November Grocery Strategy: Two Paths to a Thankful Table

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, gratitude, and good food—but it doesn’t have to mean overspending. This month’s Forkonomics strategy offers two meal paths: one traditional, one resource-conscious. Both are comforting, inclusive, and budget-friendly.

Path 1: Traditional Thanksgiving on a Budget

Core Strategy: Shop early, lean on store-brand staples, and build your meal around what’s on sale.

Tips to Save:

Turkey Timing: Buy frozen turkey when it hits $0.49–$0.89/lb. Some stores offer it free with a minimum purchase.
Stuffing & Sides: Boxed stuffing, canned cranberry, and canned corn are shelf-stable and often discounted mid-November.
Pie Prep: Canned pumpkin and evaporated milk are cheaper than pre-made pies. Use store-brand crusts or make your own.
Full-Package Planning: Budget for full containers of pantry items like sugar, eggs, and spices—even if you only use part of them.
Gravy Shortcut: Use a packet or make your own with flour and broth. Bouillon and dried herbs are optional flavor boosters.
Staples Matter: Butter or margarine, salt, pepper, and garlic powder are considered core kitchen staples in Forkonomics recipes.

Sample Budget Meal:

Frozen turkey (12 lb) → $6.99
Boxed stuffing mix → $1.25
Russet potatoes (5 lb) → $2.49
Canned corn (15 oz) → $0.79
Canned cranberry sauce → $1.29
Gravy packet → $0.89
Pie crust → $1.50
Pumpkin puree → $1.29
Evaporated milk → $1.19
Eggs (1 dozen) → $1.75
Granulated sugar (4 lb) → $2.25
Pumpkin pie spice (full container) → $2.49
Milk (½ gallon) → $1.99

Total Estimated Cost: ~$21.00 Note: This reflects full-package purchases. Per-serving cost remains low, and many ingredients can be reused in future meals.

Click HERE for a printable shopping list.

Need help making this meal? Let’s break it down together:

Path 2: Comfort Meal on a Budget

Core Strategy: Choose shelf-stable ingredients, rely on one-pan dishes, and minimize stovetop use. This path is designed for hosts with limited kitchen space, basic tools, or minimal cooking experience.

Tips to Save and Simplify:

One Dish, One Bake: The chicken & stuffing casserole uses just one mixing bowl and one baking dish. No stovetop required.
Instant Potatoes: Skip peeling and boiling. Instant mashed potatoes are shelf-stable, fast, and microwave-friendly.
Gravy Shortcut: Use a packet and microwave or stovetop to heat. No roux, no whisking required.
Biscuits Over Bread: Canned biscuits bake quickly and require no mixing or shaping. Use a toaster oven or share oven space with the casserole.
Apple Crisp, Simplified: Canned apple pie filling and oats create a warm dessert with no peeling, slicing, or spice measuring.
Full-Package Planning: Budget for full containers of pantry items—even if you only use part of them. This keeps the list simple and avoids mid-recipe surprises.
Staples Matter: Butter or margarine, salt, pepper, and garlic powder are considered core kitchen staples in Forkonomics recipes.

Sample Budget Meal (Small-Kitchen Friendly):

Canned chicken (10 oz) → $2.25
Boxed stuffing mix → $1.25
Frozen mixed vegetables (12 oz) → $1.25
Instant mashed potatoes (4–6 servings) → $1.25
Gravy packet → $0.89
Canned biscuits (8-count tube) → $1.49
Canned cranberry sauce → $1.29
Canned apple pie filling (21 oz) → $1.49
Rolled oats (16 oz container) → $1.49
Milk (½ gallon) → $1.99

Total Estimated Cost: ~$13.15

Note: This reflects full-package purchases. Per-serving cost remains low, and many ingredients can be reused in future meals.

Click HERE for a printable shopping list.

Need help making this meal? Let’s break it down together:

Step-by-step prep timeline
Individual recipe pages for each dish
Optional add-ins and shortcuts
Printable checklist for kitchen use

Bonus Tip: Deal Tracking

Use your store’s app or weekly flyer to track holiday markdowns. Many rotate deals weekly—plan your shopping list around what’s on sale, not just what’s traditional.

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