We love a good plan—and when it comes to Thanksgiving, having the menu mapped out is the surest way to keep the day both delicious and stress-free. To make it easy (and inspiring), we’ve put together five custom menus designed to help you plan, prep, and savor the holiday. From the small group menu below to a budget-friendly spread, you’ll find these—and more—in our Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving.
My immediate family consists of just four people, myself included. Holidays are an intimate affair with bespoke menus focused on a few strong offerings instead of a cornucopia of options. Rather than a giant Rockwell-ian bird, our Thanksgivings always feature individual parts. In place of a dessert spread, one single pie caps off the night. But just because the menus are tiny doesn’t mean they aren’t festive. This scaled-back approach means we’re able to focus our attention on dishes that truly bring us joy.
This trimmed-down Thanksgiving menu does just that, offering cheerful dishes that all get equal airtime—a stage of their own. It’s great for small families, intimate Friendsgivings, or just about any festive dinner for four. This menu hits all the marks of the big meal but does so in an alluring, paired down package.
Serving a panzanella at Thanksgiving might sound wild, but hear me out: It hits two birds with one stone. First, you get something fresh and green for people who need a salad on the table. Second, it’s like stuffing, only leftover-friendly. As the bread sits, it absorbs that punchy dressing and only gets better.
Every table needs a potato, but instead of mashing them (large yield, doesn’t taste as good as leftovers), I suggest making these tiny, crispy hasselback potatoes with a sour cream swoosh instead. The yield is more conservative (serves just four to six), and they taste just as good eaten cold the next day. They are also infinitely more fun.
Instead of baking off a huge green bean casserole, consider making this brighter, fresher recipe that pairs the beans with quick-pickled shallots and a savory Parmesan dressing. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and is just as good as leftovers, so any extra won’t go to waste.
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without turkey. But it also wouldn’t make much sense to roast a whole bird only to feed four people. The solve? Turkey legs. They’re easier to cook, far more tasty, and refuse to dry out. A true win-win-win.
For the least fussy dessert, go for a stovetop crisp. You can prep the topping in advance and the final yield makes just one skillet full. It’s also great spooned atop yogurt for a next-day morning pick-me-up.