Costco Deluxe Thanksgiving Feast 12-14 guests $150 FS (Turkey min 14 lb, Sides, Deserts total 27 lb)...$125 if stacked w/AmEx deal

Hey, it's Costco. If you don't like it, just take the leftovers in with your receipt for a full refund!

what are the odds that all of it is loaded with MSG????

Good question. I would say the odds are in your favor as Costco does have food quality standards. I emailed them not too long ago and asked about the items in the food court and received this response:

"Costco’s buying specification is for all food court items to be MSG-free. No high fructose corn syrup, no artificial dyes or flavors, no gluten, no animal products."

Their pizza dough for example contains only:
Flour, water, olive oil, sugar, salt, yeast.

The "no animal products" confused me since the pepperoni on their pizza is obviously an animal product.

However I'm not sure if these standards extend to this Thanksgiving meal. It would be nice for Costco to provide ingredient lists.

Good question. I would say the odds are in your favor as Costco does have food quality standards. I emailed them not too long ago and asked about the items in the food court and received this response:

"Costco’s buying specification is for all food court items to be MSG-free. No high fructose corn syrup, no artificial dyes or flavors, no gluten, no animal products."

Their pizza dough for example contains only:
Flour, water, olive oil, sugar, salt, yeast.

The "no animal products" confused me since the pepperoni on their pizza is obviously an animal product.

However I'm not sure if these standards extend to this Thanksgiving meal. It would be nice for Costco to provide ingredient lists.

MSG-Free is not always MSG-Free... In the costco food court here, they sell hebrew national hot dogs in their food court which contain hydrolyzed soy protein according to the ingredient list here

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/...-Frank.htm

As those who suffer reactions know that there are many different names out there for it that still make their way into many foods...

Bottom line is nothing beats a real homecooked meal.

There is a link you can click under the product features to view the nutritional info and ingredients.


I got in on this because right now we're in a rental house with a tiny, really crappy oven and a crappy stove. Were I to make the meal from scratch, it would be more nutritious and delicious 'cause I kick ass in the kitchen. And it would cost a lot less, too. But I've been generally satisfied with Costco's pre-made stuff, so this year I'll hope for less of a headache than last year. I can't wait to own my own home next year!

Thanks, I missed that. I skimmed through the ingredient lists and sadly the mashed potatoes contain trans fat, so you're not getting anything special here and the price seems like it's more for the labor involved. Other items also contain artificial preservatives and colors.

Ingredient lists and nutrition info [costco.com]

Several items also have artificial colors and/or flavorings. These are why I make pretty much everything from scratch. But, it has to be better than last year's fiasco of half raw, half burnt turkey. I'll be happy if it's at least edible. I figure if I keep expectations low, it'll be great.

..ill keep my $130

turkey $7
stuffing $2
sweet potatoes $3
Fully cooked garlic mashed potatoes $3
Fully cooked turkey gravy... free with bird...eh... 10 cents of flour
Cranberry Sauce 75 cents
Apple Cobbler $4

Yes, you can. I have done it on a yearly basis. You don't even have to cook some of this stuff or settle for their choice of dessert.

20lb turkey from Safeway = $5 to $7
2lb bags of Frozen beans = $2 - $3
2 boxes of Stuffing i = $2
3lbs Sweet potatoes = $2 (they sell for roughly 0.50lb)
5 lb bag of potatoes = $1.50 (most of our supermarkets)
2 cans of cranberry sauce = $2
2 jars of turkey gravy = $2 to $3 (unless you make your own, then minus this number)
Apple Cobbler in Freezer section = $3

On the low end, $19.50

Now if you don't know how to cook (or how easy it is to make this stuff) then buying already made and paying premium price for such inexpensive ingredients may be the only option for some people.

Maybe Costco's is more flavorful, but that is a lot of money to find out.