Thanksgiving Feast on a Budget: Delicious Recipes Using Costco Deals
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, a bountiful feast. But the cost of putting together a traditional Thanksgiving dinner can quickly add up. Fortunately, Costco offers a variety of high-quality ingredients at competitive prices, making it possible to create a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving meal without breaking the bank. This guide will provide you with recipes tailored for leveraging Costco’s Thanksgiving deals, complete with detailed instructions and cost-saving tips.
Planning Your Costco Thanksgiving Menu
Before heading to Costco, it’s crucial to plan your menu and create a shopping list. This will help you avoid impulse purchases and ensure you only buy what you need. Consider the number of guests you’ll be hosting and any dietary restrictions or preferences they may have. Here’s a sample menu designed around Costco’s offerings:
* **Main Course:** Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter
* **Stuffing:** Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
* **Gravy:** Homemade Turkey Gravy
* **Vegetables:** Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze, Green Bean Casserole (semi-homemade)
* **Cranberry Sauce:** Spiced Cranberry Sauce
* **Dessert:** Pumpkin Pie (from Costco Bakery), Apple Crumble
Costco Shopping List Essentials
* **Turkey:** Costco offers fresh and frozen turkeys of various sizes. Consider a Butterball or Kirkland Signature turkey.
* **Butter:** Kirkland Signature Unsalted Butter is a great value.
* **Heavy Cream:** For mashed potatoes and gravy.
* **Chicken Broth:** Essential for stuffing and gravy. Kirkland Signature Organic Chicken Broth is a popular choice.
* **Sausage:** For stuffing. Johnsonville or Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage.
* **Cranberries:** Fresh or dried cranberries for stuffing and cranberry sauce.
* **Potatoes:** Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes for mashed potatoes.
* **Garlic:** For mashed potatoes and other dishes.
* **Brussels Sprouts:** For roasting.
* **Green Beans:** For green bean casserole.
* **Cream of Mushroom Soup:** For green bean casserole.
* **French Fried Onions:** For green bean casserole.
* **Pecans/Walnuts:** For apple crumble.
* **Apples:** For apple crumble (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work well).
* **Spices:** Check your spice rack and replenish as needed (poultry seasoning, cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.).
* **Flour:** For thickening gravy and making apple crumble.
* **Sugar:** For cranberry sauce and apple crumble.
* **Pumpkin Pie:** Consider buying a pre-made pumpkin pie from the Costco bakery for convenience.
* **Wine:** Costco offers a great selection of wines at competitive prices. Consider Pinot Noir or Chardonnay.
Recipe 1: Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter
This recipe focuses on creating a moist and flavorful turkey without complicated techniques. Using herb butter under the skin ensures even cooking and adds a delicious aroma.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 (12-14 lb) turkey, thawed if frozen
* 1 cup (2 sticks) Kirkland Signature Unsalted Butter, softened
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon lemon zest
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 onion, quartered
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 4 cups chicken broth
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Turkey:** Remove the turkey from its packaging. Remove the giblets and neck from the cavity. Rinse the turkey inside and out and pat it dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
2. **Make the Herb Butter:** In a bowl, combine the softened butter, rosemary, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
3. **Loosen the Skin:** Carefully loosen the skin from the breast meat by sliding your fingers underneath, starting at the neck cavity. Do the same for the thighs, being careful not to tear the skin. This creates a pocket for the herb butter.
4. **Apply the Herb Butter:** Rub half of the herb butter under the skin of the breast and thighs, spreading it evenly. Rub the remaining herb butter all over the outside of the turkey skin.
5. **Prepare the Roasting Pan:** Place the quartered onion, chopped carrots, and celery stalks in the bottom of a large roasting pan. This will create a flavorful base and prevent the turkey from sticking.
6. **Position the Turkey:** Place the turkey on top of the vegetables in the roasting pan. Tuck the wing tips under the body to prevent them from burning. This also makes for a nicer presentation. Trussing the legs is optional; it helps with even cooking, but is not necessary.
7. **Add Broth:** Pour 2 cups of chicken broth into the bottom of the roasting pan. This will help keep the turkey moist.
8. **Roast the Turkey:** Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Roast the turkey for approximately 3-4 hours, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey. Use a meat thermometer! This is the only accurate way to ensure your turkey is cooked through.
9. **Baste the Turkey:** Baste the turkey with the pan juices every 45 minutes to an hour. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil. To avoid overbrowning, check frequently.
10. **Rest the Turkey:** Once the turkey is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird. Don’t skip this step! Tent it loosely with foil while it rests.
