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.

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 or have fun with cheesecake stuffed apples.
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
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Good post… With just the two of us, I like your side suggestions..
I will be roasting a turkey breast and now the sides, etc., will be pretty simple.. :O)
Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!
A most blessed Thanksgiving to you. Thank you so much. On my way to shop tomorrow! We love the Thanksgiving holiday but sure don’t want to eat it for a month :) We so appreciate these! Many blessings to you and yours.
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your dinner :)
Take a bow! This is excellent and thoughtful of you for those who only cook for two! Bravo!
Thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Carla. I am still learning American culture and Thanksgiving food. This post will definitely help me alot.
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope it gives you a better idea about American culture.
Fantastic recipe suggestions for people like us….small households. Thanks for the work you put into this post. You’re a rock star in the culinary world!
You’re welcome! Hope it helps with your Thanksgiving planning :)
Cannot wait to try some of these this year!
Let me know which ones you end up trying!
Anybody else here in 2020 planning a Thanksgiving dinner for 2 because of the pandemic? Can’t wait to try your recipes! It’ll turn the sadness of not getting together with family into a day of exciting new recipes and enjoying each other’s company.
Hope you have a great small Thanksgiving!
Second year in a row I’m making Thanksgiving dinner for my husband and myself using nothing but recipes from this page. We love it!
Oh I’m happy to hear that! Happy Thanksgiving!