Thanksgiving Recipe For Two: Small Batch | Dessert For Two (2024)

Thanksgiving for two has all the favorites on the menu. This small Thanksgiving dinner is easy, plus plenty of options! Thanksgiving for two menu complete with a small Thanksgiving turkey, all the sides plus desserts to choose.

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Thanksgiving for Two Recipes

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Small Thanksgiving Turkey Breast

How to make a juicy turkey breast tenderloin with Indian spices.

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Melting Sweet Potatoes (small batch)

The actual best ever sweet potatoes. Optional maple-pecan sauce.

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Vanilla Acorn Squash for Two

Baked acorn squash with vanilla bean paste, brown sugar, and salt.

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Half-Batch Southern Cornbread Dressing

Perfect cornbread based dressing with plenty of spices.

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Cornbread Muffins - small batch

Cornbread muffin recipe that makes a small batch of just 6 muffins. Double this for my Cornbread dressing recipe.

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Fall Chopped Salad (serves 2-3)

Fall chopped salad with pears, blue cheese, and hazelnuts and a quick maple vinaigrette.

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Chopped Salad with Pear Vinaigrette for Two

Chopped salad recipe with a fresh pear vinaigrette.

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Coconut Brussels Sprouts for Two

The best Brussels sprouts ever--loaded with mustard seeds and unsweetened coconut.

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Bacon Wrapped Asparagus for Two

Bacon wrapped asparagus are great for a Whole30 dinner side dish, snack, or party appetizer!

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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes for Two

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes for Two made in the Instant Pot mini.

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Funeral Potatoes Recipe (small batch)

Best ever Funeral Potatoes recipe! A hash brown casserole with sour cream, cheese, and cheddar chips on top.

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Small Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows for two.

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Instant Pot Mac and Cheese for Two

Instant pot mini mac and cheese.

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Cranberry Butter

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Small Batch Buttermilk Biscuits

Makes 6 3" biscuits

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Small Batch Dinner Rolls

Small batch dinner rolls for two.

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Orange Spice Coconut Pumpkin Pie (full-size)

yields 1 full-size 9" pie

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Mini Pumpkin Pies (makes 8)

Two-bite pumpkin pies are so cute!

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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes (makes 4)

Makes 4 mini pumpkin cheesecakes in a muffin pan

Small Pumpkin Cake Roll

Small pumpkin cake roll for two.

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Pumpkin 'Quarter' Sheet Cake

One bowl pumpkin sheet cake with pumpkin spice frosting.

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Pumpkin Mousse (no-cook)

Recipe makes 6 pumpkin mousse cups.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (small batch)

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that are soft and chewy. Small batch, too!

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Pumpkin Cakes for Two

Two mini pumpkin cakes baked in ramekins.

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Mini Pumpkin Cakes

Mini pumpkin cakes with thick glaze. Small batch!

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Pumpkin Brownies for Two

Brownies for two made in a loaf pan...with a pumpkin swirl!

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Easy Pumpkin Bread

Easy one bowl pumpkin bread made in a loaf pan.

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Mini Apple Pies for Two

Two mini 6" apple pies for two.

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Apple Tarte Tatin for two

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Apple Turnovers, small-batch

4 apple turnovers

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Apple Pie Pizza for Two

Yield: 1 mini 6" pizza

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Thanksgiving Small Apple Pie Recipe

A small apple pie made in a 6" pan.


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Thanksgiving Recipe for two

We are here to perfect our small Thanksgiving For Two game plan! For many reasons, throughout the years, my husband and I have been alone for the holidays. We lived far away from home, plus my husband’s parents are split between the two coasts! Not to ever forget the holidays I had to miss traveling due to being pregnant or with a newborn.

Cooking for two is my specialty. I’ve been writing this blog called Dessert for Two for 10 years, and I have written 4 cookbooks all about cooking for two. You have come to the right place for your small Thanksgiving dinner ideas!

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Small Thanksgiving turkey

Let’s start with arguably the most important part of dinner: the turkey. We will not be roasting an entire turkey this year, because that’s kind of crazy! While leftover turkey is great in things like Broccoli Rice Casserole and homemade turkey broth, it takes up too much valuable oven space.

Enter the beautiful turkey breast; this one is boneless and skinless. It’s so easy to cook!

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If you’re nervous about cooking an entire bird (even I am, and I cook for a living), turkey breast tenderloins are the place to start. It’s really no more difficult than cooking chicken breast—it's just longer and wider, hah!

A pack of turkey tenderloins, also known as our small Thanksgiving turkey, usually come two per pack. And while you could rub them with butter, salt, pepper, and sage, why be boring?