11. **Make Gravy (Optional):** While the turkey is resting, you can use the pan drippings to make gravy (see recipe below).
12. **Carve and Serve:** Carve the turkey and serve with your favorite Thanksgiving sides.
Recipe 2: Sausage and Cranberry Stuffing
This stuffing recipe combines savory sausage with sweet cranberries for a balanced and flavorful side dish.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 loaf (1 lb) sourdough bread, cubed and dried
* 1 lb Johnsonville or Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage, removed from casing
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 1 cup chopped celery
* 1 cup dried cranberries
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) Kirkland Signature Unsalted Butter, melted
* 2 eggs, lightly beaten
**Instructions:**
1. **Dry the Bread:** Cube the sourdough bread and spread it out on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the bread is dry but not browned. Alternatively, you can leave the bread cubes out overnight to air dry. This helps prevent the stuffing from becoming soggy.
2. **Cook the Sausage:** In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease. Nobody wants greasy stuffing!
3. **Sauté Vegetables:** Add the chopped onion and celery to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. **Combine Ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables, dried cranberries, parsley, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
5. **Add Wet Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, melted butter, and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients over the bread mixture and toss gently to combine. Be careful not to overmix.
6. **Bake the Stuffing:** Pour the stuffing into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the stuffing is heated through.
7. **Serve:** Let the stuffing cool slightly before serving.
Recipe 3: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
This classic side dish is elevated with the addition of garlic and heavy cream for a rich and flavorful experience.
**Ingredients:**
* 5 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) Kirkland Signature Unsalted Butter
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* Optional: chopped chives or parsley for garnish
**Instructions:**
1. **Boil the Potatoes:** Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. Don’t overcook them, or they’ll become waterlogged.
2. **Drain and Return to Pot:** Drain the potatoes well and return them to the pot. Let them sit for a minute or two to allow any excess moisture to evaporate.
3. **Heat Cream and Butter:** While the potatoes are cooking, heat the heavy cream and butter in a saucepan over low heat until the butter is melted. Add the minced garlic and simmer for a minute to infuse the cream with garlic flavor. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. **Mash the Potatoes:** Use a potato masher or an electric mixer to mash the potatoes until smooth. Gradually add the warm cream mixture, mixing until the potatoes are creamy and the desired consistency is reached. Be careful not to overmix, or the potatoes can become gluey.
5. **Season and Serve:** Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Recipe 4: Homemade Turkey Gravy
Making gravy from scratch using the pan drippings from your roasted turkey is surprisingly easy and yields a much more flavorful result than store-bought gravy.
**Ingredients:**
* Pan drippings from roasted turkey
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 4 cups chicken broth
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Separate Fat:** After removing the turkey from the roasting pan, carefully pour the pan drippings into a fat separator. If you don’t have a fat separator, you can use a spoon to skim off the fat from the top of the drippings.
2. **Measure Fat:** Return 1/4 cup of the fat to the roasting pan (or a saucepan). Discard the remaining fat. This is important for a smooth gravy; too much fat will make it greasy.
3. **Whisk in Flour:** Whisk the flour into the fat over medium heat until smooth and golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. This creates a roux, which will thicken the gravy. Don’t skip this step! The roux is essential for a smooth, lump-free gravy.
4. **Gradually Add Broth:** Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, a little at a time, making sure to smooth out any lumps before adding more. Continue whisking until all the broth is added and the gravy is smooth.
5. **Simmer and Reduce:** Bring the gravy to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency, about 5-10 minutes. If the gravy is too thick, add a little more chicken broth. If it’s too thin, continue simmering until it thickens.
6. **Strain (Optional):** For an extra-smooth gravy, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps.
7. **Season and Serve:** Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with the turkey.
Recipe 5: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Roasting Brussels sprouts brings out their natural sweetness and nutty flavor, and a balsamic glaze adds a touch of tanginess.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1/4 cup balsamic glaze (store-bought or homemade)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare Brussels Sprouts:** Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Trim the Brussels sprouts by cutting off the stem end and removing any yellow or damaged outer leaves. Halve the Brussels sprouts lengthwise.
2. **Toss with Oil and Seasoning:** In a large bowl, toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
3. **Roast the Brussels Sprouts:** Spread the Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and slightly browned, turning halfway through. Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet, or the Brussels sprouts will steam instead of roast.
4. **Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze:** Remove the Brussels sprouts from the oven and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Toss to coat evenly.
5. **Serve:** Serve immediately.
