This year, it was my turn to organize Thanksgiving dinner for the whole family. There are a lot of us: my two sisters with their children, my parents, my girlfriend, and her mother… you can imagine me trying to organize all this. And although I love everyone very much, I also know that if I tried to prepare every dish from scratch, I would probably end up cooking from dawn until late at night.
So this year, I decided to do things differently: I went straight to Aldi to see what “express” options I could find to get out of trouble and not have to cook like I was a restaurant chef.
I’ll Solve the Thanksgiving Dinner With These Ready-To-Eat Aldi Products
First, I had to make sure I got the signature dish, the turkey. And there I found the perfect solution: the Lunch Mate Oven Roasted Turkey Breast. It’s ideal! A one pound package for $5.75. The best? It comes ready to eat. I just have to heat the slices, put them on a plate and voilà: my “turkey” is ready to serve. Sure, it’s not the glorious roasted whole turkey you’d expect at a traditional dinner, but with the size of the gathering I have, this becomes a practical and delicious option. And look, not a drop of sweat!
As a second step, I thought about the sauce. You can’t have Thanksgiving without that classic and delicious brown gravy poured over the turkey, right? I wasn’t going to start making a homemade reduction of anything, so I found the Stonemill Brown Gravy Mix for $0.29, which is practically free.
This little packet is a gem: in just a few minutes I have a sauce that smells incredible and has just the right flavor to accompany the turkey. What I like is that it only requires mixing it with hot water and that’s it; No more stirring on the stove like a maniac because this little friend is up in a jiffy.
The Best Companion for Your Turkey
To accompany the turkey, another must-have classic: mashed potatoes. And this is where my next salvation comes: the Chef’s Cupboard Four Cheese Homestyle Instant Mashed Potatoes. For only $1.05, I get a package that, in theory, is instant, but in terms of flavor and texture it has nothing to envy of a homemade one.
This mash comes with a blend of four cheeses: cheddar, Parmesan, Romano, and blue. The combination gives it a delicious flavor and a creaminess that really seems homemade. So, instead of peeling potatoes and mashing them like I’m training for the gym, I simply mix, serve, and enjoy!
End the Dinner on a High Note
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a dessert, and no fall is complete without the taste of pumpkin. Aldi has a pumpkin pie from its Bake Shop private label, which has a buttery, crispy crust and a creamy, consistent filling that goes perfect with a spiced tea or even an espresso after a Thanksgiving dinner.
The price for the 24-ounce foot is $4.99, although I think I’ll have to buy about 4 or 5 so everyone can have their hearty slice.
