Thanksgiving Dinner For Two
Cooking a small Thanksgiving dinner? Here’s a menu to help plan your Thanksgiving Dinner For 2 including small batch recipes of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
Now that it’s November, it’s time to start thinking about your Thanksgiving For Two dinner menu.
I’m sure by now you’ve been beaten over the head with vibrant images of turkeys and pumpkin pie.
Article after article talking 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 a Thanksgiving meal 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 stuffed turkey breast, cranberry stuffing, mashed potatoes, and homemade 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.
I promise you from the bottom of my heart (and stomach) these recipes are indeed scaled down for two people making about 2-4 helpings.
The other Thanksgiving for 2 menus out there are mostly a lie. They talk about scaled down recipes but then tell you “oh btw this recipe makes a ton so just refrigerate the leftovers!”
My mashed potatoes for two will never call for 5 pounds of potatoes (and I saw it happen – twice!)
Now onto the actual, true to size Thanksgiving For Two menu. It’s not meant to be your final 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 2:
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 turkey tenderloin, 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 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 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.
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, pan gravy from drippings, or mushroom gravy.
And finally, since everything is so rich and heavy, balance your meal out with fresh homemade cranberry sauce.
Thanksgiving Desserts
Of course no Thanksgiving 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 or classic 6 inch cheesecake recipe.
Not a fan pumpkin? Apples make an excellent alternative dessert with mini apple pie and apple crisp for two.
Of course there’s always traditional Small Pecan Pie.
What To Do With Thanksgiving Leftovers
Even though these small batch recipes are scaled down for two, you may still have leftovers from serving a mini feast.
Use leftover chicken or turkey in chicken pot pie for two
Leftover cranberry sauce can be used to make super easy cranberry baked brie.
Got fresh cranberries leftover in the bag? Use them up in Cranberry Apple Crisp.
Thanksgiving For Two FAQ
Yes, you can prep in advance to help save time on the actual holiday. Desserts can be baked the day before, casseroles and gravy can be made then reheated, and vegetables can be chopped then refrigerated.
Not sure how to scale down your grandma’s favorite stuffing recipe? Start by halving or quartering it, rounding ingredients up or down as needed. You may also want to check on your dish about 5-10 minutes earlier than listed as smaller portions may cook slightly faster.
Still struggling? Email me at homemadeinthekitchen(at)gmail.com with your recipe and I’ll give you my best guess.
Not being around family for the holidays can be emotional. Make your Thanksgiving for two enjoyable by drinking your favorite wine, cooking a new dish together, or eating your favorite dessert.
Thanksgiving Dinner For Two
Cooking a small Thanksgiving dinner? Here’s a menu to help plan your Thanksgiving Dinner For Two including small batch recipes of your favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
Don’t want to roast a whole turkey this year for Thanksgiving? Keep it small by roasting a Cornish Hen with Homemade Classic Stuffing.
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.
This Turkey Tenderloin recipe is a juicy turkey breast slathered with herb butter then roasted in under an hour until perfection. Afterwards you make a flavorful turkey gravy with the drippings to pour over top. It’s the ideal size to make for your Thanksgiving for two.
Don't want to make turkey for Thanksgiving? Make Honey Glazed Ham Steak Dinner which is fried on the stovetop, freeing up oven space for your side dishes.
Need a hearty vegetarian main dish for Thanksgiving? Roast up these Stuffed Butternut Squash filled with cranberry rice, pecans, and chickpeas.
Butternut Squash Alfredo is a fall twist on a classic creamy pasta sauce that combines the natural sweetness of butternut squash with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.
Kohlrabi Soup with kohlrabi greens, sweet potato, and carrots is a gluten free vegan soup you can serve for your vegetarian guests.
Small Batch Dinner Rolls are homemade yeast rolls then brushed with honey butter on top.
No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without Cranberry Stuffing, which is a vegetarian side dish that balances the rich flavors of buttery bread, onion, celery, and fresh thyme with the sweet tartness of dried cranberries.
Tired of leftover mashed potatoes? Learn how to scale them down with creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes For Two!
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.
Plenty of garlic and cheese in this Garlic Parmesan Au Gratin Potatoes recipe with layers of thinly sliced potatoes, Parmesan cheese, and garlic.
Easy homemade Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup from scratch using frozen green beans, fresh mushrooms, and sour cream.
Looking for an easy small batch side dish? Learn how to make these healthy Green Beans with Almonds and Olives!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 from scratch in a 6 inch pie pan! Recipe includes homemade pie crust that stays crispy and flaky after baking.
If you're not a fan of pumpkin, serve this classic Small Apple Pie with its flaky buttery crust and warm apple pie filling. Recipe baked in a 6 inch pie plate, making it an 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!
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.
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.
This one layer Small 6 Inch Pumpkin Cake with cream cheese frosting is made from scratch using canned pumpkin.
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.
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.
No water bath or oven space needed when you make Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake for dessert! Baked in a 6 inch or 7 inch springform pan, it’s made in half the time.
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.
Looking to bake a small cheesecake? My 6 Inch Cheesecake recipe is a creamy dessert for two ideal for any occasion.
This Small Coffee Cake recipe without sour cream is light and fluffy with fresh blueberries and a buttery streusel crumble topping.
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.
Stuck with extra cranberries and tired of cranberry sauce? Throw together this easy small batch Cranberry Apple Crisp with pecans.
Serve your Thanksgiving desserts with Maple Whipped Cream! Its light, creamy texture pairs perfectly with cheesecake and pumpkin pie.
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!
Love the green bean casserole without soup! Going to try some of the desserts this year. If anyone is on the fence about trying these recipes, just dive in. The things I have tried so far have all been great! Thanks from Janet in St Pete.
Thank you for your positive feedback, Janet!
Thanks Carla, just what I was looking for. Now I can fix a nice dinner for me & my dog.
Mike
Wonderful! Happy Thanksgiving!