15 Places to Get a Free Turkey for Thanksgiving 2025

What’s Thanksgiving without a turkey, right?

The two are pretty much synonymous, and while in previous years a turkey hasn’t set us back much, that’s not the case this year.

Sadly, because of a variety of factors from labor shortages to general supply chain issues, the cost of poultry has increased by 10.5% over the past year.

This can be tough if you’re on a budget and for low income families who are struggling financially.

Don’t worry though, just because turkey prices have risen, it doesn’t mean that you have to do without this year. There are plenty of ways to save money on your Thanksgiving dinner. And getting a free turkey is a great place to start.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get a free Turkey for thanksgiving! Sure, this alone may not save you a ton of money, but with the Christmas holiday season around the corner, every dollar helps.

So if you want to save money this Thanksgiving, read on.

Stores Giving Away Free Turkey with Purchase

Many stores provide a free turkey when you spend a certain amount. This is usually a few $100. Spending that just to get a free turkey may not be worth your while, but if you already plan to spend that money anyway, it’s a good deal.

Here are stores that provide a free turkey when you spend a certain amount…

1. Foodtown

Foodtown locations throughout the Northeast are providing customers with complimentary turkeys. You’ll need to shop with your Club Card and spend $400 between October 29 and Thanksgiving Day.

Or, you can get a free turkey if you can spend that amount between Friday October, 2021 through Thanksgiving Day if you shop at locations in any of the following areas:

• New Jersey
• East Stroudsburg
• Pennsylvania
• New Hartford

The store is also offering other Thanksgiving freebies, such as a $10 store gift card and a frozen Stouffer’s Lasagna (regular or vegetable).

Once you have spent $400, you will get a certificate.

2. Walmart and Ibotta

Another place that’s offering thanksgiving freebies is Ibotta.

Ibotta, if you don’t already know, is an app that gives you rebates on things you purchase at the grocery store. For example, you could get a $3 rebate on frozen lasagna.

Ibotta is currently running a Thanksgiving promotion where you’re able to get a free Thanksgiving meal from Walmart.

The offer is open to new and existing Ibotta users. If you already have an Ibotta account, you’ll need to refer a friend to claim your turkey.

This is the third year they have been running this promotion. And each year, the specific changes a bit but the ,main thing is you get a free turkey.

For example, for Thanksgiving 2021, you could get a 100% rebate on the following items:

• Frozen Whole Turkey (select brands, minimum weight 3 lb.)
• Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 2 Liter Coca Cola
• Idahoan Family Size Mashed Potatoes
• Birdseye Frozen Vegetables
• McCormick Gravy Packet
• Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
• Great Value Cranberry Jelly
• Great Value Flavored Stuffing Mix
• Great Value French Fried Onions

3. ShopRite

ShopRite gives you a free turkey when you shop using your Price Plus club card and spend a certain amount. Check your local store’s circular for the amount you have to spend.

You don’t have to save any of your receipts. The store’s registers will automatically keep a running total of your purchases through November 25, 2021. You’ll be able to see your current total at the bottom of your receipt, so you’ll know when you have qualified. The store’s registers will automatically deduct the cost of your free item from your shopping order.

You can get a free turkey, ham, turkey breast, kosher chicken, lasagna, or tofurky.

4. Acme Markets

Acme Markets is offering a free turkey this Thanksgiving. You’ll need to click the free turkey coupon in the Acme for U app.

Then, you need to spend at least $300 shopping in the store through November 25. Once you’ve done that, you can claim your free turkey.

5. Giant

Giant will give you a certificate for a free turkey if you can earn 400 Giant Choice Reward points by November 25. You can also redeem your certificate for a free Stouffer’s lasagna or a tofurky roast. There’s also a free kosher turkey available.

Certificates are good from November 12 through November 25.

6. Hy-Vee

Purchase a Hormel Cure 81 ham during November, and you can get a 10-to-14-pound Honeysuckle white turkey.

7. Weis Market

Weis Market is another store offering a free turkey for Thanksgiving. You’ll need to be part of the Weis Rewards program.

