Close
Photo: Joy Howard
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to gather with friends and family. And the dishes that typically go with it—the casseroles, stuffing, pies, a turkey that takes over the oven—are usually designed to feed a crowd. If you find your guest list smaller this year and wonder how to honor this food-centric holiday without getting buried in leftovers, we can help. You can still enjoy a delicious meal, built for two, without making too many sacrifices. Check out our recipes and tips for pulling off the perfect Thanksgiving for two.
Tips for Cooking for Two
Try Something New
You only have yourself and your loved one to please, so you can skip the dishes that don’t speak to you and focus on whatyoulove—or better yet, want to try. Don’t like Aunt Sally’s sweet potato casserole? Skip it! Tired of plain old turkey and gravy? Spice things up with a whole new flavor profile. Have some fun. It’s your Thanksgiving. Speaking of fun, try a new cocktail or mocktail recipe. They’re good at making things feel festive, and easy to make just for two. And if you’re connecting virtually with friends and family, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a tasty beverage in hand. Check out ourThanksgiving cocktails,like thisSagey Gin Gimlet, for inspiration.
Keep It Simple
Between the appetizers, side dishes and desserts (not to mention the turkey) it’s easy to go overboard on your typical Thanksgiving. But if you’re cooking for two, consider scaling it back a bit. After all, it’s just you and one other person to cook for and a few less hands to help you clean up the mess. You should plan on spending time in the kitchen, but you shouldn’t have to spend all day tending to seven different side dishes and desserts. Keep it simple. Pick one appetizer, two or three sides to go along with your turkey (if that’s what you choose as your main) and a simple dessert. That will leave you plenty of time to enjoy dinner (and your company). Also, choosing recipes that can be made ahead of time, whole or in part, will help save time too. Plus recipes that serve two as opposed to 12 take up less space in the fridge.
Choose Dishes with Leftovers in Mind
Sometimes it’s hard to break with tradition. If you’ve spent all year looking forward to certain Thanksgiving sides or desserts, go ahead and make them. Just keep in mind, you will have to do something with the leftovers. To avoid leftover fatigue, try to repurpose leftovers into new dishes. Using mashed potatoes to thicken soup, or combining leftovercranberry saucewith whipped cream cheese to spread on bagels or serve on crackers are great ways to spin leftovers into new recipes. Some leftovers may be harder to transform (think: green bean casserole and stuffing). If it’s a deal breaker not to have dishes like these on your holiday table for two, consider packaging a few portions to give to friends or neighbors. Everyone appreciates food that they themselves didn’t have to cook, and you won’t have to worry about leftovers languishing in your fridge. Some leftovers (like turkey) freeze well, and we all knowleftover turkeycan make its way into soups, salads and sandwiches. But if a whole turkey feels too big to manage, you can buybone-in breastorturkey drumsticksfor dark meat lovers instead.
Advice for Cutting Larger Dishes Down to Size
To really keep leftovers to a minimum, make a turkey breast or some drumsticks, and a selection of these dishes designed specifically for two people. We also included a vegan stuffed squash that can do double duty as a side dish or a vegetarian main course.
Thanksgiving Dinner for Two Recipes
01of 09Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with GarlicIf you’re set on roasting a turkey, try bone-in, skin-on turkey breasts, also called split breasts. They are inexpensive and flavorful. This recipe serves 6, so there’s just enough for some leftovers.02of 09Vegan Wild Rice Stuffed Squash for TwoSourdough bread, a mix of earthy mushrooms and wild rice fill sweet acorn squash in this vegan recipe.03of 09Skillet Green Bean Casserole for TwoGreen bean casserole is usually built for a crowd, but not this one! It’s perfectly portioned for a smaller Thanksgiving and done on the stovetop to free up oven space.04of 09Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for TwoOne sweet potato yields the perfect amount for two people while keeping true to the classic flavors you’d expect for Thanksgiving and other holidays.05of 09Sausage, Apple & Herb Stuffing for TwoThis easy make-ahead stuffing for two comes in its own single-serving dish. Turkey sausage and hearty whole-wheat bread combined with apples make this sweet and savory stuffing one you’ll want to turn to again and again.06of 09Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions for TwoHearty Brussels sprouts pair nicely with salty bacon and onions in this quick Thanksgiving side dish.07of 09Caramel Apple Crisp for TwoCaramel adds a sweet and salty note to this classic apple crisp.08of 09Pumpkin Cheesecake for TwoSingle-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!).09of 09Apple Cider-Mezcal MargaritaRachel MarekThis fall version of a margarita features apple cider and mezcal, a liquor made from agave much like tequila. Like a classic margarita, this one blends sweet and sour flavors with a hint of cinnamon and orange from triple sec.
