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Thanksgiving for Two can be just as special and meaningful as a big celebration. This collection of recipes captures the spirit of the holiday, perfectly portioned for two people. To make planning simple, you’ll find a handy grocery list and a step-by-step video guide to help you through the cooking process. Enjoy a homemade Thanksgiving meal that’s full of flavor, easy to prepare, and leaves you with just the right amount of leftovers.
Looking for more small batch and single serving Thanksgiving recipes? Try our recipes for Turkey Cutlets, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach, and Pumpkin Pie Bars!
And don’t let those Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste—make our delicious Thanksgiving Sliders for a fun and tasty way to enjoy them again!
Table of Contents
- VIDEO: Thanksgiving For Two Meal
- Thanksgiving Prep Made Simple
- Thanksgiving Day Plan
- Thanksgiving Dinner For Two Recipes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Expert Tips For Cooking A Small Thanksgiving Meal
- Complete Grocery List For Thanksgiving For Two
- More Small Batch Thanksgiving Recipes To Try
- Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
VIDEO: Thanksgiving For Two Meal
Click here to download full grocery list!
Thanksgiving Prep Made Simple
Steps to Get Ahead
Save time and reduce stress by prepping a few dishes the day before Thanksgiving. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure everything turns out perfectly while keeping your holiday as enjoyable as possible.
- Prepare the Pecan Pie Crust: Start by making the shortbread crust. It’s the same one we use in recipes like Apple Pie and our Lemon Bars.
- Mix the Pecan Pie Filling: Combine all the ingredients for the filling so it’s ready to bake.
- Bake the Pecan Pie: Pop the pie in the oven and let it bake to perfection.
- Make Mini Cornbread Batter: While the pie is baking, mix up your cornbread batter.
- Cool the Pecan Pie: Once the pie is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely.
- Preheat Your Skillet for Cornbread: If using a cast-iron skillet, place it in the oven to heat. Skip this step if using a standard baking dish.
- Prepare the Skillet: Carefully remove the heated skillet from the oven, add butter, and get it ready for the batter.
- Bake the Cornbread: Pour the batter into the skillet or dish and bake until golden.
- Store Your Dishes for Tomorrow: Once cooled, store the pecan pie and cornbread properly, so they’re ready to serve.
By tackling a few simple tasks ahead of time, you’ll enjoy a stress-free, delicious Thanksgiving for Two!
Note: For a pecan pie recipe without corn syrup, check out our mini Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup recipe.
Thanksgiving Day Plan
Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Stress-Free Meal
A well-planned timeline is key to enjoying a seamless Thanksgiving for Two. With this easy-to-follow guide, you’ll juggle your turkey, cornbread dressing, green beans, and cranberries like a pro. Here’s how to stay on track and keep everything perfectly timed:
- Prepare the Cornbread Dressing: Use the mini cornbread you made earlier to prepare your dressing mixture.
- Bake the Cornbread Dressing: Place the dressing in the oven to bake.
- Season the Turkey Tenderloin: While the dressing bakes, season your turkey tenderloin.
- Remove the Dressing: Once baked, take the dressing out of the oven and let it cool.
- Adjust the Oven Temperature: Change the oven setting and preheat your skillet inside the oven if using one.
- Start Cooking Green Beans: Sauté the green beans on the stove.
- Begin Cranberry Sauce: Get the cranberries cooking in a small pot.
- Simmer the Green Beans: Lower the heat and let the green beans simmer.
- Retrieve Preheated Skillet: Carefully take the heated skillet out of the oven.
- Cook the Turkey: Add olive oil and the seasoned turkey to the skillet, then bake in the oven.
- Simmer the Cranberries: Reduce the heat under the cranberries to thicken the sauce.
- Cool the Green Beans: Rinse the cooked green beans under cool water to stop the cooking process.
- Flip the Turkey: Turn the tenderloin over for even cooking and return it to the oven.
- Finish the Cranberries: Once thickened, remove the cranberry sauce from the stove.
- Rest the Turkey: Check the internal temperature of the turkey and let it rest before slicing.
