3 Pro Cooks Make Thanksgiving for Under $100 | NYT Cooking

A whole Thanksgiving for $100 or less: Can it be done? Follow along as we challenge Priya Krishna, Vaughn Vreeland and Eric Kim to plan, shop for, cook and serve a Thanksgiving feast for their friends and family in one day using only $100. Will they stay under budget? Will they get everything done in time? Will Priya’s mom finally let her help cook this Thanksgiving? Watch to find out.
Chocolate Chess Pie: nyti.ms/3R3ND6I
Brown-Butter Mashed Potatoes: nyti.ms/3sg43zv
Fancy Canned Cranberries: nyti.ms/46fe7qt
Kaddu: nyti.ms/2IWMgWP
Eric's Lemony Cranberry Relish: nyti.ms/3SQw4sq
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About NYT Cooking:
All the food that’s fit to eat (yes, it’s an official New York Times production).

[@banningtibbettts6069]

Priya’s mom not trusting her cooking when she’s literally a NYT food editor is the most Mom at Thanksgiving thing ever.

[@qfason5836]

That’s cuz priya doesn’t really know how to cook. She just uses her parents recipes and expertise. She really grifter her way into the label “pro cook”

[@CodeDeb]

@@qfason5836Didn’t she go to the Culinary Institute of America?

[@qfason5836]

@@CodeDeb no she didn’t

[@nara_saya]

@@qfason5836 wow you know so much about her

[@qfason5836]

@@nara_saya she had a cookbook which was basically just her writing down her moms recipes and admitting she didn’t know how to cook much

[@KASanDiego04]

Vaughn thinking out loud about how everything is expensive at the grocery store is so relatable.

[@atreyyu1]

The $1500 Prada belt bag he is wearing at the store is the sparkling final touch on the relatability

[@joeblow6568]

only if you haven't been shopping for the last 10 years.

[@yazminfrances]

😂 @@atreyyu1

[@TheSongwritingCat]

Vaughn obsessing over apples makes me feel seen

[@robbicu]

Vaughn using Claire's pie dough recipe makes me so happy.

[@Brah027]

I noticed that too! 😊

[@muugen1329]

literally my first thought watching that bit

[@presidentanp]

Priya’s mom only letting her make the cranberry sauce is hilarious. Also, Eric’s kitchen is v v nice!

[@bianckinitan]

I was gonna say the same thing 😭

[@jbad3894]

This is how you know you are still relegated to the kids' table.

[@jaycarver4886]

Most mother's would be more than happy to turn a lot of the prep if not all over to a grown child, especially one in her profession. Says a lot about the mother. Kinda controlling....

[@ElSuperNova23]

​@@jaycarver4886Yeah thats 90% of subcontinent/Asian mom's. Literally billions of mom's.

[@joeblow6568]

her profession is writing. Would you ask Hemingway to Bring the dessert?@@jaycarver4886

[@caitiedid]

Vaughn having a full nervous breakdown over apples is a mood

[@TheSongwritingCat]

Why are there so many options? Trying to figure out the differences between all the eggs also makes me spiral

[@daniellejwong]

An underrated part that I loved so much about this was showing the entertaining/dining situation-Priya and Vaughn eating with their guests on the couch and around the coffee table, rather than a large dining table with matching chairs and all. Plus, Eric and his friends eating at small nook at his place. As someone who lives in a small apartment in a large, expensive city, this really resonated with me! It’s refreshing to show that this is the norm for many (especially when you watch so many videos with large kitchens and all), and folks in food media who’ve built a large following have similar entertaining experiences!

[@PassiveAgressive319]

Love how Pryia works for NYT but her mom won’t let her cook a family Thanksgiving dish!😅😅😅

[@rockstertx]

yeah Priya... you just gotta make something that they dont expect and add it in... stir up some dirt at Thanksgiving Day...

[@willjay916]

But I get what Priya means about being a left handed cook in a family of all right handed people. My dad, who was the one who figured out that I was left handed, was never able to watch me cook. He said that it looked awkward. Priya's mother is giving her an assignment that involves nothing sharper than a spoon. Props to Priya's for who figured out how to make things to which she was accustomed from the contents of a US grocery store. But is Priya's mother afraid that she will hijack a family favorite dish with influences and fashions from the New York food world?

[@mark8047]

The shady editing zooming in on her knife work while she said that

[@lilacfunk]

@@mark8047I’m left handed and was having Kendall flashbacks during that scene. lol.😊

[@joeblow6568]

remember, we see the edited version of Priya. Mom sees ALL.

