-
Step 1
Choose to cook a turkey breast instead of making a whole turkey. Normally, the breast is more per pound than the whole bird, but close to the holidays, many stores offer great sales on turkey breast. Since most families end up throwing away much of remnants when they cook a whole bird, consider just making the breast. This can also reduce cooking time.
-
Step 2
Check the bakery or bread store for day old bread about a week before the holiday and make stuffing from scratch. Bread stuffing requires eggs, spices and a couple other ingredients you are likely to have on hand anyway. Making a batch of homemade stuffing is much cheaper than the boxes of Stove Top required to feed the same number of people.
-
Step 3
Consider the pre-made dinners available at most national supermarket chains. A turkey dinner with all the trimmings from the supermarket deli may be cheaper than making it yourself and leave you more time to enjoy with your family. Check the ads early and compare what it offers to what you would make. Then compare prices.
-
Step 4
Have family and friends bring dessert. Even if you feel you should provide the main course, asking friends to bring dessert frees up time in your oven and cuts down on the expense.
-
Step 5
Cut back on the offerings. Do you serve mashed potatoes and stuffing and sweet potatoes? Think about eliminating one of the options. Generally, most families have leftovers for days after Thanksgiving, so streamline the menu to save money.
