Frugal Meals For Thanksgiving

Am I the only one worried about my bank account when I have to host a big family gathering?

With food prices skyrocketing and the increasing number of guests around my table I welcome every year, I had to find ways to feed everyone a delicious meal without breaking the bank.

But my mom is an incredible chef, and my five siblings eat like horses, so the meal I offer for Thanksgiving must be both TASTY and FILLING. I don’t want anyone leaving my home still hungry or disappointed.

So here are some frugal meals for Thanksgiving that will satisfy the whole family without looking cheap. And so delicious that no one will leave on an empty stomach.

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Frugal Meals For Thanksgiving

1.Macaroni and Cheese

You might think macaroni & cheese doesn’t call for a Thanksgiving dinner, but trust me, you can make it fancy, tasty, and super affordable!

Here is my favorite gourmet macaroni & cheese recipe for a fancy look on the table without breaking the bank.

2.Roasted Chicken (recipe of the dry-brined one)

If you can’t afford the classic bird (yes, Turkey) for your Thanksgiving dinner, then chicken is just as tasty and much cheaper!

@shunnokitchen

Just the right seasoning paired with a filling side dish, and you have the perfect dinner to serve for Thanksgiving.

Here is my favorite roasted chicken recipe that always earns me compliments!

3.Mashed Potatoes

A classic! You’re sure everyone will love it, it’s super cheap, and if nicely presented, it can look like a supreme meal!

Here is the tastiest mashed potatoes recipe that will delight your guests.

4.Roasted Chicken Legs

The great thing with chicken legs is that, besides being super affordable when buying them in big packs, they’re super easy to make look fancy and taste delicious.

Simply place them in a large oven dish, add a bit of seasoning, and straight in the oven. You can even scatter veggies at the same time for a side dish, and you’ve got yourself a nice and tasty meal without overthinking it!

Here is an amazing recipe for roasted chicken legs that will leave your guests speechless!

5.Stuffed Peppers

I love stuffed veggies in general, but peppers are even nicer; they hold together much better than watery veggies and add a unique twist to the table!

Here is the perfect stuffed peppers recipe that my husband loves!

Now, if you’re a vegetarian or simply want an even cheaper option, try this vegan recipe that will blow your mind.

6.Classic Deviled Eggs

This is a classic starter that both adults and kids will enjoy! Plus, if you nail the dressing, they look real fancy!

Here is the easiest deviled egg recipe for a simple and tasty Thanksgiving starter.

Now, if you’re vegan or allergic to eggs, it is possible to make vegan deviled “eggs”, yes!!

They take a bit more time to make, but it might be worth it when you break it to your guests: “These aren’t real eggs!”.

7.Creamy Soup – Frugal Meals For Thanksgiving

Warm and creamy soup is the perfect Thanksgiving meal idea for an affordable and tasty dinner! With the right toppings, you can make it look fancy without breaking the bank!

Serve it with some croutons or fresh sourdough bread, and everyone will have a full stomach!

Here are my favorite recipes for a creamy soup:

8.Lemon Pasta

This one might be the easiest meal, and yet it’s delicious and so fancy when served in a deep plate. It’s so creamy and tangy. Your guests will think you’ve outdone yourself, while you’ll think you’ve found the new trick to make pasta so tasty and chic!

Here is my favorite recipe for tasty Lemon Pasta, also known as Pasta al Limone (even the name sounds fancy!)

9.Risotto

Just like pasta, rice can be your best friend when it comes to whipping up a meal in no time and having your kitchen look and smell like some fancy Michelin restaurant! And here comes Risotto, an easy one-pot meal, tasty, affordable, and super filling!

Here are my favorite risotto recipes:

Butternut Squash Risotto from Tom Kerridge
The classic Mushroom with Peas Risotto
The tasty Chorizo Risotto

10.Casserole (mushrooms, bacon, stuffing, brussels sprouts)

Casseroles are always a big hit for family gatherings! Super easy to make, and seasoning always makes them tasty; you can’t go wrong. Plus, it’s super affordable!

So here are my favorite casserole recipes for Thanksgiving:

Savory sweet potato casserole (if, like me, your hubby can’t eat eggs, just skip them, it’s still delicious!)
Quick creamy mushroom casserole
Spanish Tortilla Casserole (my husband won’t eat it, but my siblings and I love it!! We even had it with ostrich eggs from a neighbor one day!)

