Thanksgiving is going to look a lot different for many of us this year. Instead of enjoying a large holiday feast with family and friends, the pandemic restrictions where you live just might limit your Thanksgiving to a small gathering.
If it’s just you and your significant other or roommate this Thanksgiving, you can still have a traditional and delicious feast. Of course, there is always the option of cooking for a group of 10 and having a week’s worth of leftovers. But there is also the option of scaling things down and creating the perfect Thanksgiving for two.
Turkey: Whole Bird or Breast?
Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite meal of the year. Even though I am having a smaller than normal Thanksgiving in 2020, I am still preparing a whole bird with big plans for my leftovers. We wouldn’t blame you if you still wanted to cook a whole turkey. We even have some great tips for taking your turkey game up a notch with a smoked turkey this holiday season.
However, if you don’t want to fill your fridge with turkey leftovers—or if you don’t have the oven space to cook a whole bird—a great option is to cook turkey breast in an air fryer. This method takes a lot less time and a lot less turkey. But the results are still delicious.
Cooking skin-on turkey breast in an air fryer will result in juicy and tender meat with a crispy buttery skin. All you need is an air fryer, a couple of pounds of skin-on turkey breast, butter, and a few herbs and spices, and your turkey could be ready to eat in under an hour.
No air fryer, no problem. Turkey breast tenderloins are also a great option that’s easy to make in a skillet. For some extra flavor, the spicy recipe will wake up your taste buds.
If you’d rather skip the turkey altogether, there are other amazing recipes that work perfectly for a Thanksgiving for two. Cornbread stuffed pork chops and Parmesan pork tenderloin are delicious alternatives to turkey during the holiday season.
Not a fan of turkey? Try spinach-stuffed chicken breast, a dish is loaded with flavor, not calories.
Small Sides With Big Flavor
A Thanksgiving dinner for two doesn’t mean skipping out on your favorite side dishes. When it comes to perfect mashed potatoes, cream cheese corn, honey-glazed carrots, and cranberry sauce, you can simply scale down and cut the recipe in half. You can also take the opportunity to get really creative.
Green Bean Casserole Bundles
This recipe can work for the oven or the air fryer. If you want to keep the tradition of green bean casserole at Thanksgiving, but want to get creative, try wrapping individual portions in bundles with bacon.
Spinach Artichoke Zucchini Bites
This recipe from Delish is crazy good. In fact, we’d call it addictive. These spinach artichoke zucchini bites take less than an hour to make and are so delicious, you’ll be glad you don’t have to share them with your whole family.
Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Grape jelly and meatballs do go together—we promise. In this recipe, sweet jelly mixed with smoky barbecue sauce (and a little kick of sriracha if you’re feeling spicy) makes a yummy appetizer. Plus, they don’t take up oven space, just crockpot real estate.
Microwaved Poultry Dressing
This recipe comes from Taste of Home and is super easy and low in sodium. You can also tailor the ingredients to suit your own taste.
Stuffin’ Muffins
A fun way to scale down stuffing portions is with this recipe for Stuffin’ Muffins. Simply make as many as you need, then save the rest of the ingredients for another meal.
Delicious Desserts
We are advocates of baking full-sized pies because there is nothing wrong with leftover pie. However, when cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for two, we understand if you are looking for different options.
Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes
This Delish recipe still has the custardy texture you love in a classic pumpkin pie, but they are much easier to make. Simply top your pumpkin pie cupcakes with whipped cream and you’re ready for a scrumptious little dessert.
Pumpkin Spice Pull-Apart Bread
‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice, and this recipe might just be the best thing yet to feature the popular flavor. This recipe for pumpkin spice pull-apart bread turns canned biscuits into a delicious holiday treat. All you need to add is some pumpkin spice, pumpkin puree, butter, sugar, vanilla extract, milk, powdered sugar, and plenty of cream cheese.
Li’l Pecan Pies
These little tarts can pack the flavor of a full pecan pie into a few bites. In less than an hour, this Li’l Pecan Pie recipe makes two sweet treats.
Apple Crisp for Two
This mouth-watering dessert is best served warm and topped with ice cream or whipped cream. If you have some freshly-picked apples from a nearby orchard, this recipe for Apple Crisp for Two will taste even better.
Cranberry Mimosas
Yes, a fall-inspired cranberry mimosa! Simply mix some champagne with cranberry juice and add a few fresh cranberries, lime, and sugar. Top it off with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner for Two
This awesome idea comes from Food With Feeling, and it’s flexible enough to include your favorite Thanksgiving dishes. When making a sheet pan dinner for two, you begin with a simple stuffing. You can also add a variety of side dishes (this recipe specifically includes Brussels sprouts), your choice of potato, and turkey breast.
Even though Thanksgiving might look different this year, you can still have an amazing dinner for two with your significant other, roommate, family member, or close friend. Any of these delicious recipes are perfect when you only have two mouths to feed on a holiday. Enjoy!