[@arlenesolis024]

I love all three thought process in the supermarket - from distracting, logical and overthinking, it no wonder NYT cooking is my fave.

[@friesandrupees]

Priya: responsible mom Eric: the calm and collected middle child Vaughn: the fun auntie

[@irishfergal]

Eric invited Rick Martinez !!!! Priya's mom-daughter tension is yummy. Vaughn's phone call with Dad (?) is just pie.

[@yeahhhyeah]

The more chaotic and messy Vaughn gets, the harder I fall in love

[@danielkim7841]

Vaughn's presentation of the canned cranberry sauce got me SHOOK! I cannot believe that man turned that little can of Oceanspray cranberry sauce into an elevated art form with his garnishes and the way he cut it. It almost looks like a Caprese salad with the different slices. I am going to steal that trick of his...

[@umsami]

I know! I want to try and fancy up our cranberry jelly this way!

[@TriciaHussung]

It’s an Alison Roman recipe I think

[@deneshiaash876]

it was literally in her video on this channel. the whole video feels like Alison Roman to me @@TriciaHussung

[@andy121895]

Cranberry sauce should be served in unmodified can form like god intended

[@sweetysavvy]

And Vaugh was the one shooting the Allison Roman video, when she made it

[@daveplaysdestiny]

Just a huge round of applause to everyone involved - this must have taken so much work!

[@pronetowanderstudios]

This was funny getting to see the different energies from all of them

[@OneOlive1]

They all make it look so much easier than it is. Everything looked amazing! Also, yay for Rick's guest appearance!

[@wvusciguy]

Can I two thumbs up this?

[@nana-santos]

Rick is the best!

[@macaoron]

Rick Martínez REALLY was the surprise guest!

[@swit1905]

I almost skipped this because I'm tired of Thanksgiving videos, but I was lured in by the irresistable trio of Eric, Priya, and Vaughn. And I'm so glad I was because, props to NYT, this is the best T-giving cooking video ever! The way it was edited made it soooo hilarious and entertaining!

[@JoaoGabriel-cz1ci]

the only thing missing was a next day leftover special with them gathering all the dishes and discussing them

[@sukayahramli4343]

Wow, everyone did so well! Priya & Eric are so on the ball! Vaugh spent too much time with his dessert, am so surprised he got everything together - full meal. Was so happy to see Rick - Eric's surprised guest. For a girl living in Asia, I loved the diversity of X'mas meal interpretation. ❤

[@rockstertx]

Loved seeing Rick also... hola amigo!

[@ashleylantz]

Priya out here reminding everyone it’s a colonialist holiday celebrating a genocide, on a NYT video nonetheless. I love iiiiiit!

[@christianhansen3292]

how so?

[@christianhansen3292]

i think it was pilgrims celebrating a good harvest.

[@cr293737]

It was annoying and unnecessary, actually.

[@usecriticalthinking243]

No she’s just being miserable and can go back to South Asia.

[@elizabeththorsen1122]

​@christianhansen3292 it's a big reason why and how, it became such a tradition like Christmas every year.

[@puckpuck88]

You know where YOU stand...when your OWN mom says" help your hubby/my son make the pies"...oooh the burn..can smell it from out here....

[@hauz287]

I want to eat Vaughn's thanksgiving out of everyone. So much cozy home vibes and indulgence.

[@followingheartlines]

the energy of these 3 is so on point and their meals looked so delicious.

[@umsami]

This was wonderful. I would happily have eaten anybody's food, but Vaughan's looked the most Thanksgivingish...plus pies! All props to Priya for going to Patel Bros. instead of Wegman's. You do not shop at Wegman's on a budget. Eric's love of bechamel and his cassoulet looked so fab, that I'm actually going to make cassoulet for dinner tonight

[@jenniferriley6440]

Priya is so stunning and so talented. And shoutout to calling thanksgiving what it is.

[@jonathanlambz]

Priya going on the tangent about being left handed made my day

[@laggyy3987]

People are giving them too much “oh my god they spent too much” comments. Firstly: especially with Priya’s spice requirements- Patel Bros sells them per oz unit cheap, but in larger bags- that’s where she might had purchased more than needed for the meal, but her food portion was modest. She already mentioned multiple times “do they come in smaller bags.” I call it “video planning mistake.” We all have some amount of spices in the pantry- if they didn’t have that constraint, any of them could had more rooms in their budget. Vaghn actually hit that target pretty okay with 2 chickens on the table, because his purchase-to-product ratio was the highest. His was also closer to what most people experienced in their thanksgiving shopping. Let’s face it: only those who were tasked to cook often always would know budgeting is part of the process. I am thinking maybe they wanted to show to those who are a bit unfamiliar with handling it by themselves? Anyways, as a normal home cook, I am still happy seeing this video. Any experience shared are things learned. ❤

[@KimbiW]

Vibing with Eric. Usually just have thanksgiving with my SO. It’s a chill time. I don’t care for corn (at all, but I will make it for others) and I will avoid celery unless I have to

[@sarah_hina]

This vid is getting me excited for the Sohla/Priya gingerbread house tradition

[@ashleys637]

YES! This has become one of my favorite holiday specials to watch.

