According to Vibes.okdiario , If you’re receiving SNAP benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps), you can still save money while shopping for your Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. Whether you’re planning a classic Thanksgiving feast or preparing a special holiday dinner, your SNAP benefits can help cover the costs of key ingredients.
Thanksgiving Meal Ingredients You Can Buy with SNAP
For a traditional roast turkey with herb butter, SNAP covers the essential ingredients:
- Whole turkey
- Unsalted butter
- Fresh herbs like sage, thyme, or rosemary
- Garlic
- Lemon
- Salt and pepper
As long as these items are available in stock, you can purchase them using your SNAP benefits to create a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
Cranberry Sauce with Orange Cinnamon
Another popular Thanksgiving dish is cranberry sauce with orange and cinnamon. The ingredients for this dish include:
- Fresh cranberries
- Orange juice and zest
- Sugar
- Ground cinnamon
- Water
These ingredients are all SNAP-eligible, allowing you to prepare a tasty cranberry sauce as part of your holiday meal.
What You Cannot Buy with SNAP Benefits
While SNAP helps with many grocery purchases, there are certain items that cannot be bought using Food Stamps, including:
- Alcoholic beverages (e.g., wine, beer, whiskey)
- Pet foods
- Household supplies (e.g., paper products, cleaning items)
- Cosmetics and hygiene products
- Live animals (except for fish or shellfish caught at the time of purchase)
- Hot prepared meals
- Vitamins, medicines, and dietary supplements
Also Read – 2025 Social Security Payments: Complete Schedule and Payment Dates
Christmas Recipes You Can Buy with SNAP
For your Christmas meal, here are two recipes you can prepare using SNAP benefits:
- Prime Rib with Garlic and Rosemary: This dish is perfect for the holiday season. The ingredients you’ll need are:
- Prime rib roast
- Garlic
- Fresh rosemary and thyme
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Gingerbread Cookies: For a festive dessert, you can bake gingerbread cookies using the following ingredients:
- All-purpose flour
- Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves
- Molasses (yes, SNAP covers it!)
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Baking soda
- Butter
Despite some confusion, molasses is SNAP-eligible and can be purchased at stores like Walmart using your benefits.
Conclusion
Whether you’re preparing a classic Thanksgiving meal or a festive Christmas feast, SNAP benefits can be used to buy many of the ingredients you need. Just be sure to avoid restricted items like alcohol and household goods. With careful planning, your SNAP benefits can help you create a memorable holiday season without the added financial strain.