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The Cost Of Thanksgiving Dinner Over Time

Thanksgiving is a special holiday, a time when families and loved ones come together to show gratitude for the things they have in life. It is a day rich in tradition, and none is more sacrosanct than Thanksgiving dinner. Traditionally served as turkey with all the trimmings, the feast is painstakingly prepared by the host and enjoyed by all the guests.

Over time, the cost of preparing and serving Thanksgiving dinner has changed. In 1960, this analysis found it cost a meal for 10 people cost just $12.72, but how much can you expect to pay today?

To find out, researchers on behalf of Self Financial analyzed the cost of ingredients dating back to the 1960s. Below you’ll see just how much the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner serving 10 has changed and also which dishes have risen in price the most.

Key statistics

Contents

The cost of Thanksgiving dinner since 1960

In 1960, the total cost of a Thanksgiving meal for 10 people cost an average of $12.72. Today, the cost of a 10-person celebratory feast has risen by 841.6%, costing the average host $111.94 in 2023. 

In 2022, the cost would have been $115.91, however, due to the price of turkeys reducing from $28.96 in 2022 to $20.32 in 2023, this has meant 2023 is likely a slightly more affordable year for Thanksgiving, albeit by $4.

Fortunately, the rising meal costs have somewhat followed the same increase as the median U.S. household income, meaning comparatively, the increase doesn’t seem as drastic.

Year Thanksgiving dinner cost Median household income
1960 $12.92 $5,600
1961 $13.22 $5,700
1962 $13.35 $6,000
1963 $13.50 $6,200
1964 $14.05 $6,600
1965 $14.34 $6,900
1966 $14.98 $7,400
1967 $15.05 $7,200
1968 $15.60 $7,700
1969 $16.45 $9,400
1970 $17.12 $8,730
1971 $17.57 $10,290
1972 $18.31 $11,120
1973 $20.52 $10,500
1974 $22.39 $11,100
1975 $24.00 $13,720
1976 $25.67 $14,960
1977 $26.85 $13,570
1978 $28.43 $15,060
1979 $28.56 $16,530
1980 $36.11 $21,020
1981 $38.99 $22,390
1982 $40.35 $23,430
1983 $43.79 $24,580
1984 $45.07 $22,420
1985 $46.07 $23,620
1986 $50.42 $24,900
1987 $47.49 $26,060
1988 $49.45 $27,230
1989 $48.66 $28,910
1990 $47.20 $29,940
1991 $52.71 $30,130
1992 $53.54 $30,640
1993 $56.31 $31,240
1994 $55.38 $32,260
1995 $57.19 $34,080
1996 $60.04 $35,490
1997 $60.22 $37,010
1998 $66.45 $38,890
1999 $67.53 $40,700
2000 $66.00 $41,990
2001 $72.68 $42,230
2002 $72.93 $42,410
2003 $73.14 $43,320
2004 $75.99 $44,300
2005 $77.81 $46,330
2006 $78.23 $48,200
2007 $83.25 $50,230
2008 $89.15 $50,300
2009 $86.99 $49,780
2010 $87.30 $49,280
2011 $95.96 $50,050
2012 $97.57 $51,020
2013 $97.60 $51,940
2014 $98.83 $53,660
2015 $101.04 $56,520
2016 $98.96 $59,040
2017 $98.58 $61,370
2018 $99.77 $63,180
2019 $99.67 $68,700
2020 $100.37 $68,010
2021 $106.89 $70,780
2022 $116.54 $74,580
2023 $112.60 $74,580

Cost of Thanksgiving dishes: 1960 vs. 2023

Although the world is an entirely different place today compared to 1960, the core of a Thanksgiving meal still looks the same as it did back then. Traditions are retained for a reason, and it’s why Americans all over the country come together to enjoy their turkey feast.

This analysis dives deeper into each dish that comprises a traditional Thanksgiving meal. The data below highlights the price for each dish in 1960 and compares it to the average cost for the same dish today.

