What are you cooking next Thursday for Thanksgiving – and how are you keeping costs low? My family splits up the cooking duties so no one has to foot the entire bill. I’m on appetizer duty.
Epicurious has an article on feeding eight people for less than $80 with a menu that includes butternut squash soup, roast turkey (of course), stuffing, Brussels sprouts with caramelized shallots, and pecan pumpkin pie. The story offers tips to reduce your bill, like making things from scratch, buying veggies that are in season, and asking others to pitch in.
Other tips to keep costs down:
- shop ahead of time
- scale back quantities
- nix unpopular side dishes (green bean casserole???)
- get a free turkey from the supermarket (by shopping their regularly leading up to the holiday)
- look for BOGO free sales
- check manufacturer sites for coupons for pumpkin pie, cranberries, and other items on your list
- use your regular dishes instead of buying paper plates
- make your own rolls for a few pennies instead of buying them
- make a centerpiece from fruit, a child’s artwork, candles, or your garden instead of buying a pricey floral arrangement
- stick to your list
- grocery shop the day after Thanksgiving for big sales
Plus: here are two comical dueling stories about whether the turkey is more important than all the side dishes. I’m leaning towards the sides – I can’t do without rolls and pie!
UPDATE: Reader Pam shared these turkey deals:
Right now Albertsons has a two for one deal on Butterball and/or $10 off of the store brand. You need to spend $25.
You can get a turkey at Vons for $5 if you spend $25.
I believe you need the store card for both of these.
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Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
What’s the scoop on the best grocery store deal to purchase a turkey?
Great question! I know Walmart had turkeys for $.40 a pound, not sure what others are offering. Grocery deals on turkeys are so local I can’t say what is best nationwide.
Right now Albertsons has a two for one deal on Butterball and/or $10 off of the store brand. You need to spend $25.
You can get a turkey at vons for $5 if you spend $25.
I believe you need the store card for both of these.
Thanks for sharing these deals, Pam!
The Albertsons near me had a deal on Village Market Turkeys. They printed a $10 coupon off of the turkey if you purchased $25 or more during your trip. I got an 19 pound turkey for about $9.50. I also like this turkey better than Butterball cause Butterball injects stuff into their turkeys.
I also start buying things for Thanksgiving about a month before it happens, with coupons and watching for the right sales.