6 Smart Thanksgiving Splurges for Better Flavor
When shopping for holiday meals like Thanksgiving, most Americans look for the cheapest prices to feed as many as possible.
While that's important for frugal budgets, there are some items worth considering that provide a little extra for the culinary experience.
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Here are six items worth forking over a premium price for in order to upgrade your Thanksgiving experience.
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1. European Butter
Price: $9.27 at Walmart
European cows might just eat better and have better lives than American cows, because they definitely have a higher fat content, which, as anyone knows, means more flavor.
Splurge on an 82% butterfat European butter (vs. 80% American), especially for any dish where you’re really going to taste that butter, such as baked goods and mashed potatoes. Kerrygold salted Irish butter is almost $10 for 16 ounces even at Walmart, but your taste buds will thank you.
2. High-Quality Vanilla Extract
Price: $14.99 at Costco
Vanilla extract can be surprising pricey the higher-end you go. This has a lot to do with how much of the good stuff grows in a place affected by intense weather — the country of Madagascar. Lesser varieties can be grown elsewhere, but they just don’t have the same flavor.
You can get a 16-ounce bottle of Kirkland Signature pure vanilla extract at Costco, which might be more than you need, but you could share with family members.
3. Fresh Nutmeg Seeds
Price: $11.49 at Albertson’s
Nutmeg is a surprisingly versatile spice that can add depth and aroma to both savory and sweet dishes. However, there’s nothing as rich or flavorful as organic whole nutmeg you freshly grind yourself, which is actually the seed of a nutmeg tree, natively found in Indonesia.
When ground, it puts off a scent many people will recognize as an essential note in their pumpkin pie, eggnog and even sometimes stews and curries. Most of the time, it’s sold pre-ground, but you can buy the seeds from Albertson's and grind them yourself for a better flavor at a higher price.
4. Bone Broth
Price: $7.99 at Target
There’s beef or chicken stock, and then there’s Butcher's bone broth, which, if you believe the wide array of influencers who often promote it, has the power to change your gut health and intensify your food experience.
In truth, bone broth is a richly flavorful, extra nourishing version of what can often be much thinner, sodium-heavy stocks because it is, in fact, made by soaking bones — not just meat. It may confer more protein and nutrients, as well.While it is definitely pricier than basic stock, the flavor and nutrition profiles are worth the difference.
5. High Quality Olive Oil
Price: $18.99 at Target
All you have to do is taste the highest quality olive oil once to know that the average kind sold in grocery stores is a poor cousin only. Food rating site Sporked rated ten high-quality olive oils that can be purchased at regular grocery stores and designated the Spanish olive oil Graza — made from green olives — their No. 1. The website described it as “silky and buttery.”
Target sells a 500 ml bottle of the luxury olive oil for just under $19.
6. Artisanal Bread
Price: Ranges by store
On Thanksgiving, nobody wants to fill up too quickly, and you want every dish to count. While dinner rolls are a common ingredient at the Thanksgiving table, they are often just thinly veiled puffs of low-quality carbs that turn to instant glucose once they pass your palate.
Instead, invest in some artisanal bread, maybe with with fresh herbs, cheese or a sourdough variation. You could start by looking at a small batch baker, a local co-op or your favorite grocery store. Pair it with some slices of fresh turkey and cranberry for a little day-after sammy.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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