Dish Cost ($) in 1960 Cost ($) in 2023 Increase %
Turkey $3.06 $20.32 565.1%
Mashed potatoes $0.95 $11.23 1082.1%
Cranberry sauce $0.13 $0.47 840.0%
Stuffing $0.62 $6.65 972.6%
Sweet potato casserole $1.88 $14.88 691.5%
Green bean casserole $0.72 $6.43 793.1%
Bread rolls $0.28 $2.90 935.7%
Mac & cheese $2.40 $21.32 788.3%
Corn $0.87 $6.64 663.2%
Salad $0.0.8 $1.03 1187.5%
Pumpkin pie $1.21 $13.44 1010.7%
Pecan pie $0.60 $6.65 1008.3%

Turkey

For many of us, the turkey is the star of the show and that’s certainly reflected in the prices paid in supermarkets today.

Back in 1960, a 16-pound turkey would cost $3.06. Today, that price is $22.32 - an increase of more than 629%. Prices rose sharply between 2020 and 2022, from $99.83 to $115.91 in June 2022 when inflation hit a record high of 9.1%. [1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ‘12-month percentage change, Consumer Price Index, selected categories’ https://www.bls.gov/charts/consumer-price-index/consumer-price-index-by-category-line-chart.htm

Year Cost of turkey
1960 $3.06
1961 $3.01
1962 $3.08
1963 $3.11
1964 $3.16
1965 $3.23
1966 $3.39
1967 $3.37
1968 $3.50
1969 $3.71
1970 $3.81
1971 $3.93
1972 $4.16
1973 $5.06
1974 $5.67
1975 $6.07
1976 $6.03
1977 $6.51
1978 $7.28
1979 $7.96
1980 $8.84
1981 $9.14
1982 $9.39
1983 $9.49
1984 $9.86
1985 $10.00
1986 $14.24
1987 $10.88
1988 $11.84
1989 $10.77
1990 $12.84
1991 $10.67
1992 $11.05
1993 $13.55
1994 $12.00
1995 $12.68
1996 $13.46
1997 $13.47
1998 $13.71
1999 $14.23
2000 $12.52
2001 $15.13
2002 $14.84
2003 $15.47
2004 $14.23
2005 $15.11
2006 $15.70
2007 $17.63
2008 $19.09
2009 $18.65
2010 $17.66
2011 $21.57
2012 $22.23
2013 $21.76
2014 $21.65
2015 $23.04
2016 $22.74
2017 $22.38
2018 $21.71
2019 $20.80
2020 $19.39
2021 $20.80
2022 $28.96
2023 $20.32

Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a staple for over half of U.S. homes on Thanksgiving, [2] YouGov, ‘What America eats on Thanksgiving’ https://today.yougov.com/consumer/articles/26161-what-america-eats-thanksgiving-poll and have increased in price even faster than turkeys have. The cost of mashed potatoes saw a sharp increase of 1082% in price since the 1960s with the dish now costing $11.23, up from $0.95 in 1960. 

The recipe is traditionally made from potatoes, butter and half-and-half. However, because the prices for half-and-half weren’t available in the 1960s, the recipe in this study was substituted with milk.

Year Cost of mashed potatoes
1960 $0.95
1961 $0.90
1962 $0.90
1963 $0.91
1964 $0.98
1965 $1.07
1966 $1.01
1967 $1.02
1968 $1.07
1969 $1.12
1970 $1.19
1971 $1.08
1972 $1.22
1973 $1.46
1974 $1.70
1975 $1.55
1976 $1.64
1977 $1.67
1978 $1.66
1979 $1.70
1980 $2.04
1981 $2.20
1982 $2.21
1983 $2.22
1984 $2.26
1985 $2.25
1986 $2.27
1987 $2.32
1988 $2.32
1989 $2.46
1990 $2.54
1991 $2.45
1992 $2.40
1993 $2.34
1994 $2.37
1995 $2.37
1996 $2.71
1997 $2.78
1998 $4.21
1999 $4.25
2000 $4.12
2001 $4.61
2002 $4.43
2003 $4.29
2004 $5.01
2005 $4.94
2006 $4.68
2007 $5.14
2008 $5.54
2009 $4.72
2010 $4.98
2011 $5.57
2012 $5.37
2013 $5.33
2014 $5.58
2015 $5.34
2016 $5.19
2017 $5.27
2018 $5.19
2019 $5.30
2020 $5.30
2021 $9.10
2022 $10.65
2023 $11.23

Recipe used: The Kitchn, Mashed Potatoes

Cranberry sauce

Homemade cranberry sauce is a highlight for many on the Thanksgiving table and the recipe in this analysis called for 1lb of cranberries, a cup of white sugar and a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice.

