Thanksgiving for Two

Has anyone ever done this? Any suggestions of what to cook, how much, etc? This would be a 1st for me for only two people total!

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

oh no... you should come to our house! haha

I would get a turkey breast.. or if you want lots of leftovers you can get a small turkey, or go the roast chicken route!

You can make the rest of the sides in smaller portions! And who does not like leftovers from turkey day anyway???!!!!

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

I have made mini-thanksgiving dinners when testing out recipes.

Just go smaller in general and be prepared for leftovers.

It is easier if you go less homemade. Buy 1 of those cans of pillsbury rolls. Make a small turkey. Get one bag of stuffing mix and make only half of it. Use one can of cranberry sauce. Buy vegetables fresh rather than using pre-bagged or frozen so that you can choose just how much you want/need. Make one pie.

If you have leftover turkey or rolls, you can make sandwiches the next day or something.

You have to figure out what you def. want to have during thanksgiving. what are the essentials for you two? Then figure out a way to make the normal dish smaller. Cut the ingredients by half if it was a recipe or 4ths if you need to.

For instance, I usually make a sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top but it is a big dish, well... I used the same recipe just cut the ingredients way back so that it made four individual serving size cups like I made it in mini circular corningware (like what you'd do french onion soup or creme brulee in or something like that). Therefore, I got the same dish I liked without having leftovers or having to buy and make the big version.

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

Sure, just get a small turkey breast and make all the sides as you would normally. If you're making stuffing with a recipe just cut the measurements in half. Or you could always pick up some sides from Boston Market

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

I did a small thanksgiving dinner for three a few years ago. I stuck to the basics of just a turkey breast with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green bean casserole. We definitely had some leftovers but not crazy amounts.

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

Great, sounds do-able!
Silly question but what is the best way to make homemade gravy if I cook turkey breasts?

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

I am doing Thanksgiving this year for 4 people and I have a newborn at home and am moving the following week.
I am not doing a turkey breast, decided to do turkey cutlets. I am still doing all of the same sides, but it would just be like a Sunday dinner amount. I am also doing a ham steak instead of a whole ham.
Truth is I always do Thanksgiving for 4 people and usually make a whole turkey and a whole ham and a lasagna, plus all the normal sides. Yes I make WAY too much food. But this year with the baby and the move, I just can't manage that all.
As for the homemade gravy, use chicken or turkey stock for the liquid and you will be good to go. The breast will have some drippings that you can put into the gravy.

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

I was going to do just this since it's just me and DH this Thanksgiving.

I was going to bake cornish hens (two of them because DH can eat!), stuff them with veggies and herbs and have some more veggies and sweet potatoes on the side.

For dessert I was going to bake a small cake and ice cream.

Simple but delicious!

But instead DH decided we're going out and having a romantic time to boot with that!

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

I plan on making a roasted chicken, wild rice casserole, roasted cauliflower, spicy sweet potatoe hash and sautéed spinach or broccoli.

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

I have done this before. I buy a big turkey breast and roll it around the stuffing. I make small portions of all of our classic side dishes and usually just one dessert. It's actually really sweet and intimate!

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

We've done this before. In fact 1 year we grilled fillets, but all my traditional sides. BEST thanksgiving ever!

Re: Thanksgiving for Two

Thanks for all of the tips, I'm excited about it now..and I don't have to have dinner ready until 6 or 7 since my BF is working that day, so I have plenty of time. My plan is to make turkey breast (not sure if bone in or out??), stuffing (just instant bagged stuffing), bake a couple of yams (or do a candied yam dish), simple mashed turnips and/or mashed potatoes, string beans and apple pie! The only thing I'm nervous about making is the gravy since it's so important for the meal, BUT I've never made it - I better have a jar or go to Boston Market as backup lol.

I think we'll do champagne or proseco too

I also found this recipe which looks good for two people:

Twice baked sweet potato

Message edited 11/19/2011 7:15:22 PM.