- Final Sauté for Green Beans: Give the green beans a quick sauté to finish.
- Slice the Turkey: Once rested, slice the tenderloin for serving.
- Plate and Serve: Arrange all your dishes and enjoy your delicious, perfectly portioned Thanksgiving feast.
By following this timeline, you’ll have a stress-free holiday meal that’s flavorful, beautifully timed, and just the right size!
Thanksgiving Dinner For Two Recipes
Turkey Tenderloin Recipe
Small Batch Cornbread Dressing
Sautéed Green Beans For One
Cranberry Sauce For One
Mini Pecan Pie
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! While a classic turkey dinner is a popular choice, you can get creative with other delicious main courses if turkey isn’t your favorite. Try options like:
* Chicken Caprese
* Pork Tenderloin
* Baked Stuffed Fish
* Pumpkin Soup
There are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options that are just as festive and satisfying. Some ideas include:
* Vegetarian Chili
* Chickpea Curry
* Mini Eggplant Parmesan
* Sweet Potato Casserole
* Carrot Souffle
No special cookware is required. A high-quality skillet and a few small baking dishes are all you need for most recipes.
Use our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder to discover creative ways to make the most of any extras. It’s perfect for avoiding waste and trying something new.
Expert Tips For Cooking A Small Thanksgiving Meal
- Plan Your Menu Early: Deciding your menu ahead of time makes shopping and preparation much easier. Early planning helps you avoid the stress of last-minute ingredient hunts or finding key items out of stock.
- Prep Before Cooking: Read through all your recipes before you start cooking. Gather and measure your ingredients for each dish in advance to save time and avoid scrambling in the middle of cooking.
- Make Dessert and Cornbread Ahead: Preparing your dessert and a small batch of cornbread the day before is a big time-saver. With these dishes already done, you can focus on the rest of your meal and have everything ready in under 90 minutes on Thanksgiving Day.
- Set a Beautiful Table: Even for two, a special table setting makes the meal feel more festive. Use your favorite linens, plates, and décor to create an elegant and memorable atmosphere for your celebration.
Complete Grocery List For Thanksgiving For Two
Holiday grocery shopping doesn’t have to be stressful. To make things easier, we’ve created a detailed shopping list with all the ingredients you’ll need for the recipes in this Thanksgiving for Two collection. This guide will save you time and ensure you’re fully prepared for a smooth and enjoyable holiday meal.
Click here to download full grocery list!
For step-by-step cooking directions, just click on the individual recipe links above. Armed with this shopping guide and our detailed recipes, you’ll have everything you need for a memorable, stress-free Thanksgiving feast for two.
For Pecan Pie
Shortbread Crust Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Pecan Pie Filling Ingredients
- ¼ cup corn syrup
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon salted butter , melted
For Cornbread
- 2 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cornbread Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ cup chopped onions
- ¼ cup chopped carrots
- ¼ cup chopped celery
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried sage
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 slice white or wheat sandwich bread
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Sautéed Green Beans
- 1 cup fresh green beans
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Turkey Tenderloin
- 1 (12-ounce) turkey tenderloin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon dried sage
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
This checklist format is easy to read and great for on-the-go shopping. You can even take screenshots of each section and tick them off as you fill your shopping cart!
More Small Batch Thanksgiving Recipes To Try
Looking to add a little more variety to your Thanksgiving for two? These small batch recipes are the perfect addition to your table, offering options for every taste and dietary preference. From comforting sides to classic pies, these recipes are scaled down to fit your celebration without creating too many leftovers.
- Mini Corn Casserole: A perfectly portioned side dish for your feast.
- Mini Sweet Potato Pie: A holiday favorite, sized just right for two.
- Crustless Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup For One: A lighter take on a classic dessert.
- Cauliflower Casserole For One: A flavorful, low-carb option.
- Pumpkin Pie For One: The classic Thanksgiving pie, made just for you.
Click each recipe title to find full instructions and start cooking!
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you would like information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve tried any of these Thanksgiving recipes or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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