Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and Recipes for Two or a Small Gathering
Here is a perfect Thanksgiving menu for 2 or any small gathering.
In this post, I will share my secret to creating a delicious Thanksgiving meal for two and some of the tricks to make it easy! Be prepared to be hungry afterward;)
FIRST: THE BIRD
A Roast Chicken or a Bone-In Turkey Breast are perfect for a smaller gathering. Of course, you HAVE to go with Ina’s for these classics!
Follow these links below for my recipe recommendations for a Roasted Chicken or a Roasted Turkey Breast:
SECOND: SIDES
Sides, the only thing we all really care about, right?
In a perfect world, I’d make mashed potatoes AND sweet potatoes but that may be overdoing it. for two.
So, if you are team mashed potatoes, try these:
Mashed Potatoes for Two
Ingredients
Russet Potatoes, (roughly 2 large potatoes, whole an unpeeled)
3 Garlic Cloves, Peeled and Chopped
½ Cup (4 Ounces) Unsalted butter, softened and cut into 8 tablespoons
¼ Cup Whole milk, room temperature
1 Tablespoon, Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
¼ Teaspoon (plus more to taste) Salt (preferably Kosher)
Instructions
Add the whole potatoes, garlic, and a handful of salt to a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil.
Once boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer and cook until tender Drain and let cool for 5 minutes. And then, like magic, the peel will rub right off! No more peeling potatoes. Tat!
Transfer the potatoes and garlic to a large mixing bowl. Mash by hand with a ricer or masher OR beat on the lowest speed possible with a mixer.
Add the butter, milk, parsley, and salt. Mash/beat until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust for salt.
TOP TIP: If you accidentally add too much milk, put the potatoes in a dry pot and cook over low heat until they begin to dry out and thicken; remember to stir often so that it doesn’t burn.
To save time (and stress!) on Thanksgiving Day, you can whip up your mash 3 days before and reheat before serving; here’s my recommendation on the best way to reheat:
Place your potatoes in a glass or stainless bowl set over (but not in) simmering water. Cook, stirring occasionally and adding milk as necessary to adjust the consistency. Carry on until heated through (around 15 to 20 minutes). This is the best way to ensure a creamy potato without any dryness.
If you’re a sweet potato fan, see below.
Sweet Potatoes for Two
Recipe by Homemade In the Kitchen
Click here for my Sweet Potato Recipe recommendation.
Best of Both Worlds- Double Potato Mash
For those of you like me (who just can’t decide!), the gorgeous Nigella has us covered with a double potato mash that mixes the best of both worlds.
It is a behemoth recipe making 10-12 servings, but with only FOUR ingredients and very basic steps, so even the most math-challenged types (like me!) can easily reduce it. Double Potato Mash Recipe
TOP TIP: This recipe calls for Mace, but I substitute nutmeg.
Stuffing
Time for stuffing! This is a SUPER easy one that uses bagged herbed stuffing. And to be honest, it’s the one I was brought up on;)
Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients:
1/8 cup butter
1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
1/2 large onion, coarsely chopped
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
1/2-1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 package (14 ounces) Pepperidge Farm® Herb Seasoned Stuffing
Heat the oven to 350°F.
Heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the celery and onion and cook for 5 minutes or until tender-crisp, stirring occasionally.
Add the broth to the saucepan and heat to a boil.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the stuffing and mix lightly. Season to taste. Spoon the stuffing mixture into a greased baking dish. Cover the baking dish.
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the stuffing mixture is hot.
TOP TIPS: For crunchier stuffing, bake the stuffing uncovered for the last 5-10 minutes. For cranberry and pecan stuffing, stir a handful of dried cranberries and chopped pecans into the stuffing mixture before baking.
Something GREEN
Well, getting our five a day is important! So, I suppose it’s time to consider something green.
Click here for My Brussel Sprouts and Pancetta recipe: It’s soooo good. Made crispy with olive oil and Pancetta or bacon. Mmmm.
Alternatively, you could go for slow-cooker green beans.
THIRD: THE (YUMMY) EXTRA STUFF
Gravy
As for the gravy… BUY IT! Your local grocery store will most likely have a GREAT homemade turkey gravy that you can purchase in JUST the right quantity!
Cranberry Sauce
Here’s a DELICIOUS cranberry sauce recipe.
Now, this uses a whole bag, but what are you going to do with ½ a bag of cranberries anyways? Instead, you can make ALL the sauce and use the leftovers for a whole bunch of things, check out this link below to see all of your leftover options (SPOILER: the smoothie looks super tasty ☺ ).
FOURTH: DESSERT
If you aren’t already hungry after reading this post, you will be now! Go full out with this AMAZING pumpkin pie from Sally’s Baking Addiction, or since you’ve already worked super hard, just purchase a pie like I do. (Don’t judge me, I’m baking-challenged ☺)
Sally’s Perfect Pumpkin Pie Recipe
So, set out a pretty table, grab a BIG bottle of Prosecco, put on some Christmas music and have a beautiful holiday my friends.
Sending love to you all,
Lauren xx