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Suggestions for buying a prepared thanksgiving dinner

8K views 14 replies 6 participants last post by  koukouvagia 
#1 ·
This year shop rite is doing thanksgiving for $50. 11-12 lb butterball turkey, mashed & sweet potatoes, herb stuffing, green bean bake, gravy. Had 30% of a disc removed which was tangled in 3 nerves going to my left leg done in july and still recovering so figured this would be best way. I been bed bound since last oct so when I finely got out could not believe how food prices have rose. Turkey close to $2 lb and the price of cheesd, ugh! :(
 
#2 ·
One family member who simply does not have the time is using Mariano's which is in Chicago and they have a fantastic deal for 8 people. Keep shopping around I am sure you can find a great deal if you look. Someone at church might even be willing to help you.
 
#3 ·
Sure, why not.  Pre-made dinner is a good option for those who don't cook, don't have the time to cook, or can't cook.  I've heard from family embers who have used this option that it is important to be aware of the number of people the dinner is intended to serve.  I was told that the serving size of the side dishes was minimal, so trying to stretch the meal for more people may require more sides.  Also remember that the dinner is not likely to be hot so lifing the turkey and sides in-and-out of the oven will probably still be required.  But htat is something that even a stron child can be supervised in doing.  Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!
 
#4 ·
We do what we can. I think now would be the time to enlist help from family and friends and if you're the one who usually cooks you can sit back comfy in a chair and yell out orders like a chef.  That way you have a fresh homemade dinner.  Or call a pot luck.
 
#5 ·
You can't do it cheaper, by the time you buy all the separate ingredients required.
 
#6 · (Edited)
3 lbs. Mashed Potatoes, 2-1/2-lbs. Whipped Sweet Potatoes, 2-lbs. Green Bean Casserole, 2-lbs. herb stuffing, 2-lbs. gravy. Only 2 of us so going to debone and split into breast, thighs, legs, wings and vacumm seal for later date.
Bought beatrice bakery co. Chocolate fruit and nut squares made with bourbon, rum and brandy from mills Kimberly just didn't realize for $12 only get 5.5 oz. 7 squares.

They sold out only have ham $49 and $149 turkey dinner which gives more stuff :rolleyes:
 
#7 ·
When mom was recovering from surgery one year we all piled into the nearest buffet that was open. Not a huge fan of buffet food but it is an option.

Can you get someone to help? The year I had low back surgery friends helped me with all the lifting etc. Got me a stool to sit on at the counter so I could do prep and seasoning then they took over the rest of the work. They also did the mashed potatoes and a salad. I just took care of turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pies, and my 7 layer salad I made at home and brought.

I still have a very bad back(surgery was 6 years ago and more problems cropping up, seems the norm) and I keep a stool in the kitchen to help me. I can sit on it and lift stuff in and out of the oven as an example, or sit at the counter and do all my prep work like peeling and chopping.
 
#8 · (Edited)
picked up the dinner today since have no time next week. 11.22 lb. turkey was in a butterball precooked wrapper frozen so thawing in the fridge. sides looked good and more than enough for 2 let alone 6 or 7. it all came a cardboard box well packed and i'll let you know how it all taste next week.

we had stop & shop last year and their sides were awful, no taste to the stuffing and way to much salt in the garlic mashed potatoes. cheese and broccoli  was ok but  nothing you would want again.

happy thanksgiving all
 
#11 ·
I don't think shop rite is open thanksgiving day and it's defrosting in the bottom fridge which checked today and still frozen some. It's less than a week anyway, it needs to be reheated anyway. One year I bought a cooked turkey from stop and shop, let it cool down then deboned all the meat and vacuum sealed in foodsaver bags for thanksgiving and christmas. Can't drive just starting to walk some with a cane so got to do what I can, no body would be available.
 
#12 ·
Why are you providing dinner for these people who can't even be bothered to help you with anything?  If anything, they should be cooking for you, picking you up and giving you lots of left overs to take with you before driving you home!
 
#13 ·
There is only 2 of us and my sister is a NP, hospitals open so only time off she had was last week. Tried one pan of mashed potatoes last night, very good tasted like real fresh made potatoes with no salty flavor. :)
Having Thanksgivings dinner today :D
 
#14 ·
Good thing a picked the dinner up so early, still little frozen. Turkey heated up nice, plumped up and tasty like all butterball turkey are. Mashed & sweet potatoes were very good along with bean/mushroom/dried onion bake. Stuffinv was little salty so thrown in some crainrasians when heated it and turned out fine. Gravy was good for a gravy but missing some wine. For $49. I would give it thumbs up.
 
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