Small, intimate Thanksgiving dinners are just as great as larger gatherings. Whether you’re having a small gathering due to distance or simply want to enjoy a quieter time, your Thanksgiving menu can still be grand.
A menu for a smaller gathering only needs to include the essentials. If there is something that is a family favorite that’s not included in the list below, you should definitely incorporate it to make your Thanksgiving dinner special.
Turkey
A whole turkey will be a lot for a small gathering. You will have leftovers for months lol.
Turkey Legs or Wings
These are a great alternative to infuse a lot of flavor into the turkey. There are a variety of ways to prepare them that range from classic flavors to a more out of the box flavor. Try these turkey wing recipes.
Cornish Hen or Whole Chicken
Now, these are chickens and not turkeys; however, if you still want the feel and look of a whole turkey, these are great. You can cook the whole chicken with your favorite poultry seasonings and even stuff it like you would a Turkey.
Stuffed Turkey Breast
This is prepared a little differently than the others. Turkey breast, similarly to chicken breast can be flattened out with a mallet, stuffed, and rolled. You can choose the traditional stuffing/dressing to fill the roll or a spinach and cheese option while still having your stuffing/dressing as a side dish.
Stuffing/Dressing
The item that varies the most in preparation based on region is the stuffing and/or dressing. This is the most common thanksgiving side and you can still enjoy it with a smaller gathering. Take your favorite recipe and divide the recipe or make the entire recipe amount and freeze some for another time. This dish wouldn’t be complete without the cranberry sauce.
Green Vegetable
Having a healthy green vegetable at your thanksgiving table is essential, even if the preparation may not be the healthiest version. Vegetables can easily be adjusted to party size.
Collard Greens
This is a classic Thanksgiving dish in some families, mostly in southern culture. They are often cooked with pieces of smoked turkey to create a flavorful potlikker.
Green Beans
Green beans can be cooked similarly to collard greens with a stewed technique including smoked turkey. Another popular preparation style for Thanksgiving is green bean casserole.
Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are mini cabbages that absorb a variety of flavor profiles. My favorite preparation is to roast them with various seasonings. You could also saute them with maple syrup, salt and pepper.
Starchy Side
In addition to the stuff/dressing, another starchy side is common for Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, this can be omitted based on your personal preference. Below are some options.
Sweet Potatoes
Some have a sweet potato dish as a side or incorporate the beautiful, orange hued vegetable in a dessert. Either way, they are a great fall staple for Thanksgiving dinner.
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a very common side dish on Thanksgiving tables across America and it is my personal favorite. Make your favorite recipe of these dish with a variety of cheeses and pasta shapes to play around with.
Bread
While not a complete side dish on its own, a side of bread is a great accompaniment to add to your Thanksgiving menu. From traditional yeast rolls, to cornbread, or even a Thanksgiving focaccia, bread serves well for Thanksgiving.
Dessert
This is the place to have fun. Sweets are some people’s favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. For your gathering, make a traditional family recipe or pick up something from your favorite local bakery.
Thank you for reading. Let me know what you plan to have for your small Thanksgiving dinner.