Search
by Ingredient

Health and nutrition news that’s easy to digest

Herb Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

This holiday season as Americans carefully consider how to make the most of every dollar, many are putting their Thanksgiving menu on a budget.

The average Thanksgiving meal in 2009 cost $4.29 per person according to the American Farm Bureau. Multiply $4.29 by the number of guests who will join you to find out how much you can expect to spend.

Here are a few simple tips to help you save money and still have a delicious Thanksgiving celebration.

Only include the dishes your guests truly enjoy on the menu.

Ask guests to bring a batch of their favorite Thanksgiving side dish recipe

Choose quick and easy recipes for your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. 

  • The fewer ingredients a recipe has, the less expensive it is to prepare and the healthier it tends to be.
  • Have a dessert party instead of a meal. Each guest could contribute a batch of their favorite pie recipe, cookie recipe, or cake recipe.
  • Find recipes to use your Thanksgiving leftovers. Plan to serve them later in the week.
  • Prepare foods from scratch (rolls, breadcrumbs, pie crust, etc.) instead of buying convenience items.
  • Know what is already in your pantry and make use of it. For example, if you already have wild rice and walnuts, consider serving Wild Rice Stuffing.
  • Scour grocery store ads to take advantage of the sales and incentives offered that match your menu.
  • A frozen, store-brand turkey is usually the least expensive choice.
  • By planning ahead and inviting your guests to contribute to the menu, you can enjoy a budget-friendly Thanksgiving celebration.

Comments