This year, the average cost has reached its highest-ever price at an average of $1.13.

The cost of cranberries per oz has increased from $0.14 to $1.55, while the price of a cup of orange juice has increased from $0.21 to $0.67.

Year Cost of cranberry sauce
1960 $0.25
1961 $0.25
1962 $0.26
1963 $0.26
1964 $0.26
1965 $0.26
1966 $0.27
1967 $0.27
1968 $0.29
1969 $0.30
1970 $0.32
1971 $0.34
1972 $0.35
1973 $0.36
1974 $0.38
1975 $0.43
1976 $0.48
1977 $0.50
1978 $0.54
1979 $0.48
1980 $0.66
1981 $0.75
1982 $0.20
1983 $0.22
1984 $0.22
1985 $0.23
1986 $0.25
1987 $0.25
1988 $0.25
1989 $0.27
1990 $0.29
1991 $0.30
1992 $0.31
1993 $0.32
1994 $0.32
1995 $0.34
1996 $0.34
1997 $0.36
1998 $0.55
1999 $0.56
2000 $0.57
2001 $0.58
2002 $0.57
2003 $0.57
2004 $0.58
2005 $0.59
2006 $0.69
2007 $0.71
2008 $0.71
2009 $0.74
2010 $0.79
2011 $0.83
2012 $0.84
2013 $0.81
2014 $0.83
2015 $0.84
2016 $0.84
2017 $0.87
2018 $0.88
2019 $0.88
2020 $0.89
2021 $0.99
2022 $1.07
2023 $1.13

Recipe used: Allrecipes, Cranberry Sauce

Stuffing

Stuffing is another one of those dishes that crosses state borders and will typically be on the dinner tables for over 50% of the US. [2] YouGov, ‘What America eats on Thanksgiving’ https://today.yougov.com/consumer/articles/26161-what-america-eats-thanksgiving-pollThis research analyzed the cost of traditional stuffing, including bread, eggs, onion, herbs and a homemade broth substitute. 

Butter has seen one of the most dramatic price increases of all the ingredients, jumping by almost 2,315% since 1960. On the other end of the scale, eggs have seen one of the slowest price increases, rising from $0.05 to $0.26 per egg between 1960 and 2023.

Overall, the ingredient price increases have meant the cost of Thanksgiving stuffing has increased more than 972% since 1960, rising from $0.62 to $6.65 in 2023.

Year Cost of stuffing
1960 $0.62
1961 $0.63
1962 $0.64
1963 $0.65
1964 $0.66
1965 $0.67
1966 $0.71
1967 $0.70
1968 $0.72
1969 $0.77
1970 $0.79
1971 $0.81
1972 $0.82
1973 $0.92
1974 $1.02
1975 $1.06
1976 $1.08
1977 $1.12
1978 $1.16
1979 $1.26
1980 $2.29
1981 $2.43
1982 $2.40
1983 $2.46
1984 $2.53
1985 $2.56
1986 $2.33
1987 $2.33
1988 $2.40
1989 $2.51
1990 $2.48
1991 $2.49
1992 $2.47
1993 $2.41
1994 $2.40
1995 $2.47
1996 $2.86
1997 $2.93
1998 $3.32
1999 $3.24
2000 $3.23
2001 $3.76
2002 $3.70
2003 $3.60
2004 $3.99
2005 $3.96
2006 $3.85
2007 $4.14
2008 $4.45
2009 $4.30
2010 $4.46
2011 $4.85
2012 $4.77
2013 $4.78
2014 $4.86
2015 $5.06
2016 $4.93
2017 $4.94
2018 $5.24
2019 $5.20
2020 $5.23
2021 $5.39
2022 $6.16
2023 $6.65

Recipe used: Averie Cooks, Classic Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing

Sweet potato casserole

Although marshmallows are a custom of the sweet potato casserole, they weren’t always as available as they are today, and in fact, have traditionally made up the costliest part of making the dish when using the raw ingredients.