11.Green beans

Green beans are the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving; they’re healthy, add vibrant colors, and offer endless possibilities for a fancy and tasty meal. If you want to keep it really affordable, go for the frozen ones!

Here are my favorite ways to cook green beans to impress guests with minimal effort:

12.Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is the perfect rich and hearty meal to celebrate Thanksgiving. You might know that my mom is Malay, and my dad is British. And I think this might be the first Western recipe my Mom learned to make when we were kids, and it’s still one of my favorites to this day.

Here are my favorite recipes:

The classic Shepherd’s Pie
The Vegan Shepherd’s Pie (much more affordable and super tasty!)

13.Quick Yeast Rolls

A staple for Thanksgiving dinners, fresh and warm rolls are super easy and cheap to make. Plus, you get to impress your guests with your bread-making skills!

Here is my favorite recipe for quick yeast rolls.

14.Cranberry Sauce

What’s a Thanksgiving meal without the famous Cranberry sauce? It’s perfect to serve with meat and mashed potatoes!

Here is the best cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving.

15.Gravy

Now, if you’re serving meat and mashed potatoes, you need some gravy! It’s perfect to add some flavor with minimal effort and on a low budget.

Here is the best recipe to make gravy quickly and from scratch!

16.Savoury Cookies

These savoury cookies are perfect to serve before the meal with an aperitif.

Here is a recipe for Comté & Rosemary Shortbread biscuits to impress your guests.

17.Honey Roasted Veggies

They’re the perfect addition to a hearty Thanksgiving meal. Add a bit of color and healthy nutrients to your table with roasted veggies.

Impress your guests with this recipe for tasty honey-roasted vegetables from Martha Stewart.

18.Flavored Rice

Flavored rice with butter is super affordable and super tasty! And you can be sure your guests won’t leave on an empty stomach!

Here is the perfect Buttery seasoned rice recipe for an affordable and tasty side dish.

19.Flan – Frugal Meals For Thanksgiving

Flan is, without a doubt, the easiest and most affordable dessert to make that will both delight and impress your guests!

Here are my favorite Flan recipes:

The classic Flan or Creme Caramel (the most affordable one)
The French Flan Patissier
The Original Coconut Flan

20.Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin cake is incredibly tasty and super easy to make, ready in 30 minutes, including cooking time! If I can make this no-fail cake for my family, you can too!

Here is a super-easy 2-ingredient Pumpkin cake recipe.

21.Apple Crumble

This one is super easy to make and so tasty! You can serve it with vanilla ice cream, heavy cream, or just by itself.

Here is my favorite recipe for apple crumble.

22.Candied Yams

This dessert will be ready in 40 minutes only and taste like heaven! Candied yams are a classic for Thanksgiving desserts.

Here is the super-easy Candied Yams recipe.

23.Thanksgiving Rocky Road

Why do I love Rocky Road, besides the fact that it’s just heaven for chocolate lovers? They’re super easy to make: it’s a no-bake, one-pot recipe that kids love, and adults secretly cherish.

Here is the perfect recipe for Thanksgiving Rocky Road. You can add cranberries, nuts, or any other ingredients you want to fit your taste or make it festive!

Extra Tips For An Affordable Thanksgiving Dinner

Buy In Bulk

Want to cook chicken? Buy a pack of ten legs, it will be cheaper than buying 5 packs of 2!!

Have A Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner

Remember, you could always host a potluck Thanksgiving dinner and ask everyone to cook and bring a dish to the party. This way, everyone is chipping in.

You could take care of the main and ask the others to bring the starters, drinks, or the dessert.

After all, Thanksgiving is about spending time with loved ones; there’s no reason you should carry the responsibilities all by yourself.

Frozen or Fresh Turkey?

If you absolutely want a Turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, then buying it frozen is certainly the most affordable option! Prices can double when buying it fresh, and honestly, a good frozen Turkey tastes as great as a fresh one!

In-season Ingredients

Stick to vegetables and fruits that are in season during Thanksgiving to keep the bill low. Such as potatoes, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, apples, and Brussels sprouts. If they’re not in season, consider frozen ones then.

Check out these festive Christmas decorations.

Voilà! Yummy And Affordable Thanksgiving Recipes

With these frugal meals for Thanksgiving, you’ve got everything you need to prepare a simple, affordable, yet delicious and filling dinner.

There’s no reason to break the bank with a few tricks and tips; you can find the perfect recipe for the perfect Thanksgiving dinner.

Frugal Meals For Thanksgiving