It is that time of year again. Preparing Thanksgiving meals can be expensive and time-consuming. If you are looking for meal ideas that do not break the bank, below are ideas for a delicious and enjoyable meal!
Thanksgiving Meal Ideas:
Mashed Potatoes
Making instant mashed potatoes can be delicious with a few upgrades! Here are two ways:
- From your pantry, you can add garlic powder or dried herbs. For one bag of instant mashed potatoes (4 servings), start with a teaspoon each of garlic powder, dried rosemary, and onion powder (or any seasonings of your choice!). Taste to check and add more seasonings if desired.
- You can add a can of corn while heating your potatoes on the stove (or microwave) to add more texture and flavor.
Homemade Cranberry Relish
If canned cranberry sauce is not your favorite, try this alternative! Use our ClicknCook recipe for Thanksgiving Cranberry Relish. The relish features canned whole cranberries, oranges, and apples, making a refreshing and delicious side dish to serve at the table. This recipe also includes more fiber than a traditional cranberry sauce!
https://clickncook.org/recipe/thanksgiving-cranberry-relish/
Crust-less Pumpkin Pie
Did you know that if you bake the filling of pumpkin pie without the crust, it makes a delicious pumpkin pudding! Pumpkin pie filling has very few ingredients: canned pumpkin puree, spices (pumpkin pie spice or a combination of cinnamon, clove, and ginger), eggs, sugar, and evaporated milk. You can also substitute the pumpkin for pureed sweet potatoes to make a sweet potato pudding.
https://clickncook.org/recipe/thanksgiving-pumpkin-pudding/
Fall Harvest Salad
At GBFB, we are receiving tons of squash and apples, and this recipe blends the two ingredients beautifully. Our fall harvest salad is not only delicious, but it is packed with fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats. If you are looking to freshen up your Thanksgiving table this year, try out this salad from ClicknCook!
https://clickncook.org/recipe/fall-harvest-salad/
A reminder on food safety from our Assistant Director of Nutrition Programs, Rachel Burgun, MPH, RDN, LDN:
Safe Turkey Preparation
- Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before working with any food.
- Keep the raw turkey separate from other foods – in the grocery bag, on a platter and on the bottom shelf of your fridge.
- NEVER thaw your turkey on the counter or in the sink!
- Thaw your turkey in the refrigerator: one day for every four pounds of bird.
- Never refreeze a thawed turkey.
- Wash any surface or utensil that touches raw turkey with hot, soapy water.
Safe Turkey Cooking
Never cook your turkey in an oven under 325°F, and don’t slow roast it overnight.
- If you are cooking a frozen turkey, plan to cook it 50% longer than a thawed one.
- It is safest to cook the stuffing separate from the bird. Cook it until it reaches 165°F.
- Use a food thermometer – it’s the only sure way to know your turkey is done!
- Put it into the thickest part of the thigh or breast.
- When it reads 165°F for 15 seconds, it is done!
Safe Storage and Reheating
- Divide leftovers and store them within 2 hours in covered, shallow containers in the fridge.
- Discard any turkey, stuffing or gravy left out at room temperature longer than 2 hours.
- Use refrigerated turkey and stuffing within 4 days; use gravy within 2 days.
- Reheat leftovers to 165°F for 15 seconds within 2 hours.
Written by: Grace Soroko, Nutrition Intern