Thanksgiving for Two Menu includes easy, smaller prepared dishes that will feed 2-4 people, and you’ll have just enough leftovers for a few sandwiches!

Photos of an easy Thanksgiving dinner for two.

We usually have a pretty large crowd when we host Thanksgiving, anywhere from 20-30 people. And I love it that way—the more the merrier! This allows me to roast a large turkey and have lots of turkey leftovers!

With that said, I realize that not everyone has family bursting at the seams and sometimes you might just want to hang out at home with a special friend or two. So, I set out to create a Thanksgiving for Two Menu that would be just right for a smaller group but still include some classic Thanksgiving recipes.

I narrowed down some of our favorites and created this Thanksgiving dinner for two menu that gives you enough variety but not an overwhelming amount of food. This menu easily feeds at least 4 but would be just right for 2 so you’d have some leftovers!

Thanksgiving for two menu

For the main dish, start with a whole turkey breast, which is quicker and easier than roasting a whole turkey. You’ll brush the breast with a sticky maple-cayenne glaze. The cayenne balances with the maple syrup to give just the right flavor with a hint of heat.

For sides, you’ll love my take on traditional Southern cornbread dressing, Skillet Dressing with Pear, Sage, and Bacon.

You can never go wrong with bacon, right?!

You’ll love how easy this skillet dressing recipe is—just mix up baked, crumbled cornbread with chicken stock, fresh sage, crispy bacon, and a chopped fresh pear. The pear helps keep the dressing from getting dry and the flavor combination is wonderful.

Of course, you have to include a vegetable for your small Thanksgiving feast, and I recommend Brussels Sprouts with Lemon, Dijon, and Parmesan. Even people who think they don’t like Brussels Sprouts love this recipe!

For dessert, you have so many choices! If you want to keep it small then you could make a couple of Chocolate Lava Cakes, or you could make a regular-sized dessert and have leftovers to share. Some of our favorites are my Easy Fudge Pie, or my Apple Crisp Without Oatmeal.

Modern Thanksgiving menu for two or four:

Of course, you could always mix and match from other recipes as well if you wanted to included some more favorites—just cut the recipes in half or plan for leftovers.

If you’re looking for a special dessert for two for Thanksgiving, try this Maple Creme Brulee for Two from Dessert for Two.

Happy Cooking!

Update Notes: This post was originally published November 16, 2016, and on October 15, 2019, was updated with one or more of the following: step-by-step photos, video, updated recipe, new tips.

Lucy standing behind a counter with a cheese board and glass of wine.

About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. I’ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

Follow Lucy on social media:

You May Also Like:

Sign up with your email address to receive a 5-day series of Southern Cooking Secrets, followed by weekly emails with recipes and tips. We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *