7 budget-friendly Thanksgiving recipes to impress your loved ones |
It’s almost time to borrow Joey’s (Tribbiani) Thanksgiving pants from Friends sitcom. Soon, you’ll be taking out the wedding china to serve juicy turkey, creamy potatoes, and lip-smacking dessert. Putting together a hearty Thanksgiving feast doesn’t mean breaking the bank. With smart planning and the right recipes, you can serve a spread that’s fit for the gods. Here are seven budget-friendly recipes that will have your loved ones asking for seconds!
Roast turkey with lemon, parsley, and garlic
Turkey, the centrepiece of the table, has to be a showstopper—which is why Gordon Ramsay’s roast turkey with lemon, parsley, and garlic is perfect. Start by preheating the oven to 220°C. For the lip-smacking herb butter, combine butter with olive oil, lemon zest and juice, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Before stuffing the turkey, season it with salt and pepper. Stuff it with onions, lemon, garlic halves, and bay leaves. Now, the most crucial part—loosen the skin on the breast from both sides and gently stuff the flavoured butter. Patience is key because you cannot tear the skin. Massage the butter evenly, place the turkey breast-side up in a roasting tray, cover with the remaining butter, season, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 10–15 minutes, then baste, cover with bacon, reduce the temperature to 180°C, and cook for about 2½ hours. Remember to baste occasionally until the juices run clear. The turkey should rest for at least 45 minutes before carving.
Turkey gravy
The last thing you want to hear on Thanksgiving is that you’ve run out of gravy. With a few ingredients in your pantry, you can prepare a delectable one. Pour the turkey drippings into a pan. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Add the wine, followed by turkey stock, salt, and pepper. Do not stop whisking. That’s it! You can also add cream or other spices of your choice. The umami flavour of the dish will fill your home with holiday vibes.
Creamy mashed potatoes
Forget the fancy potatoes. You can make quick mashed potatoes at home, sans the fancy ingredients. To get a silky texture, roast your potatoes instead of boiling them. Yes, that’s right. Once done, peel the skin, add adequate milk, butter, and salt to taste. What’s left is a heavenly spread.
Air-fryer green beans
Delicious meals do not necessarily mean complicated ones. For instance, some air-fried green beans are enough to steal the show. This five-ingredient recipe takes only 10 minutes and is perfect for the holiday season when your oven is busy. Add your green beans to a mixture of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, red-pepper flakes, and grated garlic. Now pop them into the air fryer and cook until the skin blisters, but the insides are tender. Sprinkle some salt and pepper before serving.
Lemony cranberry relish
The relish of your dreams! For a refreshing twist on the classic cranberry relish, use a whole lemon. Guests who dislike sugary treats will love this decadent dish, as it has a slightly bitter edge that perfectly balances the sweetness. Pick a thin-skinned lemon and blend it with fresh cranberries and sugar until the mixture resembles coarse, jewelled confetti. The result is a relish that glows like stained glass. You can make it the night before Thanksgiving and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Vegetarian shepherd’s pie
One way to impress your vegetarian and vegan guests who can’t eat turkey? Serve them this succulent vegetarian shepherd’s pie, made with French green lentils and mushrooms, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Cook the lentils until tender and sauté onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and mushrooms in olive oil. Add tomato paste, thyme, rosemary, and vegetable stock, then simmer until thick. Spread this mixture in a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and sprinkle with vegetarian Parmesan if you like. Bake at 200°C for about 20 minutes, until golden and bubbling, and serve hot.
Drop biscuits
You cannot enter the holiday season without some scrumptious biscuits. The best part? These drop biscuits require no chilling, rolling, or cutting—no fuss! Mix a few pantry staples like flour, butter, milk, and baking powder into a soft dough. Drop spoonfuls of this dough onto a baking sheet and bake in a hot oven until golden and crisp outside with a soft, fluffy centre. You can even create your own version by adding ingredients of your choice, such as butter and jam, herbs and cheese, or even chocolate chips.