[@nicolejohnson5225]

Vaughn is a mood 😂

[@swmrgirl9979]

"My thanksgiving would be like if Norman Rockwell did, like, a TON of acid." Iconic

[@jaycarver4886]

Best part was Eric's sweet little dog being a part of the day and not stuck in another room with the door closed. Good daddy!

[@canadadry220]

I thought this was beautifully done. Can we get more chefs-preparing-holiday-meals-for-friends-under-a-budget content?

[@HaddaClu]

Family traditional Thanksgiving meal growing up - Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, cranberry relish, some kind of salad, and pumpkin pies using the Fannie Farmer recipe. Now that I'm an adult this is still my go to holiday meal for Thanksgiving and sometimes Christmas. IT can easily be made for under $100. Stuffing can be made by toasting a $1 loaf of white bread and cubing it, carrots celery onions can all be bought for about $2 each per pound. Chicken stock in the box is $1.50 (will need 2 for the entire meal) 1 lb of butter is around $3. Frozen chopped spinach is $1.25 per square - buy 2. If you really dont have flour in your house then spend $2 on a small bag of it. Raw cranberries are around $3, turkey will cost around $25 - 30 if you get a 10-12 pounder. Canned Pumpkin is $2 per large can....You get the idea. Use things already in your home to save a buck

[@liindawgg]

I was just at the market today and these prices are not accurate. Prior to covid yes. 😂😂

[@HaddaClu]

@@liindawgg In my area they are accurate. Its called regional prices. Also shopping around.

[@ptong0]

Probably not accurate for NY

[@HaddaClu]

@@ptong0 I get that; but not everyone who watches the channel is in NY. I'm in Pittsburgh, and was in Target just last night and saw they had turkeys for sale between $13 to $18. Most vids from channels like this only show shopping at the "higher end" stores where prices are through the roof. Target, Trader Joe's, local store chains.... If you're willing to shop around then you can easily make the budget for the meal. Giant Eagle the local store chain has eggs for 1.50. TJ has milk for 1.99 for a half gallon. GE has a cheap loaf of bread for 1.25. Celery and carrots 1lb each go for about $2. College Inn boxed chick broth for $1.50 each... Like I said shop around

[@liindawgg]

@@HaddaClu that’s your opinion❤️

[@emmahakkakzadeh8064]

This is why we need more bulk stores where people can come with their own bags to fill w exactly how much they need! For the holidays especially when ur only gonna use an ingredient for one recipe. And it's cheaper to not have to pay for packaging

[@lkhjason]

OMG ! Come on .... This was so so so fun to watch ! I mean Vaughn, Priya & Eric in the same video & challenge ?!? And as usual, Vaughn makes everything 50x funnier ! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@klu222]

I did my thanksgiving shopping today and only spent $92 :). My grocery store had a deal if you spent 50, your turkey only cost 7.59.

[@nca4794]

That's awesome! Wish we had something like that in the mid-Atlantic.

[@thesearedaydreams6854]

My grocery store offers a free turkey, ham, or frozen lasagna after you’ve spent $400.00 over x-number of weeks.

[@user-kr7cx5sv4h]

Good for you, but to be honest, your home pantry was unlimited?

[@erickfrago7224]

eric's oooh! comment is just so lovely, that's so me everytime i do my grocery...like i need to look for something then something catches my attention hahaha

[@katebussert882]

Iconic reaction to Eric saying he’s not making mac&cheese 😂

[@lennerdpowers2833]

I love these types of videos, cozy, chill but also I learn something new to try in my kitchen!

[@Asummersdaydreamer14]

Vaughn’s menu wins for me because he had more than one dessert and I can also go for Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes at a holiday party. No matter the main protein, the menu with mashed potatoes makes my starch loving heart happy.

[@romaczech75]

He's the only one out of the 3 that actually made a dessert. Which is wild because that was supposedly a mandatory part of the "challenge".

