Thanksgiving Food

Thanksgiving is definitely all about the big meal (oh, and giving thanks). Thanksgiving food usually involves traditional recipes, and it can be expensive. But there are some ways to keep costs in check while still putting together a fantastic family feast.

Buy the right size turkey. The quintessential Thanksgiving food staple is turkey. It can also be your biggest meal expense. So choose a bird that accurately reflects how much meat you'll need. A good estimate is about 1 pound per person. So, if you'll only have 10 people, there's no need to buy a 20-pound turkey.

Frozen is cheaper. Frozen turkeys are generally cheaper than fresh ones. Using a frozen turkey will mean planning ahead for preparation, but it will save you money.

Take advantage of store promotions. Many grocery stores run special deals on Thanksgiving food in the weeks leading up to the big day. In addition to coupons, many stores will run promotions in which you earn points for every dollar you spend, and after you've earned enough points, you get a free turkey. If you only spend what you would spend anyway, this is a great way to get a free turkey. But if you overspend just to earn points, you could end up spending more than it would have cost you to just buy a turkey. So, do the math and see if that free turkey will really be free.

Eat more veggies. While meat tends to be the focal point when it comes to Thanksgiving food (they don't call it Turkey Day for nothin'), meat dishes are much more expensive than vegetable dishes. So rather than loading your holiday table with multiple meats, stick with one main meat dish and go with veggies, soups, breads and desserts for the rest.

Be realistic about portions. The turkey isn't the only item that can get oversized. Holiday meal sides can get supersized both in number and quantity. Cooks tend to expect every person to eat every item and make enough for every guest to eat two helpings of everything. And they make one of everything they've found on the gourmet recipe sites. Be realistic about how much food guests can reasonably be expected to eat, and if you've got too many great recipes, save some for Christmas.

Go potluck. Most people spend the holidays with family and/or friends. With a bunch of people under one roof, all enjoying the same meal, there's no reason one person should shoulder the entire expense and effort of providing the meal. So, divvy it up. If you sign on to provide the turkey, have other folks provide sides, bread, desserts, etc. It will spread out the cost and the effort.

Cook from scratch. Prepared or packaged foods always cost more than the same dishes made from scratch. You pay for convenience.

Cook several items at once. Ovens use a lot of energy, so if you're paying to keep yours hot, use it efficiently by cooking as many items at once as you can. It will save energy, money and time. Most dishes have some flexibility regarding cooking temperature - just keep a close eye on all items as they cook and watch cooking times.

Skip the alcohol. Alcohol can run your meal costs up in a hurry, so to control expenses, stick with low-cost drinks like water and tea. It can also help keep crazy Uncle Bill under control.

Use washable dishes and linens. It can be tempting to use disposable plates, utensils, napkins, etc. when you have a big crowd. But it's an expense you don't really need. It costs less and is better for the environment to use washable dishes and linens. Besides, when else are you going to use that fine china you inherited from your grandmother?

How do you keep your Thanksgiving food frugal?

Do you have a great tip for keeping your Thanksgiving meal affordable? Share it with your fellow readers - they'll be thankful!

Thanksgiving Ideas

Frugal Holidays

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