Top Thanksgiving Dishes

Thanksgiving is fastly approaching. We’re looking forward to the food we’ll devour during our annual dinner. From scrumptious turkey to decadent pies, Thanksgiving brings all the goodies directly to us.

Keep reading to learn about our top ten dishes for the season and the recipes to make them.

1. Turkey

It’s a standby for a reason. It’s just so darn good. This turkey recipe is sure to make everyone at your table wanting seconds. Just remember to use fresh herbs for the best culinary experience!

Ingredients

– 12-14 Pound Turkey, giblets discarded and neck to the side
– 2 Sprigs plus 1 Tbsp. Chopped Thyme
– 2 Sprigs plus 1 Tbsp. Chopped Sage
– 6 Tbsp. Unsalted, Room Temperature Butter
– 2 Carrots, Halved
– 2 Celery Ribs, Halved
– 1 Onion, Quartered

Directions

– Preheat Oven to 350. The key to a great turkey is longer roasting at a lower temperature.
– Combine butter and chopped herbs in a bowl. Add salt and pepper as you see fit.
– Place veggies and herb sprigs at the bottom of a roasting pan with 2 cups of water; top with roasting rack.
– Rub butter mixture underneath the breast skin; season turkey and cavity with salt and pepper; place on roasting rack and tie the bird’s legs, folding wings under; place in oven.
– Baste every 30 minutes, adding more water if vegetables begin to burn.
– Remove turkey when thermometer reads 165 when inserted in the thickest part of the thigh; place chicken on counter or platter to rest for 30 minutes, saving cavity juices, turkey neck and any drippings in bowl for gravy.

2. Gravy

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without gravy, and this one is sure to become a favorite!

Ingredients

– Turkey Drippings
– Turkey neck
– ½ c. White Wine or Chicken Stock
– 4 c. Chicken Stock
– ¼ c. Flour
– Salt and Pepper
– 1 tsp. Thyme
– 1 tsp. Sage

Directions

– Place neck and drippings in a sauce pan; cook until thickened and brown.
– Add wine or chicken stock; cook for 6-8 minutes until syrupy
– Add flour and fresh herbs; stir 30 seconds.
– Slowly add chicken stock; allow to thicken, stirring often for roughly 15 minutes.

3. Candied Yams

Who doesn’t love the world’s most delectable side dish? These candied yams are perfect for picky eaters as well as those who just want a sweet treat.

Ingredients

– 1 (29 oz) can of Sweet Potatoes
– ¼ c. Butter
– ½ c. Brown Sugar
– 1 ½ c. Mini Marshmallows

Directions

– Preheat oven to 400 degrees
– Drain sweet potatoes; place in baking dish; place butter evenly on top of sweet potatoes; sprinkle with brown sugar; place marshmallows on top.
– Bake for 25 minutes; Sweet potatoes will be tender and marshmallows melted.

4. Stuffing

While we don’t recommend putting stuffing in your bird, you’re more than welcome to! This recipe is easy, breezy, and yummy.

Ingredients

– 1 ½ Loaves of French Bread (day old)
– 3 c. Chicken Stock
– 2 Sticks of Butter
– 1 Onion
– 4 Celery Stalks
– 1 ½ Tbsp. Poultry Seasoning
– 1 Tbsp. Fresh Oregano
– 2 tsp. Fresh Rosemary
– Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions

– Cut bread the day before; store in paper bags.
– Preheat oven to 350 degrees; Grease casserole dish with softened butter.
– Dice onion and celery.
– Melt butter in saucepan; add diced veggies; cook veggies for 8-10 minutes; add spices and stir over low heat until spices and herbs become fragrant.
– Add 2 cups of stock to pan; heat for one minute; remove pan from heat.
– Place bread in mixing bowl; add stock/butter mixture in one cup at a time.
– Add additional stock as needed.
– Place in casserole dish; bake for 30 minutes with foil on top; remove foil and bake an additional 30 minutes.

5. Green Bean Casserole

This is by far the easiest recipe on our list, but that doesn’t mean your guests won’t be impressed!

Ingredients

– 4 (14.5 oz) cans of Cut Green Beans, drained (do not get the French cut green beans!)
– 2 (14 oz) cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup
– 1 Can of French’s Fried Onions

Directions

– Preheat oven to 350 degrees
– Mix green beans, soup and 2/3 of a can of fried onions; Place in baking dish; bake for 45 minutes; add remaining onions and bake an additional 5 minutes.

6. Cranberry Sauce

We know the stuff you get out of the can is great, but trust us when we say homemade is SO much better. You’ll want this all year long.