[@Blancobobea]

Rick Martínez is definitely THE special guest 💜

[@anitato973]

Loved the editing. Loved everyone's energy. Loved this entire episode so freaking much. So many funny and/or HQ moments

[@TheStormyDebris]

I want an invite to Eric Kim's Thanksgiving .....STAT!!!!!! He's so mellow, cool, calm, and collected.....He's nothing fancy but is everything to cool minds....

[@dorothyyoung8231]

I like the woman who responds to the “Should I make Mac & cheese?” question!

[@DeliaLee8]

Really appreciate Priya, Vaughn and Eric sharing their homes and family traditions with us not to mention all the work involved in this challenge. Loved that they were so real during the process...forgetting things, cursing, stuff falling out of the frig, their humor, etc. Really enjoyed their shopping process, too. All the food looked so delicious! While I love the food, weather and long weekend of Thanksgiving I agree with Priya's assessment of the holiday. We need to re-name, re-claim, re-purpose etc this holiday. I appreciate the diversity represented in the video. The video was so well edited and so enjoyable! I would have happily watched a much longer version.

[@isso84]

the grocery store expeditions alone are prime viewing.

[@grapes109]

That was joyous to watch, love the editing and multitude of recipes from each cook!

[@moopnelly]

That’s so funny! I was so stressed watching her chop left-handed, and then she mentioned it 😆

[@WWTaveler]

So true. Everytime I watch John Kanell or Claire (Desert Person) work, I have heart palpitations. They are left-handed too. I get really stressed out watching them slice an onion or apple.

[@willjay916]

OMG Eric is my spirit twin. I go through the market like he does.

[@fontyfole]

I love how much they love about each other and can predict that the others are doing

[@xingcat]

Priya's Mom is all, "Watery squash? Hmm!" Kidding! Her meal looked amazing. All three looked amazing, in totally different ways! Happy Thanksgiving!!

[@wsyvongsa19]

The Vaughn edit at the grocery store alone makes the video, his anxiety was my anxiety.

[@soniauddin4867]

We need the cheese puff recipe!

[@evan-vd4fu]

"just 'cause i wanted to say cranberry pamplemousse" LOL

[@jlee4039]

I couldn’t be friends with Eric. That nonchalant chaotic energy would drive me up the wall! 😅

[@dv527]

The Jennifer Coolidge/Owen Wilson impression was so good lmfao

[@QuantumWalnut]

"I need nuts. I need nuts. I need more than just Deez Nuts!” Von is a poet too 😂

[@lisanow6856]

I so felt this, "I hate this food processor-- it's the bane of my existence", whilst reaching down in the cupboards to retrieve it!

[@StanleyDo]

Great editing! I would love to see Sohla do this challenge next year.

[@bhavika.prajapati]

Sohla would've smashed this challenge

[@VictoryDanDukor]

i love Priya's addition. Nigerians celebrate a "thanksgiving" everytime we have a celebration to give thanks. Growing up i went to thanksgiving parties at least twice a month. But my family doesnt recognize the Thanksgiving holiday due to the colonial history. Its a time that most of us are off and use to gather around and eat. my favorite foods for thanksgiving are goat meat pepper soup and yam porridge. Oh, and meatpie.

[@gerardbaldric]

Eric is sooooo adoooooooraaaaaable! I wanna hug him. Lol!

[@kathleenm.5086]

I’m nominating the apple scene for an Oscar

[@adventureswithwonu4467]

i think all of them looked successful - a great meal with good friends, so beautiful 💗

[@kevingirardbender]

This is an iconic thanksgiving trio and was so fun to watch!

[@ZoharGil]

That all of Priya's spices don't count towards pantry ingredients and then Vaughn and Eric don't buy a single dry spice really shows you the difference in the cuisine styles. I would say all the spices should count as pantry...

[@KimbiW]

All the people crying about how much was spent probably make a lot of boxed and canned stuff + no inspiration. This video isn’t for that, it’s challenging fancy food people to make fancy thanksgiving stuff with a budget, time limit, in their home kitchens. Great video! I don’t think spices should have counted UNLESS they had to buy something special that’s not in their spice rack.

[@faureamour]

I don't know. The amount of spices that Priya probably used might have made it hard to draw the line at what is a freebie and what must be purchased.

[@euliskay]

Really enjoyed this! I love the 3-in-1 format so much!

[@frauleintrude6347]

Just calculated Vaughn’s dinner with our average local prices (Lidl, Rewe). I would have to spend about 55€. US food prices are crazy and here people are complaining. The most expensive part would be the chicken, 17.70€ for both - about 2 kg chicken. 2$ for an apple, are they layered with gold leaves?

