I am disabled as a result of multiple TBIs. Frequently I faint or dissociate so I can only use things that turn themselves off (I caught my kitchen on fire twice because I suddenly forgot I was cooking and just wandered out of the kitchen.) The microwave is how I prepare almost all my meals. So thank you for thinking of those of us with disabilities in your videos. Disability often intersects with poverty. You come across as very conscious of this in your videos. Your content is incredibly valuable. Thank you.
So sorry to hear about you disability. I'm disabled too, but since I also have to cook for my husband I don't have the luxury of microwave cooking. Hope you get better soon.
Praying for you. Lord, I ask that you provide GreyMirror with health and all the sustenance she needs. May you be with her tonight, Lord. Thank-you for your grace and mercy. In the name of Jesus, AMEN!
As a disabled person, both physically and mentally, I REALLY appreciate you considering these things in your videos. Most people don't, and some go as far as to bad mouth "easier" methods. I make the rolls from scratch in the dough machine, but the stuffing, gravy, and mashed potatoes are "instant" varieties. I just simply don't have the ability, energy, time or money to hand make every part. Thank you for caring and knowing that if you think it's silly: maybe that's because it's not for you! 💜
I have no clue how many times I’ve been told Well if you’re too lazy to even do that I can’t or nobody can help you Sometimes you just have to suck it up and do it If I could just do it I would Sad part is it’s usually family I hear it from When you’re dropping things and almost passing out just preparing something to go into the microwave a pan of boiling water to make potatoes isn’t safe I’m glad too that she is considerate of different difficulties people might have and not condescending about it
I really enjoyed your recent microwave frozen turkey dinners recently, but WOW, you knocked it out of the park with this dinner. I am widowed and live alone and, although I spend Thanksgiving with my grown kids and grands, I am tempted to get everything you made today for a later dinner when I'm alone. In fact, I think the portions are so generous that I could make at least three meals out of everything. You are just a blessing to those of us who live on a budget yet want delicious and nutrious meals. Diane in NC
Those mashed potatoes are SO much better than the frozen dinner ones. That is a beautiful dinner and giving complete Thanksgiving vibes!!And this microwave dinner gives you so much more food. Thank you, Rebecca!!
This is fantastic. The fact that you can get two Thanksgiving meals (or in my case, probably closer to four) out of $10 is incredible enough on its own, but to have everything be microwave-friendly is the icing on the cake. If you substituted canned turkey and a can of vegetables, you could box everything up to give away at food pantries or other charities, too. I appreciate your ability to think creatively about people's food challenges. You are a huge blessing!
The canned turkey would also be easier to chew than the smoked turkey although some people have difficulty with opening cans that don’t have a pull tab to open Every once in a while I’m not strong enough to open even those cans It’s definitely a great option for food pantries that can’t store perishable food to give out 🥰
For those of us who do have to cook a full Thanksgiving dinner because of large families, can you do a video (or 2 or 3, lol) on how to make budget meals out of leftovers that isn't just turkey sandwiches? So many of us would love that! Plus, you are the queen of budget meals and after spending all that money on the meal itself, we'll need lower cost ideas to turn those leftovers into something. 🙂
You could try what I refer to as a Thanksgiving pot pie/cottage pie (I haven't figured it out what I call it yet, lol.) I create a stuffing pie crust (bake a little on its own to crisp it up before filling it.) Then depending on the leftovers you can layer turkey and vegetables with thin layers of gravy between to keep it moist, or alternatively, depending on how much is left just make a filling of turkey bits, vegetables and gravy. Top that with mashed potatoes (like a cottage pie). Bake to warm through and create a brown crust on potatoes (top with cheese the last five minutes if you'd like.) You could actually create the pie in lieu of a Thanksgiving dinner too, with deli or canned turkey meat.
I honestly think it's so sweet and thoughtful that you show how to make meals for people who maybe can't use a kitchen or struggle with traditional cooking. You're a good person.
Working at Walmart I get the little pies on my breaks. The pecan is excellent warm & I remove the foil pan but put the pie back in the box to microwave for 30 seconds 😋
I’ll definitely be needing this! $10 is my grocery budget on my best weeks and the problems from having to pick and choose when I eat vs. when I take some of my meds have been especially overwhelming lately as I’ve been more sick than usual since June. I can stretch a meal for ‘two’ over an entire week, and this looks way bigger than what I usually end up making when I’m left to my own ideas haha. I’ve just never really seen real meals in my life so when I get to the store if money allows, I pick out A ProteinTM and A VeggieTM and something canned for the week…but then I don’t have any idea what to make so every meal is turkey with rice, a pepper with rice, or plain black beans/chickpeas. One pan, one bowl, one meal. I just really wanted to thank you because so many of the other ‘low income cooking/cleaning’ channels I follow base their videos on $50-100 budgets and that’s a pipe dream for some of us! I won’t name them, but a cleaning channel just put out a video on what their shopping trip would look like on a budget and the ‘budget’ was $100 before tax! I’m definitely bookmarking this to rewatch later. Hope you’re having a manageable day so far! ✨
I understand what you are talking about choosing between meds n food. I’ve been doing that for years n now have breast cancer again n my ins doesn’t pay much on my chemo. So it’s really tough now. This meal will last me days. I pray things change for us soon.
