If you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, now’s the time to plan the menu and do what you can ahead of that Thursday meal in November.
Experience reminds you that if you don’t have a strategy to curb your spending, you may very well end up in credit card debt. Even though the U.S. is experiencing inflation , it will be a little easier to spend less this year.
For the most part, with a few exceptions, making dishes from scratch not only saves the most money, but those will also garner rave reviews from your guests for their tastiness.
Although the American Farm Bureau Federation hasn’t yet released their forecast for a Thanksgiving feast, for 10 people in 2023, it ran around $61.17. Here’s how to save on the traditional menu items.
Forecasters said you’ll pay less for the bird this year than last because the Avian Flu is more under control.
Right now, Safeway has them on sale for $1.29 to $2.99 a pound. The lower prices are for frozen whole store brands, which are every bit as good as the brand-name turkeys.
You’ll pay a premium for fresh birds, too. Watch for promotional options at your local food stores.
Julia Childs suggested in some of her cookbooks using Russet potatoes, and who doesn’t lover her cooking?
Although instant potatoes take little in the way of preparation, they actually cost more than regular potatoes. To ease the burden a little, grab your tweens or teens and have them peel those potatoes.
Bread Dressing
Use day-old bread for yummier dressing with more of a crunch than fresh bread.
You may already have some bread at home that has passed its sandwich life, so commandeer that for the big feast. Add some onions, carrots and celery and you’re ready to bake the dish.
Cranberry Sauce
This one is very close, so you can decide whether you want to make your own with fresh cranberries or take the easy way out and serve the stuff in a can.
The fresh method will definitely taste better and it’s cheaper, making the dish from scratch takes a little time.
Gravy
You can choose between powdered gravy mix, jarred gravy or that delectable creamy covering for the turkey and mashed potatoes that you make yourself.
With the bones and innards from that whole turkey you bought to be the star of the meal, you can make your own stock. Add some onion, carrots, celery and a thickener, and you’ve not thrown away any parts of the bird.
Butternut Squash
Although considered a winter squash, butternut squash is always in season.
You can wrestle with the fresh squash to cut and cube it, or you can buy frozen, steam-in-the-bag butternut squash, which is currently a better buy.
Baking, especially pie-making, can be an art, and those who have mastered pumpkin will want to show off their skills.
But according the Cost Contessa , this year Costco’s pumpkin pies will once again sell for $5.99. That’s 58 ounces of deliciousness for less than $6, and taking that route will definitely save you plenty of dough.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of Oct. 17,2024. Prices and availability may vary by location.
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