A Small Thanksgiving Menu: for 4 people or less

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For only 4 people, a single appetizer recipe should be plenty. This pumpkin hummus is a great option, but this cranberry salsa is also really great. You can serve it with tortilla chips or spread it over cream cheese (dairy free, of course). If you prefer finger food, you could serve bacon wrapped water chestnuts or sausage rolls.

For a main dish, you have plenty of options. I think the most traditional choice would be a brined turkey breast or this apple cider brined grilled turkey breast since you’re still getting turkey without having to make a whole bird, but you could also roast a spatchcock chicken or even serve stuffed pork chops.

Thanksgiving is all about the sides, and I know everyone has their own favorites. This is usually the one place that I won’t cut down recipes, but for our small Thanksgiving dinners, I usually just pick two or three traditional sides. For me, that’s homemade stuffing and fresh green bean casserole and cranberry sauce.

If you’re not feeling the green beans this year, I love this kale and brussels sprouts salad. It’s a great way to get your greens in, plus the leftovers hold up really nicely. If you’re into scalloped potatoes, or sweet potato casserole with marshmallow, make one of those instead.

These are all full sized recipes and could be cut in half without much fuss. Just use a smaller dish for baking and cut the baking time by about one-third. Tools you might need: baking dish / serving spoon

I love adding a special cocktail to our menu for a small Thanksgiving. It makes the night just a little more festive. We love making cranberry margaritas or apple cider sangria. If you’re looking for something fun without alcohol, try some apple cider wassail or a cranberry ginger mocktail.

Tools you might need: cocktail glasses / glass pitcher

Desserts are hard one to cut back on at Thanksgiving. We normally make a full spread including my mom’s apple crisp and a dairy free pumpkin pie (and so many more), but with less people to serve, these easy apple tarts and mini pecan pies would be easy to cut in half.

You could also just choose your favorite pie and leave it at that. We love using this crisco pie crust recipe for all of our pies because it’s super flaky and really easy to make! Tools you might need: baking sheet / dessert plates

Dress up the table. This is the place to go overboard. Light some candles, use fancy cloth napkins and maybe even a pretty floral centerpiece. This will add ambience and make your meal feel a little bit fancier. Bonus points for garnishing your serving dishes with fresh herbs like sage and rosemary for a more festive look.

Give thanks. Even though it’s hard to feel grateful this year, it’s important to celebrate and be thankful for the things that we do have. I love the idea of using a kraft paper table runner to write out your thanks.

Play some games. Our family isn’t super into games, but I think playing some games together can really help liven up your Thanksgiving, especially when you can’t be with extended family. Try some Thanksgiving charades or Thanksgiving ring toss to entertain the kids.

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A Small Thanksgiving Menu: for 4 people or less

Appetizer

Main Dish

Sides

If you’re not feeling the green beans this year, I love this kale and brussels sprouts salad. It’s a great way to get your greens in, plus the leftovers hold up really nicely. If you’re into scalloped potatoes, or sweet potato casserole with marshmallow, make one of those instead.

Sides

These are all full sized recipes and could be cut in half without much fuss. Just use a smaller dish for baking and cut the baking time by about one-third. Tools you might need: baking dish / serving spoon

Sides

I love adding a special cocktail to our menu for a small Thanksgiving. It makes the night just a little more festive. We love making cranberry margaritas or apple cider sangria. If you’re looking for something fun without alcohol, try some apple cider wassail or a cranberry ginger mocktail.

Drinks

Tools you might need: cocktail glasses / glass pitcher

Drinks

Desserts are hard one to cut back on at Thanksgiving. We normally make a full spread including my mom’s apple crisp and a dairy free pumpkin pie (and so many more), but with less people to serve, these easy apple tarts and mini pecan pies would be easy to cut in half.

Dessert

You could also just choose your favorite pie and leave it at that. We love using this crisco pie crust recipe for all of our pies because it’s super flaky and really easy to make! Tools you might need: baking sheet / dessert plates

Dessert

How to make it special

Give thanks. Even though it’s hard to feel grateful this year, it’s important to celebrate and be thankful for the things that we do have. I love the idea of using a kraft paper table runner to write out your thanks.

How to make it special

Play some games. Our family isn’t super into games, but I think playing some games together can really help liven up your Thanksgiving, especially when you can’t be with extended family. Try some Thanksgiving charades or Thanksgiving ring toss to entertain the kids.

How to make it special

more

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