The dish itself is typically made from sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, milk, eggs, mini marshmallows (made from egg white, corn syrup, sugar and vanilla extract) and chopped pecans. 

Overall, to feed 10 people in 2023, the cost of making a sweet potato casserole from scratch will set you back $14.88. That’s compared to just $1.88 in 1960.

Year Cost of sweet potato casserole
1960 $1.88
1961 $1.91
1962 $1.94
1963 $1.96
1964 $1.97
1965 $1.99
1966 $2.06
1967 $2.08
1968 $2.15
1969 $2.26
1970 $2.35
1971 $2.48
1972 $2.57
1973 $2.72
1974 $2.88
1975 $3.19
1976 $3.50
1977 $3.67
1978 $3.93
1979 $4.22
1980 $5.15
1981 $5.82
1982 $6.38
1983 $6.75
1984 $6.99
1985 $7.18
1986 $7.49
1987 $7.62
1988 $7.90
1989 $8.25
1990 $8.62
1991 $9.02
1992 $9.29
1993 $9.53
1994 $9.77
1995 $10.09
1996 $10.54
1997 $10.87
1998 $11.33
1999 $11.48
2000 $11.66
2001 $12.21
2002 $12.51
2003 $12.73
2004 $13.20
2005 $13.48
2006 $13.84
2007 $14.37
2008 $14.93
2009 $15.31
2010 $15.49
2011 $15.99
2012 $16.41
2013 $16.67
2014 $16.89
2015 $17.37
2016 $17.22
2017 $17.40
2018 $17.87
2019 $18.10
2020 $19.35
2021 $19.64
2022 $13.93
2023 $14.88

Recipe used: Delish, Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Green bean casserole

The humble green bean casserole has risen from $0.72 in 1960 to $6.43 in 2023 — an increase of more than 793%.

The traditional recipe is made from canned green beans, fresh fried onions, cheddar cheese and mushroom soup, but the condensed cream of mushroom soup can be substituted by white sauce made from butter, flour and milk.

Year Cost of green bean casserole
1960 $0.72
1961 $1.03
1962 $1.04
1963 $1.05
1964 $1.11
1965 $1.13
1966 $1.18
1967 $1.20
1968 $1.23
1969 $1.27
1970 $1.30
1971 $1.33
1972 $1.36
1973 $1.43
1974 $1.51
1975 $1.83
1976 $1.95
1977 $1.99
1978 $2.01
1979 $1.97
1980 $2.29
1981 $2.34
1982 $2.53
1983 $2.85
1984 $2.88
1985 $3.23
1986 $2.84
1987 $2.85
1988 $2.89
1989 $2.99
1990 $2.38
1991 $3.32
1992 $3.33
1993 $3.56
1994 $3.57
1995 $3.58
1996 $3.58
1997 $3.88
1998 $4.14
1999 $4.21
2000 $4.23
2001 $4.62
2002 $4.65
2003 $4.58
2004 $4.75
2005 $5.08
2006 $5.03
2007 $5.10
2008 $5.58
2009 $5.48
2010 $5.53
2011 $5.79
2012 $6.13
2013 $6.12
2014 $6.17
2015 $6.11
2016 $6.07
2017 $6.29
2018 $6.35
2019 $6.43
2020 $6.59
2021 $6.93
2022 $7.43
2023 $6.43

Recipe used: Allrecipes, Green Bean Casserole

Bread rolls

Bread rolls are typically one of the more affordable aspects of the Thanksgiving feast. The ingredients in a typical recipe are milk, yeast, all-purpose flour, butter and egg; and this research analyzed the cost of Red Star Platinum yeast for this recipe; however, baking powder also works as an excellent substitute.