My recipe for Indian-Spiced Turkey Breasts is made with yogurt (or tangy kefir), turmeric, ginger, garam masala, cilantro, and lime. These Indian flavors taste so good on an otherwise boring piece of white meat.

Just because our celebration is small doesn’t mean our Thanksgiving turkey for two is any less impressive than a whole bird!

Thanksgiving for two sides:

We will start with the orange vegetables. Oh, the orange vegetables are the best things about Fall, don’t you know?

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Melting Sweet Potatoes are the world’s greatest gift to us all. Even if you think you don’t like sweet potatoes, you will like these sweet potatoes. The outside forms a crisp crust while the insides is, well, meltingly tender. We make this year ‘round in our house as snacks and on top of brown rice bowls.

If squash is more your thing, you’re going to love Baked Acorn Squash with Vanilla Bean. Yes, splurge on a vanilla bean, because it’s just the two of you, after all! One of the perks of a small Thanksgiving dinner for two is that we can treat ourselves!

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The star of the show in my house:

We’re moving on to the next great Thanksgiving side dish. I love this cornbread dressing so much that I make a batch on my birthday, that falls nowhere near Turkey Day, hah!

My Southern cornbread dressing is the reason I celebrate Thanksgiving. I love cornbread dressing even more than I love turkey—it’s my favorite thing on my plate.

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This recipe started out as a Southern Living magazine winner, and over the past 35+ years, my family has made it our own. We've changed the ratio of cornbread muffins to bread, and we've increased the spices by at least triple. There are no other cornbread stuffing recipes made in our house. Distant family members travel far and wide to get a taste of this stuffing recipe.

By the way, it's stuffing if it's cooked inside your turkey, and dressing if it's baked alongside, did you know this?

Plus, this recipe has a how-to video to walk you through it exactly. It uses a double batch of my cornbread muffins, just so you know.

More Thanksgiving side dishes for two

I supposed we have to start talking about vegetables now. Now, please don't feign your excitement--my side dishes are epic! I've been cooking these recipes for so many years that I have it narrowed down to just the amazing ones!

First, we should probably talk about salad. When I was growing up, salad was never served before Thanksgiving dinner—it just wasted space in our stomach, hah! But, I happened to marry a Southern Californian dude who loves a good salad. I created these two salad recipes for him using our favorite fall fruit: pears!

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This Fall harvest salad features crumbled blue cheese, crunchy hazelnuts, and sliced pears. It's so good that we eat it as a meal topped with baked tofu or sliced chicken breast during the whole season.

If you need another salad option, this chopped salad with pear vinaigrette is fabulous, too! The dressing is made with a whole pureed pear for sweetness!

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I’m going to make a case for Brussels sprouts on your Thanksgiving for two menu. If you know you love Brussels, you will go crazy for a new way to make them: Coconut Brussels Sprouts with Black Mustard Seeds.

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If you know you don’t love Brussels, swap them out for Bacon wrapped asparagus.

While we already have plans for plenty of orange vegetables, that doesn’t mean that we can forget about white potatoes!

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Make ahead mashed potatoes, instant pot mashed potatoes for two, or even funeral potatoes are the way to go. Personally, the more I can make ahead, the better, so it would be so easy to pull a bread loaf pan full of mashed potatoes from the freezer that day.

It’s hard to believe we’re still talking about side dishes, but sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is not a sleeper.

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And there are many, for whom, the Thanksgiving for two menu would be incomplete without mac and cheese. My instant pot mac and cheese will save you time and clean-up.

Before we move onto dessert, we need to put our slow cooker to use and make crockpot cranberry butter to drizzle over our turkey.

Small batch bread recipes:

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If you think you'll have room for bread on the table, I suggest my small batch biscuits or small batch dinner rolls.

Bread can be decisive at times, and maybe you want to skip the bread and save room for dessert instead? I've got you covered with desserts up next.

Desserts for two

As for desserts for two, well, that's kind of my whole thing. Four out of the four cookbooks I’ve written are either all about small batch desserts or have a significant dessert chapter.

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If you don’t believe that Thanksgiving dessert should be scaled down, I give you a full-size Orange Coconut Pumpkin Pie. Make sure you use the deep dish crust, ok?

But for everyone else, moving forward, the Thanksgiving desserts for two will be small.

Mini Pumpkin Pies are so cute.

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Mini pumpkin cheesecakes with whipped cream on top are also so nice. The recipe makes just 4 pumpkin cheesecakes in a cupcake pan.

A pumpkin roll cake is fancy, if you own a quarter sheet pan.

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Speaking of the quarter sheet pan, you can make my pumpkin quarter sheet cake.

Pumpkin mousse is a no-cook way to get your pumpkin fix.

