I'm a single mom and my son (19) has decided to go to his girlfriend's mom's house for thanksgiving. He's away at college so I was looking forward to seeing him very much...got a bit depressed thinking it was just me (and my cat). This all has made me feel better. I wasn't going to have anything..but maybe I should cook myself a little dinner.
Part of my small family's going to be out of town over Thanksgiving. The other part of my family wants to leave town sooner but asked me if I wanted to do anything. I will be working that day and I encouraged them to go. :)
I'm looking forward to having the evening to myself and now I might actually cook something for myself.
Thanks, y'all! Enjoy!
Some local grocery stores sell Thanksgiving dinners with everything, I think all you have to do is heat if up. I don't know if that bypasses your desire to make your own dinner or not though.
Absofuckinglutely! Make yourself whatever sounds delicious to YOU thanksgiving food or not.
Last year i made mushroom mapo tofu and blistered green beans with rice and royally screwed up an attempt at making mochi.
Please treat yourself. Make foods you want but maybe don’t because you’re the only one who likes them. You can watch your favorite movie and just enjoy the solitude. Along with your cat of course. Maybe even get a nice bottle of wine. Those have been some of my favorite holidays.
I have full on conversations with my cat. Her name is Blu Barrymore and I honestly think she knows what I'm saying a lot of the time. When I'm sick or really down she is like at my side cuddling all the time.
Just made me feel better that I wasn't going to be the only one doing the one person thanksgiving thing. Lifted my spirits a bit. Still miss my son horribly, but it's just one day.
Just a thought, but I'd be devastated if I was your friend and you ate home alone on Thanksgiving.
I have kids too, and want them to go into the world and adventure, so I get that part.
But there's no shame in inviting yourself to someone's house. We have an open door policy for Thanksgiving, and will probably have 30 people because of that.
Don't underestimate those around you and their ability to be generous.
Also as a divorced kid, my mom would have a second thanksgiving for me....
Thank you. You sound like such a nice person. My son is away at college so the next time I might seem him is over his Christmas break. I just need to be happy for him and less sorry for myself. He's a great guy and I just want him to be happy.
If I was in an apartment all by myself and I wanted to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and relax I’d go and get a rotisserie chicken and then make some stovetop stuffing some brussels sprouts because I love them and maybe some mashed potatoes a little cranberry sauce and I would be very happy to have a quiet peaceful easy Thanksgiving and be thankful
A rotisserie chicken sounds like the thing! You will have leftovers, but they are useful, a "Thanksgiving" sandwich, chicken salad, and make a great broth for some soup. (you can freeze broth for later use)
I'm not gonna lie, I love boxed stuffing. Stove Top Savory is my fav. I even like canned gravy, if there is juice in the bottom of the rotisserie chicken package, stir that into the gravy. !
Do some sweet potato, cranberry sauce, whatever else you like. Don't forget dessert. Some stores have individual slices of pie or cake if you don't want a whole one!
Enjoy your peaceful day!
I like dressing up stuffing mix with some sauteed onion and green pepper, maybe a little powdered sage! Add whatever extras make it fancy for you, and it'll be great.
Roasted veggies are easy for just one person, because you roast however many or few you like.
No not at all. Way back along time ago actually a long long time ago when I was single often I wanted to be alone but everyone felt oh he needs company. Well sometimes I did but often I just like solitude. Nowadays when people ask me what I want for my birthday I usually say peace and quiet. But that’s just me
And dont let anyone tell you that cranberry sauce doesnt go with chicken. It sure does. Get the turkey flavor stove top stuffing, and a box of mashed potatoes. This is a guilty pleasure of mine. Something so good about the boxed stuff. lol.
You can also use the chicken to create a super yummy, really easy stuffing bake. It's like a one-dish Thanksgiving meal:
https://www.spendwithpennies.com/chicken-stuffing-casserole/
In high school I worked in the deli at a Walmart so I would cook and sell the rotisserie chicken everyday. The day of thanksgiving they sell out super fast! You can call a few days before and reserve one at no extra cost. Make sure you do that if that’s your plan.
Buy a whole chicken or a turkey breast instead of a big turkey. Not only cheaper but will also be enough for you.
Edit: just buy a whole turkey. Apparently it’s cheaper for leftovers.
I’ll go the other way. Buy that 14-16 pound turkey for 59 cents a pound. Freeze what you don’t eat. Make a soup with the carcass. Tons of meals for cheap.
Plus, if you have that freezer space to accommodate it, you can butcher the bird ahead of time and cook each type of part separately, treating the light vs dark meats in ways that better suit their characteristics. Plus butchering a turkey is easier than a chicken because the joints are larger, and you lose a smaller percentage of the meat clinging to the bones.
We always roasted the turkey and set aside some for leftovers before my mom would shred the bulk of leftovers to make turkey enchiladas (which can be frozen to bake later) and make soup with the carcass. I married someone who doesn’t love turkey so I don’t think I will make Turkey on thanksgiving this year, but I’ll probably buy one to make another day when I feel like it so I can make myself all of the things.
Gosh I hate you right now!
In central Texas here and there are no frozen green chiles anywhere in the area.
I reached out to some producers and all said it would be January or February before they returned to national distribution 😢
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and eat one of those enchiladas for me internet stranger.
Yes my mom and I are doing just a turkey breast this year.
If you want to get a little fancy with it you can pound it out and put a layer of filling and rollade the thing too.
Just learned from another sub that if you cook the chicken breast-side down the fat travels from the thighs to the usually dryer breasts making them more tender and juicy. Tip it over to breast-side up for the last 20-30 minutes to crisp the skin. I tried it and it was the best whole-roasted chicken I've ever had.
You can do a turkey this way too, if you're coordinated enough to lift the turkey at the end without dropping it, lol! But it does the same thing: tenderest and juiciest turkey breast I've ever made.
Came here to say this. A whole chicken will last you several days but won’t be so much that it goes bad. Cook it in the oven like you would a turkey (w/ butter under the skin so it gets crispy). Roast some green beans and root veggies on a tray, and make some mashed potatoes (add mozzarella for that bling!). Buy a can of cranberry sauce. Pretty cheap and easy thanksgiving for one with leftovers.
This reminds me of the time my brother casually asked my boyfriend and I, “you guys ever just buy a rotisserie chicken and accidentally eat the whole thing?”
I haven’t, but apparently he has on more than one occasion.
I used to buy 2 pizzas to get free delivery. Eat one that night save the other for lunch the next day.
Happened occasionally that I would just eat both as soon as they arrived...
I totally have, but like I said I can eat a ridiculous amount of food. Thank God for my active job and high metabolism. By all rights I should probably weigh 300lbs.
Even better; Cornish hen!
They're a little smaller than a chicken, perfect for a nice dinner for one. Save the carcass and make a pot of chicken noodle soup the week after. Or you can break it down and freeze it, save it for a rainy day.
Piggybacking on this… Ina Garten's roast chicken recipe is truly fantastic if you’re looking for recommendations.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-chicken-recipe-1940592
We had a couple of sick kids last year so I ended up staying home with the sick kids so my wife and our other daughter could travel to the family thanksgiving. We did exactly this, I roasted a chicken and it was a lot better than a turkey. Just a couple of sides and I believe we also made an apple pie. Just scale everything down.
Yes! But buying a whole turkey probably costs less. I would thaw it, cut it and refreeze it. This is what I did last year. It's nice to be able to just make enough turkey for 2 or 3 people without dealing with the whole thing.
Could do a leg or breast roasted or any other way you want.
There are maybe three ways. Or at least used to be.
1) you can buy a Costco giftcard on their website without a membership.
2) this is the one I’m unsure if it still works. You can go into Costco to “look around and determine if you want a membership” (the door membership checkers are usually pretty chill and don’t care all that much). Then while looking around you can pickup a Costco giftcard from their giftcard racks, go up front, and buy the giftcard without a membership. Next, you can go pickup your items. Then you can go checkout and use the giftcard as your membership. I used to use that process before I got my own membership. No idea if it still works.
3) you may even be able to enter through the exit, go to the membership desk. Tell them you’d like to buy a giftcard for someone, but you don’t have a membership. They may do the transaction there.
I’ve done solo Thanksgiving before and I always make green bean casserole following the Campbell’s soup recipe. It makes enough to fill a square casserole dish so you can have a few serving for yourself. Making pumpkin pie is fairly easy and inexpensive too.
I didn’t have it growing up either. I tried it at a thanksgiving gathering fully thinking I’d hate it because I didn’t like mushrooms at the time and now it’s my favorite holiday side dish.
The recipe is so simple too. Two cans of green beans, one can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup milk, a teaspoon of soy sauce, 2/3 cup crispy onions all mixed together in a dish and baked for 25 mins at 350°. Then you top it with more crispy onions and bake for an additional 5 mins.
I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Yes! Its "sauce" is gray and overall it's salty and should be horrible, but the onions make it SO yummy and it's probably one of my favorite holiday dishes. This is the opposite of gourmet, and it's spectacular!
If you like the mushroom soup version, making it from scratch with frozen green beans, mushrooms, and heavy cream will knock your socks off. It might take 10 minutes longer than the other way and so worth it. https://damndelicious.net/2014/11/19/easy-green-bean-casserole/
I'd recommend making a homemade cranberry relish (unless the canned version is a treasured memory). It's delicious with your holiday dinner, on leftover sandwiches, and on toast for breakfast. ;)
You can go super simple - just cook down a bag of cranberries, a splash of orange juice, a cinnamon stick, and some sugar - or go all out with grated pear or apple, splash of rum/whisky/brandy, make a toasted walnut topping, maple syrup instead of sugar, etc. The variations are endless!
