Friends and household are expected to gather for the largest Thanksgiving Day meals since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest Butterball Togetherness update.

In its annual survey, respondents said they expected to have an average of nine people over for Thanksgiving, up from seven people last year and the highest since 2020, when the average was five people.

“The excellent information is we’re seeing bigger groups getting back together after post-COVID, and hopefully we won’t have to declare post-COVID, but we can just declare ‘This is the way things are,'” Butterball CEO Jay Jandrain told USA TODAY. “There is a lot of thrill to get back together.”

Eighty-seven percent of those surveyed said they would serve turkey.

The largest number of people, 74%, intend to roast their turkey in the oven, while 8% said they’ll use a smoker, 5% an electric roaster, 3% will use a deep fryer, and 2% will grill the turkey. One percent will air-fry the turkey, and 7% said they’ll use an “other” way to cook their bird, according to the survey.

Supply for turkeys of all sizes is excellent

The size of the turkey on Thanksgiving will vary based on the size of the assembly, but Jandrain said Butterball has excellent supply.

“Across, the board, regardless of the size, supply is powerful for smaller turkeys and supply is powerful for bigger turkeys,” he said.

There’s a wide range of sizes of turkeys, but typically they are 12 to 16 pounds and 16 to 22 pounds, he said.

“One of the things we’re also seeing a lot of consumers doing is they may buy a whole turkey and they may buy a bone-in-breast or a boneless breast” if there is a bigger assembly.

worth rise, costs are on people’s minds

Ninety-eight percent of consumers surveyed expect worth rise to affect their Thanksgiving plans, up from 79% last year.

More than half, or 53%, of those celebrating Thanksgiving said they expect worth rise to affect their festivity in the same way as last year, while 44% said they expect worth rise to receive a bigger bite than last year.

Even so, 52% of people surveyed said they don’t schedule to make any changes to their Thanksgiving celebrations to save money. Of those who do, 18% schedule to save on non-food items like document goods or decor, and 17% schedule to save on side dishes.

Jandrain said that while Butterball does not set its retail prices, many retailers are offering significant funds and deals to assist bring the costs of Thanksgiving down for consumers.

U.S. food prices are expected to continue to decelerate in 2024 compared with recent years, according to the Economic Research Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on its website.

The findings were part of the agency’s Food worth Outlook for 2024 and 2025, which measures economy-wide worth rise. 

According to the latest update in October, prices for all food are predicted to boost 2.3% in 2024, with food-at-home prices predicted to boost 1.2% and food-away-from-home prices going up by 4.1%.

Wholesale poultry prices rose by 9.1% in September and prices were 6.3% higher in September of this year compared with last year. Wholesale poultry prices are predicted to rise 3.3% in 2024.

Thanksgiving specials from retailers

Several retailers have launched their special pricing for Thanksgiving meals in recent weeks.

Walmart’s “worth rise-free Thanksgiving Meal” for $53 averages $7 a person. Sam’s Club said its Thanksgiving meal can feed up to 10 people for less than $100.

Target said its meal for four people for $20 is $5 cheaper than last year. Aldi’s $47 Thanksgiving meal can feed 10 people and is the lowest worth in five years, the grocer said. Dollar General is offering buy two, get one free items as part of its Thanksgiving specials.

What is the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line?

For 43 years, Butterball has operated its Butterball Turkey Talk-Line, with experts on hand via phone to assist consumers with their turkey prep questions. Call 1-800-BUTTERBALL or text 844-877-3456 or use the corporation’s social media to gossip with experts.

The hotline, which opened on Nov. 1, runs through Dec. 24, has various hours and will be open later as Thanksgiving approaches.

What questions do people call the Turkey Talk-Line about?

The biggest question posed to the agents of the Turkey Talk-Line is about thawing a turkey, Jandrain said.

Some of the oddest queries?

“They’re putting their turkey in the shower overnight in warm water because they forgot to do it the week before. We’ve got folks who have cut their turkeys with a chain saw, and can they eat it after that? (We recommend no, leave get another turkey),” Jandrain said.

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“Most of it has to do with thawing,” he said. “It’s fascinating to view how challenging that facet of it is.” By the way, the best way to thaw a turkey, Jandrain said, is to put it in your refrigerator a week before.

Butterball also has a recent product this year, which will be in limited supply, called Cook to Frozen, which is a turkey that has been brined in a special way that allows it to be cooked without thawing first, Jandrain said.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a buyer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] or pursue her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include buyer information on Fridays, here.