Ingredients

– 1 lb. Fresh Cranberries
– 2 c. Water
– 2 c. Sugar

Directions

– Heat water and sugar until boiling; allow to boil for an additional five minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
– Stir in cranberries; boil for 5 minutes (cranberries will begin to pop); place in serving dish and cool for at least three hours.

7. Mashed Potatoes

Is any Thanksgiving complete if it doesn’t have mashed potatoes? We don’t think so either. Trust us when we say these potatoes are heavenly.

Ingredients

– 3 Pounds of Potatoes, peeled and quartered
– 1 Tbsp. Salt
– 4 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
– ½ c. Cream
– Pepper to Taste

Directions

– Place potatoes and a tsp of salt in a pot; cover with water; bring to a boil and allow to gently boil for 20-25 minutes, or until potatoes are tender; Drain.
– Place potatoes back in the pot and let sit for up to two minutes to remove moisture.
– Mash potatoes to the consistency you like; add remaining ingredients; mash ingredients together, adding more cream as you see fit.

8. Yorkshire Pudding

Okay, we know this comes from our British cousins, but trust us when we say these rolls are so much better for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

– 3 Eggs
– 1 c. Milk
– 1 c. Flour
– 2 Tbsp. Butter

Directions

– Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
– Beat eggs and milk together; add flour; set aside
– Butter a muffin tin with roughly ½ tsp. of butter per cup by placing butter in tin and melting in hot oven; add batter to cups.
– Bake in oven for 5 minutes; reduce heat to 350 and bake an additional 25 minutes.

9. Brussels Sprouts

The time to hate brussels sprouts is long gone, and these delicious little morsels will quickly become a staple in most households.

Ingredients

– 1 Tbsp Butter
– 2 tsp. Olive Oil
– 24 Brussels Sprouts, Trimmed and Thinly Sliced
– 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
– Salt and Pepper to Taste

Directions

– Heat butter and olive oil in a sauté pan over high heat for 1-2 minutes.

– Add Brussels Sprouts and lemon juice into butter/olive oil mixture; stir constantly until sprouts start to soften, usually about a minute.
– Season with salt and pepper and serve.

10. Pumpkin Pie

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without pumpkin pie, and this recipe is sure to be a standout that makes everyone salivate.

Ingredients

– 1 unbaked pie crust
– 1 Tbsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
– 1 (14 oz) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
– 1 (16 oz) can Pumpkin Puree
– 2 Eggs

Directions

– Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
– Combine all ingredients, except pie crust, in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
– Place crust in a pie dish; poor pumpkin mixture into crust.
– Bake for 15 minutes; reduce oven to 350 degrees; bake pie an additional 35-40 minutes, placing foil on crust if it begins to burn.

We hope you enjoyed these easy recipes that are sure to make any Thanksgiving the best your family has ever had. With adequate help and some planning, you can easily get this feast on the table with as little work as possible. We hope you have a marvelous Thanksgiving, Happy eating!

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Thanksgiving on a Budget: Tips and Recipes

Thanksgiving can be such a refreshing holiday; time spent with loved ones without the pressure of gifts, no events, or mandatory activities. It’s a break from all of that: a reprieve before the true chaos begins. But for a Thanksgiving host, well it’s a different story entirely. Hosting Thanksgiving can be very overwhelming and extremely costly. Feeding so many people so many different dishes—it’s a big ask. But we’ve compiled a few tips and easy recipes that will help you host thanksgiving on a budget. After all, you deserve to enjoy Thanksgiving just as much as Uncle Frank who’s usually taking his post-meal snooze before you’ve even made your plate!

Thanksgiving on a Budget: Saving Tips

Here’s our no-stress, low-cost guide to hosting a classic Thanksgiving.

Easy Does It

The beauty of a Thanksgiving meal is in its simplicity. These dishes are tried and true. They work for a reason. Stick to the basics. Don’t feel pressure to impress or outshine. The stuffing that’s been passed down throughout generations is more than good enough. Don’t try to fancy it up with new recipes or new ingredients. Your guests came for nostalgia, this makes it easy to do thanksgiving on a budget.

Bulk Buying

Shopping at big box stores will save you time and money. Everything is cheaper in bulk and there’s no better time to take advantage of that fact than Thanksgiving. For many of your recipes, you’ll need the same things: eggs, flour, sugar, butter. Even potatoes and herbs can be purchased in bulk! You can freeze leftover herbs in olive oil (see this fancy little trick here!) and as for the other items, plan ahead of time to split your purchases with a friend who is also hosting their own Thanksgiving. You’ll both save money and have more than enough ingredients.

