How to Save Money on a Huge Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving dinner, and you are the host. The only problem is your budget. How will you feed all those people without going broke? With a little bit of planning, preparation and a few tricks up your sleeve you can pull of a holiday feast for family and friends that only looks expensive.

The Thanksgiving Turkey

With so many options in the turkey case, it can be hard to decide which one to buy. Do you buy fresh? Premium, butter basted, frozen? The premium and butter basted turkeys are the most expensive. While they promise fabulous flavor, in the end they are a turkey that has been injected with ingredients (many of them artificial) to retain moisture and increase flavor. They still taste like turkey.

The key to cooking turkey that is moist and flavorful is in the process: brining, seasoning and proper roasting techniques. To save money, buy the cheapest turkey you can find, then flavor it yourself. With a couple of dollars worth of Kosher salt, brown sugar, some fresh herbs and spices you can make a turkey brine that will help the bird stay moist while cooking and add a lot of flavor. Using an olive oil rub with fresh herbs and stuffing the bird with more herbs, fresh garlic and citrus fruits will add even more flavor.

The Dressing

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without the dressing. While this usually isn’t a huge expense, there are ways to save money in the preparation.  Stretch the dressing with an herb seasoned long grain and wild rice and sautéed vegetables. Make homemade broth instead of using store bought chicken broth.

The Green Beans

Green bean casserole is a traditional dish on Thanksgiving tables across the country. Trim the fat from the cost by serving green beans roasted or stir fried with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper. For added flavor, you could include some slivered almonds or top with a few french fried onions.

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Great cooks know that mashed potatoes are always better homemade, and broth or stock makes the gravy better. Do not buy the broth or stock, make it yourself in advance, and make enough for the gravy and the dressing. Potatoes are generally on sale just before Thanksgiving, so stock up and make them homemade, unless of course, you find a great deal on potato flakes. In other words, do what saves you the most money.