So, how much does a made from scratch Thanksgiving dinner cost? I was surprised to see how much the price of Thanksgiving dinner varied ($115/8, $148/5, $200/5, $200/20, $120/5 $70/11, etc.) when I saw the responses on a message board I frequent. I added my 2¢....estimating our dinner (which should serve 8, with ample leftovers in turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes) cost me about $60, which is what I spent on groceries today. Considering I bought some extra food (like cereal, salad, etc.), and I have some staples at home that I'm using for Thanksgiving, I am pretty certain this is a good estimate. That's pretty darn good, I think....$7.50/person + leftovers.Now...to break it down and see how close my estimate was:
- shelled walnuts (1 C) .88
- plain low fat yogurt (16 oz) 1.58
- Granny Smith apples (6) 2.23
- broccoli (1 1/2 pounds) 2.33
- salted cashews (1/3 C) 1.02
- 2 pie crust shells (As a shortcut I use Pilsbury refrigerated pie crust, but you can make your own) Homemade this year: 1.50/flour, 1.00/butter, 1.00/shortening, .50 (other)
- chicken broth (2 cans) 1.82
- ground sausage (1 lb) 2.99
- celery (1 C) 1.58
- onion .50
- fresh parsley (1/4 C) .48
- herb seasoned stuffing mix (8 oz) 1.48
- turkey 13 lbs/2.42
- potatoes (for baking) 1.98
- 1/4-1/2 pound ground soy “sausage” 2.99
- dried sage .25
- dried thyme .25
- olive oil 1.00
- dried rosemary .25
- bay leaves .25
- ground marjoram .25
- salt .25
- black pepper .50
- cinnamon .75
- apple pie spice .50
- butter, salted 3.00
- sugar 1.00
- flour 1.50
- cornmeal 1.00
- light brown sugar .75
- baking powder .50
- baking soda .25
- canola oil .75
- milk .75
- soy sauce .75
- white wine vinegar .50
- garlic .25
Keeping the cost down, I did get the cheapo frozen turkey that was only 19¢/pound, with a $50 purchase. Had I chosen a fresh turkey, my cost would have been .99/pound, adding about $10 to my total...still very inexpensive.
Now....if I'd bought one of the turkeys my friends raise, that would've added another $50 to the bill.
So, my low is about $44, and my high (with the fresh free-range turkey) would've been $90.
(The only things not included in my cost are wine and cranberry sauce (my mother in law's making that). So add $4, for the sauce, and $30 for the wine.)
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