If you’re in need of a Thanksgiving dinner without having to spend a ton of money and effort, look no further. With Trader Joe’s list of pre-made essentials, you’ll still be able to enjoy the classic Thanksgiving staples — from fully cooked turkey meat and creamy mashed potatoes to savory and sweet pies — without having to spend hours cooking everything from scratch.
Who said feasting has to always break the bank? Grab a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy not cooking with our Trader Joe’s thanksgiving hack.
Prices and availability are subject to change. Some items may be available only in-store.
Related: Here’s How Much More Your Thanksgiving Meal Will Cost This Year
Bone-In, Fully Cooked Half Turkey Breast
Price: $8 per pound
This fully cooked, heat-and-serve turkey is a great option for those who dread having loads of leftover turkey post-Thanksgiving. The portioned batches are easy to prepare (reheating takes less than an hour in the oven), and the meat is juicy and tender thanks to a flavorful marinade of salt, sugar, black pepper, and garlic herb butter.
Related: These Are the Most Popular Thanksgiving Casseroles in Every State
Cornbread Stuffing
Price: $6 for a 17-ounce package
This hearty stuffing is highlighted by earthy aromatics of celery, onion, parsley, sage, and rosemary, making it a great pairing with turkey. Cranberries and roasted apples bring a nice touch of sweetness. It’s also easy to wam and serve: Just bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or pop it in the microwave for a few minutes.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Price: $4.29
The creamiest, most buttery, and luscious mashed potatoes in the game, according to TJ’s; these spuds are low-effort to the extreme — simply pop in the microwave for a few minutes and they’re ready to serve. Pro tip: Drizzle olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper for an extra kick of flavor.
Turkey Sausage Stuffing Fried Rice
Price: $4.50
Who said fried rice doesn’t belong on a Thanksgiving spread? This turkey sausage fried rice is savory, starchy and will make a great side dish to turkey or ham. To reheat, just toss in a pan with some olive oil or butter for five minutes and voila, give way for a new Thanksgiving tradition.
Turkey Flavored Gravy
Price: $1.50
No Turkey Day meal would be complete without some thick, flavorful gravy to pair with — let’s face it — oftentimes dry and tasteless turkey. TJ’s turkey-flavored gravy is filled with flavorful spices and comes ready to serve. Just warm on the stove for a few minutes and you’ve got yourself a delicious sauce to pair with meats and other fixings. It will look extra fancy in a gravy boat.
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Scallopini Potatoes
Price: $4
Don’t limit your guests to mashed potatoes when you can serve these fancy scallopini spuds, à la au gratin. These potatoes are sliced thinly and layered with a creamy sauce made from a blend of four Italian cheeses.
Cranberry Sauce
Price: $4 for a 16-ounce jar
Of course we didn’t forget about the cranberry sauce. If you don’t have time to make the sauce from scratch using fresh cranberries, TJ’s slow-cooked cranberry sauce is thick, delicious and made with just three ingredients: water, whole cranberries, and sugar. Pair with your favorite meats for a perfect bite of savory, sweet, and tart.
Cranberry Orange Relish
Price: $4 for 16-ounce jar
A fun twist on classic cranberry sauce, this relish brings Valencia oranges into the mix to create a bright and zesty sauce that is still sweet and tart. Instead of being cooked, though, TJ’s cranberry orange relish is made from chopping up the fruit and adding sugar. Think of it like more of a jam than a sauce.
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Pre-Made Pie Crusts
Price: $4.50 for two
With these pre-made pie crusts, you can still enjoy the taste of a homemade pie without the hassle of making the crusts (which is arguable the hardest part). TJ’s frozen pie crusts are buttery and flaky, and will provide the perfect base for whatever pie you’re feeling — savory or sweet. Why not both?
Belgian Cookie Trio
Price: $6
And now for dessert. This trio of sweet and buttery Belgian cookies features golden, crisp butter cookies dipped in chocolate: almond thins in milk chocolate; half-dipped waffle cookies; and biscuits enrobed in rich dark chocolate.
Apple Pumpkin Hand Pies
Price: $4.50 each
These mini pies can be appetizer or desert. Made with a mix of pumpkin purée, freshly peeled apples, cream, and pumpkin spice and baked in a hand-folded, flaky, buttery crust until golden brown, they are zesty, sweet, and flavorful.
Apple Crumble Pie
Price: $8
This crumbly apple pie is sure to delight guests who prefer something tarter than the classic, often overly sweet pumpkin pie. Baked with warm cinnamon and Northern Spy apples, it’s buttery, flaky, and covered with a crunchy, oat crumble and brown sugar. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more decadent bite.
Petit Reserve Monterey Pinot Noir
Price: $8 for a 750ml bottle
No Thanksgiving spread would be complete without a good wine. TJ’s Pinot Noir is not only pretty highly rated, it’s also super affordable. Boasting aromas of dark berries and red plum, this wine is on the drier side, but has a bright and fruity finish — making it an ideal pairing with meats and other side dishes.
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