Overall, the cost to make a batch of bread rolls for 10 people has soared by more than 940%, costing just $0.28 in 1960 but rising to $2.88 today. The inflation crisis of the early 2020s has had a significant effect on prices, with rolls costing 23.6% more than they did at the start of 2020.

Year Cost of bread rolls
1960 $0.28
1961 $0.28
1962 $0.28
1963 $0.28
1964 $0.28
1965 $0.28
1966 $0.29
1967 $0.29
1968 $0.30
1969 $0.32
1970 $0.33
1971 $0.34
1972 $0.34
1973 $0.38
1974 $0.40
1975 $0.43
1976 $0.46
1977 $0.48
1978 $0.50
1979 $0.42
1980 $0.80
1981 $0.88
1982 $0.92
1983 $0.96
1984 $0.99
1985 $1.00
1986 $1.02
1987 $1.04
1988 $1.06
1989 $1.11
1990 $1.15
1991 $1.17
1992 $1.17
1993 $1.18
1994 $1.20
1995 $1.23
1996 $1.33
1997 $1.37
1998 $1.61
1999 $1.61
2000 $1.61
2001 $1.74
2002 $1.74
2003 $1.74
2004 $1.88
2005 $1.89
2006 $1.87
2007 $2.01
2008 $2.24
2009 $2.12
2010 $2.15
2011 $2.31
2012 $2.30
2013 $2.32
2014 $2.38
2015 $2.40
2016 $2.33
2017 $2.31
2018 $2.33
2019 $2.31
2020 $2.33
2021 $2.34
2022 $2.73
2023 $2.88

Recipe used: Sally’s Baking Addiction, Soft Dinner Rolls

Mac & cheese

Another well-established favorite, mac & cheese has been featured on many Thanksgiving dinner tables for decades. However, this research opted to use a homemade recipe to maintain consistency with the 1960s because pasta hasn’t always been as accessible to consumers as it is today.

However, this still hasn’t prevented the price overall from surging by 788%. While a dish for 10 people would have cost an estimated $2.40 in 1960, the same dish is now priced at $21.32. Cheese is a major contributor to the dish becoming more expensive overall. One lb of cheddar would’ve cost $0.83 in 1960 but the same amount would now be an average of $5.87.

Year Cost of mac & cheese
1960 $2.40
1961 $2.43
1962 $2.43
1963 $2.46
1964 $2.79
1965 $2.84
1966 $3.08
1967 $3.14
1968 $3.24
1969 $3.45
1970 $3.64
1971 $3.74
1972 $3.86
1973 $4.31
1974 $4.71
1975 $4.97
1976 $5.66
1977 $5.85
1978 $5.95
1979 $5.35
1980 $6.08
1981 $6.56
1982 $6.76
1983 $8.81
1984 $9.01
1985 $9.06
1986 $9.11
1987 $9.15
1988 $9.43
1989 $8.42
1990 $4.61
1991 $10.58
1992 $10.62
1993 $10.31
1994 $10.40
1995 $10.60
1996 $10.76
1997 $10.86
1998 $12.14
1999 $12.50
2000 $12.59
2001 $13.37
2002 $13.73
2003 $13.37
2004 $14.41
2005 $14.62
2006 $14.41
2007 $14.91
2008 $16.39
2009 $15.94
2010 $16.14
2011 $17.81
2012 $18.21
2013 $18.20
2014 $18.40
2015 $18.37
2016 $17.70
2017 $17.09
2018 $17.70
2019 $17.90
2020 $18.34
2021 $18.39
2022 $20.43
2023 $21.32

Recipe used: The Chunky Chef, Creamy Baked Mac & Cheese

Creamed corn

The price of corn and cream cheese to make delicious creamed corn has seen an increase of more than 663% since the 1960s.

The cost to make this dish today will cost $6.64 to serve 10 people, considerably higher than the $0.87 in 1960. This research based its analysis from a recipe using homemade cream cheese (made from milk and lemon juice).

