The best part about going home for Thanksgiving is the excessive amount of food you get before, during, and after the break from college. Every time I go home, my mom tells me how thin I look, despite having gained 10 pounds since the last time she saw me. As a result, she will do her best to force-feed me everything from the fridge, pantry, and Costco.Â
Before I even start driving home, my mom will ask me what foods I want when I am home, and she’ll make sure I get a week’s worth of high-quality, home-cooked meals. Our Thanksgiving dinners run the gambit, with ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, rice, mac and cheese, cranberry relish, lime jello salad, and all the other Thanksgiving classics. Then on the way back, I have so many leftovers that they don’t physically fit in my fridge.
Although I am lucky to live close enough to home to drive back for the holidays and lucky enough to have a mom who will buy an extra styrofoam cooler to pack more leftovers to take back, not everyone is. So this blog is dedicated to the best ways to celebrate Thanksgiving at school. Whether you are by yourself or doing a Friendsgiving, these are easy and cheap ways to eat well at school.
Number 1: Cornish Hen
A cornish hen is a tiny bird that is easy to make in the air fryer. It’s more similar to chicken than turkey, but something about making and eating a whole bird always feels like Thanksgiving. We’ve both made cornish hens for regular meals, and they’re easy and delicious in the air fryer. Its size makes it an ideal candidate for the compact space and speedy cooking time of an air fryer, while still providing the at home, cozy food of a traditional Thanksgiving at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cornish hen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Begin by preheating the air fryer to 375 F.
- While the air fryer heats up, prepare the Cornish hen. Pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to form a paste.
- Rub the seasoning paste evenly over the Cornish hen, ensuring it’s coated on all sides.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the seasoned Cornish hen in the basket or on the tray. Cook for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time for even crispiness if your air fryer doesn’t have a rotisserie setting.
- To ensure the hen is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Once done, carefully remove the Cornish hen from the air fryer. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish your perfectly cooked Cornish hen with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for an extra touch of flavor. Pair it with your favorite Thanksgiving sides for a complete holiday feast experience.
Though miles away from home, this simple yet delightful air fryer Cornish hen recipe can bring the essence of Thanksgiving to your college apartment. Potatoes or roasted vegetables are also perfect candidates to pair well with the cornish hen, and both can be made on a lower rack in the air fryer with the cornish hen above. Here is a great air fryer potato recipe that we love that can be made at the same time as the hen.
Number 2: Ham
If you prefer Turkey over ham, this option is cheap, easy, and gives enough leftovers to feel like mom packed that extra styrofoam cooler. If you’ve got the budget, Honey Baked Ham is my favorite providing the best ham, but admittedly at a higher price. If you’re balling on a budget this Thanksgiving, Walmart sells hams for $1.14 a pound in Tuscaloosa that are easy to make. All you have to do is put the ham in the oven and put the glaze on after. This is one of the quickest, easiest, and cheapest ways to do Thanksgiving at home, but it does lack the Thanksgiving feel some of the other options on our list offer.
Number 3: Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel offers great meals to go for Thanksgiving that provide the comfort of a homecooked meal at Thanksgiving at a cheap price point with none of the hassle of cooking. All you have to do is stop by, pick it up, and heat it at home for a great meal.
Convenience and Tradition in a Box:
Cracker Barrel’s To-Go Thanksgiving meals are a perfect solution for students seeking a taste of home without the hassle of cooking an entire feast. This ready-made meal package includes classic Thanksgiving dishes prepared with the same love and attention to detail found in homemade cooking.
What’s Included:
The meal package typically features a variety of options, including a selection of traditional Thanksgiving favorites such as roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing, cranberry relish, gravy, and sides like sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole. Don’t forget the delightful dessert options, often featuring a choice between pies like pumpkin or pecan, perfectly rounding off the meal.
Ordering Process:
Ordering a Cracker Barrel To-Go Thanksgiving meal is as easy as pie. Students can place their orders online or by phone, selecting the desired meal package size to accommodate personal preferences or the number of friends joining in the celebration. The meals are often available for pickup a few days before Thanksgiving, allowing ample time for planning and ensuring a stress-free holiday experience.
Creating Memorable Moments:
While the experience of a home-cooked meal is irreplaceable, Cracker Barrel’s To-Go Thanksgiving meals offer the opportunity to create memorable moments with friends, sharing laughter and stories while savoring a delicious spread reminiscent of family gatherings.
Final Thoughts:
Though distance may separate students from their loved ones during Thanksgiving, options like Cracker Barrel’s To-Go meals bridge the gap, bringing a slice of comfort and tradition to those unable to make it home for the holidays. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, these meals allow students to celebrate and give thanks, creating a sense of warmth and togetherness during this special time.
