When it comes to Thanksgiving week it’s challenging to cook meals. We’re often so focused on the big meal of the week that we may not have time or the inclination to cook. If you’re traveling it can be even more challenging. Cleaning out the fridge and pantry is a great way to stretch your grocery budget and be sure you don’t come home to rotten chicken and spoiled milk.
To keep from overdoing it this week, and spending too much on meals I am sharing what we typically cook up on the evenings leading up to Thanksgiving and other holidays.
The main things to keep in mind are to keep it simple, and try to stick to healthy foods because our holiday feasts are often a time we indulge more than usual.
Looking for more ideas and ways to plan your menus? You can find free printables including a year-long menu plan, grocery list and more on the Centsible Printables page.
What to Eat the Week of Thanksgiving
Crock pot meals: Easy to make, easy to cleanup, and they can feed you all week long.
Recipe: Tangy Slow Cooker Chicken
Taco night: This is simple, quick, and it can be healthy with the addition of loads of veggies, fresh guacamole, and of course my favorite low-calorie topping, salsa, which adds spice, flavor, and loads of vitamins!
Recipe: Chicken tacos.
Gluten-Free Chicken Tacos
Baked fish: Baked fish is a great way to eat light and healthy. Paired with rice and steamed veggies or a fresh salad this can be a filling meal without a lot of fat.
Pasta with veggies {gluten-free or regular}: Carbing up for Thanksgiving? Why not?! Stick to a small serving of pasta and add several huge servings of veggies on top or on the side, loads of tomato sauce, and serve it with a big green salad.
Brinner: Breakfast for dinner is easy, quick, and you can give it a healthy spin with oatmeal, omelettes, and of course fresh fruit.
Recipe: Pancakes.
Sandwiches: While they may not be entirely healthy you can make them light and healthier with whole wheat bread (or whole grain gluten-free bread for my GF readers), low-calorie toppings like mustard, and be sure to load up your sandwiches with veggies like lettuce or spinach, cucumbers or tomatoes.
Tip: Get hydroponic tomatoes for fresh flavor all winter long.
Go Meatless: Skip the meat and make a simple one pot meal like veggie chili or soup.
Recipe: Coconut soup.
Looking for ideas for Thanksgiving? Be sure to check out this year’s Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Menu.
What do you eat the week of Thanksgiving? Are you traveling this week?
Kelly