Well this dinner sounds delicious I never thought about using the turkey legs instead of buying a whole turkey because there's only two of us that are going to be eating. 😋😀🐓🧑🍳👩❤️👨🦃
@jasond.b-w. THIS particular channel is GREAT for $ saving meal ideas, but remember, there are other You Tube channels out there also that specifically target those with VERY low grocery budgets and even 1 or 2 person households!👌 Nobody in this country should have to choose between FOOD or MEDS.....please check out resources in your area that offer food pantries (if you’re unsure where to go, just dial 211 which will give you a lot of information for your general area, or you could even call local churches and ask if they have listings- they should be able to point you in the right direction) Best wishes for a JOYFUL holiday season! BLESSINGS from Maine❤️
You did a really excellent job with this one, and I love how thoughtful you are about people's means, whether it's financial, kitchen set-up and appliances, or physical and cognitive limitations. Those white soup plates that you served on are really lovely, too. (I wanted you to pop the plate that you microwaved the brussels sprouts in on top of the bowl you put them in to keep them warm.) Smoked turkey legs are not a regular grocery item where I am in Southern Ontario, Canada, and a quick google for local stores that do carry them (like kosher shops) shows me that they range from $7 and $12 per pound!
There seems to be enough turkey, gravy and dressing to make turkey bowls the next day with perhaps the addition of another package of potatoes and a can or frozen package of corn or green beans. I look forward to a next day leftover bowl as much as I do Thanksgiving
The increase in quality for the same price as microwave meals is insane! And its honestly not much harder than microwaving two or more frozen meals in a row. I'm fortunate enough to have more available to me than a microwave for cooking, but its so good to know that there are tasty, filling, alternatives for people who need it! Also, I'm so surprised to know that Food Lion has smoked turkey legs. I've never seen them there before, but I'll have to try them out!
My family is fortunate enough to have everything we need as far as food and food preparation goes, I still very much admire your ability to be creative with food and think outside the box for everyone's needs and certain situations.
I understanding and empathy you have an all of your videos is unparalleled anything ever seen on RU-vid. These are not only informative and exciting to watch but I know that you give a lot of people a lot of hope. I think I saw in a video that your dad had passed but he and your mother must be insanely immensely proud of the caring and compassionate person that you are
That looks like a perfect preview of my Thanksgiving dinner, except I'll have turkey breast and broccoli with cheese sauce for my veg. It'll be a nice dinner for my little brother and I. Thank you Rebecca! ❤ Sacramento, California USA 🇺🇸
I almost did broccoli but that’s such a standard vegetable for me, I don’t eat Brussel sprouts very often so figured I’d switch it up. Now if they sold a small green bean casserole I’d be set 😂
This was a great video, thanks for caring for people who have different options. . I haven't been able to find the Banquet Turkey and Gravy for awhile. Aldi brand stuffing mix is very cheap and I actually like it better than the brand. The vanilla ice-cream caramel sundae from dollar tree (the one that's rather bland) - it might be nice to take one and divide it over the warm apple pies. Heating the turkey: sometimes with cooked meat this helps. Heat the gravy first. Put the meat in and let it just sit and warm up, then heat it. This requires less heating time which is good bc sometimes meat gets tough in the microwave. I live alone on an extremely limited budget. Small kitchen. I try to cook this way. It's easier than scratch and much cheaper and better than prepared meals. Plus leftovers!!! It's very important for people alone not to say, "It's only me, I'm not gonna bother." Do bother, you are worth it. Just bc you are alone doesn't mean you are not worth a celebration.
@The3Storms Me too. I'm learning to cut corners where I didn't know there were corners. I got really excited the other day when I found a machine where the air for tires was free. I was like well, I can get something at the dollar store!!! I've always considered myself to be grateful and being poor is way less than fun, but I do appreciate things way more than I used to.
I love your videos so much. Not only do you give people great low cost ideas, you present them with such kindess. This meal is a fantastic option for so many people!
Thank you for your content. I may currently be able to still prepare meals in a full kitchen. But you never know when that might change (health, finances, and emergency) I put all your ideas to memory. I may also meet someone in day to day living that needs help navigating a kitchen situation. You really are one of the best on RU-vid to show true understanding and compassion.
I love that you took the time to show the possibility of using a microwave to make a filling, hearty & delicious thanksgiving dinner. Great job as usual.
