The Calm Thanksgiving Countdown Week 3

Making Thanksgiving easier (and a little cheaper) one week at a time.

Week 3: Stock the Flavor

You know all that chopping, simmering, and seasoning that usually happens in a frenzy on Thanksgiving morning? We’re doing it now instead.

This week, we’ll:
✔️ Make & freeze homemade broth (your stuffing and gravy will thank you!)
✔️ Chop & freeze onions + celery
✔️ Mix turkey seasoning blend
✔️ Buy and tuck away gravy basics
✔️ Check freezer space and thaw plan
✔️ Watch for sales on herbs & butter

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📋 This Week’s Checklist

• Make homemade broth or stock — freeze in 2–3 cup portions
• Chop and freeze 2–3 onions + 3 cups celery
• Mix turkey rub (recipe below!)
• Buy gravy fixings:
  ▪️ Butter
  ▪️ Flour
  ▪️ Better-Than-Bouillon or extra broth
  ▪️ Onions/shallots
• Check freezer space — turkey is coming soon
• Look for herbs and butter at good prices
• Add heavy cream to your Week 4 grocery plan

Smart Shopper Note:
🌿 Dried herbs are often on sale right now — especially sage, thyme, rosemary. If your jars smell like nothing, replace them!

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🍗 Recipe of the Week: Turkey Herb Rub (Make-Ahead Seasoning)

This blend works on turkey, stuffing, potatoes — anything that needs Thanksgiving magic.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp dried sage
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried rosemary (crushed fine)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a small jar.
2. Label and store in a cool cupboard for up to 6 months.

Use: Rub on your turkey with butter or oil before roasting.

Real Frugalist Tip: Make two batches — one for the turkey and one to stir into Thanksgiving leftovers later.

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🥕 Mini-Prep: Freezer Veggie Packs

Chop:

• 2–3 onions
• 6–8 celery stalks

Freeze flat in a zip bag labeled “Stuffing Veggies”.

💡 Bonus: Add a second bag for Turkey Soup Veggies — future-you will love that.

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🍲 Broth/Stock Shortcuts (Choose Your Adventure)

Pick whichever matches your time:

10-minute version:

• Buy broth + Better Than Bouillon
• Freeze in smaller containers

1-hour cozy afternoon:

• Simmer:
  ▪️ 1 rotisserie chicken carcass
  ▪️ 1 onion
  ▪️ 2 celery stalks
  ▪️ 1 carrot
• Strain + freeze

Either way → huge flavor payoff.

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✨ Real Frugalist Tip

Thanksgiving doesn’t belong to the last-minute cooks. It belongs to the planners — the ones who chop onions on a Wednesday because they want to enjoy their holiday, not stress through it.