A Budget-Friendly Feast: Thanksgiving Dinner for Under $20
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, a delicious feast. But the cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner can quickly add up, putting a strain on your wallet. Fear not! You can enjoy a satisfying and memorable Thanksgiving meal without breaking the bank. This guide will show you how to create a complete Thanksgiving dinner for under $20, proving that festive celebrations don’t require excessive spending.
**The $20 Thanksgiving Challenge: Is It Possible?**
Yes, it’s absolutely possible! The key is strategic planning, prioritizing inexpensive staples, and embracing resourceful cooking techniques. We’ll focus on dishes that are both flavorful and budget-friendly, minimizing waste and maximizing value.
**Menu for a Budget Thanksgiving (Under $20):**
* **Main Course:** Roasted Chicken Pieces (Instead of a whole turkey)
* **Side Dish 1:** Mashed Potatoes (Made from scratch)
* **Side Dish 2:** Stuffing (Using budget-friendly bread and vegetables)
* **Side Dish 3:** Green Bean Casserole (Simplified and cost-effective)
* **Side Dish 4:** Cranberry Sauce (Homemade, using fresh or frozen cranberries)
* **Dessert:** Apple Crisp (Using readily available apples)
**Shopping List Breakdown (Approximate Prices – Prices may vary by location and season):**
* Chicken Pieces (Drumsticks/Thighs): $5.00
* Potatoes (5 lbs): $3.00
* Bread (Loaf for stuffing): $1.50
* Onion: $0.50
* Celery: $0.50
* Carrots: $0.50
* Green Beans (Frozen): $2.00
* Cream of Mushroom Soup: $1.00
* Milk: $1.00
* Butter: $1.00
* Apples (3-4): $2.00
* Cranberries (Frozen/Fresh): $2.00
**Total: $20.00**
**Recipes & Instructions:**
**1. Roasted Chicken Pieces (Main Course):**
*Why Chicken Pieces?* A whole turkey, while traditional, is significantly more expensive. Chicken drumsticks or thighs are a delicious and budget-conscious alternative. They’re flavorful, readily available, and cook relatively quickly.
*Ingredients:*
* 2-3 lbs Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs
* 1 tbsp Olive Oil (Or vegetable oil, if you already have it)
* 1 tsp Paprika
* 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
* 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
* 1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
* Salt and Pepper to taste
*Instructions:*
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. **Prepare Chicken:** Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up nicely.
3. **Season Chicken:** In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture all over the chicken pieces, ensuring they are evenly coated.
4. **Arrange Chicken:** Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (for easy cleanup). If you don’t have parchment paper, lightly grease the baking sheet.
5. **Roast Chicken:** Roast in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear when pierced with a fork. The skin should be golden brown and crispy.
6. **Rest (Optional):** Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat.
**2. Mashed Potatoes (Side Dish):**
*Why Homemade?* Pre-made mashed potatoes are often expensive and can contain unnecessary additives. Making your own from scratch is surprisingly easy and significantly cheaper.
*Ingredients:*
* 5 lbs Potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold work well)
* 1/2 cup Milk
* 2 tbsp Butter
* Salt and Pepper to taste
*Instructions:*
1. **Peel and Chop Potatoes:** Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Cutting them into smaller pieces helps them cook faster.
2. **Boil Potatoes:** Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt to the water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender.
3. **Drain Potatoes:** Drain the potatoes in a colander and return them to the pot.
4. **Mash Potatoes:** Using a potato masher or an electric mixer, mash the potatoes until smooth. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make them gummy.
5. **Add Milk and Butter:** Gradually add the milk and butter to the mashed potatoes, mixing until they are creamy and smooth. Adjust the amount of milk and butter to your desired consistency. You can also use a hand mixer for a smoother consistency.
6. **Season to Taste:** Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs.
**3. Budget-Friendly Stuffing (Side Dish):**
*Why Budget-Friendly?* Traditional stuffing recipes often call for expensive ingredients like sausage or nuts. This recipe uses simple, readily available ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying stuffing.
*Ingredients:*
* 1 Loaf Bread (Day-old or slightly stale bread works best)
* 1 Onion, chopped
* 2 Celery Stalks, chopped
* 1 Carrot, chopped
* 1/4 cup Butter (Or vegetable oil)
* 1 tsp Dried Sage
* 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
* 1/4 tsp Dried Rosemary (Optional)
* Salt and Pepper to taste
* 1-1.5 cups Chicken Broth or Water
*Instructions:*
1. **Prepare Bread:** Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly toasted. This helps to dry out the bread and prevent the stuffing from becoming soggy. Alternatively, leave the cubed bread out overnight to dry.