HOME RUN!!! Excellent 👍 job. I love how you include seniors and people with disabilities in your thought process. I'm one of those who can not stand for long periods of time in the kitchen anymore.
Thank you for this, my family is skipping out on Thanksgiving again this year so I think I’m going to make this meal for myself so I’m not missing out on comfort food! Easy, cheap and simple! Love you’re content!
You may not realize how much you help people with your content. You present it with such grace, class and kindness. May God continue to bless you and your channel.
Girl you are my hero. I’m going to get this today n make it today or tomorrow. I love smoked turkey legs n wings. I’m having chemo for breast cancer again n I’m weak so this will be easy. Thank you
Excellent job!!! I appreciate the fact that you are thinking of those who do not have access to a 'regular' kitchen. I am also disabled, both physically and mentally, but I love that you are thinking of us too!
Jenni-O used to have a precooked rolled turkey roast in a pan that was really nice, but I haven't seen then in years. If anyone else can find them they would be a great alternative for a small family for Thanksgiving.
Trader Joe's has had one the past few years. Not sure on the cost these days. They also had like a precooked breast you could reheat I brought for a work event in 2019.
This is a perfect dinner!! All the essentials are there. Everything actually looks tasty and filling. You're doing amazing work by sharing this kind of stuff ❤
Sam's has a wonderful rotisserie chicken for about 5 dollars. If someone didn't care if it was chicken instead of turkey and was willing to add another few dollars to the budget, that would work great as well! We typically actually go with rotisserie chickens instead of roasting our own turkey on Thanksgiving. We prefer chicken to turkey anyway, and it saves SOOOO much work and money! Instead we can focus on all the fun sides!
I love that idea! Sams club can be counter productive, once you factor in the membership fee and limited physical locations, but a rotisserie is usually fairly inexpensive most places albeit not as large as one from a wholesale club
I have sometimes, not often, but occasionally, seen grocery stores do a large turkey breast in the bags similar to how they do the rotisserie chickens! Definitely keep an eye out for those, I don't know if it's random or if it's more around Thanksgiving, but I have had them before and remember it being great!
You did great on this! It's definitely an alternative for ppl who only cook for one or two ppl! It's very cost effective, and you won't be having to eat Thanksgiving leftovers for weeks to come. I really enjoy watching your channel! I constantly get great ideas from your content. Thank you! I think that you ALWAYS do such a wonderful job with your shares! I haven't been disappointed with anything that you've shared so far. Have a blessed day!❤😊
Eating Turkey for weeks or figuring out different ways to enjoy eating Turkey over and over again is certainly the downside to buying a whole Turkey at thanksgiving for a small family 🥰 I’m so glad you enjoyed this small thanksgiving dinner
Rebecca, your dinner looks so much better than every one of the frozen dinners you tried! And now you have leftovers for the classic Thanksgiving sandwich: turkey, stuffing and mayo! You could also replace one of the desserts with a can of sweet potatoes for just a bit of additional nostalgia. Thank you for this terrific, budget version of a holiday meal!!!
Excellent informative video...there have been many times I could've used a budget friendly Thanksgiving meal plan. Being single and disabled I'm usually pretty good at stretching a $. I have to admit your Thanksgiving meal plan has never come close to crossing my mind. Thank you so very much for sharing! Have a wonderful Holiday season...
A tip for when you're heating things up and you don't want them to dry out but you don't have a dish with a lid: Put one or two wet paper towels over the top of the dish. This helps create and trap moisture within the dish. I use this to steam veggies, heat leftover chicken, and steam frozen dumplings in the microwave all the time!
It's incredible, yet once again, that you've found another way for us to make another delicious holiday dinner, and for 10 bucks. That really allows almost everyone to be able to have holiday dinner, just amazing!
I have lived alone for many years, and occasionally buy frozen dinners. I have found that adding some instant mashed potatoes to the runny potatoes in frozen dinners really helps. Plus, it greatly improves the taste.
This looks really effective for the price. Even someone with disposable income does not always need or even want a full turkey so the legs are a great option for solo people or couples. Thank you for the video.
Really nice ideas and presentation! I’ve done something like this when we couldn’t meet family for Thanksgiving dinner. Oscar Meyer has some really nice thick deli sliced turkey (not smoked) in the cold cuts aisle that’s a good alternative as well. They are on sale often.
This is great for truckers on the road that can't get home for the holidays, the restaurants may not be an option for various reasons but have a microwave in their truck. Thanks for putting this together great idea!
Omg!! Pecan pie is the best pie in the world and i love every aspect of it. The yummy flavor of a toasted pecan with that yummy goo and flaky crust!!! Heaven!!!
We are a family of 3. I like the idea of turkey legs to save money and not running the oven for hours at a time. If funds permits, broth can be substituted for some or all of the water when making stuffing. Then you don't really need to add butter or oils.
