We love a good plan—and when it comes to Thanksgiving, having the menu mapped out is the surest way to keep the day both delicious and stress-free. To make it easy (and inspiring), we’ve put together five custom menus designed to help you plan, prep, and savor the holiday. From the budget-friendly menu below to a classic spread, you’ll find these—and more—in our Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving.
Cooking a Thanksgiving meal gets pricey fast. But just because I’m on a budget doesn’t mean I’m skipping the feast. Instead, I opt for smart shopping, which means cheaper-per-pound proteins and skipping out-of-season produce (fresh green beans are best in summer, and canned are never as good!). Consider combining must-have flavors—do you need biscuits and cornbread? What if you did without the marshmallow on your sweet potato casserole in favor of a stuffing-reminiscent breadcrumb topping?—and reusing ingredients purchased in larger packages. The result? A celebratory, flavor-packed meal that feels anything but belt-tightening.
Some say no Thanksgiving table is complete without biscuits and cornbread. If that’s you, allow me to introduce the ultimate compromise. Flaky buttermilk biscuits meet the sweet tenderness of cornbread in this bake. Their buttery richness will cut through the tang of salad without competing with other hearty sides, like sweet potato casserole.
Though it may seem easy to nix when trimming cost, don’t skip the salad. Do consider passing up precious, pricey delicate lettuces and out-of-season produce in favor of cabbage (use plain ol’ green if it’s cheaper than Napa at your store) and onions, dressed with a pantry-friendly sauce. The weight of the cabbage and nutty-zingy dressing feel more at home on the Thanksgiving plate—almost like a side dish—than the standard greens and vinaigrette.
With a fresh sourdough breadcrumb topping, this creamy sweet potato side satisfies stuffing urges, mingling nicely with roast poultry and other autumnal sides, while channeling that classic casserole flavor. (No, I don’t miss the marshmallows.) Buy a multi-pound bag of sweet potatoes for a lower cost per pound.
Whole-roasted chicken provides the Normal Rockwell-esque image that’s become synonymous with Thanksgiving, with more pluses than being cheaper per pound than turkey. Two smaller birds will roast in less time and more evenly than a large one, yielding more flavorful, tender meat. You can even make a 4-ingredient gravy with drippings and pantry staples. The simple seasoning means it’ll pair with whichever sides make your list.
For those who simply can’t skip the turkey, the best way to save money is to buy it in advance before stores add a holiday premium. Grab yours today (like, right now), freeze it, and thaw the week-of. When it comes to cooking, a minimal-ingredient dry brine and roast will do the job.
This simple buttery cake, enhanced with nubby cornmeal (you already bought it for the biscuits!) and brown sugared cranberries, needs no adornment—but a dollop of whipped cream leftover from what you bought for the casserole won’t hurt.