a Butterball Frozen Whole Turkey for an average price of $13.14 (or $0.97 per pound). While Aldi's package is the better bargain overall, Walmart's per-pound price is the winner for shoppers who don't want pre-selected sides.

Sides

Winner: Aldi

From sweet potatoes to stuffing, both stores have sides galore on sale. But marshmallow-topped yams are my Thanksgiving go-to. This year I compared the prices of the main ingredients at both stores.

Aldi: one 29-ounce can of Happy Harvest Yams ($1.95), one 10-ounce bag of Baker's Corner Marshmallows ($1.29), one 32-ounce bag of Baker's Corner Light Brown Sugar ($2.05), and one 16-ounce pack of Countryside Creamery Sweet Cream Unsalted Butter ($3.19).

Walmart: one 29-ounce can of Bruce's Yams ($2.52), one 10-ounce bag of Great Value Marshmallows ($1.17), one 32-ounce bag of Great Value Light Brown Sugar ($2.08), and one 16-ounce pack of Great Value Sweet Cream Unsalted Butter ($3.06).

When I added up the totals, I spent $8.48 at Aldi and $8.83 at Walmart.

Rolls and bread

Winner: Aldi

I don't have time to bake my own rolls or bread. That's why I rely on retailers like Aldi and Walmart for this Thanksgiving dinner menu item. But which store has the best bargains?

Even though I usually choose Aldi's private-label lines over name brands, this time I added a 12-pack of King's Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls ($5.19) to my shopping list. The identical item costs $4.52 at Walmart.

Along with rolls, I also checked the price of baguettes and sourdough bread. Aldi's French bread costs $1.95, and a Specially Selected Sourdough Round was $3.49. In comparison, Walmart charges $1.97 for a Marketside French Baguette and $4.47 for a sourdough boule.

Starters and snacks

Winner: Walmart

Yes, turkey is what your guests come for. But the starters and snacks will keep them happy and well-fed as they wait for the main course. My starter search led me to Aldi's Specially Selected Panino Tray. For $10.99, this find includes 18 ounces of hard salami-wrapped mozzarella cheese, prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni-wrapped mozzarella cheese. Walmart sells a 15-ounce Panino Variety Pack from Fiorucci for $15.97.

My snack list also included mixed nuts. A 14.75-ounce container from Aldi's Southern Grove brand costs $5.95. The same size container of Great Value Mixed Nuts costs $5.42.

To break the tie, I checked the prices of brie. The creamy cheese is the perfect addition to a charcuterie platter or cracker tray. Five ounces of Specially Selected's Triple Creme Brie costs $5.49. Walmart sells four ounces of Marketside Triple Creme Brie for $3.24. In a price-per-ounce comparison, Walmart wins at $0.81 per ounce versus $1.10 per ounce.

Desserts

Winner: Aldi

Fancy bakery buys can break your Thanksgiving budget. Both Aldi and Walmart sell affordable alternatives that combine high quality with low cost.

Aldi charges $5.29 for an eight-inch Bake Shop Pumpkin Pie. An almost identical bakery buy from Walmart's Freshness Guaranteed brand costs $5.93.

If you prefer your pumpkin in a loaf cake, Aldi has an eight-count from the store's Bake Shop brand for $4.29. In comparison, Walmart's Marketside version costs $5.34. While the superstore has the higher price, its sliced cake comes with the added bonus of cream cheese icing.

Beverages

Winner: Aldi

Wine and cocktails aren't the only beverages to serve on Thanksgiving. That's why I searched for a few non-alcoholic options that could appeal to all of my dinner guests.

Apple cider is a seasonal selection that makes a big splash (especially if you heat it up and add a pinch of cinnamon). Aldi sells a 64-ounce jug from Nature's Nectar for $4.39, while Walmart charges $4.47 for the same size container.

Plain tap water is okay for everyday dinners. But on Thanksgiving, I want something special. I spotted a 12-pack of PurAqua Strawberry Belle Vie Sparkling Water (12-ounce cans) for $3.99 at Aldi. Walmart's generic version (Clear American Strawberry Sparkling Water) costs $5.32.

Bottom line

And the winner of the Thanksgiving dinner showdown is Aldi. While I spent less at Aldi, I still found significant savings at Walmart. With that in mind, you may want to shop at both stores this year.

Even though it takes longer to browse two retailers' aisles, this smart spending strategy makes it easy to keep more cash in your wallet.

Of course, I have a few other tricks up my sleeve this November to keep my budget on track: Choose generics over brand-name products, look for Walmart's rollbacks, check Aldi's "Finds" section for the best new buys, and compare prices online before you leave for either store.

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