Shop Generic

For those items that can’t be purchased in bulk, opt for generic brands. Generic or store brands are way less expensive in the long run and honestly, no one will know the difference. Add enough herbs and spices and nothing on your Thanksgiving table will taste generic, guaranteed.

Plan Ahead

Don’t wait until the last minute to do your grocery shopping. You’ll be surprised how quickly stores will run out of the cheaper items, leaving you to spend more than you initially planned. Additionally, most stores run specials or discounts on Thanksgiving items a week or two before the holiday. These sales are great opportunities to grab all your canned items or frozen foods.

Frozen Foods

Speaking of frozen foods…frozen ingredients cost a lot less than fresh ones, especially when you have to buy a lot. Considering most Thanksgiving dishes are some variant of a casserole, it’s unlikely that your guests will notice what was fresh and what was frozen. Save yourself some money (and time since most frozen veggies come pre-chopped!) and buy frozen.

Make a List

Make a list well before you head to the store. Going in without a list will only make it a more stressful experience. You’re likely to buy too much or too little of something, eventually costing yourself more money. Once you have a list, stick to it! Impulse purchases can add up. Trust that the list you prepared ahead of time covers everything.

Share the Burden

No rule says the host must provide every single dish at Thanksgiving. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself! If you know there are a few dishes that are just completely out of your purview, ask a few people to pitch in and bring a dish. Most people will be happy to help. Ask around; some folks may already have a dish in mind that they consider their specialty! They’ll probably be thrilled to prepare it for Thanksgiving.

Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

Here are some yummy, expensive dishes you can make for your thanksgiving on a budget!

Old Fashioned Stuffing

The main ingredient in this recipe is an entire loaf of bread. But once again, no need to go fresh! Start saving stale bread, or the end pieces that no one ever eats. Freeze them until you are ready to make the stuffing. Then they just need a quick thaw. Chop them into cubes and use them just as you would fresh bread! Although, this does require you to plan ahead!

Most folks have their own tried and true recipe for stuffing, but just in case, you can find a reliable one here.  You’ll need butter, onion, celery, chicken broth, and sage. Hopefully, those are all items you already bought when you shopped EARLY with your fully prepared list.

Candied Yams

This is one circumstance where you might want to go fresh. Fresh yams are relatively cheap this time of year and tend to be less expensive than canned yams. This casserole calls for (more) butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. You can also substitute yams for sweet potatoes.

Find the specifics here.

Mac & Cheese

Not much can beat classic mac & cheese. This is another one of those dishes that doesn’t need anything fancy. Making mac & cheese from scratch couldn’t be simpler, and when cooking for a crowd, it ends up being cheaper than boxed options.

You just need the basics: pasta, milk, cheese, butter, and flour.

Mashed Potatoes

If you have the ingredients for mac & cheese, then chances are you can make mashed potatoes. Even without gravy, mashed potatoes are perfect alongside turkey and stuffing. It’s what comfort food is all about!

For easy mashed potatoes you just need potatoes, milk, and lots of butter! If you want to make them extra creamy, consider adding sour cream. Estimate approximately one potato per person.

Pumpkin Sheet Cake

Instead of several pumpkin pies, consider making one giant pumpkin sheet cake! You’ll save yourself so much tedium and you’ll satisfy all the pumpkin cravings. Sheet cakes are so much more convenient for large crowds, not just in the preparation but also in the serving. Cut up a few squares, add a dollop of whipped cream to each, and dessert is served! It’s a delicious win-win.

Find an easy-to-follow recipe here.

Unfortunately, the most wonderful time of the year can also be the most expensive. But it doesn’t have to be that way. By following these tips and recipes, you can host an incredible thanksgiving on a budget. Remember to stick to the classics and you’ll be fine. Yes, Thanksgiving is about food. But it’s also about friends, family, and gratitude. Your guests will be grateful to you for hosting and won’t care whether the turkey was fresh or store-bought. (By the way—buying from a store brand is another way to save!)

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Best Places to Shop on a Budget for Fall & Winter Clothes

Here are our picks for the Best Places to Shop on a Budget for Fall & Winter Clothes. As we officially head into the colder months, it is time to start planning and preparing for your warmer wardrobe. Most people like to keep up with current trends and add to the selection in their closet with the season’s changes. However, everyone knows that keeping up with the latest clothing fashions can be hard on your wallet. Shopping for new clothes is a lot of fun, but if you don’t know where to shop, it can also do some serious damage to your bank account.

Luckily, these days there are many options out there that will allow you to keep up with the latest fashions and stay well within your budget. When you find affordable retailers buying your favorite trendy apparel feels a lot more practical! 