Then, you’ll earn points when you shop. Once you’ve earned 400 points, you’ll be able to redeem them for a free turkey, free tofurky, or free lasagna or macaroni and cheese. You can redeem reward points for your turkey from November 4 through November 25, 2021.

8. Winn-Dixie

Winn-Dixie isn’t offering a free turkey in the same way the others on the list are. But, it is offering up to $20 for anyone who’s looking to get a vaccine, like the flu shot or COVID-19 shot.

Basically, you get a $10 Winn-Dixie coupon when you get your COVID-19 shot, and a $10 coupon with any other vaccine you receive on the same day.

If you have a few people who need to get vaccinated, you could get a bunch of coupons and use them to get your turkey for free or at least at a discount. Or, if you don’t need a particularly large turkey, these coupons could easily cover the cost of it.

Free Thanksgiving Turkeys & Meals for Low-income Families

If you can’t afford to spend at the stores above, and you’re looking for a free turkey, there are still many options available. You probably have a few places that offer food baskets for needy families near you.

Here are a few places where low-income families and those in need may be able to get a turkey:

9. Food pantries

Food pantries can be a good resource for families looking to get a meal on their table at Thanksgiving. Many distribute turkeys and other Thanksgiving foods in the week leading up to Thanksgiving.

Have a read of 6 Food Pantries Near You that Give Away Free Food to learn more.

10. United Way 211

211 is a program from United Way that helps people in need with a variety of things, like food. Get in touch and it should be able to assist you.

Your local agency can provide you with up-to-date information about local assistance that may be available to you. Just call 211 from your cell phone or landline and you’ll be able to speak with a live, trained service professional. Or, if you prefer to text or chat online, then you can find other contact information on the site linked above.

Some United Way chapters also host turkey drives to help families in need. Again, simply contact your local agency.

11. Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels has a special program called Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels where it prepares meals consisting of turkey, dressing, potatoes, peas, corn, cranberries, rolls, pumpkin pie and milk for families in need and delivers those meals to their homes on Thanksgiving Day.

You can get in touch with your local Meals on Wheels using the information on the page linked in the heading to find assistance near you.

12. Local churches

Get in touch with churches and charities as these may be able to provide assistance with feeding your family on Thanksgiving. Many giveaway free food to families in need.

A local church where I live often runs a food bank and food drives to help people with feeding themselves and their families.

Contact local churches for assistance.

13. The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army also provides Thanksgiving dinners to people in need. Since each program is administered locally, you’ll need to get in touch with your local chapter for more information. You can do that using the page linked in the section heading above.

14. Local charities

Some smaller, local charities may be able to assist you with feeding your family this Thanksgiving. These charities collect donated items to provide low-income families in their communities with Thanksgiving meals.

Check with your local charity if you need help feeding your family on Thanksgiving.

15. Bonus Tip: Earn Extra Money with Reward Sites

Reward websites pay you for doing really easy tasks such as watching videos or playing games. You can redeem your earnings for money to your PayPal account, or for gift cards to retailers like Walmart.

Consider signing up for a few reward websites. You could make some extra money and use it to purchase your turkey this Thanksgiving.

Here are some good reward sites:

Swagbucks

Swagbucks gives you points for doing tasks, such as:

• Playing games
• Shopping online
• Browsing the internet
• Taking surveys
• Watching videos
• Completing offers

You can redeem your points for money right to your PayPal account. Or you can get other rewards like:

• American Express Reward Card
• Walmart gift card
• Visa reward card
• Target gift card

QuickRewards

QuickRewards pays you for:

• Taking surveys
• Playing games
• Completing offers

You can have your earnings sent right to your PayPal account or get a gift card for places like Walmart or Target.

Qmee

Qmee pays you for:

• Shopping online
• Searching the internet
• Taking surveys

You can withdraw your earnings at any time right to your PayPal account.

Closing Thoughts

If you’ve been on the lookout for some great Thanksgiving deals, do check out stores like Foodtown that giveaway a free turkey.

And, if you don’t have the money to spend to get a free turkey, don’t be afraid to ask for help from one of the organizations above, like Meals on Wheels, The Salvation Army, or local food pantries.

Give these tips a try and enjoy your free Thanksgiving turkey for 2021!