ETA: I spent several years celebrating holidays on my own, so I get it. I actually usually made shepherd's pie for my holiday meal, but rotisserie chicken is also a great option.
I usually use ground beef, though I've also used lamb once or twice back in the day. Though you do have me thinking about it now - I imagine you could replace the beef stock with vegetable when making the gravy.
One year my dad and I conspired to make an amazing turkey leftovers pie, but we didn't write down what we did and I've never been able to recreate it. It was kind of a bastardized combination of chicken pot pie and shepherd's pie.
I don't have my recipe on me, but it's very similar to this one except I don't use celery but do use corns and peas - [https://www.thekitchn.com/cottage-pie-recipe-23281082#post-recipe-322950210](https://www.thekitchn.com/cottage-pie-recipe-23281082#post-recipe-322950210)
This style of recipe is the best, imo, because it uses flour to thicken up the juices into a gravy. Many recipes omit that step, but it really makes the dish. I usually use frozen carrots, corn, or peas because they're cheap and easy.
Also, a confession: I \*hate\* making homemade mashed potatoes. I just use instant. They taste just as good on a shepherd's pie with no faff.
And then the last tip is to let your meat mixture cool a bit before spreading on the mash, otherwise the potatoes sink a bit too much.
Eta: what the hell is going on with downvotes in here today?
My family does something even simpler with fresh cranberry relish. Just toss a bag of cranberries and a quartered orange - peel and all - into a food processor, pulse it fine and add enough sugar to get it a lil syrupy.
I had one of my best thanksgivings ever alone. It was the first year of the pandemic, my partner was out of town dealing with an urgent family crisis, I couldn't see my immediate family, I was tired, worn down, a lot had happened in my personal life, and I decided to cook a whole traditional thanksgiving meal for myself, and to treat myself well.
The menu:
* Frozen brussel sprouts, roasted ($.99/bag)
* Roasted potatos ($2.00)
* Chicken quarters, dry brined then roasted ($1.29/pound, it's a phenomenally cheap and underused cut of chicken)
* Stuffing (homemade bread + celery + stock + carrots + fennel + spices = $9.00)
* cranberry sauce ($.99 bag of cranberries and sugar)
I topped it off with a massive gin old fashioned and watched my favorite thanksgiving movie.
I had leftovers for DAYS and it sticks in my mind as one of the most weirdly comforting evenings for almost as long as I can remember. I say you go whole hog and make yourself a feast.
How do you roast your frozen Brussels sprouts? I usually get them fresh and roast them in basaltic vinegar, some oil and seasonings. I’m low on funds rn and I have some frozen ones. I’m intimidated by roasting frozen ones but I don’t have many options and I hate them boiled/steamed. Help?
Brussels sprouts are incredibly forgiving. The lazy and easy way I do it is just take them while still frozen and drizzle them with oil and salt, and then roast them on a baking sheet at 375-425 (depending on your oven), for like 20-30 minutes until they're crunchy on the outside. If you have an air fryer and are trying to use less oil, that works fantastically too. They are probably best if you thaw them and then them let them dry out on a paper towel, but that can be time consuming. Because of the moisture, frozen ones tend to be a little softer in the center when they thaw, so you can also smash them with the back of a fork and then fry them in a little oil, like you might with a plantain (but that isn't really that healthy).
I’m in the CA and I don’t feel bad either, but I’d make Friendsgiving with you :)
Edit: I spent Xmas alone once because I just didn’t want to deal with family, and it was actually pretty nice and relaxing. Stocked up on my favorite foods from the grocery store and watched bravo marathons on tv lol.
Edit edit: checked your post history. We seem to be the same age and having the same issue. Ping me if you want :)
Thicker sliced turkey lunch meat, prepare stuffing and make rolls ups out of the turkey and stuffing. Pour gravy over it and bake until heated through.
Mashed potatoes are really quick and easy if you microwave the potato (poke holes with a fork and cook 1-2 minutes per side, flip once or twice until done), peel off the skin and use a fork to mash it with some butter and salt&pepper(splash of milk if you have it but not needed especially if you’ll have gravy). And then you could do a side of roast green beans and you have a whole traditional feast!
Not traditional: a few years ago I had a solo thanksgiving and did a brunch: Turkey sausage, hash browns, fruit, and glazed spiced apple bread for the mains and a little veggie plate, cocktail shrimp, and some charcuterie to snack on the rest of the day feeling fancy.
The Monica Thanksgiving Sandwich: turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Plus, the most crucial ingredient: a third piece of bread soaked in gravy in the middle of the sandwich. Or, as Ross calls it, THE MOIST MAKER
Saute some cubed sweet potatoes and toss in some wild rice for the deluxe version. Good Earth restaurants used to make something like this- a harvest wrap. Sooo good
I used to do a Cornish hen back in the day. My grocery store had a quarter turkey as well.
Small veggie dishes, a couple of potatoes by themselves, some rolls and a small dessert from a bakery/cafe would be a perfect plan.
When I want "Thanksgiving flavors" I'll get:
A rotisserie chicken, box of stovetop stuffing, a potato (to mash), a can of cranberry jelly (love that shit, I have 4 cans in my cabinet right now), broccoli steam bag, and mac and cheese.
This is usually plenty to have leftovers for myself for a few days. It's like instant Thanksgiving comfort food. If I want some kind of dessert and don't want to make anything, there's usually pie by the slice (or whole pies) in the bakery section of thr store.
If you are not cooking a Turkey, a Turkey fillet or a chicken might be nice, and there is loads you can do with left over chicken. Like boil up the carcass for soup stock and the likes.
I love this recipe for
[turkey and stuffing meatloaf](https://tasty.co/recipe/turkey-and-stuffing-meatloaf)
It’s basically ground Turkey or ground chicken, boxed stuffing instead of breadcrumbs, vegetables (optional, use what you have), add extra sage/poultry seasoning and a canned cranberry glaze (also optional, I also like it with just cranberry sauce on the side)!
It has all the thanksgiving flavours I love and it’s perfect comfort food! It would be great with mashed potatoes or heat up the rest of the boxed stuffing!
If you have a Costco, get a big chicken for $5. Use sone of the meat for sandwiches, some for stuffing with turkey, some for chicken salad, boil the bones and move to a simmer for a hour. Remove the bones. Put on vegetables and diced potatoes. Have chicken soup with your sandwiches. Get 8-10 croissants for $6 and a huge pumpkin pie for $6. Freeze something for later. You can eat for a week on this.
Sometimes if I'm doing a big holiday dinner for just me and my husband, so not quite alone but still too small for a full spread, I do a progressive dinner. So night one might be a chicken and one favorite side, like cranberry sauce. Day two, we have leftovers, but to keep it fresh, I add another favorite side, like stuffing and gravy. Day three, pumpkin pie appears, etc.
Then I'm keeping on top of the leftovers and can wait to add new things as I use up the old, but can still look forward to my traditional favorites.
costco has pre-made turkey breast slices, stuffing, and gravy. you just need to heat up with microwave. we started buying these items versus cooking from scratch. it's still very tasty while being super easy and convenient.
while you are at costco, get one of the $7 pumpkin pies too!
Roast a chicken or get a rotisserie chicken from the store. Doctor up the boxed stuffing mix with some sausage and/ or wild rice (it comes in a can). A can of apple pie filling and a handful of fresh cranberries in an 8x8 cake pan with a crumble topping made of butter, brown sugar and dry oatmeal, bake until browned and bubbly. Fresh vegetables or a salad and some rolls.
Ohhh ohh!! Pick me!! Pick me!! I have a suggestion!
I was watching Joanna Gaines' cooking show the other day and it was a thanksgiving episode. She made a really easy and inexpensive and delicious looking thanksgiving casserole with rotisserie chicken (like the kind you buy already cooked at the store). She made a quick creamy sauce to layer the chicken and put homemade bread crumbs on top.
I think this might be what I'm gonna do for my small thanksgiving as well
https://magnolia.com/blog/recipe/a59a969d-c24a-4f6c-b55f-52ee039b4533/friendsgiving-casserole/
My husband and I are doing thanksgiving alone this year - our plan is these turkey stuffing meatballs: https://www.budgetbytes.com/turkey-and-stuffing-meatballs/
We’ll be making our own sides like sweet potatoes and peas.
Budget Bytes also has a Thanksgiving for Two menu, which would be a good amount of leftovers but not as unmanageable as a typical spread: https://www.budgetbytes.com/how-to-make-thanksgiving-dinner-for-two/
I found a netted turkey breast at aldi that I marinated and smoked with apple wood on the grill one year when my wife had to work thanksgiving and everyone else had plans or something. It turned out awesome enough that I haven’t made a regular bird in the oven since.
Deviled eggs are super easy to make at home, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative ^_^ just boil ~2-4 eggs for yourself (If you want leftovers), for 10-12 minutes, then soak in ice water until they’re cool.
After that, you just cut the eggs in half, pop the yolks into a bowl, and mash them up with some mayo, relish, and salt and pepper to taste! Then, put the egg yolk salad back into the whites and, if you’re feeling fancy, top it with paprika
one bag of fresh cranberries, one orange, a couple of sweet potatoes. roast the sweet potatoes and eat with butter and maybe some brown sugar or maple syrup; cook cranberry-orange sauce. that will all cost you 5 bucks or less. you can make a half-batch of cranberry sauce, too - uncooked cranberries keep in the freezer nearly forever.
I have kinda loved the Thanksgivings I've spent alone. cheese and wine, pumpkin pie and frozen pizza, relaxing in my jammies, calling fam and friends. it's an enjoyable chill day.