[@patrickclark2588]

Recipes??? ALL theses dishes look great! great job guys!

[@TheStallion234]

Best line of the video: “chips are being decanted”

[@galaxy_mosaic3587]

like how happy all three were at the cashier (shopping for groceries) when they came under budget or the way they devised substitutes (and what were splurge items) for their recipies... lol lol

[@lisajelle714]

I love the chefs and their humor, the editing, and the MUSIC! This is so fun!

[@YohanStrauss]

this was so fun i need more episodes with these three!!!

[@shllybkwrm]

The shopping was such a contrast, so fun to see!

[@dillonphommasa2785]

I could watch these three shop in a grocery store all day.

[@rickytiller5698]

Wonderful! Many thanks to all of you! Happy Thanksgiving! Eric. That apartment!!!

[@rileylawson9958]

I love Vaughn omg, “where does one source a cart?”

[@spartarheel]

This was so fun to watch! Happy Thanksgiving all!

[@CozinhaRoman]

not even 2 minutes and i'm already "i love Priya"

[@QIKWIA]

😂mannnn. They're working that $100😂😂😂 Im impressed!🤷🏾‍♀️

[@heatherr356]

I love this series! Great food, great personalities!

[@luscious_linda]

All three ended with beautiful results

[@ger4322]

this was by far NYT cooking's cutest content in a while!

[@aliciaf1055]

"Now is not the time for organic" - I feel seen.

[@meriahaiello]

Rick Martinez never disappoints with his always amazing shirts!! Really fun video too!

[@mariah7114]

I really loved this episode. Especially loved that they cooked in their own apartments. I have a small kitchen and they just inspired me so much!

[@HeyTey1245]

Priya spilling that tea hahah

[@usecriticalthinking243]

She’s not, she’s just miserable like the rest of y’all Bernie bros

[@jase_allen]

@@usecriticalthinking243 Said the troll spreading hate in the comments. 🙄🤡

[@Rebecca-zj4wq]

You know Priya's in an Indian grocery "I need to buy the smallest quantity possible". Picks up 1 lb bag of turmeric

[@jackc5315]

This is right up there with my all time favorite of NYT Cooking vids - cookies with Susan Spungen.

[@scottfmurphy78]

15:58 Priya cuts everything backwards, like she uses the heel of the knife first. Somehow this just makes me love her more. This is a fucking good video.

[@BeaHive333]

I’m really feelin Vaughns dishes!! I want to be at his dinner.

[@rebeccadavis7883]

That was such a lovely video!

[@chelseaelliott7740]

This was so wonderful! I watched it twice.... Also- love seeing Rick

[@skt6553]

Vaugh getting excited with his extra 20 bucks! So cute!

[@obsidiancrow450]

you can not doubt vaughs southern authenticity after this LOL

[@theUcane]

What a fun idea. GREAT video. Thanks everyone!

[@ceecee515]

Priya's comment about righties seeing lefties chop is so accurate 😂 My mom never fails to comment on me using my left hand to chop or use chopsticks.

[@klu222]

Woot Priya!!! Thank you for calling out the bad history of the holiday. I'm a Blackfeet and Cree woman who loves the holiday for my own reasons, feeding my family and friends, taking the time to be with each other, and giving thanks for what I have.

[@brandonread6685]

The story told to kids in the kindergarten classroom is wrong, but they are kids. The real history is sad, but reality. The holiday represents something more than the history itself. It represents something good in our current life.

[@watareyoutalkingabout]

you being Blackfeet and Cree has nothing to do with thanksgiving, neither tribe were involved in the tg story with the Wampanoag. anyone who says thanksgiving celebrates a genocide knows nothing about the history of thanksgiving. there is no genocide associated with thanksgiving. even if we pretend the establishment of thanksgiving is based on the pilgrim/Wampanoag thanksgiving (which it isn't), the pilgrims never genocided the Wampanoag. To try to ham fist in the later conflicts/murder/exploitation of native american tribes by european settlors or the US gov only further perpetuates the generalization of native american tribes as if they are all the same. the actual holiday was established by Abraham Lincoln after the battle of gettysburg in which he references the need to give thanks, pray for those who lost loved ones in the war, and pursue penitence for slavery. So to every ignorant fake-nuanced personality who wants to take a jab at TG for "gEnOCide" I would ask: "Are you pro-slavery then?" because the civil war is the violent conflict that served as the backdrop for the establishment of thanksgiving.

[@raquelolvera9090]

this was so great - props to the whole team!!!

[@futuroid]

love this trio