I made a Thanksgiving Meal for under $100

I am always looking for ways to make the holidays special without spending a fortune. I was able to make a complete Thanksgiving meal for under $100 that feeds 6 with plenty of leftovers. It proves you can serve a delicious holiday meal with simple grocery store ingredients and still stay on budget.

These are the simple Thanksgiving recipes my family comes back to every year. I put all of the ingredients into one online grocery cart, a printable shopping list, and included my make-ahead plan to make Thanksgiving Day easier.

My Under-$100 Thanksgiving Menu

• Turkey in a Bag
• Turkey Gravy
• Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
• Green Bean Casserole
• Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
• Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls
• Easy Stuffing
• Cranberry Sauce
• Eagle Brand Pumpkin Pie

What I Spent

My total came to right at $99.55 at Walmart to feed a family of 6. That comes out to about $16 per person for the entire meal, including dessert, with plenty of leftovers.

Grocery prices vary by store and location, so your total may be a little different. My prices are from October 2026 and in the Oklahoma City area. This price includes every ingredient for these recipes. If you already have pantry staples such as flour, sugar, spices and butter, then your total will be even lower.

Thanksgiving Grocery List

Shopping at Walmart? Use my ready-made cart and choose pickup or delivery. Open the cart and remove anything you already have at home. It is that easy!

Shopping somewhere else? Download the free printable list, organized by store section so you can get in and out fast.

Check your pantry before ordering because that is an easy way to lower the total. Staples like flour, sugar, butter, salt, and other spices may already be on hand.

Why This Menu Works on a Budget

Every recipe is made with simple grocery store ingredients, which helps keep the entire meal affordable. I also keep the menu simple with no extra appetizers or specialty ingredients.

To make cooking easier, I spread everything out between the slow cookers, oven, and stovetop. The pie and cranberry sauce are made ahead, and the rest of the dishes are timed so they are not all competing for space at once.

1. Turkey in a Bag

This is one of my favorite ways to cook turkey because the oven bag helps keep it moist while still giving you golden skin. A 12 to 15 pound turkey cooks in about 2 to 2 ½ hours, and cleanup is simple because the drippings stay right in the bag for gravy.

Budget tip: Turkey is usually the most expensive part of the meal, so I like to watch for sales early in November. Plan on 24 hours of refrigerator thawing for every 4 to 5 pounds.

2. Turkey Gravy

The easy gravy uses the drippings from the turkey along with butter, flour, salt, and pepper. If you do not have enough drippings, add a little chicken broth to make up the difference.

3. Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes cook right in the slow cooker, so there is no boiling or draining. Once they are tender, mash them in the crock pot and keep them warm until dinner.

4. Green Bean Casserole

This is the classic Thanksgiving side with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions. I like to assemble it the day before so it is ready to bake on Thanksgiving.

5. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

These carrots are made with just a few simple ingredients and are ready in about 20 minutes. The sweet glaze makes them a side dish my kids actually get excited about.

Budget tip: Whole carrots are usually cheaper than baby carrots, and they only take a few extra minutes to peel and slice.

6. Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls

These homemade rolls cook in the slow cooker, which keeps the oven free for the rest of the meal. After they cook, a quick trip under the broiler gives the tops a golden finish.

7. Easy Stuffing

This homemade stuffing uses simple ingredients like bread, butter, onion, and seasoning. It is easy to make and has so much more flavor than a boxed mix.

8. Cranberry Sauce

Homemade cranberry sauce is made with fresh cranberries, sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and water. It only takes about 25 minutes and can be made several days before Thanksgiving.

9. Eagle Brand Pumpkin Pie

Sweetened condensed milk gives this pumpkin pie a smooth, creamy filling, and there is no need to pre-bake the crust. The perfect pie to make ahead so the dessert is completely done before Thanksgiving starts.

The Thanksgiving Make-Ahead Plan

My secret to a calm Thanksgiving is having a plan, so most of the work starts before Thursday. Here is exactly how I spread it out so everything is ready for our meal at 2:00 pm.

The Weekend Before

• Shop the cart (or in store with the list).
• Move the turkey to the fridge to thaw. A 12 to 15 pound turkey needs about 3-4 days to thaw. So place it in the fridge on Sunday or Monday.
• Start saving the bread for the stuffing and let it dry out on the counter.
• Make the dough for the rolls and freeze it.

2 to 3 Days Before

• Make the cranberry sauce and refrigerate it.
• Cube the bread for the stuffing if you haven’t already.

The Day Before

• Bake the pumpkin pie and let it cool.
• Make the green bean casserole, cover it and place it in the refrigerator.
• Peel and slice the carrots and chop the onion for the stuffing.
• If you froze the dough for the rolls, set it out to thaw overnight in the fridge.
• You can peel and dice the potatoes but keep them covered in cold water in the fridge to prevent them from browning.
• Set out slow cooker and serving platters.

Thanksgiving Day

• 9:00 am – Add potatoes, milk, garlic, and butter to the slow cooker to cook on high
• 10:45 am – Preheat the oven to 350°F and get the turkey ready.
• 11:15 am – Turkey goes in the oven. Set out thawed dough if already prepared.
• 12:15 pm – Place roll dough in the slow cooker on high.
• 12:45 pm – Place the stuffing and green bean casserole in the oven.
• 1:15 to 1:30 pm – Turkey comes out (unless you are cooking a large turkey) once it reaches 165°F. Let it rest 20 minutes and pour the drippings for gravy. Stuffing and green bean casserole are ready to be removed from the oven.
• 1:30 pm – Make the gravy, cook the carrots, mash the potatoes right in the crockpot and set out the cranberry sauce.
• 1:45 pm – Now that the oven is free, broil the rolls from the slow cooker.
• 2:00 pm – Carve the turkey and serve!

How to Store Leftovers

• Turkey: Pull the meat off the bones and store in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
• Stuffing: Store it in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3-4 months.
• Dinner Rolls: Let them cool completely, then freeze them in a freezer bag.
• Pumpkin pie: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.
• The sides: If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Leftover Ideas

• Turkey – Make Turkey Pot Pie Recipe, Leftover Turkey Soup or check out these other Leftover Turkey Recipes.
• Cranberry Sauce – Use the leftovers to make Cranberry Brie Bites, Cranberry Pork Tenderloin or check out these Leftover Cranberry Sauce Recipes.
• Mashed Potatoes – Make Easy Mashed Potato Cakes or Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe with your leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions

A budget friendly Thanksgiving can still include all the classic dishes your family loves. With simple ingredients and a little planning, you can serve a full holiday meal without overspending.