You can have a fantastic Thanksgiving meal without digging deep into holiday funds. Use this classic menu as a guide.
Butternut Squash Soup
Squash $2.29 each @2
Butter @ $1.79 per pound
Chicken broth $4.00 per 64 oz. (You can also use bouillon or even just water instead of broth)
White onions $.71 @ 2 ea.
Salt, pepper, nutmeg from cabinet.
Total= $11.79 - it seems pricey, but you will be using many of those ingredients later on.
Turkey in a Bag Recipe w/ homemade gravy
12-24pound turkey, $22-$30
2 pound of celery, $1.99 ( you will not use all depending on size of bird)
3 small red onions, $1.56
2 pounds of carrots $2.50 (will also be used later on)
Rosemary and sage, $3.00
1 pound of garlic, $2.29
butter - already have
(If you make regular pan gravy using a slurry of flour and water, you do not need turkey stock)
*replace Glad bag with brown paper bag.
Total= $36.34/save even more money by just opting for a Turkey breast instead of the whole bird.
Herb Bread Stuffing
1 pound buttermilk bread, $2.19;
3 onions, $1.50
celery—used from turkey recipe
Thyme, $1.50
Parsley, $1.50
dried herbs—use fresh sage from turkey
1 stick butter - left from soup
chicken broth - left from soup.
Total= $6.69/ alternately you can use Stovetop for $4.75
Homemade Green Bean Casserole
14 oz of sour cream, $2.49
1 bag frozen cut-green beans, $1.79
1 onion, $.50
8 oz of cheddar, $2.99
Butter thins crackers, $2.50
Total= $10.29/alternate store bought mashed potato mix with homemade gravy, about $2.75
Homemade Rolls x 32
Yeast, $1.89;
1 stick butter, $0;
egg, $.25
milk - have
bread flour, $4.00 for 2 5-pound bags
Total= $6.14 /alternately you can get a 39 pack value-pack for $4.49 at Safeway
Butterscotch Bourbon Pecan Pie
Safeway brand brown sugar, $1.19
Imitation vanilla, $1.69
Pecans, in shell, prepackaged, 16 oz $3.99
Stick of margarine, last stick
1 more pound of butter/margarine $1.79
Flour - already have
Total= $8.66
Cranberry sauce, $1.20
Grand Total = $81.09
*These are current prices as of November 2009
Source: www.examiner.com