2. **Sauté Vegetables:** In a large skillet or pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrot and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until softened.
3. **Combine Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, sage, thyme, rosemary (if using), salt, and pepper.
4. **Add Broth/Water:** Gradually add the chicken broth or water to the mixture, tossing gently to moisten the bread. Add enough liquid to moisten the bread but avoid making it too soggy. It should be damp, not swimming in liquid.
5. **Bake Stuffing:** Transfer the stuffing to a greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown and the stuffing is heated through.
**4. Simplified Green Bean Casserole (Side Dish):**
*Why Simplified?* The traditional green bean casserole uses canned green beans and fried onions, which can be more expensive. This recipe uses frozen green beans and skips the fried onions for a budget-friendly alternative.
*Ingredients:*
* 1 lb Frozen Green Beans
* 1 can (10.75 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup
* 1/4 cup Milk
* Salt and Pepper to taste
*Instructions:*
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. **Cook Green Beans:** Cook the frozen green beans according to the package directions. Usually steaming or microwaving is sufficient. Drain the green beans well.
3. **Combine Ingredients:** In a bowl, combine the cooked green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
4. **Bake Casserole:** Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly. If you want a little extra crunch, consider adding crushed crackers (like Ritz) on top for the last few minutes of baking. This does add minimally to the overall cost though.
**5. Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Side Dish):**
*Why Homemade?* Canned cranberry sauce often contains high fructose corn syrup and can be more expensive than making your own. This recipe is simple, healthy, and delicious.
*Ingredients:*
* 12 oz Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
* 1 cup Water
* 1/2 cup Sugar (Adjust to taste)
*Instructions:*
1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, water, and sugar.
2. **Cook Cranberry Sauce:** Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. **Cool Cranberry Sauce:** Remove from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool completely. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.
4. **Refrigerate:** Refrigerate the cranberry sauce until ready to serve. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for several days.
**6. Budget-Friendly Apple Crisp (Dessert):**
*Why Apple Crisp?* Apple crisp is a simple, comforting dessert that uses readily available and inexpensive apples. It’s a perfect ending to a budget-friendly Thanksgiving meal.
*Ingredients:*
* 3-4 Apples (Any variety will work, but Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are good choices)
* 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
* 1/4 cup Rolled Oats
* 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
* 1/4 cup Butter, cold and cubed
* 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
* Pinch of Salt
*Instructions:*
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Prepare Apples:** Peel, core, and slice the apples. Place the apple slices in a greased baking dish.
3. **Make Crumble Topping:** In a bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and salt. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. **Assemble Crisp:** Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple slices.
5. **Bake Crisp:** Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil.
6. **Cool Slightly:** Let the apple crisp cool slightly before serving. It’s delicious served warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream (if your budget allows!)
**Tips for Saving Money on Thanksgiving:**
* **Plan Your Menu:** Create a detailed menu and shopping list before you go to the store. This will help you avoid impulse purchases.
* **Shop Around:** Compare prices at different grocery stores to find the best deals.
* **Use Coupons:** Look for coupons in newspapers, online, or in store flyers.
* **Buy in Bulk (If Appropriate):** If you use certain ingredients frequently, consider buying them in bulk to save money.
* **Embrace Leftovers:** Plan to use your leftovers in creative ways. Turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, and turkey pot pie are all great options.
* **Potluck Style:** Consider asking guests to bring a dish to share. This can significantly reduce the cost of hosting Thanksgiving.
* **Utilize Pantry Staples:** Check your pantry for ingredients you already have on hand before you go shopping.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Substitute:** If an ingredient is too expensive, look for a cheaper substitute.
* **Make it a smaller gathering:** The fewer the guests, the less food is needed.
* **Decorate Simply:** Use natural elements like pinecones, leaves, and pumpkins to decorate your table instead of buying expensive decorations.
* **Drink Smart:** Instead of expensive wines, offer water, sparkling cider, or homemade lemonade.
**Adapting the Menu for Dietary Restrictions:**
* **Vegetarian:** Replace the chicken with a lentil loaf or a hearty vegetable stew.
* **Vegan:** Use plant-based butter and milk alternatives. Ensure the bread for the stuffing is vegan-friendly. Consider a vegan gravy made with vegetable broth and cornstarch.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free bread for the stuffing and gluten-free flour for the apple crisp.
**Conclusion:**
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a financial burden. With careful planning and resourceful cooking, you can create a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving dinner for under $20. By focusing on inexpensive staples, embracing simple recipes, and minimizing waste, you can enjoy a festive celebration without breaking the bank. Happy Thanksgiving!