Planning
Guest Count: Determine the number of people you’ll be hosting (4-6 is ideal for a small gathering).
Menu: Consider preferences and choose dishes accordingly. Here’s a classic small Thanksgiving menu suggestion:
Main: Turkey Breast, Cornish Hens, or Vegetarian Main Dish
Sides: Mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce
Dessert: Pumpkin pie, apple pie, or another seasonal favorite
Timeline
Create a schedule for yourself to make sure everything’s ready on time. Here’s a sample:
Week Before
- Purchase non-perishables, frozen items
- Make & freeze cranberry sauce if making homemade
- Consider making pie crust in advance
2-3 Days Before
- Buy fresh groceries
- If using a frozen turkey breast, start thawing in the refrigerator
Day Before
- Brine turkey breast (optional, but recommended)
- Prepare dessert (pumpkin pie, etc.)
- Prep any vegetables to be roasted the next day
Thanksgiving Day
- Morning: Roast turkey. Make stuffing.
- Afternoon: Prepare side dishes. Set the table.
- Before Dinner: Reheat side dishes, make gravy.
Recipes & Instructions
Main Course
Roast Turkey Breast
- Brine (optional): Soak breast for 2-4 hours in a solution of salt, water, and spices).
- Season: Pat the breast dry, then season generously with a blend of herbs like thyme, rosemary, sage, butter, salt, and pepper.
- Roast: Place breast on a rack in a roasting pan at 350°F (175°C). Tent loosely with foil and roast until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Cornish Hens: Great if you want individual portions! Season as above and roast at a higher temperature (400-425°F/ 200-220°C) until done.
- Vegetarian Option: Consider stuffed acorn squash, a lentil loaf, or a vegetarian roast.
Sides
- Mashed Potatoes: Boil potatoes, then mash with butter, milk/cream, salt, and pepper. Consider adding garlic or herbs for extra flavor.
- Stuffing: Use store-bought for simplicity, or make your own with bread cubes, vegetables (onion, celery, etc.), herbs, and broth.
- Green Bean Casserole: Easily assemble with canned soup, green beans, and fried onions.
- Cranberry Sauce: Store-bought is fine, or make your own by boiling cranberries, sugar, and water until thickened.
Dessert
- Mini Pumpkin Pies: Adorable, individual portions and easier to manage than a whole pie.
- Apple Crisp: Warm, comforting, and a fantastic use for fall apples. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
- Pecan Pie Bars: Perfect for a small crowd, these offer the rich flavors of pecan pie in easy-to-serve bars.
- Pumpkin Cheesecake: Combines the creamy texture of cheesecake with the spiced warmth of pumpkin. You can even find mini cheesecake versions ready to bake!
- Cranberry Upside-Down Cake: Festive, tart cranberries balanced with a sweet, buttery cake.
- Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble: Doubles as a side dish and dessert, especially popular in the South.
- Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding: Utilizes leftover bread in a luxurious, custardy dessert.
- Fall Fruit Cobbler: Swap out pumpkin for seasonal fruits like pears, apples, and a touch of cranberry.
Tips for Success
Shop Smart: Make a detailed grocery list to avoid stress.
Small Batch Recipes: Look for specifically scaled-down Thanksgiving recipes.
Prep Ahead: Make what you can in advance to free up time on Thanksgiving Day.
Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to ask a guest to bring a side dish or assist with dessert.
Relax & Enjoy: The best Thanksgiving is about good company, so focus on the fun, not perfection.
