Wanna know the double whammy about preparing Thanksgiving dinner?
In addition to requiring half a day of preparation (or more if you count the planning phase) only to be devoured in about 20 minutes, it’s also kind of expensive.
Actually, let me rephrase that – it’s very expensive. With the cost of the average Thanksgiving dinner approaching $50 – a total that seems low, if you asked me – it’s important to find ways to cut corners on cost without cutting corners on taste.
I paid a visit to the buffet of inspiration known as the internet to round up four Turkey Day dishes and ideas guaranteed to reduce your grocery bill this Thanksgiving.
The free turkey
The bird is the most expensive course on the menu (a 16-pounder will cost somewhere between $10 and $15). Cut this cost by taking advantage of the “free turkey” offers available at many grocery stores when you cash in your member rewards points.
Mashed potatoes
It’s just potatoes, milk, butter and some salt and pepper. If this meal costs more than 50 cents per serving, you’re doing something wrong.
Green bean casserole
No Thanksgiving is complete without this American classic. But it’s easy to spend $15 or more on this dish, which is why I recommend simplifying it by sticking to the Campbell’s recipe. Just six ingredients and you’re done.
Bring your own side dish/dessert
One of the easiest ways to cut costs is by asking guests to bring a side dish or dessert.
To make it fun, challenge them to bring something made with an old family recipe or something that reminds them of Thanksgivings from their childhood.
Just be sure to coordinate what everyone is bringing or else you’ll wind up with five pumpkin pies and six sides of creamed corn!
How do you save on Thanksgiving dinner?