A Thanksgiving dinner can be an intimate dinner for the family and it doesn't have to be a big party. Thanksgiving is an ideal way to celebrate the holiday with your family or loved ones. 

Check out these Thanksgiving food ideas intended just enough for two or a family of four with some leftovers. Easy classic Thanksgiving flavors that your entire family will surely enjoy!

Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

Holiday Wine Spritzer Recipe

While cooking with your family or partner, snack on some spiced nuts and wine spritzers. For the kids, make a non-alcoholic beverage for them along with some nuts and pretzels for snacks. For a more enjoyable drink, this adorable set of 7 Wine Glass Charms for Thanksgiving, fall or autumn will delight your entire family.  These Fun turkeys, pumpkins, acorn, and sunflower are the best wine charms and a must for you glasses this holiday season.

Prep time: 5 minutes

Yields: 4-6

Here's what you need:

• 6-8 Ounces white wine
• 6-8 Ounces of carbonated lemon-lime beverage
• 1/2 Cup of crushed ice
• Lemon wedges

• Maraschino cherry and juice

Here's how to mix it:

1. Put ice in a pitcher.
2. Pour in the wine, soda, 2 tsp. cherry juice, 3-2 cherries, and stir.
3. In a wine glass, pour in the spritzer.
4. Garnish with a wedge of lemon and a cherry.

Turkey Breast with Gravy Recipe

A whole Turkey is more than enough for a family of four or just two people, all you need for this Thanksgiving recipe is a single split bone-in skin-on turkey breast. 

Prep time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Yields: 2-4

Here's what you need:

• 1 2lb. split skin-on, bone-in turkey breast
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 1 sprig sage
• 1 sprig of rosemary
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 tbsp. cold unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)

Here’s how to prepare it: 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Season the turkey breast with salt and pepper.
3. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes up to 1 hour.
4. In a 10' ovenproof skillet, heat cooking oil until just barely smoking. 
5. Sear turkey skin-side down until golden brown for 5 minutes, and then transfer to plate.
6. Add wine into skillet, scrape off browned bits with a spatula and let it simmer until liquid is reduced by half for 2 minutes.
7. Remove skillet from heat.
8. Add 2/3 cup water, cornstarch, garlic, rosemary, sage, and thyme; then whisk to combine.
9. Put the breast, skin-side up in the skillet and put it in the oven.
10. Roast the turkey breast for 50 minutes and check it every 20 minutes or so and add 1/4 cup more water if the liquid is lower than 1 inch in skillet. Check if the turkey is cooked through by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the breast without touching bone.
11. Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

How to prepare the gravy:

1. Remove herb sprigs from skillet.
2. Add a splash of water and butter into the remaining liquid in the skillet and let it simmer until thick, but easily pourable. Strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl or pitcher.
3. Serve sliced turkey breast with gravy on the side.

Cheesy and Garlicky Corn Spoon Bread Recipe

This flavorful, creamy and garlicky corn spoon bread is what you need to pair with your turkey breast this Thanksgiving. It's easy to make and your family will enjoy it!

Prep time: 1 hour

Yields: 4

Here's what you need:

• 5 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 2 coarsely chopped garlic cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can cream corn (14-oz.)
• 3/4 cup fine-grind cornmeal
• 6 tbsp. sour cream
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup coarsely grated Fontina cheese

Here’s how to prepare it:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In an 8" cast-iron skillet, melt butter with garlic over medium heat. 
3. Let it simmer for about 4 minutes until starting to brown, stir it occasionally.
4. Pour into a large bowl and add 1 tbsp. butter and stir to combine.
5. Add baking powder, corn, cornmeal, eggs, pepper, sour cream, salt, and garlic butter; then whisk to mix and lastly mix in Fontina cheese. 
6. Pour into a skillet and bake spoon bread in the oven until golden brown for 25-30 minutes.
7. Let it cool for 10 minutes before serving it.

Roasted Vegetable Salad Recipe

This simple side dish is a combination of roasted vegetables, raw greens, and cranberry sauce. 

Prep time: 40 minutes

Yields: 2-4

Here's what you need:

• 4 (8 oz.) medium carrots sliced diagonally
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
• 3/4 tsp. salt, divided
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. Poppy seeds
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 6 oz. Brussel sprouts leaves, separated

Here's how to prepare it:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss carrots, cayenne, paprika, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 tbsp. oil.
3. Roast in the oven until carrots are golden brown and tender for 20 minutes.
4. In a saucepan, bring 2 tbsp. water and vinegar to a boil over medium heat. 
5. Remove saucepan from heat, add cranberries and let it rest for 10 minutes.
6. In a medium bowl, strain cranberries a fine-mesh sieve and set aside. 
7. Pour out all liquid, but leave 1 tbsp. soaking liquid from bowl and add in poppy seeds and the remaining and 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1 tbsp. oil.
8. Add carrots, Brussel sprout leaves, and reserved cranberries and toss to combine.

Pumpkin Spice Mousse Recipe

End your Thanksgiving dinner with this delicious pumpkin mousse. This light and creamy dessert is full of fall flavors. 

Prep time: 30 minutes

Yields: 16

Here's what you need:

• 3/4 cups pure pumpkin (15 oz.)
• 1 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• Kosher salt
• 3 oz. cubed cream cheese
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 2 can cold heavy cream

For garnish:

• Sour cream 
• Crushed ginger cookies

Here's how to prepare it: 

1. Combine pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan.
2. Cook in medium heat; stir it constantly until slightly thicker and darker in color for 5 minutes.
3. Remove saucepan from heat and add in cream cheese and vanilla until smooth.
4. Transfer mixture in a bowl, then add in condensed milk and let it cool.
5. Beat cream until it reaches a medium peak form using an electric mixer.
6. Fold in cream cheese mixture and spoon into 4-ounces mason jars.
7. Chill before serving.
8. Serve with sour cream and crushed ginger cookies.

Planning an intimate Thanksgiving dinner for your family and don't know where to start? Here are stress-free Thanksgiving dinner ideas this coming Thanksgiving designed for two to four people. Check out this list of Fall Favorite Cozy Drinks, a more fun way to end a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner. Happy Thanksgiving!

← Previous Post Next Post →