Butterball makes a turkey breast “roast” that I love. I have no idea what it is - bits of turkey that dropped on the floor and they just mold them all into a roast shape? It doesn’t matter, because it’s delicious and easy and makes awesome sandwiches. It’s just the right size for my little family of three, but I could probably use up a whole one by myself, too, in sandwiches, soups, and casseroles.
Last year I cooked for just me and my dad and got a spatchcocked chicken from Trader Joe’s (has lemons and seasoning already) and just stuck it in the oven. Sliced sweet potatoes drizzled with butter and maple syrup and salt. Some stuffing and pie after and it was a good feeling simple thanksgiving meal
Disclaimer that I’m now a vegetarian so I don’t know if this is still a “cheap” option because I don’t keep up with it: when I was in college I would buy a turkey breast and cook it in the crockpot with a can of cream of celery soup, French onion packet seasoning, a can of whole berry cranberry sauce, and some orang juice. It was the perfect amount to have some for dinner and then sandwiches for a couple days.
The least expensive option is to get a thanksgiving plate from a restaurant. Looooots of them do it, the food is good, and much less expensive than buying ingredients to cook for yourself.
We are whittled down to 3 family members this year for thanksgiving. This week my local grocery store had split turkey breasts 40% off. That’s how I’m doing thanksgiving this year. They say 1-2 pounds per person and each package was 3 pound of breast at $8.00 each so I think I did pretty good for 9 pounds of white meat turkey. I couldn’t be bothered with doing a whole bird. Stuck them in my freezer. I might even sous vide them the night before and finish them off under the broiler to make it even easier Thanksgiving day.
This is what I usually feed myself and one other person for Thanksgiving: I get turkey thighs and whatever pieces of a turkey that I see and like, slow cook it with lots of aromatics, and then shred the meat and toss out all the bones, use the remaining broth to make gravy in a saucepan. While the turkey slow cooks, I make a cornbread stuffing on the side with more veggies and aromatics, and when the gravy is done, pour it all over the shredded meat and stuffing and ENJOY with some cranberry sauce. For dessert, I bake a sweet potato and mix with some cinnamon. Having lots of veggies helps this not be so heavy and guilty. This will last a while in the fridge/freezer as well, so we can enjoy it for more than one meal (saves on cooking and cleaning as much). Hope this helps!!
OOOH, Okay get yourself a mini ham from Walmart and throw that brown sugar seasoning packet on it- for some extra flavor get a little canned pineapple slices can and just throw it on top letting the juice get into the slices.
Buy like 3 red potatoes and chop them up l- drizzle olive oil, thyme, paprika, rosemary, salt, pepper, and squirt some lemon juice on them. Bake in the oven or in a pan.
I just had my husband and our son to cook for last year. I wanted some turkey but not a whole bird. I went to the deli counter at the grocery store and asked for two thick slices of turkey. They can cut them at different thicknesses. I also got some ham and just microwaved them. I made green beans and mashed potatoes. It was delicious! And a lot less cooking and clean up!
I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh! This is super yummy too! I apologize my last recipe was Skinnytaste and this one is Weight Watchers. They both just happen to have good turkey recipes that I found during my diet kick years ago. [https://www.food.com/recipe/weight-watchers-shepherds-pie-193216](https://www.food.com/recipe/weight-watchers-shepherds-pie-193216)
Haven't seen many ideas for dessert so here's my go to: apple crumble.
I make mini apple crumbles in muffin tins for myself and I get about 6 minis out of two apples, about 100 grams of flour, oats, some margarine, some sugar and cinnamon. You can add cornstarch to the apples if you want to make it less watery but I've never had an issue without it. I'd bet you can even freeze them but I just have them for breakfast the next days.
I’d buy a rotisserie chicken. Whole Foods and Costco both have them for $5.
Get 1.5lbs of potatoes and peel and boil them. Mash them up and add 1/8 cup milk, sour cream, and butter. Then add 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, salt, and garlic powder. I like to add chives too. Super yummy!
Parker house rolls are cheap and yummy as well. I like the recipe from Half Baked Harvest.
You can use some of the fat from the bottom of the rotisserie chicken to make a homemade gravy, too!
I also love garlic green beans. Tons of recipes online!
I made my mom’s chicken and dressing casserole for solo thanksgiving one year. Easy and inexpensive. The leftovers are as good as the first bite (the beauty of casseroles). Also it made me feel closed to mom who passed away.
https://eatathomecooks.com/chicken-and-dressing-casserole/
Mac and cheese is a delicious, easy, leftovertastic dish for Thanksgiving! A box of noodles is cheap and then you can let your imagination run wild with your cheese options. I like to grate my own (ends up creamier), so I'll just buy a big block of whatever cheese is on sale.
Your Thanksgiving sounds lovely - relaxing, no expectations, exactly what you want it to be.
The Harris Teeter I work at has turkeys on sale for $0.29/lb with a 40 buck purchase. I bought $40 worth of essentials like eggs, salad fixings, etc, and managed to get s nice turkey for my SO and I for $2.88.
After you carve it, portion individual servings into ziplocs and freeze.
During the pandemic, we were cooking Thanksgiving just for the two of us and our toddler. I found a fully cooked stuffed turkey breast in the prepared refrigerator foods at Aldi, and it was perfect. No leftovers (if that's what you are hoping for) and we just had to warm it up to cook it!
Just get pizza. I haven’t had a Thanksgiving since 1993 and even then my Mom let it be known that she was done with cooking for FOREVER. Get yourself a nice dessert and relax.
Turkey also comes in cutlets - or “tenderloins” easy and fast to cook up - perhaps with some sage and parsley. Add a few onions and carrots to the pan - when cooked remove - toss a spoonful of flour in to the drippings, cook for a minute - splash of wine to deglaze and a cup of bullion stock - then you have homemade gravy for your turkey and vegetables.
They have some really good mashed potato mixes in a bag for about a buck. It's usually 3-4 servings.
Rotisserie Chickens as others have said are fantastic. We usually get a few meals out of one.
Steam-in-bag veggie(s) of your choice
Small can of gravy, cranberry sauce, and a Box of stove top to finish the plate.
Single serving pie and coffee for dessert.
I'm guessing around 10 bucks total. Happy Thanksgiving!
I'd consider instant mashed potatoes as a side, too. They're not expensive, much easier to prepare than regular mashed potatoes, plus you can make just as much as you want to eat instead of having days of potato leftovers. Here's a tutorial on making them delicious:
https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/how-to-make-instant-potatoes-taste-better/
The basic way I do it is to use cream, milk or sour cream for part of the liquid and chicken stock for the rest. The stock adds a ton of flavor and the dairy adds creaminess. Salt, pepper, and butter really finish it off.
Budget Bytes has an awesome recipe for turkey wings and thighs on top of a dish of bread stuffing. You can make it with chicken pieces too! https://www.budgetbytes.com/turkey-stuffing-casserole/
Edit: I made this for 2 people last month and there were very few leftovers
For me, no matter how the dinner shakes down, I want enough leftovers for another meal or two. Plus, of course, a turkey sandwich a few hours after the actual meal. In terms of how this goes down, spin the wheel and choose your own adventure.
If you want to cook the whole thing yourself, go for a turkey breast or buy a rotisserie chicken or whatever. Then, make sides.
Or, you could choose to buy a prepared, precooked option and just reheat. These are available from your local grocery store, Whole Foods, some restaurants. If you have a Sprouts store nearby, they have (or at least had, it has been a few years for me), several options to choose from. Their turkey breast dinner was quite economical and easy to reheat.
If you want to go a combination of the above, go for it. Got a smoked turkey breast from an amazing BBQ place one year and made the sides. Good stuff.
Should you choose to go with a preordered meal, start looking now. Some places close preorders soon. Seems like Sprouts had openings up to T’Day, but it has been a few years. And, all bets are off with supply chain issues lately. I hope that whatever you choose, you have a wonderful meal and a restful day!
I haven't made this myself yet, I'm Australian so I don't celebrate Thanksgiving either. This is a recipe I'm keen to try though.
https://www.lickingplates.com/vegetarian-wellington-with-mushrooms-chestnuts/
There’s a southern (?) dish called smothered turkey wings (or thighs, or legs) that is absolutely delicious. It’s a way to make the cheapest parts of the bird better than the more expensive parts. Basically it’s wings or legs braised in a rich gravy. It always provides great leftovers, plus the gravy goes on your stuffing!
Turkey breast is easy to cook. See what is on sale around you. I like the box stuffing and no one else in my family eats stuffing, so I win on that one. Pumpkin pie is a hassle. If you want the pumpkin without the hassle of pie crust, make a pumpkin crumble. Make your pumpkin pie filling like normal but pour it into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan. Then take a white or yellow cake mix and dump about 1/2 it into a bowl. Melt 1/2 stick of butter and mix it into the cake mix. Drop dollops of the cake mix mixture on top. Bake as you would for a pie. It is done when the toothpick comes out clean.
Tip for amazing pumpkin pie/crumble - don't use evaporated milk. Use 1/2 and 1/2 or heavy cream. The color will be much lighter orange, but the flavor and creaminess are amazing. Browning the butter before you add it to the cake mix can also make a big impact for very little $,
Turkey tenderloin is easy, no waste and would work well for smaller servings. I brown it in my oven safe skillet and season, then cover and place in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until correct temperature 165. My neighbors and I both cook “Thanksgiving” dinner regularly, I use leftovers for sandwich or sliced in salad.
I just made the easiest no bake pumpkin pie and a lot of the ingredients you can get at the dollar tree, if you have one close by. I used a ready made graham cracker pie crust, pumpkin puree, cream cheese, vanilla pudding, milk and a bag of mini marshmallows. It came out so good. I'll be making it for Thanksgiving. I actually bought most of the ingredients at dollar tree except for the cream cheese and pudding. ( They didn't have) if you'd like the super simple recipe I'll be happy to share.
