I've got some good news for your grocery budget!
November is one of my favorite times to watch for grocery sales. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many stores offer special prices on ingredients we use not only for our holiday meals but throughout the year.
And here's the best part: You don't have to be cooking Thanksgiving dinner to take advantage of these sales!
I love stocking my pantry and freezer when prices are low, but there's one rule I always follow: Only buy what your family actually uses.
Just because something is on sale doesn't mean it's a bargain if it ends up going to waste.
Today I'm sharing 10 groceries worth watching for before Thanksgiving, along with how I use them in my kitchen.
Watch my video below to see some of the groceries I've already purchased and hear more of my favorite stocking-up tips.
1. Turkey
Turkey is often one of the biggest Thanksgiving grocery promotions.
If you have the freezer space and find a really good price, consider purchasing an extra turkey for meals later in the winter.
After cooking, the meat can be portioned and frozen for soups, casseroles, sandwiches, and other family meals. Don't forget to save the bones for homemade broth!
2. Butter
Butter is one of my favorite ingredients to buy when it's on sale.
I use it regularly for homemade breads, cookies, muffins, and cooking from scratch.
The wonderful thing about butter is that it freezes well. When I find a price I'm happy with, I can purchase extra and store it in the freezer for future baking.
3. Flour and Sugar
Holiday baking season is a great time to check prices on flour, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
Since I make so many things from scratch, these are ingredients I use regularly.
I like keeping enough flour and sugar in my pantry for homemade breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, and my favorite baking mixes.
Always compare the price per pound, especially when deciding between smaller holiday specials and larger bulk packages.
4. Chocolate Chips and Baking Supplies
Chocolate chips, baking chocolate, and nuts are worth watching for holiday promotions.
I use chocolate chips in my homemade cookies, brownies, muffins, and pantry baking mixes.
These ingredients are also wonderful to have available when making homemade gifts for family and friends.
5. Canned Pumpkin
Canned pumpkin is one of the grocery items I've found worth watching this November.
And pumpkin isn't just for Thanksgiving pies!
I use it for homemade muffins, pumpkin bread, pancakes, and other delicious recipes.
Look for plain pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling if you want the flexibility to use it in different recipes.
6. Evaporated Milk and Sweetened Condensed Milk
These are two ingredients I'm especially interested in stocking up on this month.
I've been finding good prices on evaporated milk, and I'll also be watching for sweetened condensed milk.
Both are useful pantry ingredients for homemade desserts and holiday baking.
Because they're shelf-stable when unopened, they're convenient to keep on hand. Just check the dates and store them according to the package directions.
7. Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
This is one of the grocery categories I'm most excited about!
I'm planning to purchase 10-pound bags of potatoes and extra sweet potatoes while the prices are favorable.
My plan is to make homemade hash browns using both kinds of potatoes.
I love preparing foods ahead of time and having them ready in the freezer. It's convenient, saves time, and helps us avoid purchasing more expensive prepared foods.
Potatoes are also wonderful for soups, casseroles, roasted vegetables, and inexpensive side dishes.
8. Canned Vegetables
Canned green beans, corn, and other vegetables are often featured in Thanksgiving grocery promotions.
These are excellent pantry staples, especially for quick meals when fresh vegetables aren't available.
The key is to buy the vegetables your family enjoys and will actually eat.
9. Fresh Cranberries
Fresh cranberries are a seasonal favorite worth watching for in November.
They freeze beautifully and can be used later in muffins, quick breads, cranberry sauce, and other homemade recipes.
I love the idea of purchasing seasonal ingredients at a good price and enjoying them long after the holidays are over.
10. Broth and Stock
Chicken and vegetable broth are other useful ingredients to watch for during Thanksgiving sales.
Although I enjoy making my own broth, keeping broth available in the pantry is convenient for soups, rice dishes, and casseroles.
Compare the price per ounce and remember that homemade broth can also be a wonderful money-saving option.
My Common Sense Rules for Stocking Up
Before buying extra groceries, I like to ask myself a few simple questions:
- Is this something my family regularly eats?
- Is the sale price actually better than what I normally pay?
- Do I have room to store it properly?
- Will I use it before it loses quality or expires?
- Does this purchase fit into my grocery budget?
Buying ahead can save money, but only when we shop thoughtfully.
Another Place I Shop for Pantry Staples
In addition to shopping local grocery sales, I also enjoy purchasing pantry staples and bulk ingredients from Azure Standard.
They carry a wide variety of foods, including dry beans, grains, flour, and other ingredients useful for cooking from scratch.
If you'd like to learn more, you can visit Azure Standard through my affiliate link:
Azure Standard Promo Code: COMMONSENSE15
Special offer: New Azure Standard buying club customers can use code COMMONSENSE15 on their first order of $100 or more. The code is valid through December 31, 2027, subject to the offer's terms.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through my link, at no additional cost to you.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
One of the best ways I've found to save money on groceries is to plan meals around ingredients we already have.
That's why I created my free meal planning bundle and Free Printables Library.
You'll find practical tools to help you organize meals, plan your shopping, and make the most of your pantry.
Let's Share Our November Grocery Bargains!
I'd love to hear what grocery deals you're finding this month.
Are there certain foods you always purchase before Thanksgiving? Do you have a favorite way to use or preserve them?
Leave a comment below and share your ideas. We can all learn from one another!
Remember, the goal isn't to buy more. It's to spend wisely on the things our families actually use.
Happy shopping, and happy Thanksgiving!
Michele - The Common Sense Grandma
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