01of 09Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with GarlicIf you’re set on roasting a turkey, try bone-in, skin-on turkey breasts, also called split breasts. They are inexpensive and flavorful. This recipe serves 6, so there’s just enough for some leftovers.
01of 09
Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with Garlic
If you’re set on roasting a turkey, try bone-in, skin-on turkey breasts, also called split breasts. They are inexpensive and flavorful. This recipe serves 6, so there’s just enough for some leftovers.
02of 09Vegan Wild Rice Stuffed Squash for TwoSourdough bread, a mix of earthy mushrooms and wild rice fill sweet acorn squash in this vegan recipe.
02of 09
Vegan Wild Rice Stuffed Squash for Two
Sourdough bread, a mix of earthy mushrooms and wild rice fill sweet acorn squash in this vegan recipe.
03of 09Skillet Green Bean Casserole for TwoGreen bean casserole is usually built for a crowd, but not this one! It’s perfectly portioned for a smaller Thanksgiving and done on the stovetop to free up oven space.
03of 09
Skillet Green Bean Casserole for Two
Green bean casserole is usually built for a crowd, but not this one! It’s perfectly portioned for a smaller Thanksgiving and done on the stovetop to free up oven space.
04of 09Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for TwoOne sweet potato yields the perfect amount for two people while keeping true to the classic flavors you’d expect for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
04of 09
Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for Two
One sweet potato yields the perfect amount for two people while keeping true to the classic flavors you’d expect for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
05of 09Sausage, Apple & Herb Stuffing for TwoThis easy make-ahead stuffing for two comes in its own single-serving dish. Turkey sausage and hearty whole-wheat bread combined with apples make this sweet and savory stuffing one you’ll want to turn to again and again.
05of 09
Sausage, Apple & Herb Stuffing for Two
This easy make-ahead stuffing for two comes in its own single-serving dish. Turkey sausage and hearty whole-wheat bread combined with apples make this sweet and savory stuffing one you’ll want to turn to again and again.
06of 09Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions for TwoHearty Brussels sprouts pair nicely with salty bacon and onions in this quick Thanksgiving side dish.
06of 09
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions for Two
Hearty Brussels sprouts pair nicely with salty bacon and onions in this quick Thanksgiving side dish.
07of 09Caramel Apple Crisp for TwoCaramel adds a sweet and salty note to this classic apple crisp.
07of 09
Caramel Apple Crisp for Two
Caramel adds a sweet and salty note to this classic apple crisp.
08of 09Pumpkin Cheesecake for TwoSingle-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!).
08of 09
Pumpkin Cheesecake for Two
Single-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!).
09of 09Apple Cider-Mezcal MargaritaRachel MarekThis fall version of a margarita features apple cider and mezcal, a liquor made from agave much like tequila. Like a classic margarita, this one blends sweet and sour flavors with a hint of cinnamon and orange from triple sec.
09of 09
Apple Cider-Mezcal Margarita
Rachel Marek
This fall version of a margarita features apple cider and mezcal, a liquor made from agave much like tequila. Like a classic margarita, this one blends sweet and sour flavors with a hint of cinnamon and orange from triple sec.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