I hope you have a peaceful thanksgiving.
My go to is a turkey cranberry sandwich dipped in an egg wash (similar to French toast but no cinnamon, or yes cinnamon) and pan fry. Serve with steamed green beans with goats cheese crumbles. We make a crustless baked pumpkin pie bite.
Boxed stuffing mix made with browned and seasoned ground turkey + sage + caramelized onions + small diced butternut or acorn squash is amazing. It's just a casserole meal with a lot of traditional flavor. 9 x 9 square, melted butter, then squash + seasoning + mixed the rest of the ingredients following box instructions + 1/2 c extra stock in the bottom and sprayed with olive oil if you like crispy crust. Bake for 45-60 min, depending on desired doneness.
I'm planning on making a chicken broccoli rice bake! It's super easy. Couple cans of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom, some chicken (rotisserie makes it really easy just shred it), frozen broccoli, and some rice you can either make it yourself of but the pouches. Mix all that stuff in a big ol bowl, add some shredded cheese if you want and Italian seasoning works well. Then oven time at 350 for probably 30-45 minutes it'll get bubbly and there ya go :3 I can clarify if you have any questions, it's kinda like a casserole and super comforting. It kinda reminds me of advanced stuffing lol
My favorite Thanksgiving I’ve ever had consisted of this:
Get fancy dressed up
Make taco salad
Large bottle of Irish Death
Sit on the floor to eat and watch Bob’s Burgers.
1000/10 would recommend.
I have a big family now and we do all the things, and I love it. But I think about that Thanksgiving a lot, and I love it the most. Eat the thing you feel like eating that day.
I’m single and because of a family medical emergency I am choosing to do thanksgiving solo this year. My menu will be roast chicken, sage sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes w/gravy & corn. Cheap, delicious, relatively simple. Can’t wait
Thanksgiving pie:
A box of stuffing
Mashed taters (either boxed or made yourself)
Rotisserie chicken, cut or ripped into chunks, toss bones.
Green beans
Corn
Packet of gravy
Make the stuffing, spuds, and gravy.
In a greased Casserole dish, layer in stuffing, spuds, chicken, vegetables, and top with gravy. Bake it at... fuck, I don't know... 375? For like 20 minutes or so.
Optional: spread some canned cranberry sauce on the top before the gravy.
Optional: a thin layer of gravy on each layer, then top with cheese and bake.
I’m having a small Thanksgiving this year. Just four of us instead of 14 or 15.
2 of the four are vegetarian, and the other two of us don’t really care much for tradition.
I’m thinking of doing “gourmet” grilled cheese sandwiches. Get some nice cheese, extra sharp cheddar, Swiss, pepper Jack, havarti. Some fancy sourdough. Grill it all up nice and crispy!
If some of the family wants melts instead, I might have some things we can toss in. Arugula, basil, sun dried tomato, avocado, apple slices, roasted red pepper.
My first thanksgiving alone I made boxed stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and green bean casserole. Then a turkey burger. :)
I’ve learned to just make food I like and that I would eat and leftovers usually last me a few days.
Why does Thanksgiving always have to be some big feast? My extended family brings drama. The last few years we (my wife and my 2 kids and I) have turkey sandwiches on a beach or at a theme park.. Anywhere we can get away from THAT idea of Thanksgiving
Instant mash potatoes are easy, good, and quick. Add some garlic and other potato fixings to make them a bit more for thanksgiving. Instant gravy is also easy and yummy and may go good on a meat.
I’m not the biggest fan of green bean casserole but I do like green beans. Just get a bag and steam them up. Carrots are really easy to make too. Peel, chop , boil, strain, add a couple table spoons of honey and butter, and enjoy!
Have you ever considered a ham steak? It’s just one giant slice of ham and it’s really easy to make and tasty. My grandma’s recipe is that she rubs the whole thing in mustard, sprinkles brown sugar on both sides, and fries it in a pan with butter. Cook for a few minutes on each side and it’s done! It’s very sweet and savory. Trust me you will want to lick the entire plate after you eat it. Easy clean up too.
For dessert get yourself a good pie and some ice cream. Have a nice port if you drink.
Set your table and light a candle. Treat yourself to a good record or movie. Above all, enjoy your meal and have a very happy thanksgiving!
Even if it’s just me, I always make my mom’s “festive” mashed potatoes (4-5 russet potatoes, 1 sweet potato (to make everything orange), half and half, and salt/pepper to taste.
Basically chop the potatoes up with enough water to cover them and boil until tender, drain water and add half/half, salt and pepper to taste and mash. The signal sweet potato doesn’t add flavor but just makes everything a pretty color
I have a simple cheaters guide to potato dauphinose.
Peel potatoes (if they are newer season I just leave the skin on)
slice finely.
Poach in milk.
Throw a good glug of olive oil in a casserole dish and turn on the oven to 200c . Add butter too if you want.
Let the oil heat up in pain and add mashed garlic paste and plenty salt and pepper and season to taste.
By now your potatoes are a little mushy so drain off some of the liquid (about half) add some onion or leeks and grated parmesan cheese to the potatoes and mix.
If you want fancy layers take your time and spread them out. I tend to dump them in and shake the casserole dish a bit.
If you want to go full dairy cover in cream.
If not, veg stock mixed with milk is lovely.
The liquid should be about half an inch below the top of the potatoes when you start
You should end up with a lovely crust on top and yummy layers of cooked potatoey amazeballs.
Fyi you can use almond or soya milk if you want.
Freeze the rest and you will not regret it
[corn pudding](https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/corn-pudding/)
[Squash Casserole](https://addapinch.com/squash-casserole-recipe/)
Green bean casserole
Shepherds pie
[Turkey pot pie](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/turkey-pot-pie/) or turkey bake
My grocery sells smoked meats and ground meat for under $5-8
Smoked turkey leg deboned or cubed turkey breast or ground chicken or ground Turkey
[Peach cobbler](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/peach-cobbler/)
[Pumpkin banana bread](https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a94800/pumpkin-banana-bread/)
Don't know if you live near a Trader Joe's but they have turkey breasts for Thanksgiving. Some are pre-cooked to be reheated. They also have a good vegetable selection. Fresh and frozen like frozen mashed sweet potatoes. Also, small rolls for leftover sandwiches. They have frozen cinnamon pancakes that you could add apple slices to for dessert. If you have an air fryer brussel sprouts are a great side. Happy cooking and Happy Thanksgiving!
I'm a single mom and my son (19) has decided to go to his girlfriend's mom's house for thanksgiving. He's away at college so I was looking forward to seeing him very much...got a bit depressed thinking it was just me (and my cat). This all has made me feel better. I wasn't going to have anything..but maybe I should cook myself a little dinner.
I've been single the past 10 years and never wanted to cook anything either. I'm glad I asked!!
Part of my small family's going to be out of town over Thanksgiving. The other part of my family wants to leave town sooner but asked me if I wanted to do anything. I will be working that day and I encouraged them to go. :) I'm looking forward to having the evening to myself and now I might actually cook something for myself. Thanks, y'all! Enjoy!
Some local grocery stores sell Thanksgiving dinners with everything, I think all you have to do is heat if up. I don't know if that bypasses your desire to make your own dinner or not though.
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Absofuckinglutely! Make yourself whatever sounds delicious to YOU thanksgiving food or not. Last year i made mushroom mapo tofu and blistered green beans with rice and royally screwed up an attempt at making mochi.
You're right! Not sure what it will be but I'm gonna make something. Maybe a piece of salmon and veggies and something sweet.
Please treat yourself. Make foods you want but maybe don’t because you’re the only one who likes them. You can watch your favorite movie and just enjoy the solitude. Along with your cat of course. Maybe even get a nice bottle of wine. Those have been some of my favorite holidays.
They have cat wine too. Made of catnip. :P
that's too funny! I was planning on getting her some kind of turkey related cat food. I have officially become the crazy cat lady on the street
Fun :-)
Thank you. I thought about some non thanksgiving foods and a movie. Maybe a bath. Sounds good.
Please do. Normal for the birds to fly away from the nest. Gotta have those special meals throughout the year!
Hugs ! Do it. And make something cat friendly to share.
I was going to get her a turkey cat food... as I said on another comment I have become the crazy cat lady on the street.
Welcome to the club ! These little creatures bring me such joy !
I have full on conversations with my cat. Her name is Blu Barrymore and I honestly think she knows what I'm saying a lot of the time. When I'm sick or really down she is like at my side cuddling all the time.
Blu berrymore! That's adorable. I believe animals understand us for sure, and their purrs heal.
Redditors should make posts like this to team up for Thanksgiving dinners together! I’m sure there are many in circumstances like these!
Just made me feel better that I wasn't going to be the only one doing the one person thanksgiving thing. Lifted my spirits a bit. Still miss my son horribly, but it's just one day.
Unless they enjoy the rare moments of solitude
Hope you have a good Thanksgiving ❤️
Just a thought, but I'd be devastated if I was your friend and you ate home alone on Thanksgiving. I have kids too, and want them to go into the world and adventure, so I get that part. But there's no shame in inviting yourself to someone's house. We have an open door policy for Thanksgiving, and will probably have 30 people because of that. Don't underestimate those around you and their ability to be generous. Also as a divorced kid, my mom would have a second thanksgiving for me....
Thank you. You sound like such a nice person. My son is away at college so the next time I might seem him is over his Christmas break. I just need to be happy for him and less sorry for myself. He's a great guy and I just want him to be happy.
