Introduction
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, food. But with the rising cost of food, it can be hard to find the perfect dish that won’t break the bank. This article will provide you with some great alternatives to the most popular Thanksgiving food that has skyrocketed in price. We’ll show you how to eat this not that, so you can still enjoy a delicious Thanksgiving meal without breaking the bank.
This Popular Thanksgiving Food Has Skyrocketed in Price — Eat This Not That
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, food. But this year, one popular Thanksgiving food has seen a dramatic increase in price. Turkey, the traditional centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal, has seen a sharp rise in cost due to a combination of factors, including a shortage of birds and increased demand.
The average price of a frozen turkey has risen by nearly 10 percent this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That means a 16-pound turkey could cost as much as $30, up from $27 last year. The price of fresh turkeys has also risen, with some stores charging as much as $4.99 per pound.
If you’re looking for a way to save money on your Thanksgiving meal, consider swapping out the turkey for a less expensive alternative. Here are some ideas for what to eat instead of turkey:
- Roast chicken: Roast chicken is a great alternative to turkey. It’s cheaper, easier to prepare, and just as delicious. Plus, you can make a variety of side dishes to go with it.
- Ham: Ham is another great option for Thanksgiving. It’s flavorful, easy to prepare, and can be served with a variety of sides. Plus, it’s usually cheaper than turkey.
- Vegetarian options: If you’re looking for a meat-free option, there are plenty of delicious vegetarian dishes you can make. Try roasted vegetables, quinoa salads, or even a vegan shepherd’s pie.
No matter what you choose to serve, you can still have a delicious Thanksgiving meal without breaking the bank. So don’t let the high price of turkey keep you from enjoying the holiday.
Okay, first, the bad news. The rumors are true… Thanksgiving dinner is going to cost you more this year. In a time filled with shortages, supply chain issues, and other delays in processing, the toll will certainly be felt during the last leg of 2021. The American Farm Bureau, as reported by Axios, estimates that the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving, in particular, will see a 14% increase in cost for a 10-person gathering.
The American Farm Bureau’s informal survey of prices at grocery stores across the country showed an increase in price over the past year of the most popular Thanksgiving foods. The bureau’s senior economist cited the culprits for these spikes in costs as “dramatic disruptions to the U.S. economy and supply chains over the last 20 months; inflationary pressure throughout the economy; difficulty in predicting demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, and high global demand for food, particularly meat.” But, before you scrap the big feast entirely, the good news is that a whole Thanksgiving meal this year will still come out to about $6 per person, the Bureau notes.
To see just how much each Thanksgiving food on your table will cost this year, keep reading to see the lowest to highest price hikes. Then, if you’re a last-minute planner (eek!), check out our 30 Thanksgiving Recipes That Take 30 Minutes.
Time to rejoice stuffing-lovers, your favorite side is actually more affordable this year to the tune of about 52 cents per bag—but, it’s the only dish in this lonely category.
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For some reason, whipping cream is often the hardest-to-find ingredient right before Thanksgiving. Although, 2% doesn’t seem like too bad of an increase considering some of the dairy shortages throughout the year.
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If you’re a super-fan of the marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole, you’re in good shape this Thanksgiving. For 3 pounds of this tuber, you’re only going to only have to shell out an additional 12 cents.
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Seven percent is not an extravagant increase for this staple on just Thanksgiving, but 22 cents extra for milk per week over the course of a year will add up.
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For some, Thanksgiving is not complete without a pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream. This year, you’ll be paying an extra 78 cents for this after-dinner treat.
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If homemade cranberry sauce is your jam, you’re going to be paying about 29 cents more for a bag than last year. Considering you probably use one or two of these in a year, however, you aren’t going to take this hit very hard.
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Since the price of this quick appetizer is not exorbitant, a 12% increase only comes out to about 9 cents. We’re betting if you buy and cut your own veggies, you’ll save even more money.
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While the Bureau does not specify what these ingredients are, we assume herbs and aromatic vegetables like onions qualify. You’ll be spending about 36 cents more on your mise en place this year.
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Creamy mashed potatoes are an essential part of Thanksgiving. They’re going to cost about 34 cents more this year… womp womp.
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If your dinner isn’t complete without a toasty warm roll slathered with butter, then you’re going to see a 39-cent increase for this Thanksgiving staple.
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If you’re planning on whipping up a few pies but don’t want to roll out your own crusts, you’re going to be spending an extra 50 cents for just the shells.
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You’ve probably heard whispers about this already: The star of the show, turkey, is going to be the item that has skyrocketed the most in price in 2021. If you already bought your turkey, you could have spent close to $5 more than in 2020. However, you may be in luck if you’ve waited until the last minute, because grocery stores are beginning to advertise lower-priced turkeys later this year, according to the Farm Bureau, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s data. Looks like the turkeys are pulling our legs this year!
Here are more ideas for your Thanksgiving feast: