45 Best Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas for Two to Make the Holiday Feel Special
Here's how to scale down your menu.
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Cooking a smaller Thanksgiving dinner might sound easier than tackling a big, family-filled feast, but it can be tricky in its own way. You still want all the flavors and traditions that make the holiday feel special, just without mountains of food you can’t possibly finish. After all, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without mashed potatoes on the table or something sweet made with pumpkin to end the night. That’s where these Thanksgiving dinner ideas for two come in handy. Whether you’re empty nesters, newlyweds, or simply keeping things simple this year, these recipes let you enjoy a cozy, intimate holiday meal without giving up the dishes you love most.
Forget about large platters and roasts–these recipes are designed to provide just enough for a delightful dinner for two and maybe a few Thanksgiving leftovers. To get things started, you'll find some Thanksgiving classics, like mini pumpkin cheesecakes, easy potato recipes, and turkey in the form of turkey tetrazzini. Speaking of turkey, if you simply can't give up the roast turkey with gravy, fear not because you can make roast turkey breast instead! You'll also discover that cooking for two means you can stray from the holiday traditions once in a while and get creative with your smaller feast. So why not try sweet potato hash instead of a big sweet potato casserole and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies instead of pumpkin pie?
Roast Turkey Breast
For some people, turkey is non-negotiable on Thanksgiving no matter how many guests they're serving. Luckily, you can swap out the whole turkey for turkey breast instead. It takes less time to cook, but still tastes just as good with gravy and cranberry sauce.
Get the Roast Turkey Breast recipe.
Lyonnaise Potatoes
These skillet potatoes are layered with bacon, onions, garlic, and lots of fresh herbs. It's proof that you don't need a crowd to make delicious potatoes.
Get the Lyonnaise Potatoes recipe.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Adding a few super simple side dishes to the table is easy when you use an air fryer. In fact, it'll cook up these tender-crisp green beans in just 15 minutes!
Get the Air Fryer Green Beans recipe.
Stuffed Butternut Squash
You can cut this recipe in half or save the leftovers for a weeknight dinner. Either way, you'll be satisfied with the hearty, autumnal sausage, rice, and kale filling.
Get the Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe.
Apple Cider Margarita
A margarita on Thanksgiving? Yes, please! This seasonal variation is made with refreshing apple cider and a maple and apple pie spice sugared rim.
Get the Apple Cider Margarita recipe.
Chicken Fried Turkey
Just like the chicken fried steak, these crispy turkey cutlets are extremely comforting. Serve them up with green beans and mashed potatoes, and don't forget to pass the gravy.
Get the Chicken Fried Turkey recipe.
Thanksgiving Salad
A holiday spread doesn’t have to be all carbs and gravy. A crisp, seasonal salad adds color to the table, and when you’re only making enough for two, it’s easy to toss together at the last minute.
Get the Thanksgiving Salad recipe.
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes always deserve a spot on the Thanksgiving table, no matter the size of the gathering. This scaled-down version makes it easy to enjoy that buttery, caramelized flavor without ending up with a casserole dish that could feed an army.
Get the Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Cornbread Stuffing with Chorizo
Stuffing feels too good to skip, even if you’re only cooking for two. This version packs in smoky chorizo for extra flavor, and the best part is you’ll likely have a little left over to reheat the next day.
Get Ree's Cornbread Stuffing with Chorizo recipe.
Fried Deviled Eggs
Snacking while the turkey (or chicken) rests is half the fun of Thanksgiving. These deviled eggs have a crispy shell that makes them feel extra special, and you can fry up exactly as many as you want.
Get the Fried Deviled Eggs recipe.
Roast Chicken
Turkey isn’t the only bird worthy of Thanksgiving. A perfectly roasted chicken has that same golden, impressive look when it hits the table, but it’s much more manageable for two people.
Get Ree's Roast Chicken recipe.
Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter
Carrots might sound simple, but when you roast them until caramelized and finish with honey butter, they turn into something worth savoring. A small bunch is all you need for two plates.
Pull-Apart Garlic-Herb Biscuits
Biscuits make a small Thanksgiving dinner feel complete. Bake these so you’ll have the joy of pulling apart soft and garlicky layers without a mountain of extras to store.
Get Ree's Pull-Apart Garlic-Herb Biscuits recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Dark meat lovers will appreciate this swap for turkey. Chicken thighs cook quickly in the air fryer, freeing up space in your kitchen and making it easy to serve a Thanksgiving main that’s hearty but not excessive.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Sprouts for a crowd can hog oven space, but the air fryer takes care of a small batch in no time. They come out crunchy on the edges and tender in the middle, ready to share straight from the basket.
Get the Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Roasted Shrimp With Cranberry Cocktail Sauce
Shrimp cocktail isn’t just for parties! It works perfectly as a starter for two because you can put out exactly how many shrimp you want. The cranberry sauce gives it a seasonal twist that ties into the holiday.
Get Ree's Roasted Shrimp With Cranberry Cocktail Sauce recipe.
Air Fryer Baked Potato
Whether you're serving turkey, chicken, or something entirely different, you can't go wrong with a classic baked potato. This method for making them in an air fryer comes out crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside every time.
Get the Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe.
Turkey Meatballs
There are so many ways to enjoy these lean turkey meatballs. You can toss them in tomato sauce, cover them with gravy, or serve them up with a creamy lemon dipping sauce. No matter what, they're sure to be a hit.
Get the Turkey Meatballs recipe.
Turkey Meatloaf
Instead of a traditional roasted turkey, make a hearty and healthy turkey meatloaf! It's so on-theme for Turkey Day, especially when served with classic sides like mashed potatoes and green beans.
Get the Turkey Meatloaf recipe.
Hasselback Apples
These tender baked apples are filled with a spiced oat crumble, so they have all the flavors of an apple pie. You can even serve them up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel.
Get the Hasselback Apples recipe.
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