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Turkey Tops Holiday Grocery Orders, Growing in Size

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  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 14:03 GMT by Food & Wine

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Holiday Grocery Shopping Reveals What Americans Are Really Cooking: A Deep‑Dive into Instacart’s 2023 Report

Every year, the Thanksgiving table in America transforms into a veritable feast of tradition, comfort food, and the occasional culinary experiment. Food & Wine’s recent feature on “The Most Ordered Holiday Groceries in America, According to an Instacart Report” gives us a data‑driven snapshot of those traditions, plus a few surprising twists. The article is based on Instacart’s internal analytics, which tracks orders from its millions of customers and turns raw numbers into a clear picture of what people are actually buying—beyond the usual “turkey” headline.

1. Turkey, Still the King

It comes as no surprise that turkey tops the list. Instacart’s data shows that more than 70 % of shoppers placed at least one order for a whole turkey in November. The article points out that the “size” of the turkey order has been steadily climbing; many families are now buying larger birds to accommodate the increasing number of guests and the trend toward “slow‑roasting” techniques that yield more tender, juicy meat. The Food & Wine piece links to an Instacart press release that provides a detailed breakdown by region—Midwest shoppers tend to buy larger birds, while the West Coast leans toward smaller turkeys and alternative proteins.

2. Ham and Chicken Get a Close Second

Behind turkey, ham and chicken make a formidable pair. Instacart’s report indicates that almost 55 % of customers ordered ham—a traditional side dish for many Christmas tables and a fallback for Thanksgiving leftovers. Meanwhile, chicken orders surged by 12 % year‑over‑year, reflecting both the popularity of “chicken pot pie” and the rise of poultry dishes that can be prepared in advance and reheated. The article links to a Food & Wine recipe roundup titled “10 Easy Christmas Chicken Dishes,” giving readers ready-to-use ideas for these staples.

3. Comfort Food Staples: Potatoes, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce

Comfort food isn’t just about meat. Instacart data shows that mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and stuffing were in the top five for grocery orders in the holiday season. The article underscores the role of these items as “the backbone of the Thanksgiving spread,” and notes that sweet potatoes rose to the top of the stuffing category, a trend that reflects the growing emphasis on natural sweeteners and healthier options. Cranberry sauce—both the classic and the “savory” version—also saw a sharp uptick, with many shoppers opting for the “no‑sugar” and “organic” variants. Food & Wine cross‑references a USDA study on cranberry consumption that explains the health benefits associated with the fruit’s antioxidants.

4. A Surge in Plant‑Based & Low‑Carb Options

One of the most eye‑catching findings in the Instacart report is the dramatic rise in plant‑based alternatives. Almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk together accounted for a 28 % increase in orders compared with the previous year. The article explains that “millennials and Gen Z” are driving the demand for dairy‑free options, and the trend has spilled over into the holiday menu, where many families are incorporating oat milk into sauces and desserts. The piece links to a separate Food & Wine feature titled “The Rise of Plant‑Based Holidays,” which delves into how these products are being used in traditional recipes—from oat‑based gravy to dairy‑free pumpkin pie.

5. Specialty Items: Wine, Cheese, and Artisanal Bread

Beyond the staples, Instacart’s data revealed that wine, cheese, and artisanal bread were the most popular specialty items. Wine sales were up 16 % during the holiday period, with shoppers gravitating toward red blends and sparkling options. The article notes that “cheese boards” are a growing trend for holiday parties, and that cheese selections ranged from aged cheddar to vegan cheeses. Artisanal bread—particularly sourdough and focaccia—helped many households create a “bread‑centric” brunch that pairs well with pumpkin soup or leftover turkey. Food & Wine’s article also references a link to an expert guide on “Choosing the Right Cheese for Thanksgiving,” offering both classic and modern pairing suggestions.

Contextualizing the Numbers: Why These Trends Matter

The article does more than just list the top grocery items; it offers a broader look at how consumer habits are shifting. For instance, the surge in plant‑based milks and the rise of healthier sweet‑potato options hint at a growing appetite for “clean eating” even during a traditionally indulgent season. Likewise, the uptick in artisanal bread and specialty cheeses signals a move toward more sophisticated, gourmet holiday spreads.

Instacart’s press release—linked within the Food & Wine piece—provides the full dataset, including regional breakdowns and seasonal variations. The data also show a spike in last‑minute orders, suggesting that many families are opting for the convenience of grocery delivery to focus on cooking and socializing. According to the article, 15 % of holiday shoppers placed their entire Thanksgiving order in the final 24 hours before the day, underscoring the reliability of grocery delivery platforms during peak periods.

Takeaway

Food & Wine’s exploration of Instacart’s holiday grocery data gives us a clear, data‑driven view of what will likely fill our pantries this season. Turkey, ham, and chicken remain staples, but the inclusion of plant‑based milks, sweet potatoes, and artisanal cheeses shows a subtle shift toward healthier, more diverse holiday menus. The link to the USDA cranberry study and the additional Food & Wine recipes help contextualize why these items have become so popular. Whether you’re a seasoned holiday chef or a first‑time host, the article offers both insight and inspiration—turning raw data into a tangible guide to what’s on America’s tables this Thanksgiving and Christmas.