ASOS

Asos offers customers a wide range of seriously hip fashion at low prices. ASOS is the best place for clothing essentials, including jeans, t-shirts, and simple dresses. They also have a fabulous selection of formal wear at low prices you won’t want to pass up!

They offer sizes from petite to plus-size, so everyone will definitely find something they love on the ASOS website. Stylish winter coats, boots you will love, and trendy tops. Tops include sophisticated sweaters, blouses, turtlenecks, and more. You name it, and ASOS is sure to have it!

Mango

Mango‘s clothing line will give you a high-fashion feel for affordable prices. They offer fabulous sales and deals regularly. You will find unique cuts and fabric combinations that you will love to wear through the fall and winter months.

Amazon Fashion

As with nearly everything else, Amazon offers consumers exceptional deals on the latest styles and trends. They are an excellent choice for trendy clothing, and they refresh their clothing catalog regularly. Spend some time on the Amazon Fashion website, and you will find fashionable clothes you love at unbelievable prices.

There are many budget-friendly choices, and they offer an excellent selection of well-known designers. Another great perk of shopping on the website is the customer reviews. Customers always write detailed and helpful critiques about the sizes and quality of the clothing. As with all of Amazon’s merchandise, Prime members get free two-day shipping on most items.

Target

Target has long been a clothing favorite. Over the recent years, they have seriously expanded their styles, sizes, and designer collaborations. Target is a store everyone should check out when they look to update their fall and winter wardrobe and need to stay on a budget.

TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx has been at the top of its game in offering affordable prices for designer clothing for a long time now. You can find anything from designer bags to trendy clothes at a discount, and they consistently provide discounts from 40% to 60% off. TJ Maxx offers an array of styles and trending brand names for women, men, and kids.

Old Navy

If you haven’t checked out Old Navy‘s vast clothing selection lately, you may not recognize the retailer anymore. They work hard to keep up with all the latest trends and fashions. The thing that will never change about Old Navy is their excellent low pricing!

You can find all sizes ranging from petite to plus-sized, and many fashions and styles. They are also almost always offering discounts on top of their already low price tags.

ROSEGAL 

ROSEGAL offers customers the latest fashion and trends at affordable prices that you will love. If vintage-style clothing is your forte, you will fall in love with their apparel. They have a vast vintage selection and offer a wide range of sizes.

ROSEGAL is especially popular for its selection of plus-size clothing and a wide selection of clothing at affordable pricing. The online retailer offers choices in women, men, and children’s clothing and accessories.

6pm Online Shopping Company

6pm is an online low-cost footwear retailer. They also offer a limited clothing and accessory selection. However, you will find amazing deals on a wide range of heals, tennis shoes, and sandals.

6pm is the sister site of Zappos, and you can find great shoes at a discount that didn’t sell at a much higher price. They also offer speedy shipping on purchases! You will find name brands at fabulous discounts from COACH, J. Crew, Bebe, Nike, and more.

H&M

H&M has all your favorite stylish winter essentials. They have a vast selection of outerwear, sweaters, turtlenecks, and cute blouses. The most exciting part is that their clothing, shoes, and accessories are affordable and won’t break your budget.

LuLu’s

Lulu’s offers a wide range of affordable formal attire, pretty dresses, and adorable separates that anyone looking for trendy deals should check out. You can browse all the latest trends without spending a lot of money. They offer all the latest styles in work attire, from dresses and skirts to sleek blouses.

DressLily

DressLily is another great retailer for affordable and stylish fashion, and they offer the latest trends in every style. They always provide amazing discounts plus additional discounts to new customers.

Whether you are into gothic styles or a fitness buff, you will find things you like. Stop by the DressLily website to find the latest fashions and at prices, you can afford. Not to mention the latest chic crazes that will make you look like a fashionista!

Uniqlo

Uniqlo has all the stylish and unique clothes you need to keep you cozy and warm through even the coldest winter months. They combine simplicity with sophistication and produce quality attire.

Uniqlo provides trendy layer pieces and comfortable, warm sweaters that you will love. You will definitely find clothes you love at prices you can afford.

Kohl’s

Kohl’s is an enormous department store where you can find excellent prices for blouses, skirts, jeans, shoes, and so much more. Kohl’s also has a great clearance section that you must check out on every visit.

Kohl’s offers stylish department store clothes at crazy low prices. You can fill your closet with outfits, shoes, boots, jackets, and coats that you will love wearing all winter long.

Stylish fall and winter clothing and accessories can be costly, so it’s important to stay on the lookout for affordable alternatives. The bottom line is, you don’t have to be rich to stay fashionable this fall and winter. There are plenty of options for retailers that offer all the latest fashions and trends at cheap prices you can afford.

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