Not sure if everyone knows this, but many supermarkets have the loyalty cards which uses a point system. As you shop, you accumulated points. At this time of year, they often offer using those accumulated point for a free turkey, ham or turkey breats. This was our savior many Thanksgivings. Thanks for another awesome video!
Just want to also add, I loved the frozen turkey dinner video, I will be trying the Banquet one, but think I will skip on the others!! Mealy stuffing I can do without-I think that was one of the Marie Cullendar ones! Thank you so much for being a taste-tester for us, saving us time and money by doing it for us, so we can make our own choices, based on what your findings are. You really are amazing, just love all of your videos, your thoroughness and attention to detail in explaining things is very much appreciated and makes it so easy for us to follow ourselves what you do in your videos.
I also want to suggest using à crockpot. I got a turkey breast at a food bank once and I cooked it in a crockpot with gravy on top. For my sides I used the microwave like you did. I also made a coolwhip pumpkin moose no bake pie. I like how versatile you can make this meal. It's just lovely. Thanks for sharing!
Your plate looks delicious 😋 I have never thought to steam the stuffing. What a great tip. I do not like mushy stuffing 😒 Thank you for sharing this 🙏 My stove and oven are broken and I can not afford to fix it yet 😢 So, I cook what I can in my Crockpot and Airfryer. So this is what I'll serve for Thanksgiving this year. I know my husband will be absolutely happy with it. I spend my holidays cooking and feeding our community homeless, Veterans and needy residents. So, I am at the food pantry and soup kitchen on the holidays, all day. I don't like to eat there, since I feel like it's taking a plate away from someone who may not have anything to eat. So when I get home, I'm hungry 😋 This year our income declined, so we are on a tighter budget. I can definitely set aside $10, for our Thanksgiving meal. If I'm frugal and watch the sales adds, I can also pick up a can of corn, green beans and cranberry sauce 😋 My local Kroger has the holiday items for $0.49.... Thank you again for this. Last year we ordered a pizza, bc it was cheaper. I can't wait for this meal. 😍❤
I love your videos! You are very resourceful with both your ingredients and your cooking methods, and you give so much good information to those who lack common amenities. I wish your content was around when I was in college and working with just a mini fridge and a microwave. I did have a meal plan through the school cafeteria, but it didn't cover all 21 meals per week (usually just 14, which was a MUCH cheaper option), so there was typically at least 1 meal per day that I had to cover on my own. There was always a shared full kitchen in my dorm building, but it was just 1 oven/stove shared among 100+ students, so it was impossible to get a chance to use it. I had about 10 different cold sandwiches I rotated through, and sometimes I would just make a meal out of carrot sticks, packaged hard-boiled eggs, hummus, crackers, etc. Thank you again for sharing, and I look forward to many more of your videos!
I love that everything can be done in the microwave. But for people who can add just an electric kettle, you could boil the water for the potatoes and stuffing in that and cut a lot of your time down so that things don't get as cold while you wait for the other parts to cook.
You really knocked this one out of the park. Not only is this inexpensive, convenient, and accessible, but it looks incredibly delicious! Thank you for taking the time to make this one, and for the consideration you always show for different situational means. ❤
I am also disabled like some other people mention here they are. I struggle with dissociation and don’t use the stovetop or oven. I meal prep in the microwave and cook my meals in it. I can also recommend a soup cooker if people have that in the budget. I know them are more accessible in the USA then here in Norway. It’s like a water kettle but it has a blender in the bottom so you just add the ingredients and it makes a soup with the cooking and blending in one go. A great buy, but more pricey here. I got mine for Christmas. Thank you for adding in microwaveable foods 😊 Love from Johanne, Norway 🇳🇴
I think I found this on one of your other videos. You take a package of sliced deli turkey.then roll a couple of slices around the prepared stuffing. That could be another option if you can't find the turkey legs. I tried it and it was delicious.
We got the Banquet frozen apple pie which was $1 during the holidays, really good and warm microwaved :) Thank you for your content. We are learning a lot from you.
An additional benefit to this meal is that it can all be purchased well in advance, so you can avoid the insane grocery store the week of Thanksgiving.
Some people still work on thanksgiving and or separated from family, but it’s ok! I would definitely do something like this if I was by myself during a holiday. I feel like you can cook almost anything with an air fryer and microwave.
Thank you Rebecca for this. This meal, the presentation, everything looked great ! Yummy ! I have some issues with standing , big time, even for me to do a load of dishes or even if it's just a few, I have to sit down on a chair, in front of the sink while I wash them. I haven't been able to do them otherwise for at least a couple of years now, it also has become that way with cooking, using the stove, as well as doing any prep work with food, I have to sit. I so thank you for your thoughtfulness, caring and consideration of others. You're great !
