Inflation hasn’t gone anywhere, and we’re no strangers to the higher prices for pretty much everything, from groceries to energy and gas. Yes, that means the biggest feasts at home are going to be a lot more expensive, the Thanksgiving one included.
So, how can you save money on Thanksgiving dinner? That’s exactly what this article is about!
According to recent data, the prices of holiday staples have significantly increased, with potatoes and turkey being around 18% more expensive this year. Sweet corn is up 11%, ham is up 8%, and pumpkins are up around 2.5%.
The good news is that there are many ways to save money without sacrificing the taste or quality of your holiday meal. Here are some ways you can save money on Thanksgiving dinner and beat inflation, many of which can be combined for the ultimate celebration that doesn’t leave you in credit card debt.
Let’s get started!
1. Go meatless
The first entry in our article on tricks to save money on Thanksgiving dinner is to replace meat with other sources of protein. For some, this may be a big no-no, but for others, it may sound like a tempting idea.
Plant-based meals are often less expensive than meat-centric meals. Not to mention, they are more fitting if you’re having guests over who follow vegan or vegetarian diets. An interesting idea would be to replace the real bird with a tofurkey. Or you can get creative with veggie entrees like red lentil curry, creamy butternut squash pasta, mushroom pot pie, or wild rice and butternut squash bake.
Sure, going meatless will help you save money on Thanksgiving dinner, but you know what this also means? It means more room for dessert, which most of us would agree with!
2. Opt for a limited menu
Many restaurants are cutting back on their menu options due to ingredient and labor costs, so you can do that too to save money on Thanksgiving dinner. Instead of cooking multiple foods, which, let’s be honest, will probably go bad before you eat them, opt for a limited menu.
Serve up a chic, restaurant-style one that will be easier and more enjoyable all around. To make this bistro-worthy meal more elegant, print out or write a menu on cardstock that adds to your restaurant vibe. It will look great and impress your guests!
This being said, one appetizer, a soup, an entree, a side, or perhaps two, and dessert are plenty and yet super indulgent. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s a cooking book with plenty of ideas for holiday dinners.
3. Shop ahead and buy in bulk
Whether you choose to go meatless or opt for a limited menu, another way to save money on Thanksgiving dinner is to shop a few weeks ahead of time and buy in bulk.
A great idea would be to pair with friends or neighbors to spit an industrial-sized package of walnuts or a larger bag of potatoes to get the lower price. This way, you pay less for the ingredients and use everything that you buy, so nothing goes to waste.
Decide on your Thanksgiving menu ahead of time so you can monitor sales, then get what you need at hopefully the lowest price.
4. Host a holiday potluck
No. 4 on our list of ways to save money on Thanksgiving dinner is to host a holiday potluck. This idea is both fun and so much easier on the host.
The first thing you have to do is create a shared sign-up sheet so guests can plan and organize. Make sure you do that at least a week before so everyone has enough time to come up with an idea, buy the ingredients, and cook.
Consider offering to make the fixings and turkey, and encourage your guests to bring sides, starters, and dessert. This is a nice opportunity for friends to show off their own favorite holiday dishes or for family members to prepare their renditions of traditional family recipes. Not to mention, it’s a great way to save money on Thanksgiving dinner!
5. Opt for turkey pieces
You probably already know this, but we feel like it’s our duty to remind you: You don’t have to cook a whole turkey! Of course, the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking about Thanksgiving is the golden turkey cooked in the oven.
However, if you want to save money on Thanksgiving dinner, you can opt for turkey pieces. Turkey breast, turkey legs, and/or turkey wings are just as delicious. Here’s a pro tip: serve exclusively drumsticks, which cost around $2 per pound, and you can portion out two per guest.
They are so easy to both roast and eat—no carving required! Moreover, you can encourage your guests to eat with their hands. Just make sure you have a roll of paper towels on standby.
Keep reading to discover other genius ways to save money on Thanksgiving dinner!
6. Cook from a meal kit
Another way to save money on Thanksgiving dinner is to cook from a meal kit. These kits are known for being thrifty, containing everything you need, and limiting food waste.
For example, last year, Purple Carrot offered a plant-based Thanksgiving feast for $75, meant to serve four people. Blue Apron offered a Thanksgiving box that served up to eight people for $99. While chances are that this year’s prices will be higher, it’s still more affordable to opt for a meal kit than to buy all the ingredients separately.
And let’s be honest, time is money, and with minimal prep, no shopping, and just enough food for the pre-set recipes, this idea may be your best bet against inflation and will help you save money on Thanksgiving dinner.
7. Don’t buy new equipment
If you’re hosting for the first time, you must be nervous that things won’t go as you wish they would. So you’ll probably try to make sure everything is perfect and buy new stuff to make sure you have everything you need on hand. However, if you want to save money on Thanksgiving dinner, you may want to find some alternatives, and yes, we’re here to help you with some!
Before you spring for that specialty cake pan, roasting tray, or baster, consider borrowing. Friends and neighbors may have extras (especially if they’re not hosting), and some local sustainable stores are now lending kitchen items for free or a low-cost rental.
And let’s be honest, you don’t need a bundt pan taking up space in your kitchen for the other 364 days of the year. If you can’t find one to borrow, choose a secondhand one. Check social sharing apps like Facebook Marketplace for good deals, or post an ISO (in search of) message on NextDoor to see if some neighbor can help out with a gravy boat.
8. Be strategic about leftovers
Last but not least on our list of ways to save money on Thanksgiving dinner is to be strategic about leftovers. While you don’t know how much of everything will become leftovers, you can usually plan for the type of food you’ll have in your fridge for the next couple of days.
In other words, think of ways you can make the most of them. Have a slow cooker or stockpot ready to make a stock using the turkey bones, bread on hand for turkey sandwiches, plastic bags to freeze turkey in if you’d rather save it for after New Year’s, and eggs to scramble with leftover veggies.
If you know you won’t eat everything you’ve cooked for Thanksgiving dinner, ask your neighbors to see if they’d like a plate, or search on social media for groups to see if you can donate it to food-insecure folks in your area.
If you liked our article on frugal ways to save money on Thanksgiving dinner, you may also want to read Don’t Let Holidays Drain Your Wallet! Try These 10 Hacks Instead.