Year Cost of creamed corn
1960 $0.87
1961 $0.87
1962 $0.87
1963 $0.90
1964 $0.91
1965 $0.91
1966 $0.95
1967 $0.96
1968 $1.01
1969 $1.05
1970 $1.09
1971 $1.15
1972 $1.19
1973 $1.23
1974 $1.33
1975 $1.43
1976 $1.57
1977 $1.63
1978 $1.74
1979 $1.42
1980 $2.13
1981 $2.38
1982 $2.62
1983 $2.78
1984 $2.84
1985 $2.94
1986 $3.01
1987 $3.09
1988 $3.19
1989 $3.37
1990 $3.57
1991 $3.71
1992 $3.82
1993 $3.91
1994 $4.05
1995 $4.15
1996 $4.15
1997 $3.05
1998 $3.66
1999 $3.79
2000 $3.77
2001 $3.93
2002 $3.93
2003 $3.98
2004 $4.20
2005 $4.33
2006 $4.37
2007 $4.70
2008 $4.91
2009 $4.69
2010 $4.76
2011 $4.98
2012 $5.03
2013 $5.07
2014 $5.24
2015 $5.16
2016 $5.05
2017 $5.10
2018 $5.05
2019 $5.16
2020 $5.33
2021 $5.45
2022 $6.28
2023 $6.64

Recipe used: Just A Pinch, My Thanksgiving Cream Cream Cheese Corn

Salad

Salad is one of the most difficult dishes to track the price of simply because what a salad has meant through time has transformed more rapidly than any other dish since the 1960s, while bagged salad wasn’t around until the early 80s. [3] Epicurious, ‘How Bagged Salad Mix Took Over the Produce Section’ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/bagged-salad-history This meant historical prices of ‘salad’ and its core ingredients weren’t as available in this analysis, so instead this piece has used lettuce as a proxy to allow people to add some extra greenery to their plate. 

Moving from $0.08 per lb in 1960 to $1.03 per lb in 2023, prices have shot up by 1,187.5% one of the largest increases in this analysis.

Year Cost of salad
1960 $0.08
1961 $0.09
1962 $0.09
1963 $0.09
1964 $0.09
1965 $0.09
1966 $0.09
1967 $0.09
1968 $0.09
1969 $0.10
1970 $0.10
1971 $0.11
1972 $0.12
1973 $0.12
1974 $0.12
1975 $0.14
1976 $0.15
1977 $0.17
1978 $0.17
1979 $0.19
1980 $0.22
1981 $0.25
1982 $0.27
1983 $0.30
1984 $0.30
1985 $0.32
1986 $0.32
1987 $0.33
1988 $0.35
1989 $0.36
1990 $0.38
1991 $0.40
1992 $0.42
1993 $0.48
1994 $0.44
1995 $0.58
1996 $0.47
1997 $0.50
1998 $0.55
1999 $0.48
2000 $0.53
2001 $0.57
2002 $0.62
2003 $0.59
2004 $0.58
2005 $0.63
2006 $0.63
2007 $0.67
2008 $0.66
2009 $0.66
2010 $0.63
2011 $0.71
2012 $0.62
2013 $0.73
2014 $0.76
2015 $0.84
2016 $0.77
2017 $0.74
2018 $0.68
2019 $0.85
2020 $0.86
2021 $0.90
2022 $0.97
2023 $1.03

Recipe used: Bon Appetit, Everyday Greens Salad

Pumpkin pie

Aside from the turkey, pumpkin pie is widely considered to be among the quintessential dishes of a Thanksgiving meal. Its simplicity and versatility as a dessert makes it a go-to for people celebrating this holiday, particularly when serving for a party of 10.

As for the cost, in 1960 the price of making a pumpkin pie would cost $1.21. Today, that price has increased by 1,10% to $13.44 today. For ease of comparison, this research substituted pumpkins with pumpkin puree.

