Celebrating Thanksgiving abroad can feel strange, especially when you’re far from home and your usual traditions. But you don’t need a big kitchen, a huge family gathering, or even a full turkey to enjoy a comforting Thanksgiving meal while studying in Spain. With a few simple ingredients and some smart shopping, you can put together a cozy,  Thanksgiving dinner right in your apartment.

Below are easy, affordable recipes and guidance on where to find everything in Madrid.

Where to Shop in Madrid for Thanksgiving Ingredients

Mercadona
Great for basics like potatoes, bread, frozen vegetables, butter, eggs, and rotisserie chicken. Their prices are student-friendly, and most neighborhoods have one nearby.

Carrefour
Ideal for a wider variety of international ingredients. You can often find turkey breast, canned pumpkin, cranberry substitutes, and a broader selection of spices.

Lidl
Perfect for budget shoppers. You’ll find cheap produce, bakery items, and occasional seasonal specialties.

El Corte Inglés (Gourmet section)
If you’re looking for more American-style ingredients or higher-quality products, this is the best place. Expect higher prices, but also more selection.

Taste of America
A specialty store that carries American imports. If you need real canned pumpkin, marshmallows for sweet potatoes, or actual cranberry sauce, this is the place.

1. Mini Roast Chicken (instead of Turkey)

Turkey can be hard to find and expensive in Spain, so a small roast chicken is the perfect substitute.

Ingredients:
Whole or half rotisserie chicken from Mercadona or Carrefour, olive oil, garlic, herbs (thyme or rosemary), salt and pepper.

Steps:

1. If using a pre-cooked chicken, simply reheat it in the oven at 180°C for about 15 minutes.
   
2. For raw chicken, season with salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs.
   
3. Drizzle with olive oil and roast at 200°C for 45 to 60 minutes until golden.
   
   

Pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes and veggies. 

2. Easy Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:
Potatoes, butter, milk, salt, pepper. All can be found at any supermarket.

Steps:

1. Peel and dice potatoes.
   
2. Boil until soft.
   
3. Drain, mash, and mix with butter, warm milk, salt, and pepper.
   
   

Optional: Add garlic or cheese for extra flavor

3. Simple Stuffing (Pan Relleno)

Traditional boxed stuffing doesn’t exist in Spain, but this homemade version is quick and cheap.

Ingredients:
A loaf of day-old bread, olive oil, onion, garlic, herbs (sage or thyme), chicken broth (caldo de pollo).

Steps:

1. Cut bread into small cubes and toast in the oven until dry.
   
2. Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil.
   
3. Add herbs and a splash of broth.

Mix everything with the bread cubes and bake until crispy on top.

4. Green Beans with Garlic

Ingredients:
Fresh or frozen green beans, olive oil, garlic, salt.

Steps:

1. Sauté garlic in olive oil.
   
2. Add green beans and cook until tender.
   
3. Season with salt.

Fast, healthy, and tastes like home.

5. Spanish-Style Pumpkin Dessert

Pumpkin pie can be tricky without canned pumpkin, but Spain offers great alternatives.

Option 1: Calabaza Asada (Roasted Pumpkin)
Roast pumpkin with cinnamon and sugar. Serve warm.

Option 2: Flan de Calabaza
Many supermarkets carry seasonal flan flavors. Check Mercadona and Carrefour for premade versions.

Option 3: Quick No-Bake Pumpkin Cups
Use roasted calabaza, mix with cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon, and a crushed cookie base.

6. Cranberry Sauce Substitute

Cranberries are rare in Spain, but you can make a delicious alternative using red fruits.

Ingredients:
Frozen frutos rojos (berries), sugar, a squeeze of lemon.

Steps:

1. Heat berries with sugar.
   
2. Simmer until thick.
   
3. Adjust sweetness as needed.
   
   

It won’t taste exactly like cranberry sauce, but it works beautifully with roast chicken.

Final Tips for Hosting a Thanksgiving in Spain

Keep it simple. You don’t need a huge menu. Focus on one main dish and two or three sides.
Invite friends who are also far from home.
Don’t worry about perfection. The point is to create a warm moment during the semester abroad.

Looking for Housing in Madrid?

If spending Thanksgiving abroad has you wishing for a place that feels a little more like home, helpHousing can make the rest of your stay in Madrid much easier. Whether you’re looking for a cozy room, a shared flat with other international students, or a family away from home.helpHousing offers safe and comfortable housing options all over the city.

If you want a space where you can cook your own holiday meals, host friends, or simply unwind after class, helpHousing can help you find the right home away from home during your study abroad semester.

CLICK HERE TO DISCOVER MORE !