Small Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Recipes
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This is the year many of us are making a small Thanksgiving Dinner. But that doesn’t mean we have to give up the classics, just adapt those recipes for smaller Thanksgiving gatherings.
Small Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
If you’re celebrating a small Thanksgiving dinner with just a few people, as we will be doing, coming up with a menu can be difficult.
For the first time in memory, I won’t be cooking our Thanksgiving Feast as normal. Scaling back doesn’t mean we’re giving up the holiday spirit.
The following are a collection of easy recipes I’m using for our small Thanksgiving dinner. With a thought of serving 4, plus extras for leftovers.
Because it absolutely wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without those leftovers. I’m looking at you, pumpkin pie, for breastfast on Friday.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
Good Housekeeping has a great chart for determining how much turkey you’ll need.
They say: “If you’re buying a whole turkey, plan on 1 pound (uncooked) per person. For a boneless turkey breast, get ½ pound per person.”
More Thanksgiving Recipes and Ideas
If you’re cooking a turkey for the first time, be sure to check out our Turkey Roasting Chart.
For more ideas on classic and easy Thanksgiving sides, we’ve gathered some delicious ones that add so much flavor to the Thanksgiving dinner. And if stuffing is always a favorite at your table, be sure to glance at our 15 Thanksgiving Stuffing recipes everyone loves.
Dessert is always a favorite and we’ve gathered some delicious Thanksgiving dessert ideas that aren’t pumpkin pie.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Small Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Recipes
Rolled Turkey Breast with Sausage-Pecan Stuffing Recipe
"This gorgeous rolled turkey breast comes with stuffing intact and a pretty circular pattern that looks beautiful sliced and arranged on a platter. Cooking just the white meat allows you to focus on getting it cooked just right. Dark meat lovers will be surprised that the meat is as juicy and rich as their usual selection."
Easy Instant Pot Turkey Breast with Gravy
Cooking a turkey breast in the Instant Pot will make one of the juiciest turkey breasts you've ever tasted! Incredibly easy to make in under an hour. Perfectly seasoned with herbs and spices and even makes its own gravy!
Easy Small Scale Thanksgiving Dinner
This turkey breast recipe is "hands off as can be, and virtually foolproof. I like to give it a good seasoning, by rubbing a mixture of spices, mustard and lemon juice both under and over the skin. Then, I let it sit in the fridge, uncovered, overnight. This allows the skin to dry out a bit, and then it roasts up nice an crispy and brown. And who doesn’t like crispy skin on their turkey?"
Pan Gravy
"Those drippings in the bottom of the turkey pan are too good to go to waste, and it just isn't Thanksgiving without a plate smothered in gravy."
The Anything Green Chopped Salad
"Prep cut-up vegetables separately in resealable bags, then unpack them on a platter just before serving."
Roasted Fall Vegetables with Maple, Thyme and Apple
Roasted Fall Vegetables with Maple, Thyme, and Apple, an easy and simple dish to prepare, perfect for Thanksgiving. An easy recipe to adjust up or down, depending on your numbers.
Roasted Carrots with Parsley and Thyme
An equally delicious and easy side if you plan on serving just one vegetable. These roasted carrots are always a favorite.
Maple Glazed Roasted Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash
Another easy recipe to adjust up in size or down. Maple Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crispy bacon. This is the perfect Thanksgiving side. It literally combines every flavor you love for the holidays. And... it's very, very easy to make."
Easy Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
This easy Sweet Potato Pie recipe has become a favorite sweet staple for fall and the holidays. Simple ingredients, amazingly delicious flavor, and evocative history of bringing family and community together.
Caramelized Pear Skillet Cake
If you want to take a break from Thanksgiving pie, this skillet cake is the tastiest substitute you'll find. While it serves 10, we think it's is the ideal dessert for a small Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving."
Easy 4 Ingredient Baked Pears
These Baked Pears are EASY and delicious with 4 simple ingredients. Drizzled in honey, warmed with spiced cinnamon and crunchy with granola. A go-to desserts without the guilt!
Thanksgiving Tradition: Pumpkin Pie
In case it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie -- this easy recipe is a classic and SO good!