How to save money on Thanksgiving dinner in 2023, according to Charlotte chefs
It’s not the most cheerful news to kick off the holiday season, but you’ll likely pay more for your Thanksgiving meal this year.
Inflation has sent the cost of some food skyrocketing in 2023, and most are probably feeling this at the grocery store. Items like flour for your bread, stuffing and pie crusts, and veggies such as corn, green beans and potatoes will be higher, according to Nerd Wallet.
Although turkey prices have gone up due to this year’s avian flu, comparison shoppers are still likely to find deals on the bird essential to a classic Thanksgiving spread. Nerd Wallet says frozen turkeys will be cheaper than fresh, and to expect grocery stores to offer deals.
Local chefs also have suggestions for saving on food, while creating a memorable feast this year.
For those raised in the South, Thanksgiving may bring to mind a deep-fried turkey and mouth-watering sides like macaroni and cheese and collard greens, the type of comfort food that Chef James Bazzelle serves at his restaurant, Mert’s Heart and Soul.
To save on making your own Thanksgiving feast, start saving leftover bread early for your stuffing recipe, Bazzelle said. Store in the freezer until you’re ready to cook.
Make the big turkey last
Save money by buying the big turkey for Thanksgiving, and enjoy it with friends and family throughout the holiday season.
“Purchase that inexpensive super big turkey even though it’s only for 2 or 4 guests for dinner,” Bazzelle said. “Cut the turkey in half and refreeze half for Christmas or New Year’s.”
And don’t reach for that jiggly cranberry sauce from the can. You may spend a little more buying the fresh ingredients, but making your own is worth it, Bazzelle said. “The recipe on the pack of fresh cranberries is very simple and it’s very delicious,” he said. “You may not save on cost but you’ll never go back to canned cranberry sauce.”
BYO side dish
Chef Duane Fernandes of Mico suggests having a potluck Thanksgiving, so others share in the cost and effort of meal preparation. If you are doing it all yourself, plan your meal and budget beforehand.
“Create a budget and stick to it so when you go to the grocery store, you don’t go overboard with every yummy item you see,” Fernandes said. “Waste is a big factor as well, so I would try to do your best and gauge the amount of food you are preparing as to not end up with a ton left over.”
Fernandes said you can cut down on stress and lots of leftover ingredients you may not use often by buying premade desserts, as the costs of making them from scratch can add up quickly.
Besides all the yummy dishes, a nice tablescape can make guests feel special, Fernandes said. Incorporate those mini pumpkins leftover from Halloween for a pop of color. Add that special glow with inexpensive, unscented candles.
“Line your table with butchers’ paper and ask your guests to write down what they are thankful for, or you can have a blank card at each place setting and ask your guests to write down what they are thankful for, then place them in a bowl and try and guess whose is whose,” Fernandes suggests. “Layering different colored dried beans in a glass container is an affordable way to add decor as well.”
And what to do with that leftover turkey? Make a Fernandes family favorite, “rooster balls.”
“This is basically stuffing that we incorporate shredded and sometimes smoked turkey legs into,” Fernandes said. “Then you form balls and cook them in gravy for about an hour. They soak up the gravy and are beyond excellent.”
Keep it simple and selective
Chef Trey Wilson is keeping busy with his new venture, Pizza Baby, these days, often up to his elbows in the restaurant’s pizza and bread dough. While you might not be serving pizza for your holiday meal, you’ll probably want some bread on the side.
“Bread is a beautiful complement to any spread, and affordable,” said Wilson, also the owner of Flour Shop. “If you have the time and patience to bake at home, we love Jim Lahey’s No Knead Recipe, or any of his methods in the Sullivan Street Bakery Cookbook.”
And if you don’t have time to perfect your own bread recipe before Thanksgiving, Pizza Baby will have assorted loaves for sale the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. (And we know alleviating holiday stress is priceless).
Other tips from Chef Trey:
Keep it simple, stay organized, and remember, less is more.
“In this era of inflation and high food costs, especially during the holidays, I suggest starting with careful ingredient sourcing to help control costs,” he said. “Specifically, buy local. Sourcing carefully and locally will give you the flexibility to create a restaurant-quality spread on a budget. Charlotte has exceptional farmers markets, and most vendors are happy to talk through techniques and recipes for their specific products. For example, you may find an “off-cut” of meat half the price of the premium usual suspects, and it often tastes better.”
Find a wine shop where the staff is knowledgeable and can help you crowd-pleasing varieties for Thanksgiving dinner.
“We love shopping the retail selection at Bond Street Wines off Providence Road,” Wilson said. “Their wines are excellent and priced approachably.”
For sustainable produce, Wilson recommends Boy & Girl Farm and Seven Sisters Farm.
For heritage meats and recipes, check out Joyce Farms.