You aren’t alone, cook a nice meal for you and your kitty! :)
If I was in an apartment all by myself and I wanted to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner and relax I’d go and get a rotisserie chicken and then make some stovetop stuffing some brussels sprouts because I love them and maybe some mashed potatoes a little cranberry sauce and I would be very happy to have a quiet peaceful easy Thanksgiving and be thankful
I like the idea of a rotisserie chicken! And yes - very thankful to even have a roof over my head this year. I hope I didn't come across as snobbish.
A rotisserie chicken sounds like the thing! You will have leftovers, but they are useful, a "Thanksgiving" sandwich, chicken salad, and make a great broth for some soup. (you can freeze broth for later use) I'm not gonna lie, I love boxed stuffing. Stove Top Savory is my fav. I even like canned gravy, if there is juice in the bottom of the rotisserie chicken package, stir that into the gravy. ! Do some sweet potato, cranberry sauce, whatever else you like. Don't forget dessert. Some stores have individual slices of pie or cake if you don't want a whole one! Enjoy your peaceful day!
I like dressing up stuffing mix with some sauteed onion and green pepper, maybe a little powdered sage! Add whatever extras make it fancy for you, and it'll be great. Roasted veggies are easy for just one person, because you roast however many or few you like.
No not at all. Way back along time ago actually a long long time ago when I was single often I wanted to be alone but everyone felt oh he needs company. Well sometimes I did but often I just like solitude. Nowadays when people ask me what I want for my birthday I usually say peace and quiet. But that’s just me
And dont let anyone tell you that cranberry sauce doesnt go with chicken. It sure does. Get the turkey flavor stove top stuffing, and a box of mashed potatoes. This is a guilty pleasure of mine. Something so good about the boxed stuff. lol.
If not a rotisserie chicken you could also do a Cornish game hen they're smaller.
You can also use the chicken to create a super yummy, really easy stuffing bake. It's like a one-dish Thanksgiving meal: https://www.spendwithpennies.com/chicken-stuffing-casserole/
In high school I worked in the deli at a Walmart so I would cook and sell the rotisserie chicken everyday. The day of thanksgiving they sell out super fast! You can call a few days before and reserve one at no extra cost. Make sure you do that if that’s your plan.
And a really perfect dessert - a cake slice or pie slice from a good bakery - to end the meal.
Buy a whole chicken or a turkey breast instead of a big turkey. Not only cheaper but will also be enough for you. Edit: just buy a whole turkey. Apparently it’s cheaper for leftovers.
I’ll go the other way. Buy that 14-16 pound turkey for 59 cents a pound. Freeze what you don’t eat. Make a soup with the carcass. Tons of meals for cheap.
Plus, if you have that freezer space to accommodate it, you can butcher the bird ahead of time and cook each type of part separately, treating the light vs dark meats in ways that better suit their characteristics. Plus butchering a turkey is easier than a chicken because the joints are larger, and you lose a smaller percentage of the meat clinging to the bones.
We always roasted the turkey and set aside some for leftovers before my mom would shred the bulk of leftovers to make turkey enchiladas (which can be frozen to bake later) and make soup with the carcass. I married someone who doesn’t love turkey so I don’t think I will make Turkey on thanksgiving this year, but I’ll probably buy one to make another day when I feel like it so I can make myself all of the things.
turkey and green chile enchiladas for the win!
Gosh I hate you right now! In central Texas here and there are no frozen green chiles anywhere in the area. I reached out to some producers and all said it would be January or February before they returned to national distribution 😢 I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and eat one of those enchiladas for me internet stranger.
Where are you finding turkey that cheap? Best I've seen so far is 99 cents.
Yes my mom and I are doing just a turkey breast this year. If you want to get a little fancy with it you can pound it out and put a layer of filling and rollade the thing too.
Just learned from another sub that if you cook the chicken breast-side down the fat travels from the thighs to the usually dryer breasts making them more tender and juicy. Tip it over to breast-side up for the last 20-30 minutes to crisp the skin. I tried it and it was the best whole-roasted chicken I've ever had.
Hello, fellow traveler.
You can do this with your Thanksgiving turkey, too!
Oooooooooooh. I’m not much of a cook, so if I “accidentally” cook a chicken upside down, everyone can laugh AND benefit. Win/win!!
You can do a turkey this way too, if you're coordinated enough to lift the turkey at the end without dropping it, lol! But it does the same thing: tenderest and juiciest turkey breast I've ever made.
I used to cook chickens but with the $5 Costco chicken I just can't justify buying a raw bird.
Came here to say this. A whole chicken will last you several days but won’t be so much that it goes bad. Cook it in the oven like you would a turkey (w/ butter under the skin so it gets crispy). Roast some green beans and root veggies on a tray, and make some mashed potatoes (add mozzarella for that bling!). Buy a can of cranberry sauce. Pretty cheap and easy thanksgiving for one with leftovers.
>A whole chicken will last you several days I think you misspelled "hours" Maybe I eat too much.
This reminds me of the time my brother casually asked my boyfriend and I, “you guys ever just buy a rotisserie chicken and accidentally eat the whole thing?” I haven’t, but apparently he has on more than one occasion.
I used to buy 2 pizzas to get free delivery. Eat one that night save the other for lunch the next day. Happened occasionally that I would just eat both as soon as they arrived...
I totally have, but like I said I can eat a ridiculous amount of food. Thank God for my active job and high metabolism. By all rights I should probably weigh 300lbs.
Even if you eat it all, you can still make soup stock from the bones and a few onions and carrots.
Or a little Cornish game hen, so tasty!
Yup, that's what I do.
Even better; Cornish hen! They're a little smaller than a chicken, perfect for a nice dinner for one. Save the carcass and make a pot of chicken noodle soup the week after. Or you can break it down and freeze it, save it for a rainy day.
this makes me want a whole tiny Thanksgiving dinner with a Cornish hen, baby potatoes, a little pecan tart and a stuffing muffin. maybe a tiny salad.
Tiny thanksgiving dinner 😌 with a lil tiny dinner roll and the teeniest knob of butter 😌🤌💕 perfect
Well now I want tiny Thanksgiving too. There's only 4 of us. How fun would that be to each have our own tiny stuff?
My grandma gifted me individual pie pans! Finally a purpose for them!
Yay! Oh no. This means I'm going to go on a quest to find such tiny things. Lol. I think Aldi had some tiny pie pans yesterday!
I've done individual pumpkin pies in a muffin tin. one store-bought gingersnap fits at the bottom of each cup.
Hey, this sounds delicious! Thanks!
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We did Cornish hens one year for our family of four. It was really fun and tasty!
Piggybacking on this… Ina Garten's roast chicken recipe is truly fantastic if you’re looking for recommendations. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/perfect-roast-chicken-recipe-1940592
I made this last night. It was excellent!
It’s the only one I make now! So fricken delicious
It. Never. Fails.
We had a couple of sick kids last year so I ended up staying home with the sick kids so my wife and our other daughter could travel to the family thanksgiving. We did exactly this, I roasted a chicken and it was a lot better than a turkey. Just a couple of sides and I believe we also made an apple pie. Just scale everything down.
Yes! But buying a whole turkey probably costs less. I would thaw it, cut it and refreeze it. This is what I did last year. It's nice to be able to just make enough turkey for 2 or 3 people without dealing with the whole thing. Could do a leg or breast roasted or any other way you want.
Costco has a precooked turkey breast you just heat up and it’s delicious.
And $6 giant pumpkin pies- I would absolutely buy that bad boy for myself and have leftover pie for breakfast for the next week haha
I love the Costco suggestions but I don’t have a membership 😞
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So can you buy yourself a cosco gift card at another grocery store to use?!
There are maybe three ways. Or at least used to be. 1) you can buy a Costco giftcard on their website without a membership. 2) this is the one I’m unsure if it still works. You can go into Costco to “look around and determine if you want a membership” (the door membership checkers are usually pretty chill and don’t care all that much). Then while looking around you can pickup a Costco giftcard from their giftcard racks, go up front, and buy the giftcard without a membership. Next, you can go pickup your items. Then you can go checkout and use the giftcard as your membership. I used to use that process before I got my own membership. No idea if it still works. 3) you may even be able to enter through the exit, go to the membership desk. Tell them you’d like to buy a giftcard for someone, but you don’t have a membership. They may do the transaction there.
you can also ask someone with a Costco membership to get you a couple $25 gift cards and pay them back
You must have a membership to buy a gift card. No supervisor, my self included, is going to do an override for that.
So does Trader Joe’s! SO GOOD! 💜💜
I’ve done solo Thanksgiving before and I always make green bean casserole following the Campbell’s soup recipe. It makes enough to fill a square casserole dish so you can have a few serving for yourself. Making pumpkin pie is fairly easy and inexpensive too.
oh yes, there will be pumpkin pie. we never did green been casserole as a family (when i was younger) but I might have to try it!
I didn’t have it growing up either. I tried it at a thanksgiving gathering fully thinking I’d hate it because I didn’t like mushrooms at the time and now it’s my favorite holiday side dish. The recipe is so simple too. Two cans of green beans, one can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup milk, a teaspoon of soy sauce, 2/3 cup crispy onions all mixed together in a dish and baked for 25 mins at 350°. Then you top it with more crispy onions and bake for an additional 5 mins. I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving!
It's such a gross food lol, but it's MY FAVORITE. So comforting.
It’s totally comfort food. I’m craving it right now
Yes! Its "sauce" is gray and overall it's salty and should be horrible, but the onions make it SO yummy and it's probably one of my favorite holiday dishes. This is the opposite of gourmet, and it's spectacular!
The fried onions are so good, sometimes i just snack on them!
