Cooking a small Thanksgiving dinner this year? Here’s a menu to help plan your Thanksgiving Dinner For Two including small batch recipes of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes.


Photo collage of Cornish hen, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie

I see you.

For the past two months, you’ve been beaten over the head with vibrant images of turkeys and pumpkin pie.

You read article after article about how to host a big Thanksgiving, how to roast a giant 20 pound turkey, how to survive the holidays with your drunk Uncle Bob.

But the truth is, this year you’re only cooking Thanksgiving Dinner For Two.

Maybe it’s only you and your significant other. Maybe it’s only you and your roommate. Or maybe you simply don’t have a huge family to invite.

Where do you even begin prepping all of this food? It’s not fair for you to skip Thanksgiving because you can’t eat a whole turkey.

Everyone deserves a plate of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy for the holidays.

I got you. I’ve been scaling down recipes for years. And it’s about time I put it all together as a comprehensive menu for cooking Thanksgiving dinner for 2.

This isn’t meant to be a full Thanksgiving for two menu; rather, I’m giving you choices to pick and choose.

It’s like one of those build your own adventures books but with food!

The list of recipes is at the bottom, but here is a breakdown of what to make for your Thanksgiving dinner for two:


Thanksgiving Drinks

With all of the cooking going on, drinks definitely don’t have to be complicated. In fact, it can be as simple as opening a bottle of wine and pouring.

But if you do want to dress it up a bit, make my Cranberry Orange Sangria or Pomegranate Punch (which can also be made non alcoholic).

Not sure about finishing a whole bottle? Most companies now make 4-packs of wine in little bottles, which is about 1-2 glasses.

Not a wine drinker? Serve a sparkling non-alcoholic drink, such as sparkling grape juice.


Thanksgiving Main Dishes

Thanksgiving dinner is practically synonymous with turkey, but when it’s only two of you, roasting a whole turkey is way too much food; the smallest whole turkey is about 10 pounds if you’re lucky.

However you can still have your turkey dinner for two by serving smaller portions, such as stuffed turkey breast, turkey legs, or even turkey wings.

Love the presentation of roasting a whole bird complete with stuffing? Cook a stuffed Cornish hen, which are much smaller for your Thanksgiving dinner for two.

One hen is plenty for two people, although if you have your heart set on leftover chicken salad, you can always roast two.

If you’re looking for non turkey Thanksgiving for two recipes, make a honey glazed ham steak recipe or lamb chop dinner for 2.

Don’t eat meat? Make my Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash and Vegan Mushroom Gravy for a meatless Thanksgiving for two.


Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Personally I think Thanksgiving side dish recipes are the best part!

As much as it pains me to say this, the best way to keep Thanksgiving for two leftovers to a minimum is to limit the side dishes. I know, I know. Blasphemy you say!

The good news is most of these side dish recipes make roughly 4 servings (2 helpings each), so if there are any you don’t make for your Thanksgiving for 2, make them throughout the weekend.

Or save them to make Christmas dinner for two.

My mashed potatoes for two is the most traditional, but you can also make stove top scalloped potatoes or au gratin potatoes for two.

Casseroles are easy to make ahead of time, such as my sweet potato casserole for two or green bean casserole without mushroom soup.

Another recipe you can make ahead of time is small batch dinner rolls. Nothing says Thanksgiving dinner for two like homemade bread!

Don’t forget the gravy! You can make either homemade gravy without drippings or pan gravy from drippings.

And finally, since everything is so rich and heavy, balance your meal out with fresh homemade cranberry sauce then use any leftovers for cranberry baked brie.


Thanksgiving Desserts

Of course no Thanksgiving dinner for two is complete without dessert!

If you love pumpkin pie, you don’t have to give it up! Make a Small Pumpkin Pie in a homemade small pie crust or mini pumpkin pies.

Or skip the crust and eat the filling with my Eggless Pumpkin Pie (my favorite part if you ask me).

Don’t want pie? Check out my Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes and Small Pumpkin Cake.

Cheesecake is also quite popular for Thanksgiving dessert. Check out my 6 inch mini pumpkin cheesecake, mini Oreo pumpkin cheesecakes, or classic 6 inch cheesecake recipe.

Not a fan pumpkin? Apples make an excellent alternative dessert. Stay classic with mini apple pie and apple crisp for two or have fun with cheesecake stuffed apples.

Or get away from apples completely with pear crisp for two.

Of course there’s always the classic Small Pecan Pie.

Got cranberries leftover from making cranberry sauce? Use them up in Cranberry Apple Crisp or this Small Coffee Cake recipe.

Thanksgiving Dinner For Two

Cooking a small Thanksgiving dinner this year? Here’s a menu to help plan your Thanksgiving Dinner For Two including small batch recipes of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes.

Stuffed Cornish Hen

Don’t want to roast a whole turkey this year for Thanksgiving? Keep it small by roasting a Cornish Hen with Homemade Classic Stuffing.

