Frozen Turkey Prices Climb Ahead of Thanksgiving
San Antonio grocers offer whole frozen turkeys at prices ranging from about $11 to nearly $130 as the holiday approaches.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Have you noticed turkey prices going up compared with last year?
Grocery stores in San Antonio are selling whole frozen turkeys at a wide range of prices ahead of Thanksgiving. The average price of a frozen turkey rose from $1.34 per pound in 2025 to $1.76 per pound in 2026.
Why it matters
The increase in the average per-pound price means holiday shoppers in San Antonio will likely pay more for a traditional turkey than a year earlier. Prices vary widely by retailer and product type, so comparing options before buying can make a noticeable difference to a holiday budget.
The average frozen turkey price rose to $1.76 per pound in 2026 from $1.34 in 2025, and a 16-pound bird costs around $28. Listed prices range from $10.97 for a 14-pound H-E-B Riverside turkey to $129.99 for a 10- to 12-pound Costco organic Jindl bird, and the source does not say how the averages were compiled.
The players
H-E-B
H-E-B is a Texas-based grocery chain with stores across the state, including San Antonio.
Walmart
Walmart is a multinational retail corporation operating discount and grocery stores nationwide.
Costco
Costco is a membership-based wholesale retailer known for bulk goods and its private-label products.
The details
Shoppers in San Antonio can buy whole frozen turkeys at H-E-B, Walmart, Trader Joe's, Costco, Central Market and Whole Foods Market. Options include conventional, brined, smoked, antibiotic-free and organic birds, with prices differing sharply by brand, size and processing.
Timeline
2025: Average frozen turkey price was $1.34 per pound.
2026: Average frozen turkey price rose to $1.76 per pound.
Two weeks from November 15, 2026: Thanksgiving holiday.
Market Landscape
The rise from $1.34 to $1.76 per pound between 2025 and 2026 follows the same year-over-year pattern used to track holiday food costs nationally. The spread between discount and premium brands shows that shoppers still have a wide range of price points to choose from in the same market.
San Antonio shoppers buying a 16-pound turkey should expect to pay around $28 on average, though discount options start near $11. Comparing per-pound prices across H-E-B, Walmart and Trader Joe's before Thanksgiving can help keep holiday spending in check.
The takeaway
Per-pound prices for frozen turkeys vary widely, so comparing the cost of each bird before checkout can lower the total cost of a Thanksgiving meal. Buyers who want organic or specialty birds should expect to pay substantially more than conventional options.
Further reading
For more on the kinds of birds available, see Organic Food coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MySA.
Live Poll
Have you noticed turkey prices going up compared with last year?
