Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to gather with friends and family.
you could still enjoy a delicious meal, built for two, without making too many sacrifices.
Check out our recipes and tips for pulling off the perfect Thanksgiving for two.
Photo: Joy Howard
Don’t like Aunt Sally’s sweet potato casserole?
Tired of plain old turkey and gravy?
Spice things up with a whole new flavor profile.
Rachel Marek
It’s your Thanksgiving.
Speaking of fun, try a new cocktail or mocktail recipe.
They’re good at making things feel festive, and easy to make just for two.
Check out ourThanksgiving cocktails,like thisSagey Gin Gimlet, for inspiration.
But if you’re cooking for two, consider scaling it back a bit.
That will leave you plenty of time to enjoy dinner (and your company).
Plus recipes that serve two as opposed to 12 take up less space in the fridge.
Choose Dishes with Leftovers in Mind
Sometimes it’s hard to break with tradition.
Just keep in mind, you will have to do something with the leftovers.
To avoid leftover fatigue, give a shot to repurpose leftovers into new dishes.
Some leftovers may be harder to transform (think: green bean casserole and stuffing).
Just be aware that some dishes don’t divide neatly.
It’s always easier to add ingredients later than to take away!
Also keep in mind that you may have to adjust your pan size and cooking times.
Smaller servings of your typicalThanksgiving casserolewon’t fit neatly in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
You’ll be better off baking it in a smaller dish.
If you take this route, there will be some guesswork when it comes to baking times.
Cutting the cooking time in half from the original recipe is a safe place to start checking for doneness.
They are inexpensive and flavorful.
This recipe serves 6, so there’s just enough for some leftovers.
It’s perfectly portioned for a smaller Thanksgiving and done on the stovetop to free up oven space.
Caramel Apple Crisp for Two
Caramel adds a sweet and salty note to this classic apple crisp.
Rachel Marek