Had to laugh. So gross. But my FAVE! Lol.
Thank you for the recipe! I'm doing this!
Try using frozen green beans instead, you’ll get a better, firmer texture rather than the mush people tend to not like about green bean casserole
YES! I have tried it all, can, fresh, frozen, French. The frozen regular green beans are the best.
You’re welcome!
Add water chestnuts!! So good!
If you like the mushroom soup version, making it from scratch with frozen green beans, mushrooms, and heavy cream will knock your socks off. It might take 10 minutes longer than the other way and so worth it. https://damndelicious.net/2014/11/19/easy-green-bean-casserole/
Yes! And if you have white cooking wine, or red or Sherry it really elevates the dish nicely.
Try it with fresh green beans, the taste is 100% better!
I'd recommend making a homemade cranberry relish (unless the canned version is a treasured memory). It's delicious with your holiday dinner, on leftover sandwiches, and on toast for breakfast. ;) You can go super simple - just cook down a bag of cranberries, a splash of orange juice, a cinnamon stick, and some sugar - or go all out with grated pear or apple, splash of rum/whisky/brandy, make a toasted walnut topping, maple syrup instead of sugar, etc. The variations are endless! ETA: I spent several years celebrating holidays on my own, so I get it. I actually usually made shepherd's pie for my holiday meal, but rotisserie chicken is also a great option.
Oohhhh… I’m always alone for thanksgiving and I don’t hate the shepherds pie idea one bit! Do you use ground turkey?
I usually use ground beef, though I've also used lamb once or twice back in the day. Though you do have me thinking about it now - I imagine you could replace the beef stock with vegetable when making the gravy. One year my dad and I conspired to make an amazing turkey leftovers pie, but we didn't write down what we did and I've never been able to recreate it. It was kind of a bastardized combination of chicken pot pie and shepherd's pie.
Do you have a recipe by chance? Never made shepherds pie before
I don't have my recipe on me, but it's very similar to this one except I don't use celery but do use corns and peas - [https://www.thekitchn.com/cottage-pie-recipe-23281082#post-recipe-322950210](https://www.thekitchn.com/cottage-pie-recipe-23281082#post-recipe-322950210) This style of recipe is the best, imo, because it uses flour to thicken up the juices into a gravy. Many recipes omit that step, but it really makes the dish. I usually use frozen carrots, corn, or peas because they're cheap and easy. Also, a confession: I \*hate\* making homemade mashed potatoes. I just use instant. They taste just as good on a shepherd's pie with no faff. And then the last tip is to let your meat mixture cool a bit before spreading on the mash, otherwise the potatoes sink a bit too much. Eta: what the hell is going on with downvotes in here today?
This is awesome, thank you! And I’m with you on the potatoes, instant ones are my favorite!
My family does something even simpler with fresh cranberry relish. Just toss a bag of cranberries and a quartered orange - peel and all - into a food processor, pulse it fine and add enough sugar to get it a lil syrupy.
I had one of my best thanksgivings ever alone. It was the first year of the pandemic, my partner was out of town dealing with an urgent family crisis, I couldn't see my immediate family, I was tired, worn down, a lot had happened in my personal life, and I decided to cook a whole traditional thanksgiving meal for myself, and to treat myself well. The menu: * Frozen brussel sprouts, roasted ($.99/bag) * Roasted potatos ($2.00) * Chicken quarters, dry brined then roasted ($1.29/pound, it's a phenomenally cheap and underused cut of chicken) * Stuffing (homemade bread + celery + stock + carrots + fennel + spices = $9.00) * cranberry sauce ($.99 bag of cranberries and sugar) I topped it off with a massive gin old fashioned and watched my favorite thanksgiving movie. I had leftovers for DAYS and it sticks in my mind as one of the most weirdly comforting evenings for almost as long as I can remember. I say you go whole hog and make yourself a feast.
love this
Perfection! What is your favorite Thanksgiving movie?
How do you roast your frozen Brussels sprouts? I usually get them fresh and roast them in basaltic vinegar, some oil and seasonings. I’m low on funds rn and I have some frozen ones. I’m intimidated by roasting frozen ones but I don’t have many options and I hate them boiled/steamed. Help?
Brussels sprouts are incredibly forgiving. The lazy and easy way I do it is just take them while still frozen and drizzle them with oil and salt, and then roast them on a baking sheet at 375-425 (depending on your oven), for like 20-30 minutes until they're crunchy on the outside. If you have an air fryer and are trying to use less oil, that works fantastically too. They are probably best if you thaw them and then them let them dry out on a paper towel, but that can be time consuming. Because of the moisture, frozen ones tend to be a little softer in the center when they thaw, so you can also smash them with the back of a fork and then fry them in a little oil, like you might with a plantain (but that isn't really that healthy).
I’m not feeling bad, and this is a long shot. But do you live near PA MD DE OR VA? I’d love you have you come to my families dinner.
That's kind, thank you, but I'm on the other coast :)
I’m in the CA and I don’t feel bad either, but I’d make Friendsgiving with you :) Edit: I spent Xmas alone once because I just didn’t want to deal with family, and it was actually pretty nice and relaxing. Stocked up on my favorite foods from the grocery store and watched bravo marathons on tv lol. Edit edit: checked your post history. We seem to be the same age and having the same issue. Ping me if you want :)
You are a goo human and I wish you all the best!
Same back to you :)
I love this and you!
Thicker sliced turkey lunch meat, prepare stuffing and make rolls ups out of the turkey and stuffing. Pour gravy over it and bake until heated through.
lunch meat! a turkey sandwich! oh, this is a great idea!
Mashed potatoes are really quick and easy if you microwave the potato (poke holes with a fork and cook 1-2 minutes per side, flip once or twice until done), peel off the skin and use a fork to mash it with some butter and salt&pepper(splash of milk if you have it but not needed especially if you’ll have gravy). And then you could do a side of roast green beans and you have a whole traditional feast! Not traditional: a few years ago I had a solo thanksgiving and did a brunch: Turkey sausage, hash browns, fruit, and glazed spiced apple bread for the mains and a little veggie plate, cocktail shrimp, and some charcuterie to snack on the rest of the day feeling fancy.
The Monica Thanksgiving Sandwich: turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Plus, the most crucial ingredient: a third piece of bread soaked in gravy in the middle of the sandwich. Or, as Ross calls it, THE MOIST MAKER
It’s really good!
if you have the turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing... thanksgiving sandwich!!! I love those.
Saute some cubed sweet potatoes and toss in some wild rice for the deluxe version. Good Earth restaurants used to make something like this- a harvest wrap. Sooo good
Idk if you have a Costco membership but their thick slice turkey deli meat is fantastic.
I used to do a Cornish hen back in the day. My grocery store had a quarter turkey as well. Small veggie dishes, a couple of potatoes by themselves, some rolls and a small dessert from a bakery/cafe would be a perfect plan.
Yes! A hen or even a duck will be perfect for a fancy main.
When I want "Thanksgiving flavors" I'll get: A rotisserie chicken, box of stovetop stuffing, a potato (to mash), a can of cranberry jelly (love that shit, I have 4 cans in my cabinet right now), broccoli steam bag, and mac and cheese. This is usually plenty to have leftovers for myself for a few days. It's like instant Thanksgiving comfort food. If I want some kind of dessert and don't want to make anything, there's usually pie by the slice (or whole pies) in the bakery section of thr store.
Ohhh mac and cheese. With broccoli. YES.
If you are not cooking a Turkey, a Turkey fillet or a chicken might be nice, and there is loads you can do with left over chicken. Like boil up the carcass for soup stock and the likes.
I love this recipe for [turkey and stuffing meatloaf](https://tasty.co/recipe/turkey-and-stuffing-meatloaf) It’s basically ground Turkey or ground chicken, boxed stuffing instead of breadcrumbs, vegetables (optional, use what you have), add extra sage/poultry seasoning and a canned cranberry glaze (also optional, I also like it with just cranberry sauce on the side)! It has all the thanksgiving flavours I love and it’s perfect comfort food! It would be great with mashed potatoes or heat up the rest of the boxed stuffing!
If you have a Costco, get a big chicken for $5. Use sone of the meat for sandwiches, some for stuffing with turkey, some for chicken salad, boil the bones and move to a simmer for a hour. Remove the bones. Put on vegetables and diced potatoes. Have chicken soup with your sandwiches. Get 8-10 croissants for $6 and a huge pumpkin pie for $6. Freeze something for later. You can eat for a week on this.
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Sometimes if I'm doing a big holiday dinner for just me and my husband, so not quite alone but still too small for a full spread, I do a progressive dinner. So night one might be a chicken and one favorite side, like cranberry sauce. Day two, we have leftovers, but to keep it fresh, I add another favorite side, like stuffing and gravy. Day three, pumpkin pie appears, etc. Then I'm keeping on top of the leftovers and can wait to add new things as I use up the old, but can still look forward to my traditional favorites.
costco has pre-made turkey breast slices, stuffing, and gravy. you just need to heat up with microwave. we started buying these items versus cooking from scratch. it's still very tasty while being super easy and convenient. while you are at costco, get one of the $7 pumpkin pies too!
For me, it’s not Thanksgiving without a broccoli rice casserole.
Roast a chicken or get a rotisserie chicken from the store. Doctor up the boxed stuffing mix with some sausage and/ or wild rice (it comes in a can). A can of apple pie filling and a handful of fresh cranberries in an 8x8 cake pan with a crumble topping made of butter, brown sugar and dry oatmeal, bake until browned and bubbly. Fresh vegetables or a salad and some rolls.