Stuffed Turkey Breast

When roasting a whole turkey is too much food, make Thanksgiving Stuffed Turkey Breast For Two with caramelized onion cranberry stuffing and turkey pan gravy.

Honey Glazed Ham Steak Dinner

Honey Glazed Ham Steak Dinner served with pineapple is fried on the stovetop, freeing up oven space for your side dishes.

Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash

Looking for a hearty vegetarian main dish? Roast up these Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash filled with cranberry rice, pecans, and chickpeas.

Kohlrabi Soup with Kohlrabi Greens

Kohlrabi Soup with kohlrabi greens, sweet potato, and carrots is a gluten free vegan soup.

Small Batch Dinner Rolls (Eggless)

Small Batch Dinner Rolls are homemade yeast rolls then brushed with honey butter on top.

Mashed Potatoes For Two

Tired of leftover mashed potatoes? Learn how to scale them down with creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes For Two!

Easy Cheesy Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes

What do you do when there’s not enough room in the oven to bake a holiday side dish? Learn how to cook homemade Easy Cheesy Stovetop Scalloped Potatoes from scratch in a cheddar cheese sauce to save oven space.

Au Gratin Potatoes For Two

Plenty of garlic and cheese in this Garlic Parmesan Au Gratin Potatoes recipe with layers of thinly sliced potatoes, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.

Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup

Easy homemade Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup from scratch using frozen green beans, fresh mushrooms, and sour cream.

Green Beans with Almonds and Olives

Looking for an easy small batch side dish? Learn how to make these healthy Green Beans with Almonds and Olives!

Homemade Cranberry Sauce (Small Batch)

Whether you’re making Thanksgiving for two or don’t want a ton of leftovers, this small batch Homemade Cranberry Sauce made with fresh orange juice and zest will brighten your dinner table.

Gravy Without Drippings

Homemade Gravy Without Meat Drippings is an easy from scratch gravy recipe made without meat drippings so you don’t have to wait for the meat to be done.

Gravy From Drippings

Homemade Pan Gravy With Drippings is an easy from scratch gravy recipe made with pan drippings so you can make a delicious sauce for your roasted meat.

Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Vegan Mushroom Gravy is an easy from scratch homemade gravy recipe made with mushrooms, onion, and garlic. Make it ahead of time to reduce stress for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Sweet Potato Casserole For Two

Hosting Thanksgiving For Two this year? You can still serve up your favorite traditional side dishes, like Sweet Potato Casserole For Two with mini marshmallows and chopped pecans on top.

Small Pumpkin Pie

Cooking Thanksgiving for two? Bake Small Pumpkin Pie from scratch in a 6 inch pie pan! Recipe includes substitute for evaporated milk.

Small Pecan Pie

Small Pecan Pie from scratch in a 6 inch pie pan! Recipe includes homemade pie crust that stays crispy and flaky after baking.

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Making mini deep dish pumpkin pies means you’ll have room for a slice on Thanksgiving after the big feast. They also make great gifts to box up for the holidays.

Eggless Pumpkin Pie (Gluten Free)

Looking for a small batch gluten free Thanksgiving dessert recipe? This easy crustless Eggless Pumpkin Pie For Two recipe is baked in ramekins so you can have your pie without leftovers.

Small Pumpkin Cake

This one layer Small 6 Inch Pumpkin Cake with cream cheese frosting is made from scratch using canned pumpkin.

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes (Small Batch)

Put a fun twist on Thanksgiving dessert with these Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes! Decorate with cream cheese frosting or with whipped cream to look like mini pies.

6 Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake

In the mood to bake a small cheesecake? This 6
Inch Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe is a creamy Thanksgiving dessert for two served with homemade whipped cream.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes (Small Batch)

Small Batch Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with an Oreo crust are a creamy dessert for two baked in a muffin pan. Serve this black and orange dessert for Halloween or as a Thanksgiving For Two dessert.

6 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

Looking to bake a small cheesecake? My 6 Inch Cheesecake recipe is a creamy dessert for two ideal for any occasion.

Small Coffee Cake Recipe

This Small Coffee Cake recipe without sour cream is light and fluffy with fresh blueberries and a buttery streusel crumble topping.

Apple Pie For Two

Craving an easy apple pie recipe for two but don’t want leftovers? Here’s the perfect solution for your apple pie fix – Double Crusted Apple Pie For Two baked in ramekins with a homemade pie crust and apple pie filling. No special 6 inch pie pan needed!

Cheesecake Stuffed Apples

A new way to eat baked apples – Cheesecake Stuffed Apples filled with walnuts and caramel sauce. Makes 4 apples as a dessert for two people.

Cranberry Apple Crisp

Stuck with extra cranberries and tired of cranberry sauce? Throw together this easy small batch Cranberry Apple Crisp with pecans.

First published on November 16, 2017