Tight Budget This Thanksgiving? Here Are 20 Cheap but Cheerful Holiday Side Dishes
Tight Budget This Thanksgiving? Here Are 20 Cheap but Cheerful Holiday Side Dishes
A Delicious Thanksgiving Doesn't Have to Cost a Fortune
Thanksgiving dinner can get expensive surprisingly quickly, especially when you're feeding a large family and trying to include everyone's favorite dishes. Between the turkey, desserts, and those inevitable last-minute grocery store trips, it's easy to spend much more than you originally intended. Fortunately, preparing a memorable holiday feast doesn't mean you need expensive ingredients or complicated recipes. Here are 20 delicious Thanksgiving sides made with affordable pantry staples, seasonal vegetables, and a little creativity, allowing you to keep everyone happy without blowing your entire grocery budget on one night.
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1. Classic Mashed Potatoes
There's a reason mashed potatoes appear on just about every Thanksgiving table, and the fact that they're so affordable certainly helps. A large bag of russet potatoes can feed quite a crowd, especially when you mash them with a little butter and milk. Throw in some roasted garlic or chopped parsley if you're feeling fancy, although they're just as delicious without any extra ingredients.
2. Honey-Glazed Carrots
Carrots are among the cheapest vegetables you'll find at the grocery store, and they don't need much effort to taste wonderful. Simply roast sliced carrots with a little oil, honey or brown sugar, and salt until they're tender and lightly caramelized. If you've already got cinnamon or thyme in your spice cabinet, either one can bring some extra holiday flavor without adding another item to your shopping list.
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3. Cornbread Stuffing
There's no need to buy an expensive boxed stuffing mix when you can easily make something delicious at home. Homemade cornbread, or even leftover cornbread that's beginning to dry out, makes an excellent base when mixed with sautéed onions, celery, and broth. Season everything with sage and poultry seasoning, then bake until the top turns golden and develops a pleasantly crispy texture.
4. Green Bean Casserole
This Thanksgiving favorite is especially budget-friendly because canned green beans work perfectly well in place of fresh ones. Combine them with condensed cream of mushroom soup and a splash of milk before covering everything with crispy fried onions. The result is a generous, comforting casserole that tastes just like the one you remember without requiring a lengthy list of ingredients.
5. Roasted Cabbage Wedges
Cabbage doesn't usually get much attention at Thanksgiving, which is a shame considering how inexpensive and versatile it is. Slice a whole head into thick wedges, brush them with olive oil, and roast until the edges turn golden and the centers become tender. A sprinkle of garlic powder and a squeeze of lemon juice can give this humble vegetable enough flavor to impress even your more skeptical dinner guests.
6. Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes are in season this time of year, which means they're often heavily discounted and delicious. Mash cooked sweet potatoes with a little brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter before spreading everything into a baking dish. You can top it with marshmallows if you have them, or try finishing your casserole with a simple topping made from oats, flour, butter, and brown sugar.
7. Buttered Egg Noodles
Who says every Thanksgiving side needs to follow a traditional holiday recipe, especially when you're trying to save money? A package of egg noodles tossed with melted butter, black pepper, and a sprinkle of parsley makes an incredibly easy addition to the meal. They're particularly popular in some Pennsylvania Dutch and Midwestern households, where buttered noodles have been a beloved comfort food for generations.
8. Creamed Corn
You don't need to splurge on fresh corn when frozen or canned kernels can make an equally satisfying side dish. Simmer the corn with a little milk, butter, and flour until everything thickens into a rich, creamy mixture. A pinch of sugar helps bring out its natural sweetness, while some freshly ground black pepper adds a little contrast to all that richness.
9. Roasted Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is an excellent Thanksgiving option because it's deliciously in season, and one large squash can easily provide several servings. Simply cut it into cubes, toss the pieces with oil and your favorite seasonings, and roast until they're soft and lightly browned. You can go savory with rosemary and garlic or sprinkle on some cinnamon and brown sugar if you'd prefer something a little sweeter.