Year Cost of pumpkin pie
1960 $1.21
1961 $1.22
1962 $1.22
1963 $1.23
1964 $1.24
1965 $1.25
1966 $1.30
1967 $1.30
1968 $1.35
1969 $1.42
1970 $1.48
1971 $1.54
1972 $1.58
1973 $1.70
1974 $1.80
1975 $1.96
1976 $2.13
1977 $2.22
1978 $2.37
1979 $2.34
1980 $3.56
1981 $3.98
1982 $4.27
1983 $4.47
1984 $4.61
1985 $4.70
1986 $4.85
1987 $4.92
1988 $5.06
1989 $5.28
1990 $5.46
1991 $5.63
1992 $5.72
1993 $5.78
1994 $5.90
1995 $6.05
1996 $6.48
1997 $6.68
1998 $7.40
1999 $7.43
2000 $7.45
2001 $8.00
2002 $8.05
2003 $8.09
2004 $8.64
2005 $8.71
2006 $8.74
2007 $9.20
2008 $9.69
2009 $9.55
2010 $9.73
2011 $10.24
2012 $10.34
2013 $10.45
2014 $10.63
2015 $10.86
2016 $10.63
2017 $10.69
2018 $10.97
2019 $11.02
2020 $11.11
2021 $11.27
2022 $12.56
2023 $13.44

Recipe used: Simply Recipes, Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

Pecan pie

A contender to the pumpkin pie, the price of making a pecan pie from scratch has not seen quite as dramatic a price increase as that of a pumpkin pie. The typical recipe is made from pie crust (homemade using all-purpose flour and butter), eggs, syrup, brown sugar, butter and of course, pecans. However, honey is a viable alternative to syrup and was used in this historical price analysis.

The price for these ingredients has risen by 1,008% since 1960, and 22.6% since last year alone. Today, the cost of making a pecan pie is $6.65. Back in 1960, the same ingredients cost as little as $0.60.

Year Cost of pecan pie
1960 $0.60
1961 $0.60
1962 $0.60
1963 $0.60
1964 $0.60
1965 $0.61
1966 $0.64
1967 $0.63
1968 $0.65
1969 $0.69
1970 $0.72
1971 $0.73
1972 $0.74
1973 $0.83
1974 $0.87
1975 $0.94
1976 $1.02
1977 $1.05
1978 $1.12
1979 $1.25
1980 $2.05
1981 $2.26
1982 $2.40
1983 $2.49
1984 $2.58
1985 $2.60
1986 $2.69
1987 $2.71
1988 $2.76
1989 $2.87
1990 $2.89
1991 $2.96
1992 $2.95
1993 $2.94
1994 $2.96
1995 $3.05
1996 $3.36
1997 $3.47
1998 $3.83
1999 $3.75
2000 $3.73
2001 $4.16
2002 $4.16
2003 $4.14
2004 $4.52
2005 $4.47
2006 $4.42
2007 $4.66
2008 $4.95
2009 $4.84
2010 $4.98
2011 $5.31
2012 $5.32
2013 $5.36
2014 $5.44
2015 $5.65
2016 $5.49
2017 $5.50
2018 $5.80
2019 $5.72
2020 $5.65
2021 $5.69
2022 $5.37
2023 $6.65

Recipe used: Simply Recipes, Easy Pecan Pie

Methodology

This analysis used a YouGov survey of 1,227 US adults to establish the most popular Thanksgiving dinner dishes: turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, bread rolls, mac & cheese, corn, salad, pumpkin pie, pecan pie.

The exact measurement of each ingredient required to cook and/or prepare these dishes was factored to calculate how much each dish would cost over time. Exact recipes used can be found next to each dish.

Replacement goods

In some instances, the traditional recipe may have changed from 1960, such as accounting for the wide availability of dried pasta today, which wasn’t as available historically. In those instances, the research calculated the cost of substitutes that could be used instead. This includes:

Cost of goods

The following data sources and methodologies were used to calculate the cost of Thanksgiving goods over time. There were often data gaps in the year 1979 specifically, this gap was filled using a trend analysis to predict the price based on cost data from 1978 and 1980. 

Turkey

Eggs

Milk

Potato

Butter

Corn

Yeast

Flour

Cheddar cheese

Sugar

Orange juice 

Cranberry

Sweet potato

Black peppercorns

Pumpkin puree

Green beans

Onions

Pecans

Honey

Sage

Green leaf lettuce

Parsley

Celery

Bread

Vanilla

Sources

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