Super Simple Thanksgiving Meal Plan so You’re Not Stuck in the Kitchen All Day
You need this super simple thanksgiving meal plan if you’d rather be spending time with family than stuck in the kitchen all day or cooking with arthritis.
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Truth be told, I’ve only cooked a turkey a few times and I long ago decided it wasn’t worth the fuss and stress of me being in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun playing in leaves, playing football or soccer or putting up Christmas decor. Whether it’s just the 5 of us or we have company, I need super simple and things I can make ahead or throw in the slow cooker.
One year, I made a bundt pan rotisserie chicken and it was so good i had to convince my kids it wasn’t a turkey. Super simple!
and since then I usually order a Honey Baked Ham and just make our family’s favorite sides.
HoneyBaked Ham is wonderful but it’s expensive so since we are paying off some home renovations and trying to save money, this week my menu plan is focused on using up what’s already in the fridge and freezer before i do a big grocery shopping for Thanksgiving.
Last Week’s Menu Plan
Used slow cooker volume 1, week 4 done for you menu plan for most of my dinners. See how it turned out on my instagram.
* green eggs and ham from Dairy Free Keto (making this tomorrow)
* spinach and sausage muffins from Dairy Free Keto – a family favorite, even kids like it! i used heavy cream instead of almond milk and they came out fluffier!
* cinnamon swirl muffins – again simple is the name of the game!
* slow cooker taco lasagna from slow cooker volume 1 menu plan – really good!
* slow cooker balsamic glazed pork loin (i’ll probably use chicken) from slow cooker volume 1 menu plan with mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, and salad – making this tomorrow
* slow cooker cashew chicken from slow cooker volume 1 menu plan, rice, trader joe’s stir fry cauliflower rice and dumplings – super good!
* philly steaks
* slow cooker buffalo chicken chili from slow cooker volume 1 menu plan– loved it, the combo of the spicy and sweet heat from the sweet potatoes was a delicious and surprising combo. too spicy for my youngest but hubby, I and big teen loved it!
* slow cooker mug brownies from slow cooker volume 1 menu plan– I don’t normally make the dessert but can’t resist, i’m so curious how these will turn out! (making this sunday)
* air fryer pita pizza
This Week’s Menu Plan
* gryos, couscous
* slow cooker barbacoa with cilantro lime rice and pico de gallo – my favorite recipe using chuck roast. I buy 2 when it’s on sale, cook one and then stick one in the freezer. this one is thawing from the freezer
* hot dogs with chili, slaw
Simple Thanksgiving meal plan
I really want the Celebrations done for you meal plan but i’m waiting a bit to order till I decide what all i want. I should have it in time to to use for Christmas holidays, game days watching our UNC Tar Heels in football and basketball and Superbowl treats! If you need a last minute plan, grab the printable and donwload it and go!
But my Thanksgiving plan is pretty set since it’s super simple and what I make every year (except making the ham instead of buying it this year, fingers crossed).
* Copycat Honey Baked Ham Recipe
* slow cooker rudy’s creamed corn – if you’ve ever had Rudy’s BBQ in Texas, the creamed corn is awesome! my youngest son’s favorite
* sweet potato casserole (make ahead)
* copycat cracker barrel mashed potatoes
* quick cranberry gelatin salad (without pecans) (make ahead)
* gravy
* hawaiian rolls
* copycat shoney’s strawberry pie (make ahead)
Black Friday Sale – Passionate Penny Pincher Meal Plans
My favorite home planner and money planner company, Passionate Penny Pincher, also makes these done for you meal plans. I have the pdf version of the Summer Menu Plans, Freezer Menu Plans and Slow Cooker volume 1 and highly recommend them. They also come in lovely menu plan boxes if you prefer recipe cards. The recipes are pretty tasty and each makes enough for my hungry crew of boys with leftovers. Really each week of recipes (5 dinners and 1 dessert) lasts me about a week and a half to two weeks because the portions are generous.
Passionate Penny Pincher’s Black Friday sale started already !! So use these coupon codes to save even more!
Coupon Codes:
$10 off $50 – coupon TURKEY
$25 off $100 – coupon THANKS
$50 off $200 – coupon GIVING
They also launched a Meal Planning Starter Kit that includes:
- the Slow Cooker volume 1 box,
- the freezer menu box,
- menu planning sticker book
- freezer bag stands (pack of 2)
- wooden block recipe card holder, and
- blue recipe tin
It’s on sale and then you can use one of the above coupon codes to save even more. A great deal if you like physical recipe cards.
my absolute favorites to make my life easier is the home planner and slow cooker box volume 1 pdf. if you get nothing else, get those. I will tell you, there are biblical scripture quotes and family blessings on the home planner and menu plans. If this bothers you, then don’t get it. If it encourages you or you can ignore it and still find value in these awesome products, then now is the time to snag them before they sell out.
If you’re new here, grab my favorite meal planning resources!
Grocery Restock List Freebie!
I made you a copy of my grocery restock list. If you want it, subscribe to my simple cooking newsletter and it’s linked in each of the emails I send out. You’ll get my weeklyish menu plans, cooking tips, meal planning resources AND my free spices to keep in the pantry printable so you can make your own super easy and delicious seasoning mixes to save money and are better for your health.
The restock list has the most commonly used items in our household. I print them up and hang it on the side of the fridge so whenever we run out of anything, we can highlight/write in what we need. This really helps me not forget anything that I or my hungry crew needs.
You can rearrange the restock list in the order of your favorite grocery store’s aisles. It’s a huge timesaver if your list is in the right order so you aren’t running all over the store and backtracking.
My Favorite Meal Planning and Prepping Tools and Cookbooks
If you like to plan on paper, the Erin Condren Meal Planner is my favorite. You can see how I use it on my Instagram. (the newer versions are less colorful on the inside and have some additional pages like a price tracker, recipe log and conversion chart which is great!)
If you prefer digital meal planning, Plan to Eat is my favorite tool. I get it at Black Friday when it’s 50% off! November 25-27, 2002 this year! Try it free now for 14 days and then snag it for 50% off next week.
Dairy Free Keto Cooking by Kyndra Holley
Cook Once, Eat All Week by Cassie Joy Garcia
Done for You Menu Plans and Grocery Lists by Passionate Penny Pincher. The slow cooker volume 1 and the freezer meal menu plans are my favorite.
My Amazon shop has all my kitchen favorites!
Favorite Keto/Low Carb Friendly Snacks and Ingredients
Fetch Rewards to earn gift cards on your shopping receipts. Use my code PH32Q. I’ve already earned a $15 gift card and I use them to treat myself to a meal out since I earn them by doing all. this. cooking. I deserve it and you do too!
Other Meal Planning Freebies in the Subscriber Library
Be sure to head to my Exclusive Subscriber Library and grab my free meal planner and homemade seasoning mixes) I’m still looking for a good blender and food processor so if you have one you love, let me know!
Happy cooking until next time! What looks good to you? What’s cooking this week in your house?
Tanya