10. Homemade Dinner Rolls
Store-bought dinner rolls are certainly convenient, but making your own can save money when you've already got flour and yeast in the pantry. Basic rolls only call for a few ingredients, including flour, water or milk, yeast, and a little sugar. You'll have warm, freshly baked rolls ready to serve alongside the rest of your Thanksgiving feast, which is cost-effective, but also, just better.
11. Southern-Style Collard Greens
A big bunch of collard greens can go a long way without costing much, especially when they're in season. Slowly simmer chopped greens with onions, garlic, broth, and a splash of vinegar until they become wonderfully tender and flavorful. While many traditional recipes call for smoked meat, you can leave it out entirely and still have a delicious addition to your holiday menu.
12. Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Macaroni and cheese doesn't need several expensive varieties of cheese to earn its spot at Thanksgiving dinner. A straightforward version made with elbow macaroni, milk, butter, flour, and inexpensive cheddar can be every bit as satisfying. Sprinkle a handful of seasoned breadcrumbs over the top before baking for a crispy finish that doesn't require any fancy ingredients.
13. Maple-Roasted Acorn Squash
Acorn squash has a naturally sweet flavor that makes it a wonderful addition to any Thanksgiving spread. Maple syrup can be expensive, so if you don't already have some, you can sprinkle your wedged squash with brown sugar and maybe a little maple extract instead. Then roast until the flesh becomes soft and caramelized. You can even leave the skin on to save preparation time, and since it's edible once cooked.
14. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Those little cans of cranberry sauce are certainly convenient, but making your own can be just as affordable when fresh cranberries go on sale. All you really need is a bag of cranberries, some sugar, and water to make a generous batch with a brighter, fresher flavor. Add a little orange zest if you've got an orange lying around, although the basic recipe is already delicious on its own.
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15. Scalloped Potatoes
If you're already picking up a large bag of potatoes for Thanksgiving, why not put some aside for another delicious dish? Thinly sliced potatoes baked with milk, butter, flour, and seasonings turn beautifully tender without needing heavy cream or expensive cheese. A little shredded cheddar on top is always welcome, but you'll still have a satisfying side dish if you decide to leave it out.
16. Glazed Peas & Pearl Onions
Frozen peas are a fantastic budget ingredient because they're inexpensive, convenient, and require almost no preparation. Cook them with pearl onions, a little butter, and a pinch of sugar until everything is tender and coated in a light glaze. If pearl onions are a little too pricey at your grocery store, regular onions or shallots chopped into small pieces will do the job.
17. Savory Bread Pudding
Got some leftover bread that's starting to go stale? Rather than tossing it out, give it a second life as a savory Thanksgiving side by mixing bread cubes with eggs, milk, sautéed onions, and herbs. Bake until the center is set and the top turns golden brown, and you'll have a hearty dish that makes great use of ingredients already sitting in your kitchen.
18. Garlic-Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli might not be the first vegetable you think of when planning Thanksgiving dinner, but it's an affordable choice when you buy it frozen or find it on sale. Toss the florets with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper before roasting at a high temperature until the edges begin to brown. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice for a fresh, flavorful side that helps balance some of the richer holiday favorites.
19. Old-Fashioned Spoonbread
Spoonbread is a traditional Southern favorite that deserves more attention, particularly from anyone hoping to keep Thanksgiving costs down. Made mostly with cornmeal, milk, eggs, and butter, it has a soft, almost custard-like texture that's meant to be eaten with a spoon. Since most of the ingredients are inexpensive kitchen staples, you can serve something a little different without buying anything particularly fancy.
20. Brown Sugar-Glazed Roasted Beets
Beets are easy to overlook when shopping for Thanksgiving vegetables, even though they're usually affordable and packed with flavor. Peel and cube a few fresh beets, then roast them with oil, brown sugar, and a splash of balsamic vinegar until they're tender and lightly caramelized. Their beautiful deep red color also adds some much-needed variety to a holiday table that's probably already overflowing with beige and brown dishes.
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