A Thanksgiving Menu for Two

Introduction

Celebrating Thanksgiving as a cozy duo doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, tradition, or variety. With a thoughtfully planned Thanksgiving Menu for Two, you can enjoy all the classic favorites in smaller portions—without mountains of leftovers or kitchen chaos. Whether it’s your first intimate holiday or simply a relaxed celebration, this menu is designed for simplicity, flavor, and a lovely table for two.

Why A Thanksgiving Menu for Two Works

This menu stands out because it brings all the seasonal favorites—like juicy roasted turkey, luscious gravy, buttery mashed potatoes, and a festive dessert—scaled perfectly. It’s ideal for couples, roommates, or anyone who wants to savor Thanksgiving classics without overcommitting on quantity or time commitment. You’ll enjoy a beautiful, complete meal that feels festive, satisfying, and entirely manageable.

The Perfect Thanksgiving Menu for Two

We’re crafting a well-balanced menu featuring roasted turkey breast, simple pan gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, garlicky green beans, and a personal pumpkin pie. The flavors come together harmoniously, offering everything you love about Thanksgiving in just the right amount.

Menu Breakdown & Timing Tips

For the turkey, using a bone-in breast keeps things juicy and cooks faster. The mashed potatoes and green beans require just a few pantry staples. The pie is sized for two, so there’s no leftover temptation! Tip: Stagger the prep so you can use the oven for both turkey and pie while stovetop sides simmer.

• Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
• Classic Pan Gravy
• Buttery Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Green Beans
• Mini Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream

Ingredients for A Thanksgiving Menu for Two

• Turkey Breast: 1 bone-in turkey breast half (about 2 pounds), 2 teaspoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, salt and pepper
• Mashed Potatoes: 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup milk, salt
• Pan Gravy: Turkey drippings, 1 tablespoon flour, 1/2 cup chicken broth
• Green Beans: 6 ounces green beans, trimmed, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 clove garlic, minced
• Mini Pumpkin Pie: 1 prepared 6-inch pie crust, 1/2 cup canned pumpkin, 1/4 cup evaporated milk, 1 egg yolk, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch nutmeg, pinch ginger
• Whipped cream for serving

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this menu to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section. Perfect for stress-free grocery trips and streamlined holiday meal planning!

Instructions

1. Roast the Turkey Breast: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Pat dry the turkey breast, rub with olive oil, sprinkle with thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Place in a small roasting pan and roast for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest before slicing.
2. Mashed Potatoes: While turkey roasts, peel and dice potatoes. Boil in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash with butter and milk, and season to taste.
3. Pan Gravy: After removing turkey, pour pan drippings into a small saucepan. Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute, then gradually whisk in chicken broth. Simmer until thickened; season with salt and pepper.
4. Green Beans: While turkey rests, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add green beans, sauté 3 minutes. Add garlic, sauté 1 minute more until bright and tender-crisp. Season to taste.
5. Mini Pumpkin Pie: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, whisk pumpkin, evaporated milk, egg yolk, sugar, and spices. Pour into crust and bake for 25–30 minutes, until set. Cool completely before serving with whipped cream.

Serving Suggestions for Small Gatherings

Set the table with your nicest plates, light a candle or two, and enjoy this intimate feast! Pair with sparkling cider or your favorite wine, and don’t forget to share what you’re thankful for before digging in.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This menu serves 2, yielding hearty portions of each dish. The full meal averages 600–700 calories per person (turkey, sides, dessert included), making it indulgent yet balanced for a holiday feast.

Thanksgiving Menu for Two (Recap)

This downsized, classic menu delivers everything you love about Thanksgiving—flavor, variety, and comfort—just in the right amounts for two. Enjoy all your favorites, freshly made, with minimal leftovers and maximum satisfaction.

Weekly Meal Planning

This menu is ideal for anyone seeking a special meal without the fuss. Save and schedule this menu to plan exactly when to prepare each dish and generate smart shopping lists that consolidate all your ingredients for the week.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically totals ingredient amounts for all planned recipes
• Organizes your shopping list by store section
• Avoids duplicate purchases and ensures you don’t forget anything
• Makes prepping for the holiday—and your whole week—a breeze

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI to see how core ingredients (like eggs or broth) overlap with your other meals. No more guesswork or forgotten items—just streamlined, perfectly portioned shopping for any week.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (some overlap in prep/cooking)
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes

Enjoy a warm, memorable Thanksgiving for two—planned, shopped, and savored with ease!