Planning a more intimate Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving dinner? Tasked with bringing a a dish to the potluck? These Small Batch Thanksgiving Recipes don't skip on flavor or presentation!
I've been a part of some large Thanksgiving dinners with my extended family. And although it's so nice to get together with people you don't see often, as I became an adult I realized how much pressure and stress goes into feeding 20+ people at a time!
Now, my husband and I tend to host our own Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving dinners that look a little different - more like 6 to 10 guests. The following recipes are tried and tested for an intimate holiday gathering. And even if you're not hosting, you can still win over the crowd with a stellar potluck dish!
Jump to:
- 1. Cajun Baked Turkey Wings
- 2. Creamy Dreamy Mashed Potatoes
- 3. Garlic-Herb Green Beans
- 4. Homemade Sea Salt Yeast Rolls
- 5. Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs
- 6. Creamy Baked Macaroni & Cheese (No-Roux, No Eggs)
- 7. Southern-Style Mustard Greens
- 8. Carrot Soufflé with Crumble Topping
- 9. Brown Butter Sage Cornbread
- 10. Cherry Apple Crisp
- Tips & Tricks for Hosting a Small Batch Thanksgiving
1. Cajun Baked Turkey Wings
If I'm being honest, our family normally orders out for the main protein and focus on cooking the sides and desserts. However, these Cajun Baked Turkey Wings are the perfect way to keep a staple dish in rotation, without a ton of work!
The longest part of this recipe is the time waiting to marinate. For that reason, I recommend starting the day before you're ready to cook - it'll help save time and effort on the big day!
If you're feeling more of a seafood-themed Thanksgiving this year, try my Puff Pastry-Wrapped Salmon or Honey Soy Glazed Salmon.
2. Creamy Dreamy Mashed Potatoes
You know something funny? Mashed Potatoes were never a staple at our Thanksgiving table growing up! However, it's a really versatile side dish that goes well with almost any main.
My Creamy Mashed Potatoes are made with staple ingredients like butter and garlic, but with a few specific preparation methods, you can get those restaurant-style potatoes right at home!
For a twist on classic potatoes, this recipe for Broccoli-Cheddar Stuffed Baked Potatoes is a great option.
3. Garlic-Herb Green Beans
Want to get your greens in during the holidays? These Garlic-Herb Green Beans are the perfect dish for the job! They're tossed in a seasoned garlic butter and topped with a twist of fresh lemon juice; the flavors are out of this world.
You can also toss these in a homemade Chimichurri Sauce for a nice pop of flavor!
4. Homemade Sea Salt Yeast Rolls
In my opinion, no holiday meal is complete without a fluffy piece of bread! These Sea Salt Yeast Dinner Rolls are so addicting, especially with a whipped butter served alongside them.
Cheddar Drop Biscuits (from scratch) are another bread recipe that will be in high demand with your guests!
5. Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs are a great small batch Thanksgiving recipe that's made in one pot and will have your entire kitchen smelling amazing! For an alternative, Cajun-style Thanksgiving main dish, try my Easy Red Beans and Rice.
6. Creamy Baked Macaroni & Cheese (No-Roux, No Eggs)
This Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is made without any eggs, and doesn't even need a roux! We use a flourless cheese sauce to coat the noodles, before nestling them between layers of 3-cheese blend and baking until golden brown.
Another fun pasta dish that works great for the holidays is Chicken Tetrazzini (made without any canned soup). Sometimes known as chicken spaghetti, it's so good!
7. Southern-Style Mustard Greens
Savory, smoky, with a hint of spice - these Southern Mustard Greens are a super affordable side dish option for the holidays! It's also very hands-off cooking, so you can free your hands for other tasks.
Looking for an additional delicious green vegetable? This Sheet-Pan Roasted Asparagus recipe is perfect.
8. Carrot Soufflé with Crumble Topping
Have you ever tried carrot soufflé? Baking the carrots brings out their natural sweetness, and the final dish is reminiscent of mashed sweet potatoes. This Carrot Soufflé with Crumb Topping is going to be the talk of the party - guaranteed!
If you just happen to have some sweet potatoes on hand, make Baked Sweet Potatoes with Chai-Spiced Butter for a cozy side dish option.
9. Brown Butter Sage Cornbread
My Brown Butter Sage Cornbread is made with a sage leaf-infused browned butter, and baked to perfection in a cast iron skillet! It has a tender, light crumb and the flavors are out of this world.
Want to stick to a more classic version? Try my Jalapeño Buttermilk Cornbread recipe for a kick of spice in every bite.
10. Cherry Apple Crisp
This Cherry Apple Crisp is such a showstopper dessert - and it doesn't even take much effort! We use frozen cherries - to be able to enjoy them outside of their season - and a quick homemade buttery crisp made of oats and chopped pecans makes the perfect crunchy topping. Serve alongside some vanilla-bean ice cream.
For a handheld sweet treat, make my Brown Sugar Blondies. The notes of brown sugar and caramel are sure to impress!
Tips & Tricks for Hosting a Small Batch Thanksgiving
- Planning is key. Doing a little bit of planning beforehand will save you the headache of last-minute issues.
- Begin by drafting a menu: 1-2 main dishes, 3-4 side dishes, an appetizer, and a dessert is a great starting point. Pinning your ideas to Pinterest is a great way to virtually organize them.
- From there, choose the recipes you want to follow, and write out a grocery list.
- Finally, it's a great idea to map out your time. Figure out which dishes can be made the day before and just warmed up the day of your party, or if any foods can be served at room temperature to clear up the oven and your stovetop.
- Set the ambiance. A little bit of decor can really elevate the dining area.
- Table runners, folded napkins and napkin rings, wooden charger plates, and tall candlesticks will take your normal eating space to the next level!
- A nice playlist always sets the mood. Use a music streaming account (or a vinyl player for extra cool points!) and a nice speaker.
- In addition, mood lighting is a very thoughtful touch. You can buy light dimmers from your local hardware store.
- Save your energy. Keep your meals in their baking dishes and set them all out in the center of a large dining table, or on a kitchen island. Set out plates, serving utensils, and eating utensils, and have guests make their own plates.
- No-waste Thanksgiving. Purchase extra paper plates & aluminum foil, or foam to-go boxes, so guests can take extras home.
I hope this Soul Food Thanksgiving Menu helps take some of the stress out of hosting or attending your own holiday dinner! If you tried any of the recipes in this roundup, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know what you cooked/how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Thanks for visiting!
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think!