Simple Thanksgiving Dinner for Two: An Easy Menu With Herb Butter Turkey Thighs
All the classics in small batches: turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce and two pumpkin custards, on the table in about 2 hours.
- Serves 2
- Turkey thighs
- 6 dishes
- About 2 hours
This simple Thanksgiving dinner for two keeps every favorite on the table, sized for two plates and one cozy evening.
Quick answer
An easy Thanksgiving dinner for two: roast two herb butter turkey thighs at 375°F for 60 to 75 minutes, then make pan gravy. Serve with 1 lb of mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, a ramekin of stuffing, cranberry sauce and two pumpkin custards. Most of it is done in about 2 hours.
A simple Thanksgiving dinner for two, set for a cozy evening.
Easy Thanksgiving Dinner for 2: The Turkey Thighs
The card serves 2. Hosting a few more? Tap 4, 6 or 8 and every amount updates.
One skillet: crisp skin, juicy meat and drippings for gravy.
Herb Butter Turkey Thighs for Two
Two bone-in turkey thighs rubbed with garlic herb butter and roasted on onions in one skillet, with quick pan gravy. Tap a serving size and every amount updates.
Servings
Ingredients
Turkey thighs- 2468 bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs (1 to 1¼ lb each)
- 2 tbsp3 tbsp4 tbsp5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 2345 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp1½ tbsp2 tbsp2½ tbsp fresh thyme, sage and rosemary, chopped
- 1 tsp1½ tsp2 tsp2½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp½ tsp¾ tsp1 tsp black pepper
- 1122 onion, cut in wedges
- ½ cup¾ cup1 cup1½ cups chicken broth
Why thighs? They stay juicy, cook in about an hour and give two generous servings with a little left for sandwiches.
Instructions
Heat
Heat the oven to 375°F. Pat the thighs very dry.
Butter
Mash the butter with garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Rub half under the skin and the rest on top.
Pan
Set the thighs skin side up on the onion wedges in a 12-inch cast iron skillet and pour the broth around them.
Roast
Roast 60 to 75 minutes, basting once, until the thickest part reads 175°F and the skin is deep golden.
Rest
Rest 10 minutes. Meanwhile, simmer the pan juices on the stove for a quick gravy.
Carve
Slice the meat off the bone and serve with the gravy.
Tools for Thanksgiving Dinner for Two
One skillet and a thermometer handle the turkey. These make the sides easy.
As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.
Lodge 12-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
Roasts both thighs and makes the gravy in the same pan.
Check Price on Amazon →
vancasso 8 oz Ramekins With Lids
Stuffing and pumpkin custards, sized for two.
Check Price on Amazon →
Small-Batch Sides for Two
| Side | How |
|---|---|
| SideMashed potatoes | HowBoil 1 lb Yukon Golds 15 minutes; mash with 2 tbsp butter and ¼ cup warm milk |
| SideGreen beans | HowToss ½ lb with oil and garlic; roast at 375°F 15 minutes; finish with lemon |
| SideStuffing | How3 cups bread cubes, ¼ onion and 1 celery stalk softened in 2 tbsp butter, sage, ¾ cup broth; bake in 2 ramekins 25 minutes |
| SideCranberry sauce | How6 oz cranberries, ⅓ cup sugar, ⅓ cup orange juice; simmer 10 minutes |
| SidePumpkin custards | How¾ cup pumpkin, 1 egg, ⅓ cup cream, 3 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp spice; bake in ramekins in a water bath at 350°F, 30 minutes |
Every side, sized for two plates.
Your 2-Hour Thanksgiving Game Plan
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| TimeDay before | What to doMake cranberry sauce and pumpkin custards; chill |
| Time2:00 before dinner | What to doHeat oven; butter the thighs |
| Time1:50 | What to doTurkey thighs into the oven |
| Time1:00 | What to doAssemble the stuffing ramekins; boil potatoes |
| Time0:45 | What to doStuffing and green beans into the oven alongside the turkey |
| Time0:20 | What to doTurkey out to rest; mash potatoes; make gravy |
| Time0:00 | What to doPlate up; custards out of the fridge |
Two pumpkin custards: all the pie flavor, none of the leftovers.
Thanksgiving for Two Shopping List
| Section | What to buy |
|---|---|
| SectionMeat and dairy | What to buy2 turkey thighs, butter, milk, heavy cream, 1 egg |
| SectionProduce | What to buy1 lb potatoes, ½ lb green beans, onion, celery, garlic, lemon, fresh herbs, 6 oz cranberries, orange |
| SectionPantry | What to buyBread cubes, chicken broth, sugar, flour, canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice |
| SectionDrinks | What to buySparkling apple cider |
Other Easy Mains for Two
Not a thigh person? Tap another main:
Small Turkey Breast
A 2 to 3 lb boneless turkey breast at 375°F for 1 to 1¼ hours, to 165°F.
Cornish Hens
Two Cornish hens with the same herb butter at 400°F for 50 to 60 minutes.
Roast Chicken Thighs
Four bone-in chicken thighs, 40 to 45 minutes at 375°F.
Slow Cooker Thighs
Turkey thighs on onions in a small slow cooker, low 5 to 6 hours; crisp under the broiler.
Beef Tenderloin
A 1 lb beef tenderloin roast, seared then roasted at 425°F to 130°F.
Simple Thanksgiving Dinner for Two: FAQs
What is an easy Thanksgiving dinner for two?
Two roasted turkey thighs with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, a small dish of stuffing, cranberry sauce and two pumpkin custards.
What turkey should I cook for two people?
Two bone-in turkey thighs, a 2 to 3 lb boneless turkey breast, or a half breast. A whole turkey is far too much for two.
How long do turkey thighs take?
About 60 to 75 minutes at 375°F, until they reach 175°F in the thickest part.
Why 175°F for thighs?
Dark meat is safe at 165°F but is more tender at 175 to 180°F, when the connective tissue softens.
How do I make stuffing for two?
Use 3 cups dry bread cubes, ¾ cup broth, 2 tbsp butter, onion, celery and sage, baked in two ramekins or a loaf pan.
How many sides for two people?
Three or four is plenty: potatoes, a green vegetable, stuffing and cranberry sauce.
Can I make it ahead?
Make cranberry sauce and pumpkin custards the day before. Mashed potatoes reheat well.
What dessert for two?
Pumpkin custards baked in ramekins, or two slices from a bakery pie.
Can I use chicken instead?
Yes. Use 4 bone-in chicken thighs and roast 40 to 45 minutes.
Can I use Cornish hens?
Yes. Roast two Cornish hens at 400°F for 50 to 60 minutes to 165°F in the thigh.
How do I make gravy for two?
Simmer the pan juices, then whisk in 1 tbsp flour cooked in 1 tbsp butter until thickened.
What do I do with leftovers?
Turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce, or a small turkey and stuffing bake the next day.
More Small Thanksgiving Plans
For one, for two, for a small table.
Two turkey thighs, five small sides, two custards and about 2 hours.
Pin this simple Thanksgiving dinner for two so the menu and game plan are ready for the holiday.
