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Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, and the next few weeknights are going to be busy. So here is the week of November 16 handled: five easy dinners, one treat for the weekend, and a one page shopping list you can print and carry into the store. This is week eight. Five different proteins, two slow cooker nights, one 20 minute dinner, and one bag of limes and one bunch of cilantro that pull double duty. Print the list, shop over the weekend, and dinner is handled Monday through Friday.
Why This Week Works
- Five different proteins. Chicken Monday, beef Tuesday, pork Wednesday, mahi mahi Thursday, shrimp Friday. Nobody is staring at the same plate twice.
- Two nights cook themselves. The chicken burritos and the pork chops both go in the slow cooker, which is exactly what you want while the holiday to do list keeps growing.
- Tuesday takes 20 minutes. Cheeseburger sliders cook in a skillet in a few minutes a side, so the busiest night of the week is covered.
- Limes and cilantro do two jobs. The cilantro lime rice for Monday’s burritos and the marinade for Thursday’s fish tacos use the same bag of limes and the same bunch of cilantro.
- Friday is a fun one. Crispy panko fried shrimp with lemon and cocktail sauce to kick off the weekend.
- The treat is a practice run. Southern sweet potato pie with a shortcut crust, so you can try it before Thanksgiving.
Monday: Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos
These easy Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos simmer seasoned chicken with salsa all day for juicy shredded chicken burritos with cilantro lime rice everyone loves. Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Burritos (Shredded Chicken Burrito Recipe)
Serving note: Get the chicken in the slow cooker by lunch. It needs three to four hours on high or four to six on low, then you shred it right in the pot. Make the cilantro lime rice while it rests and set out the toppings so everyone builds their own burrito.
Tuesday: Cheeseburger Sliders
These Easy Cheeseburger Sliders are juicy little burgers with homemade seasoning and melty cheese, ready in 20 minutes. A fun handheld dinner the whole family grabs. Easy Cheeseburger Sliders (Hamburger Sliders)
Serving note: The card makes six sliders from one pound of beef, so the shopping list doubles it to twelve for a family. The patties cook in two or three minutes a side, which makes this the fastest dinner of the week.
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Pork Chops
These Slow Cooker Pork Chops are seared golden, slow cooked in a creamy mushroom gravy until fork tender. Five minutes of prep and your crock pot does the rest! Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy
Serving note: Sear the chops in the morning, lay them over the mushrooms, pour on the gravy, and let it go four to five hours on low. Spoon the gravy over mashed potatoes and nobody will ask what else is for dinner.
Thursday: Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
These grilled mahi mahi fish tacos are fresh, light, and ready in 25 minutes. A quick lime cilantro marinade makes the flakiest, most flavorful taco filling. Grilled Marinated Mahi Fish Tacos Recipe
Serving note: The card serves two, so the list doubles it to four filets. Marinate for 15 minutes while the grill heats, never past an hour, and grill three to five minutes a side. Use the same limes and cilantro you bought for Monday.
Friday: Crispy Panko Fried Shrimp
This crispy fried shrimp recipe makes golden, panko crusted shrimp that beat any restaurant version. Juicy inside, crunchy outside, ready in minutes. Crispy Panko Fried Shrimp Recipe
Serving note: Two pounds of shrimp feeds a crowd, so this one is a fun Friday night. Bread them all first, then fry in small batches at 350 degrees for two or three minutes. Lemon wedges and cocktail sauce on the side.
The Treat: Sweet Potato Pie
This easy Southern sweet potato pie is creamy, custardy, and warmly spiced. The cozy holiday dessert everyone asks for, made with a shortcut crust! Easy Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Serving note: Bake this over the weekend. It is a classic Southern sweet potato pie with a shortcut crust, and it doubles as a practice run before Thanksgiving.
The Shopping List
One page, grouped the way the store is laid out, with a box next to every line so you can check things off as they land in the cart. Print it Saturday morning and go.
Get These Plans in Your Inbox
A new plan goes up every Friday morning, and the next one is built for Thanksgiving week. If you would rather have it land in your inbox than remember to come looking for it, grab one of the free recipe packs and you are on the list.