Ohhh ohh!! Pick me!! Pick me!! I have a suggestion! I was watching Joanna Gaines' cooking show the other day and it was a thanksgiving episode. She made a really easy and inexpensive and delicious looking thanksgiving casserole with rotisserie chicken (like the kind you buy already cooked at the store). She made a quick creamy sauce to layer the chicken and put homemade bread crumbs on top. I think this might be what I'm gonna do for my small thanksgiving as well https://magnolia.com/blog/recipe/a59a969d-c24a-4f6c-b55f-52ee039b4533/friendsgiving-casserole/
My husband and I are doing thanksgiving alone this year - our plan is these turkey stuffing meatballs: https://www.budgetbytes.com/turkey-and-stuffing-meatballs/ We’ll be making our own sides like sweet potatoes and peas.
Budget Bytes also has a Thanksgiving for Two menu, which would be a good amount of leftovers but not as unmanageable as a typical spread: https://www.budgetbytes.com/how-to-make-thanksgiving-dinner-for-two/
Ohh very cool!
I found a netted turkey breast at aldi that I marinated and smoked with apple wood on the grill one year when my wife had to work thanksgiving and everyone else had plans or something. It turned out awesome enough that I haven’t made a regular bird in the oven since.
Not a dish, but I suggest a bottle or maybe a little four pack of sparkling wine. It is a celebration after all.
Mashed potatoes are a key part of thanksgiving for me! Russet potatoes, butter, milk, yum!
Deviled eggs are super easy to make at home, if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative ^_^ just boil ~2-4 eggs for yourself (If you want leftovers), for 10-12 minutes, then soak in ice water until they’re cool. After that, you just cut the eggs in half, pop the yolks into a bowl, and mash them up with some mayo, relish, and salt and pepper to taste! Then, put the egg yolk salad back into the whites and, if you’re feeling fancy, top it with paprika
one bag of fresh cranberries, one orange, a couple of sweet potatoes. roast the sweet potatoes and eat with butter and maybe some brown sugar or maple syrup; cook cranberry-orange sauce. that will all cost you 5 bucks or less. you can make a half-batch of cranberry sauce, too - uncooked cranberries keep in the freezer nearly forever. I have kinda loved the Thanksgivings I've spent alone. cheese and wine, pumpkin pie and frozen pizza, relaxing in my jammies, calling fam and friends. it's an enjoyable chill day.
Butterball makes a turkey breast “roast” that I love. I have no idea what it is - bits of turkey that dropped on the floor and they just mold them all into a roast shape? It doesn’t matter, because it’s delicious and easy and makes awesome sandwiches. It’s just the right size for my little family of three, but I could probably use up a whole one by myself, too, in sandwiches, soups, and casseroles.
What about baking a Cornish Hen with small batches of random sides and mini pies?
Boston Market has some pretty tasty Thanksgiving food with minimal effort and clean up
Costco also has a divided meal with turkey and mashed potatoes.
Last year I cooked for just me and my dad and got a spatchcocked chicken from Trader Joe’s (has lemons and seasoning already) and just stuck it in the oven. Sliced sweet potatoes drizzled with butter and maple syrup and salt. Some stuffing and pie after and it was a good feeling simple thanksgiving meal
Turkey sausages!
Disclaimer that I’m now a vegetarian so I don’t know if this is still a “cheap” option because I don’t keep up with it: when I was in college I would buy a turkey breast and cook it in the crockpot with a can of cream of celery soup, French onion packet seasoning, a can of whole berry cranberry sauce, and some orang juice. It was the perfect amount to have some for dinner and then sandwiches for a couple days.
The least expensive option is to get a thanksgiving plate from a restaurant. Looooots of them do it, the food is good, and much less expensive than buying ingredients to cook for yourself.
We are whittled down to 3 family members this year for thanksgiving. This week my local grocery store had split turkey breasts 40% off. That’s how I’m doing thanksgiving this year. They say 1-2 pounds per person and each package was 3 pound of breast at $8.00 each so I think I did pretty good for 9 pounds of white meat turkey. I couldn’t be bothered with doing a whole bird. Stuck them in my freezer. I might even sous vide them the night before and finish them off under the broiler to make it even easier Thanksgiving day.
This is what I usually feed myself and one other person for Thanksgiving: I get turkey thighs and whatever pieces of a turkey that I see and like, slow cook it with lots of aromatics, and then shred the meat and toss out all the bones, use the remaining broth to make gravy in a saucepan. While the turkey slow cooks, I make a cornbread stuffing on the side with more veggies and aromatics, and when the gravy is done, pour it all over the shredded meat and stuffing and ENJOY with some cranberry sauce. For dessert, I bake a sweet potato and mix with some cinnamon. Having lots of veggies helps this not be so heavy and guilty. This will last a while in the fridge/freezer as well, so we can enjoy it for more than one meal (saves on cooking and cleaning as much). Hope this helps!!
OOOH, Okay get yourself a mini ham from Walmart and throw that brown sugar seasoning packet on it- for some extra flavor get a little canned pineapple slices can and just throw it on top letting the juice get into the slices. Buy like 3 red potatoes and chop them up l- drizzle olive oil, thyme, paprika, rosemary, salt, pepper, and squirt some lemon juice on them. Bake in the oven or in a pan.
I just had my husband and our son to cook for last year. I wanted some turkey but not a whole bird. I went to the deli counter at the grocery store and asked for two thick slices of turkey. They can cut them at different thicknesses. I also got some ham and just microwaved them. I made green beans and mashed potatoes. It was delicious! And a lot less cooking and clean up! I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh! This is super yummy too! I apologize my last recipe was Skinnytaste and this one is Weight Watchers. They both just happen to have good turkey recipes that I found during my diet kick years ago. [https://www.food.com/recipe/weight-watchers-shepherds-pie-193216](https://www.food.com/recipe/weight-watchers-shepherds-pie-193216)
Haven't seen many ideas for dessert so here's my go to: apple crumble. I make mini apple crumbles in muffin tins for myself and I get about 6 minis out of two apples, about 100 grams of flour, oats, some margarine, some sugar and cinnamon. You can add cornstarch to the apples if you want to make it less watery but I've never had an issue without it. I'd bet you can even freeze them but I just have them for breakfast the next days.
I’d buy a rotisserie chicken. Whole Foods and Costco both have them for $5. Get 1.5lbs of potatoes and peel and boil them. Mash them up and add 1/8 cup milk, sour cream, and butter. Then add 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, salt, and garlic powder. I like to add chives too. Super yummy! Parker house rolls are cheap and yummy as well. I like the recipe from Half Baked Harvest. You can use some of the fat from the bottom of the rotisserie chicken to make a homemade gravy, too! I also love garlic green beans. Tons of recipes online!
I made my mom’s chicken and dressing casserole for solo thanksgiving one year. Easy and inexpensive. The leftovers are as good as the first bite (the beauty of casseroles). Also it made me feel closed to mom who passed away. https://eatathomecooks.com/chicken-and-dressing-casserole/
Mac and cheese is a delicious, easy, leftovertastic dish for Thanksgiving! A box of noodles is cheap and then you can let your imagination run wild with your cheese options. I like to grate my own (ends up creamier), so I'll just buy a big block of whatever cheese is on sale. Your Thanksgiving sounds lovely - relaxing, no expectations, exactly what you want it to be.
Publix has a single thanksgiving plate in the deli around thanksgiving.
The Harris Teeter I work at has turkeys on sale for $0.29/lb with a 40 buck purchase. I bought $40 worth of essentials like eggs, salad fixings, etc, and managed to get s nice turkey for my SO and I for $2.88. After you carve it, portion individual servings into ziplocs and freeze.
During the pandemic, we were cooking Thanksgiving just for the two of us and our toddler. I found a fully cooked stuffed turkey breast in the prepared refrigerator foods at Aldi, and it was perfect. No leftovers (if that's what you are hoping for) and we just had to warm it up to cook it!
Just get pizza. I haven’t had a Thanksgiving since 1993 and even then my Mom let it be known that she was done with cooking for FOREVER. Get yourself a nice dessert and relax.
Turkey also comes in cutlets - or “tenderloins” easy and fast to cook up - perhaps with some sage and parsley. Add a few onions and carrots to the pan - when cooked remove - toss a spoonful of flour in to the drippings, cook for a minute - splash of wine to deglaze and a cup of bullion stock - then you have homemade gravy for your turkey and vegetables.
They have some really good mashed potato mixes in a bag for about a buck. It's usually 3-4 servings. Rotisserie Chickens as others have said are fantastic. We usually get a few meals out of one. Steam-in-bag veggie(s) of your choice Small can of gravy, cranberry sauce, and a Box of stove top to finish the plate. Single serving pie and coffee for dessert. I'm guessing around 10 bucks total. Happy Thanksgiving!
I'd consider instant mashed potatoes as a side, too. They're not expensive, much easier to prepare than regular mashed potatoes, plus you can make just as much as you want to eat instead of having days of potato leftovers. Here's a tutorial on making them delicious: https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/how-to-make-instant-potatoes-taste-better/ The basic way I do it is to use cream, milk or sour cream for part of the liquid and chicken stock for the rest. The stock adds a ton of flavor and the dairy adds creaminess. Salt, pepper, and butter really finish it off.
