Thanksgiving For Two Recipes (2024)

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Thanksgiving for Two can be just as festive and heartwarming as a large gathering. Imagine a feast that keeps the essence of Thanksgiving alive, but is tailored perfectly for you and a special someone. In this post, we’re excited to share a selection of delightful recipes, each carefully scaled to serve two. To make your holiday planning a breeze, we’ve included a concise grocery list and an easy-to-follow video guide to walk you through each step of the cooking process. Get ready to enjoy a cozy, homemade Thanksgiving meal that’s big on flavor and short on leftovers.

Looking for more small batch and single serving Thanksgiving recipes? Be sure to check out out recipes for Turkey Cutlets, Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach, and Pumpkin Pie Bars!

Don’t let those Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste – our Thanksgiving Sliders are the perfect way to enjoy them again!

VIDEO: Thanksgiving For Two Meal

Pre-Thanksgiving Checklist: Get Ahead Of The Game With These Easy Steps

Kickstart your Thanksgiving feast by getting a head start on the day before. We’ve put together a strategic list of steps that make it easy to whip up a homemade pecan pie and mini cornbread in advance. Follow this guide to save time, reduce stress, and ensure your dishes turn out perfectly. Here’s what to do:

1. Make Pecan Pie Shortbread Crust: Start with the foundation of your pie by preparing the shortbread crust. This is the same shortbread crust that we use in our Apple Pie and our Lemon Bars.
2. Prepare the Pecan Pie Filling: Mix all the ingredients needed for your pie filling.
3. Bake the Pecan Pie: Slide that pie into the oven and let it do its magic.
4. Whip Up Mini Cornbread: While the pie is baking, use this time to prepare your cornbread batter.
5. Remove Pecan Pie from Oven: Your pie should be ready now; take it out and let it cool.
6. Prepare Your Cooking Vessel for Cornbread: If you’re using a cast-iron skillet, go ahead and place it in the oven to heat up. If you’re using an oven-safe baking dish, there’s no need to preheat—just have it ready to go for your cornbread batter.
7. Retrieve Your Heated Skillet: If you opted for the cast-iron skillet, now’s the time to carefully remove it from the oven, so it’s all set for your cornbread batter.
8. Add Butter and Cornbread Batter to Skillet and Bake: Butter the skillet, add your batter, and put it back in the oven.
9. Set Aside Pecan Pie and Cornbread for Tomorrow: Once everything is cooled, store them properly so they’re ready to shine at your Thanksgiving meal.

By planning ahead, you can ensure that your Thanksgiving for Two will be a delicious, stress-free event!

Note: If you’re looking for a pecan pie made without corn syrup, be sure to check out our mini Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup recipe.

Thanksgiving Day Timeline: Your Step-By-Step Guide To A Perfectly Timed Meal

When the big day arrives, having a clear plan can make all the difference. We’ve streamlined the cooking steps for your Thanksgiving For Two menu to ensure you’re not scrambling last minute. You’ll be juggling cornbread dressing, turkey tenderloin, green beans, and cranberries, but don’t worry—we’ve laid it out in a way that’s easy to follow and efficient. Here’s your game plan:

1. Prepare Cornbread Dressing: Take that mini cornbread you made yesterday and prepare your cornbread dressing mixture.
2. Bake Cornbread Dressing: Pop the dressing into the oven.
3. Season Turkey Tenderloin: While the dressing bakes, season your turkey tenderloin.
4. Remove Cornbread Dressing from Oven: Once baked, take the dressing out to cool.
5. Adjust Oven and Preheat Skillet: Change your oven’s temperature setting and if using a skillet, let it heat up inside the oven.
6. Begin Cooking Green Beans: Start sautéing those fresh green beans.
7. Initiate Cranberry Cooking: Get your cranberries onto the stove.
8. Lower Green Beans to Simmer: Adjust the stove’s heat to let your green beans simmer.
9. Retrieve Preheated Skillet: If using a skillet, take it out once the oven is ready.
10. Add Turkey to Skillet and Bake: Add a splash of olive oil and your seasoned turkey to the skillet, then place it in the oven.
11. Reduce Cranberries to Simmer: Lower the heat under your cranberries so they can simmer and thicken.
12. Cool Down Green Beans: Rinse your sautéed green beans with cool water to stop the cooking process.
13. Flip and Continue Cooking Turkey: Take the turkey out, flip it, and return it to the oven for even cooking.
14. Remove Cranberries from Heat: Your cranberry sauce should be ready now; take it off the stove.
15. Check Turkey and Rest: When your turkey tenderloin is done, make sure to check its internal temperature. Let it rest before slicing.
16. Finish Up Sautéed Green Beans: Give your green beans their final sauté.
17. Slice and Serve Turkey: Your turkey should be rested and ready for slicing.
18. Plate and Savor: Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for. Plate your dishes and enjoy your intimate, flavorful Thanksgiving for Two!

By sticking to this timeline, you can look forward to a stress-free, delicious Thanksgiving meal perfectly portioned for two.

Thanksgiving Dinner For Two Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert Tips When Cooking A Small Thanksgiving Meal

• Plan Your Menu Early: The sooner you decide on your menu, the easier it’ll be to gather all the ingredients. This early planning can help you avoid the last-minute scramble and the disappointment of finding key items out of stock.
• Prep Before You Start: Before diving into the actual cooking, read through all the recipes you’ll be tackling. Assemble all the ingredients you’ll need for each dish so you’re not searching through cabinets while the clock is ticking.
• Divide and Conquer with Dessert and Cornbread: Making your dessert and a small batch of cornbread the day before can be a lifesaver. By taking care of these elements in advance, you’ll streamline your cooking on the actual day, getting everything done in under 90 minutes.
• Set a Special Table: Don’t skimp on the presentation. Even though it’s a meal for two, break out your best linens and plates. You’re celebrating, after all, and you both deserve that extra touch of elegance.

Your Complete Grocery List For Thanksgiving For Two

Navigating the grocery store aisles before a holiday can be overwhelming. To make your prep as smooth as possible, we’ve compiled a comprehensive shopping guide that covers all the ingredients you’ll need for every dish in this Thanksgiving For Two recipe roundup. Trust us, this list is a game-changer.

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

• 3tablespoonssalted butter
• ¼cupchopped onions
• ¼cupchopped carrots
• ¼cupchopped celery
• 1clovegarlic
• ¼teaspoonsalt
• ¼teaspoondried sage
• ¼teaspoonItalian seasoning
• 1slicewhite or wheat sandwich bread
• 1largeegg
• ¾cuplow sodium chicken broth
• ¼cupheavy 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!

Additional Small Batch Thanksgiving Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more delicious options to complete your cozy Thanksgiving for two? From scrumptious pies to mouth-watering casseroles, we’ve got a curated list of additional small-batch recipes to complement your festive feast. These are perfect for adding variety or catering to specific dietary needs.

• Mini Corn Casserole: A perfect side dish that’s just the right size.
• Mini Sweet Potato Pie: The beloved holiday pie, scaled down for two.
• Crustless Pecan Pie Without Corn Syrup For One: A healthier twist on a classic.
• Cauliflower Casserole For One: A low-carb option that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
• Pumpkin Pie For One: The quintessential Thanksgiving pie, all to yourself.

Click the titles to find the full recipes and cooking instructions. Feel free to mix and match to create your ideal Thanksgiving menu!