Thanksgiving is merely a fortnight away. Have you received any invitations or are you planning to host the celebration? The feast on Thanksgiving is always lavish, leading many to opt for potluck-style meals to distribute both contribution and costs. If you’re observing a budget this holiday season, don’t fret, because home-cooked meals shouldn’t exceed the cost of takeout meals. Below are six inexpensive, delicious, and simple Thanksgiving side dish recipes you can create.
1. WILD RICE SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES AND PECANS
This a cold yet satisfying dish, offering a harmonious blend of sweet and crunchy. It offers an excellent homemade alternative to sugary, store-bought cranberry sauce. Ingredients include wild rice, pecans, scallions, cranberries, salt and pepper, oil, red wine vinegar, and a small quantity of sugar. Amazingly, you might already have some of these in your pantry.
2. BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
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This dish is a Thanksgiving staple in my family, taught to me by my mother. It’s a far more satisfying and cost-effective alternative to store-bought mac and cheese which often come in small servings. You need macaroni noodles, shredded cheddar cheeses, a block of Velveeta cheese, eggs, milk, and butter. Prep the meal by layering cooled macaroni noodles and cheeses in a large pan and testing it with a whisked mixture of milk and eggs. Add butter squares on top, cover with foil and bake for around forty minutes to get a delectable result every time. This recipe is a good guide especially if you need a precise breakdown. You can omit adding too much salt and pepper, and the dish still turns out great.
3. GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
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Can’t decide on the perfect dish to bring to the Thanksgiving dinner? Try a mouthwatering green bean casserole. Despite appearing complicated, it requires just three ingredients: green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and French onions. Either canned or fresh green beans work, and you can whip up a lot of servings for less than $10. This simple recipe is at your fingertips, and you can have your dish ready in just 30 minutes.
Wish to economize on your Thanksgiving feast? Take your pick from these 6 delectable yet affordable side dish recipes
4. DEVILED EGGS
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Despair not if you’re not a fan of stuffed or boiled eggs; I wasn’t either. But this particular stuffed egg recipe, with the secret ingredient of Chobani Greek yogurt, completely changed my perception of the dish. It is now my go-to and also a significant source of protein.
5. PAN ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH BACON
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Here’s another budget-friendly yet delicious side dish. Brussels sprouts are usually despised by children, but this recipe, packed with taste and of course, bacon, can change anyone’s mind. It requires Brussels sprouts, bacon slices, butter, salt and pepper, and an onion.
6. RANCH CHICKEN KABOBS
While turkey or ham are traditional Thanksgiving cuts, these chicken kebabs can make a satisfying addition if you’re going for a non-traditional menu and you’re a non-vegetarian. This recipe might take a little extra time, but several ingredients like ranch dressing, pepper, salt, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, and white vinegar might already be on your kitchen shelves.
DON’T SWEAT THE HOLIDAY MEAL
Holiday meal preparation often triggers stress-filled thoughts: How will I manage if I overspend? What if it’s not cooked right? What if nobody likes it? Fear not, for these recipes are hassle-free even for beginners. Adding to proposed affordably, all you will need do is savor the food, relishing moments with your dear ones.
So, what’s your Thanksgiving menu this year?
