Listen, times are tough. If you find yourself in a precarious financial situation this Thanksgiving, but still have to prepare a big meal so friends and family aren't stuck eating your couch cushions (you need those!), here's our foolproof list of inexpensive yet delicious hella cheap Thanksgiving Side Dishes. With all the money you save, you might even be able to add some Silk Nog spiked with Wild Turkey to the table, and we can't think of anything we'd be more thankful for after having to sit through a big plate of Thanksgiving food.
5. Creamed Corn.
About as glamorous as that Carol Channing urban legend but girl, you know it's good, and it comes from a can. Couple of tips: 1) Dent that can and collect that discount. No shame! 2) you can easily DIY it if you've got time and a little extra moola. 3) Throw it in an oven (any oven!) with a cheap biscuit topping or bread crumbs mixed with cheese and watch that dish come alive! (Well, hopefully not, but it depends how old the cans are.)
4. Roasted Root Veggies.
This can be especially cheap if you planned ahead and planted some crops. If not, it's okay, you can do an ultra inexpensive, extremely delicious blend of potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, turnips, and whatever else is on sale. Just chop them all up to basically the same size, coat in whatever oil, some salt, pepper, and maybe a splash of balsamic vinegar if you've just been paid cash money.
Then bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, flipping them half-way through for good measure. This is a legitimately scrumptious side dish and if anyone says boo, kick 'em out. Happy Holidays!
3. Iceberg Lettuce Salad.
This is basically what lots of idiots in the 1980's paid $14 for, and you're gonna serve it for 1/16th of that price in 2011. INFLATION WHAT? Just get a couple heads of iceberg and chop them into eighths. Then, make a Poor Man's Wedge wtih a dressing of oil and vinegar, croutons made from stale bread, a few tomatoes, and some bacon bits. Serve it with an aggressive, "Impressed?" and watch everyone be, indeed, impressed. I mean, they just saw you kick someone out over the root veggies thing, so they should be a-scurred.
2. Mashed Potatoes.
Get some russet potatoes at Grocery Outlet and throw in either some olive oil or butter, salt, pepper, and a little cream, and you're done. If this dish costs more than 50 cents a serving, stop putting gold leaf in it, fancy! Also, I don't think you belong here, get out. If you need it to be even cheaper, leave out the olive oil and cream and just tell everyone you're on a diet and to LAY OFF. People don't mess with women who are hardcore enough to diet through the holidays. If you need more mashed potato inspiration, check out this list of classic and insane variations.
1. Stuffing
Girl, all stuffing is is stale bread. CHA-CHING!
