A traditional Thanksgiving dinner for a family of four is expected to cost $35.72 this year, up 10% from 2025, according to an analysis by Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab. The estimate covers turkey and common side dishes including potatoes, carrots, dinner rolls, pumpkin pie, cranberries, stuffing and gravy.
Turkey is driving much of the increase, with seven pounds of turkey for a four-person meal estimated at $12.53 in 2026, up from $10.43 in 2025. Sylvain Charlebois, senior director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab, said the poultry sector has been under pressure as high beef prices push consumer demand toward turkey, while production costs have also risen. Because the sector operates under supply management, Charlebois said cost increases are typically passed on to retail prices.
The cost of side dishes is also contributing to the overall rise. A pound of carrots is estimated at $1.65 this year compared with $0.91 in 2025, though researchers note this difference reflects a change in how the price was calculated rather than pure inflation. A 10-pound bag of potatoes is holding steady at $6.99, while other side dishes are assumed to rise 2.8% from last year.
Alternatives Offer Little Relief
Families looking to swap out turkey won’t necessarily save much. Ham is estimated at about $36.37 for a family of four, while lamb would run about $80.47 and a lobster-based meal would be the costliest option at $88.14. Charlebois said that regardless of the protein chosen, Canadians can expect to pay more this year than last. Dalhousie researchers suggested shoppers could reduce costs by choosing a smaller turkey, comparing prices across stores, buying items on sale, opting for store-brand staples, and preparing side dishes at home rather than buying pre-made versions.
Grocery Benefit Payments Draw Criticism
The rising cost of holiday meals comes as the federal government rolls out the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, a reformulated version of the previous GST/HST credit that includes a 25 percent increase in funding. The quarterly payment is based on income, marital status and number of children in a household. A single person without children can receive up to $679 annually, while a household with four or more children can receive up to $1,826.
Many Canadians who responded to a CTV News callout said the payments fall short of easing financial pressure. Allen Mayes, 73, of Armstrong, B.C., who relies on the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security, said the benefit covers less than 20 percent of his annual grocery spending, calling it “spit in the ocean” rather than meaningful relief. He said he spends about $150 every two weeks on basic food and relies on staples like beans, frozen vegetables, rice and flour, baking his own bread to save money.
Guy Helwig of Southampton, Ont., a retiree on a fixed income, said the benefit helps “somewhat” but noted that rising costs extend well beyond groceries, pointing to higher rent, property taxes, utility rates and telecom bills.
Some Say They Don’t Qualify
Other respondents said they face financial strain but don’t qualify for the benefit at all. Cindy Hitch of Winnipeg, who has been living on employment insurance after being laid off in 2025, said the benefit calculation based on her previous income has left her without support, saying she feels left out by the program.
For some, location adds further strain. Arlene Campbell of Patuanak, Sask., said residents in her northern community lack access to large grocery chains and must buy from a Northern Store where freight costs push prices higher, including milk at nearly $14 a jug and a box of diapers at $64. She said the benefit, while appreciated, is “not much of a benefit.”
Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner by Protein Choice (2026)
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