It’s almost time to plan your holiday meal, which might leave some people worrying about how they can fit it into the budget. You might be surprised by how many items you can fit into your budget if you shop carefully though. Of course, many of the options you might plan for your meal truly do depend on how many people you’re feeding. So, if you want to save big on your holiday meal, these ten items might be something you consider to help keep your family fed and happy for the holiday.
1. Ham
One of the best things you can make for a large number of people is ham. You can buy ham still in the bone for a very cheap price, which is simple to cook in a wide variety of ways. If you’re not feeding a lot of people, then you might consider ham steaks, which are still incredibly cheap and can be cooked in just about the same way that you would cook any other ham. There are lots of recipes online for ham too, so if you’re not feeling it then you might consider trying something new. You never know, you might find something that you like more than the traditional items you tend to gravitate to. It is also incredibly easy to use ham for leftovers, may it be in casseroles or simple sandwiches.
2. Roasted Chicken
You can skip out on the pricey meats when it comes to Christmas. One of the best things you can do for your family is to roast a whole chicken. This will be fairly inexpensive and will allow you to enjoy a wide variety of flavors. For instance, you can roast your chicken with a glaze, or you can cook it with herbs and vegetables. You can also use the leftovers for sandwiches, stir-fries, and more. Chicken makes it incredibly easy for you to enjoy a number of side dishes too. Best of all, there is very little cleanup. This season, you might want to explore a variety of chicken recipes so you can take your holiday meal to the next level. There are so many to choose from when it comes to chicken that you might decide to make two instead, which still won’t cost you a fortune.
3. Pork Tenderloin
If you’re looking for new meat to try for the holiday season, then you might give pork tenderloin a try. This meat is still going to be cheaper than some of your classic holiday options and will allow you a lot of options to try out. For instance, you can stuff the tenderloin with stuffing, cheeses, herbs, or any other mix that you can think of. The tenderloin will generally come out moist and will be willing to help satisfy your family on the holiday. This meat is very easy to cook too and won’t take up a lot of room in the oven, so you’ll have plenty of space for sides.
4. Potatoes
When it comes to sides, potatoes are one of the best and cheapest ways to go. You can transform potatoes into a wide assortment of dishes, which will help satisfy everyone’s hunger. Of course, one of the more common options is mashed potatoes. You don’t have to keep it strict to this though. You can easily add ingredients to your potatoes to make them more appetizing and holiday-friendly. There are loads of other potatoes to try out though. For instance, you can work with new recipes, take on a family recipe, or change a recipe that is in need of some spicing up.
5. Carrots
Carrots make another great side dish that won’t cost you a small fortune. Carrots can be added to just about any dish, but you can also transform them into a dish of their own. There are lots of vegetable bakes you can try, with an assortment of glazes that may even turn carrots into the star of the show. Apart from that, you can steam carrots for a low-calorie dish that will appease those hoping to stay away from holiday weight gain. Other than that, you will find carrots can be added to stuffing, salads, soups, and more to elevate the flavor to a whole new level. So, you definitely don’t want to disregard this root vegetable when you plan your budget-friendly meal.
6. Green Bean Casserole
This holiday classic won’t let you down when it comes to your taste buds and your budget. Green bean casserole offers the creamy flavor you desire without forcing you to purchase creams and cheeses. The best thing about green bean casserole is it allows you to try out a wide assortment of different cooking methods too. For instance, you can try mixing spicy peppers into your casserole, or you can use an alternative for the fried onion tops. This casserole is pretty inexpensive whether you choose to use fresh or canned ingredients too, which will make everyone happy.
7. Quiche
If you’re looking for something unique to make for the holiday that can serve as the entire meal or a side dish, then a quiche is the way to go. A quiche uses very simple ingredients for the base, but you can spice it up in any way you choose. For instance, if you prefer broccoli and cheese then this is very simple and cheap to make. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in those veggies. You can toss in ham from the main course, add in vegetables, or even make a breakfast quiche. If you’re not sure how to make a quiche there are tutorials online that will suit any appetite. Best of all, once you figure it out, you can begin making the recipe on your own. You might even feel more comfortable with playing with ingredients to create a combination that is unique to your family.
8. Homemade Bread
Rolls and bread are one of the staples for most holiday meals. You can easily find an assortment of rolls in the supermarket, but they lack the flavor that homemade bread has. Luckily, homemade rolls are one of the easiest things to make at home and they’re pretty cheap too. You don’t have to stop at just rolls though, as there are numerous recipes to choose from. You might even try stuffed bread to help create more of a side dish than a filler. If you’re really feeling ambitious, then you might consider making some breakfast inspired bread. These can include classic breakfast foods like eggs and bacon, or more classic breakfast items like cinnamon rolls.
9. Pie
When it comes to desserts, one of the best things you can make on a budget is pie. You can purchase pie crust for cheap in grocery stores, but you can also enjoy making your own pie for next to nothing. However, one trick that you will have to use to make pie inexpensive is to use canned or frozen fruits. This will come out cheaper than buying and slicing your own fruits. That is unless you have the items growing in your home garden. Some canned fruits will already be ready to go anyway, so all you will have to do is pour the filling into the crust and you’re ready to go. You can have a lot of fun with pie too, which will make it simple to create holiday-inspired dishes the family will request again and again.
10. Cookies
Since you’re already working on cookies for Santa, you might as well make enough to last for dessert. Cookies are a great way to have some fun with dessert without forcing you to spend a whole lot of money. The great thing about cookies is most have the same base, so you can start there and work your way up to create more intricate cookies or even just your favorite recipes. You can even work with items that you already have in your pantry. If you’re low on supplies, then a simple sugar cookie is always a great way to add to the fun of the holiday season. Kids can even decorate the cookies to bring even more joy to the dessert.
Your Christmas dinner doesn’t have to leave you struggling for the rest of the month. These dishes will help you save money while giving you plenty of leftovers to help make the meal last even longer. Best of all, they will satisfy your appetite while allowing you to enjoy the holiday with less worry.