And let's not forget smaller, simpler desserts, like pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin cakes for two, mini pumpkin cakes with glaze, pumpkin brownies, and easy pumpkin bread.

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If your family likes apple for Thanksgiving dessert, I have mini apple pies for two, apple tarte tatin for two, apple turnovers, and apple pie pizza.

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Oh, the homemade small apple pie is made in a 6” pie pan,while the mini apple pies are made in two 6” pie pans. It really just depends on how much pie you and your partner need.

I hope this Thanksgiving for Two menu is perfect for your small Thanksgiving celebration this year! If you can’t travel to be near friends or family, my heart is with you. I hope these recipes bring you comfort and just enough leftovers for the next day.

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Thanksgiving Recipe For Two: Small Batch | Dessert For Two (2024)

FAQs

How do you simplify Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Tips To Simplify Thanksgiving Entertaining
  1. Pick the menu early. Don't leave menu planning and shopping to the last minute. ...
  2. Brine your bird. Turkey is the centerpiece of the feast, so give it every opportunity to shine. ...
  3. Start prep work a few days before Thanksgiving. ...
  4. Serve batched cocktails. ...
  5. Create simple centerpieces.
Nov 1, 2023

What is a good second meat for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

When you add some pork (or lamb) (or salmon) to the Thanksgiving table, you get an extra delicious main course—and lots of leftover turkey for sandwiches. It is a Thanksgiving truth (almost) universally acknowledged that turkey is...just okay.

What is the most traditional Thanksgiving menu? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

Why is Thanksgiving dinner at 2? ›

Why Is Thanksgiving Dinner So Early? There are many reasons, but primarily: Historically, dinner became before supper; it makes for a more relaxed day; it's simply tradition; it's more convenient for traveling guests; and, of course, to watch football.

What is the short simple Thanksgiving dinner prayer? ›

Good and gracious God, we give You thanks today, as we do all days, first and foremost for the gift of creation and the gift of life. We ask You to bless this food, that it may nourish us and sustain us, and strengthen our ability to do Your will.

What foods do people eat on Thanksgiving for dinner list at least 8? ›

Here are the top 10 Thanksgiving foods that your guests are likely expecting to see on the table if you're hosting a traditional affair:
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • Stuffing.
  • Green bean casserole.
  • Sweet potato casserole.
  • Baked corn.
  • Mac and cheese.
  • Peas & Water chestnuts (our fun take on regular peas)
  • Fresh rolls.
Oct 28, 2021

How do you make a small Thanksgiving special? ›

14 Festive Ideas for a Small Thanksgiving Dinner
  1. 01 of 14. Crockpot Maple-Glazed Turkey Breast. ...
  2. 02 of 14. Festive Party Cheese Ball With Pecans. ...
  3. 03 of 14. Instant Pot Pumpkin Pie. ...
  4. 04 of 14. Roasted Bacon Turkey Tenderloin. ...
  5. 05 of 14. Sweet Potato Cream Cheese Pie. ...
  6. 06 of 14. Pork Rib Roast. ...
  7. 07 of 14. Deep-Fried Turkey Breast. ...
  8. 08 of 14.
Dec 13, 2022

How to do a Thanksgiving for 2? ›

In the wake of 2020's COVID restrictions, some people started making a smaller Thanksgiving dinner. I tried to downsize my usual holiday table-for-10 and make a full feast for just two people. I made a turkey breast, one vegetable, two potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce all for two.

What is the cheapest meat for Thanksgiving? ›

Inexpensive Cuts of Meat for Your Holiday Meals
  • Beef Brisket and Chuck Roast.
  • Ground Beef.
  • Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt.
  • Chicken Legs and Thighs.
Dec 19, 2023

How to do Thanksgiving without family? ›

What to Do on Thanksgiving Without Family
  1. Book a night at a local hotel. Anything you can do out of the ordinary will make the holiday feel special and not blah. ...
  2. Stay in your PJs all day. 0 Guilt. ...
  3. Don't make any plans. ...
  4. Play charades over Zoom. ...
  5. Help a neighbor. ...
  6. Spend the day writing letters. ...
  7. Friendsgiving, duh.
Nov 20, 2020

How do you explain Thanksgiving to a 2 year old? ›

It's a celebration of harvest and time with family. I make it about the survival of our people, and being thankful for the elders in my community who teach me my culture.”

How do I host Thanksgiving easy? ›

  1. Never turn down help. ...
  2. Make as much ahead as possible. ...
  3. Don't experiment with new recipes. ...
  4. Start early on your non-food prep. ...
  5. Consider making the turkey the day before. ...
  6. Set the table the night before. ...
  7. Have a cocktail (or wine) ready to go. ...
  8. Don't make a big deal over appetizers.

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