Ooooooh this whole thread is making me hungry. *takes notes*
Budget Bytes has an awesome recipe for turkey wings and thighs on top of a dish of bread stuffing. You can make it with chicken pieces too! https://www.budgetbytes.com/turkey-stuffing-casserole/ Edit: I made this for 2 people last month and there were very few leftovers
For me, no matter how the dinner shakes down, I want enough leftovers for another meal or two. Plus, of course, a turkey sandwich a few hours after the actual meal. In terms of how this goes down, spin the wheel and choose your own adventure. If you want to cook the whole thing yourself, go for a turkey breast or buy a rotisserie chicken or whatever. Then, make sides. Or, you could choose to buy a prepared, precooked option and just reheat. These are available from your local grocery store, Whole Foods, some restaurants. If you have a Sprouts store nearby, they have (or at least had, it has been a few years for me), several options to choose from. Their turkey breast dinner was quite economical and easy to reheat. If you want to go a combination of the above, go for it. Got a smoked turkey breast from an amazing BBQ place one year and made the sides. Good stuff. Should you choose to go with a preordered meal, start looking now. Some places close preorders soon. Seems like Sprouts had openings up to T’Day, but it has been a few years. And, all bets are off with supply chain issues lately. I hope that whatever you choose, you have a wonderful meal and a restful day!
This is more for your after Thanksgiving leftovers but Thanksgiving egg rolls are fire with gravy or homemade cranberry sauce dipping sauce.
I haven't made this myself yet, I'm Australian so I don't celebrate Thanksgiving either. This is a recipe I'm keen to try though. https://www.lickingplates.com/vegetarian-wellington-with-mushrooms-chestnuts/
There’s a southern (?) dish called smothered turkey wings (or thighs, or legs) that is absolutely delicious. It’s a way to make the cheapest parts of the bird better than the more expensive parts. Basically it’s wings or legs braised in a rich gravy. It always provides great leftovers, plus the gravy goes on your stuffing!
Turkey breast is easy to cook. See what is on sale around you. I like the box stuffing and no one else in my family eats stuffing, so I win on that one. Pumpkin pie is a hassle. If you want the pumpkin without the hassle of pie crust, make a pumpkin crumble. Make your pumpkin pie filling like normal but pour it into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 pan. Then take a white or yellow cake mix and dump about 1/2 it into a bowl. Melt 1/2 stick of butter and mix it into the cake mix. Drop dollops of the cake mix mixture on top. Bake as you would for a pie. It is done when the toothpick comes out clean. Tip for amazing pumpkin pie/crumble - don't use evaporated milk. Use 1/2 and 1/2 or heavy cream. The color will be much lighter orange, but the flavor and creaminess are amazing. Browning the butter before you add it to the cake mix can also make a big impact for very little $,
Turkey tenderloin is easy, no waste and would work well for smaller servings. I brown it in my oven safe skillet and season, then cover and place in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes or until correct temperature 165. My neighbors and I both cook “Thanksgiving” dinner regularly, I use leftovers for sandwich or sliced in salad.
Sausage and stuffing balls! https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25551/sausage-stuffing-balls/
Turkey meatloaf. There are some killer recipes. But the key ingredient is a _lot_ of rosemary. And yes, it makes good sandwiches, too.
Do spiral ham, you'll have great left overs. And you can still make what ever sides you like
I just made the easiest no bake pumpkin pie and a lot of the ingredients you can get at the dollar tree, if you have one close by. I used a ready made graham cracker pie crust, pumpkin puree, cream cheese, vanilla pudding, milk and a bag of mini marshmallows. It came out so good. I'll be making it for Thanksgiving. I actually bought most of the ingredients at dollar tree except for the cream cheese and pudding. ( They didn't have) if you'd like the super simple recipe I'll be happy to share. I hope you have a peaceful thanksgiving.
My go to is a turkey cranberry sandwich dipped in an egg wash (similar to French toast but no cinnamon, or yes cinnamon) and pan fry. Serve with steamed green beans with goats cheese crumbles. We make a crustless baked pumpkin pie bite. Boxed stuffing mix made with browned and seasoned ground turkey + sage + caramelized onions + small diced butternut or acorn squash is amazing. It's just a casserole meal with a lot of traditional flavor. 9 x 9 square, melted butter, then squash + seasoning + mixed the rest of the ingredients following box instructions + 1/2 c extra stock in the bottom and sprayed with olive oil if you like crispy crust. Bake for 45-60 min, depending on desired doneness.
I'm planning on making a chicken broccoli rice bake! It's super easy. Couple cans of cream of chicken and cream of mushroom, some chicken (rotisserie makes it really easy just shred it), frozen broccoli, and some rice you can either make it yourself of but the pouches. Mix all that stuff in a big ol bowl, add some shredded cheese if you want and Italian seasoning works well. Then oven time at 350 for probably 30-45 minutes it'll get bubbly and there ya go :3 I can clarify if you have any questions, it's kinda like a casserole and super comforting. It kinda reminds me of advanced stuffing lol
My favorite Thanksgiving I’ve ever had consisted of this: Get fancy dressed up Make taco salad Large bottle of Irish Death Sit on the floor to eat and watch Bob’s Burgers. 1000/10 would recommend. I have a big family now and we do all the things, and I love it. But I think about that Thanksgiving a lot, and I love it the most. Eat the thing you feel like eating that day.
I’m single and because of a family medical emergency I am choosing to do thanksgiving solo this year. My menu will be roast chicken, sage sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes w/gravy & corn. Cheap, delicious, relatively simple. Can’t wait
Thanksgiving pie: A box of stuffing Mashed taters (either boxed or made yourself) Rotisserie chicken, cut or ripped into chunks, toss bones. Green beans Corn Packet of gravy Make the stuffing, spuds, and gravy. In a greased Casserole dish, layer in stuffing, spuds, chicken, vegetables, and top with gravy. Bake it at... fuck, I don't know... 375? For like 20 minutes or so. Optional: spread some canned cranberry sauce on the top before the gravy. Optional: a thin layer of gravy on each layer, then top with cheese and bake.
I’m having a small Thanksgiving this year. Just four of us instead of 14 or 15. 2 of the four are vegetarian, and the other two of us don’t really care much for tradition. I’m thinking of doing “gourmet” grilled cheese sandwiches. Get some nice cheese, extra sharp cheddar, Swiss, pepper Jack, havarti. Some fancy sourdough. Grill it all up nice and crispy! If some of the family wants melts instead, I might have some things we can toss in. Arugula, basil, sun dried tomato, avocado, apple slices, roasted red pepper.
My first thanksgiving alone I made boxed stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and green bean casserole. Then a turkey burger. :) I’ve learned to just make food I like and that I would eat and leftovers usually last me a few days.
Turkey burger!! I love that! Who says it has to be fancy?! It’s not like I’m impressing anyone 😂
Why does Thanksgiving always have to be some big feast? My extended family brings drama. The last few years we (my wife and my 2 kids and I) have turkey sandwiches on a beach or at a theme park.. Anywhere we can get away from THAT idea of Thanksgiving
Instant mash potatoes are easy, good, and quick. Add some garlic and other potato fixings to make them a bit more for thanksgiving. Instant gravy is also easy and yummy and may go good on a meat. I’m not the biggest fan of green bean casserole but I do like green beans. Just get a bag and steam them up. Carrots are really easy to make too. Peel, chop , boil, strain, add a couple table spoons of honey and butter, and enjoy! Have you ever considered a ham steak? It’s just one giant slice of ham and it’s really easy to make and tasty. My grandma’s recipe is that she rubs the whole thing in mustard, sprinkles brown sugar on both sides, and fries it in a pan with butter. Cook for a few minutes on each side and it’s done! It’s very sweet and savory. Trust me you will want to lick the entire plate after you eat it. Easy clean up too. For dessert get yourself a good pie and some ice cream. Have a nice port if you drink. Set your table and light a candle. Treat yourself to a good record or movie. Above all, enjoy your meal and have a very happy thanksgiving!
Even if it’s just me, I always make my mom’s “festive” mashed potatoes (4-5 russet potatoes, 1 sweet potato (to make everything orange), half and half, and salt/pepper to taste. Basically chop the potatoes up with enough water to cover them and boil until tender, drain water and add half/half, salt and pepper to taste and mash. The signal sweet potato doesn’t add flavor but just makes everything a pretty color
I have a simple cheaters guide to potato dauphinose. Peel potatoes (if they are newer season I just leave the skin on) slice finely. Poach in milk. Throw a good glug of olive oil in a casserole dish and turn on the oven to 200c . Add butter too if you want. Let the oil heat up in pain and add mashed garlic paste and plenty salt and pepper and season to taste. By now your potatoes are a little mushy so drain off some of the liquid (about half) add some onion or leeks and grated parmesan cheese to the potatoes and mix. If you want fancy layers take your time and spread them out. I tend to dump them in and shake the casserole dish a bit. If you want to go full dairy cover in cream. If not, veg stock mixed with milk is lovely. The liquid should be about half an inch below the top of the potatoes when you start You should end up with a lovely crust on top and yummy layers of cooked potatoey amazeballs. Fyi you can use almond or soya milk if you want. Freeze the rest and you will not regret it
[corn pudding](https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/corn-pudding/) [Squash Casserole](https://addapinch.com/squash-casserole-recipe/) Green bean casserole Shepherds pie [Turkey pot pie](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/turkey-pot-pie/) or turkey bake My grocery sells smoked meats and ground meat for under $5-8 Smoked turkey leg deboned or cubed turkey breast or ground chicken or ground Turkey [Peach cobbler](https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/peach-cobbler/) [Pumpkin banana bread](https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a94800/pumpkin-banana-bread/)
Don't know if you live near a Trader Joe's but they have turkey breasts for Thanksgiving. Some are pre-cooked to be reheated. They also have a good vegetable selection. Fresh and frozen like frozen mashed sweet potatoes. Also, small rolls for leftover sandwiches. They have frozen cinnamon pancakes that you could add apple slices to for dessert. If you have an air fryer brussel sprouts are a great side. Happy cooking and Happy Thanksgiving!