The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find I’m Buying Now for Thanksgiving

It’s going to save me so much time.

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There was a time in my life when I made everything from scratch for Thanksgiving. I'd pre-prep stock, freeze pie crusts, brine my turkey, and much more. But I'm older, and I like to think I'm also wiser now. With young kids, a busy life, and a lot of extended family, I've learned that the smartest move is sometimes taking a shortcut. So, this year I'm giving myself grace—when I spotted Campbell's Turkey Gravy at Dollar Tree for $1.25 a can, it got me rethinking my whole gravy strategy.

Store-bought gravy gets a bad rap. But with a bit of in-house doctoring, it can be almost as satisfying as the homemade stuff, all without the added stress. These cans give me a dependable starting point, which I plan to turn into something robust and complex, and (most importantly!) that I'll want to slather over my mashed potatoes.

Dollar Tree Campbell’s Turkey Gravy

• Price: $1.25 for an 11.8-ounce can
• Why I Love It: Made with real turkey stock, this store-bought gravy has a great flavor and thick texture that goes nicely with turkey.

Why I'm Stocking Up On Dollar Tree's Turkey Gravy

What makes this gravy worth considering is that Campbell's makes it with real turkey stock. It's not just a generic brown gravy with a hint of turkey flavor. That means it's actually suited to turkey-friendly holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, and not just a Wednesday night dinner (although, don't let that stop you—it's also great with French fries!).

It has a rounded, thick texture that held up well when I added my own touches. I'm planning to elevate mine by stirring in some of those precious turkey drippings from the roasting pan, along with a pat of butter and some dried herbs like sage and thyme. A splash of extra chicken stock or white wine might also make an appearance.

Simply Recipes / Dollar Tree

I'm most looking forward to the breathing room the canned turkey gravy will give me on the actual day. Instead of juggling the turkey, side dishes, and a complicated roux, I can set the gravy aside and focus on the dishes that need my attention. Later, with a bit of heat, a whisk, some pan drippings, and extra flavors, I'll turn it into something rich and flavorful.

Since each can is only $1.25, I plan to grab a few. Because, if I've learned one thing in my years of cooking, it's that running out of gravy mid-dinner is a holiday nightmare I'd rather avoid.

Whether I end up using it as our "main" gravy, as backup insurance for my homemade version, or for my favorite part—the leftovers—having a few cans in my pantry means I'll have one less thing to worry about. And on one of the most food-focused days of the year, that's a win I'm happy to take.

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