Sunita Somvanshi
Searches for nearby Lidl stores have surged 2,300 percent across the United States as the German discounter rolls out a $35.86 Thanksgiving meal basket and opens high-profile new locations in New York City. The promotion, which runs November 11 through November 25, 2026, includes a 14-pound Shady Brook Farms frozen whole turkey plus 20 side and dessert ingredients—stuffing, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, mac & cheese, pumpkin pie ingredients, and Hawaiian sweet rolls—feeding up to 10 people at $3.59 per person.
Shoppers must scan the Lidl Plus app at checkout to receive the promotional price. The app launched in the U.S. in July 2026 and is required for the basket deal. Aldi’s competing 10-person meal is priced under $39 with no membership required and includes a 16-pound turkey. Lidl’s “Never Be Beaten” total-basket price-match promise against Walmart and Aldi carries three hidden exclusions: Instacart and third-party delivery orders do not qualify, wholesale clubs are excluded, and the offer is limited to one basket per Lidl Plus account with no rainchecks if items sell out.
Shoppers heading to Lidl right now will not get the $35.86 Thanksgiving basket price—the promotional window does not activate until Wednesday, November 11, and runs through November 25. To pay $3.59 per person, you must shop in-store (Instacart and third-party deliveries are excluded), register a free Lidl Plus account, and scan the app at checkout. Because Lidl prohibits rainchecks and limits the deal to one basket per account, waiting until Thanksgiving week risks out-of-stock substitutions.
Complete 21-Item Lidl Basket vs. Aldi’s Under-$39 Meal
The Lidl basket contains a 14-pound Shady Brook Farms turkey, 5 pounds russet potatoes, 3 pounds sweet potatoes, 3 pounds yellow onions, 2 pounds baby carrots, celery, 2 cans green beans, 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, French’s fried onions, 2 boxes stuffing, 2 boxes mac & cheese, chicken broth, 2 packets gravy, 2 cans cranberry sauce, Hawaiian sweet rolls, 100% pure pumpkin, evaporated milk, pie crust dough, mini marshmallows, whipped topping, and poultry seasoning. Lidl US Chief Customer Officer Jassine Ouali confirmed the full manifest via the Lidl US Media Center (mediacenter.lidl.com releases dated September 23 and October 13, 2026). Shoppers who make qualifying weekly purchases in November via Lidl Plus earn up to $25 in bonus rewards redeemable in December, and Lidl is cutting prices on 100 items weekly throughout November. All Lidl US stores close on Thanksgiving Day, and every employee receives a free turkey on top of their 10 percent employee discount.
While Lidl advertises that its $35.86 basket beats Aldi’s sub-$39 meal by roughly $3.14, Aldi includes a 16-pound turkey compared to Lidl’s 14-pound bird—meaning the price per pound of turkey is virtually identical. Shoppers who order Lidl via Instacart or forget to scan the newly launched U.S. Lidl Plus app at the register forfeit the promotional pricing entirely.
How do you get the $35.86 Thanksgiving dinner at Lidl?
Shop in-store at any US Lidl location between November 11 and November 25, 2026, select the 21 designated Thanksgiving basket items (including a 14-pound Shady Brook Farms turkey), and scan your free Lidl Plus app at checkout. The offer is limited to one basket per account and excludes Instacart or third-party delivery orders.
Thanksgiving Day store closure reminder: download Lidl Plus before November 11 to avoid checkout surprises.