Recipe 6: Semi-Homemade Green Bean Casserole
This recipe offers a shortcut to the classic green bean casserole using readily available ingredients from Costco.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 (14.5 oz) cans cut green beans, drained
* 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 1/3 cups French fried onions, divided
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. **Combine Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, combine the drained green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, pepper, and 2/3 cup of the French fried onions.
3. **Bake:** Pour the mixture into a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish. Bake for 25 minutes.
4. **Top with Onions:** Sprinkle the remaining 2/3 cup French fried onions over the casserole.
5. **Bake Again:** Bake for 5 minutes more, or until the onions are golden brown.
6. **Serve:** Serve hot.
Recipe 7: Spiced Cranberry Sauce
Skip the canned cranberry sauce and make your own with fresh cranberries, sugar, and spices for a vibrant and flavorful addition to your Thanksgiving table.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 (12 oz) bag fresh cranberries
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/4 cup orange juice
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* Pinch of salt
**Instructions:**
1. **Combine Ingredients:** In a saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, water, orange juice, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
2. **Cook the 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. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. **Cool and Serve:** Remove the cranberry sauce from the heat and let it cool completely. The sauce will thicken further as it cools. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve chilled.
Recipe 8: Easy Apple Crumble
This apple crumble is a simple and delicious dessert that’s perfect for Thanksgiving. It’s easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time.
**Ingredients:**
* 6-8 medium apples (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and sliced
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
**Crumble Topping:**
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup rolled oats
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) Kirkland Signature Unsalted Butter, cold and cubed
* 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Apples:** Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Toss to combine.
2. **Make the Crumble Topping:** In a separate bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and rolled oats. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped pecans or walnuts, if using.
3. **Assemble the Crumble:** Pour the apple mixture into a greased 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
4. **Bake the Crumble:** Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil.
5. **Cool and Serve:** Let the apple crumble cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Cost-Saving Tips for Your Costco Thanksgiving
* **Buy in Bulk:** Costco’s bulk sizes are ideal for Thanksgiving, as you’ll likely need larger quantities of many ingredients. Compare unit prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
* **Share with Friends and Family:** If you don’t need the entire bulk package of an item, consider splitting it with friends or family members to reduce waste and save money.
* **Take Advantage of Sales and Coupons:** Keep an eye out for Costco’s Thanksgiving sales and coupons. These can significantly reduce the cost of your meal.
* **Consider Kirkland Signature Brand:** Costco’s Kirkland Signature brand offers high-quality products at competitive prices. Don’t hesitate to try their store-brand options.
* **Plan Ahead:** Create a detailed shopping list and stick to it to avoid impulse purchases. Shop early to avoid crowds and potential shortages.
* **Use Leftovers Creatively:** Plan to use Thanksgiving leftovers in creative ways to minimize waste. Turkey sandwiches, turkey pot pie, and cranberry sauce muffins are just a few ideas.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Simplify:** You don’t have to make every dish from scratch. Consider buying pre-made items like pumpkin pie or dinner rolls from the Costco bakery to save time and effort.
* **Check Unit Prices:** Costco is about buying in bulk, but sometimes you don’t need bulk. For example, a smaller bottle of spices may be cheaper than the larger container at Costco, if you don’t need the larger quantity.
Wine Pairing Suggestions from Costco
Costco offers an excellent selection of wines at affordable prices. Here are some pairing suggestions for your Thanksgiving meal:
* **Turkey:** Pinot Noir or Chardonnay are classic choices that pair well with turkey’s delicate flavor. Look for a Burgundy Pinot Noir or a California Chardonnay.
* **Stuffing:** A dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer can complement the savory and sweet flavors of stuffing.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** A buttery Chardonnay or a light-bodied Pinot Grigio will pair nicely with creamy mashed potatoes.
* **Cranberry Sauce:** A Rosé or a slightly sweet Riesling can balance the tartness of cranberry sauce.
* **Dessert:** A Moscato d’Asti or a late-harvest Riesling is a perfect accompaniment to pumpkin pie or apple crumble.
Making the Most of Your Costco Membership
By strategically planning your menu and taking advantage of Costco’s Thanksgiving deals, you can create a memorable and delicious Thanksgiving feast without overspending. Remember to shop early, stick to your list, and be creative with leftovers. Happy Thanksgiving!
This guide provides a comprehensive plan to utilize Costco’s offerings for a complete Thanksgiving menu. Remember to adjust quantities and recipes based on your specific needs and preferences. Enjoy the holiday season with your loved ones and a fantastic, budget-friendly meal!