Want to avoid the madness this year? Have just the family thanksgiving meal, stay home, and get to keep all the love and flavor this year.
We hear a lot about big Thanksgiving dinners. The ones where family and friends gather for the whole day and everyone is at peace with each other. But, let’s be honest most of the big family Thanksgiving you can cut the tension with a knife. There are feuds and bickering and of course, there is always that one family member that has too much to drink and speaks their truth bluntly and honestly with absolutely no filter.
That is why some years it is best to do it small stay home. Invite a few friends and do a potluck. Enjoy just your little family and a bottle of wine to yourself. The low key you get to stay in your sweats and just relax while enjoying the simple yet festive meal cooking away in your kitchen.
This Just Family Thanksgiving Meal is perfect for a smaller get together feeds 5-8 people. To make this holiday season less stressful make sure you scroll down for the entire shopping list along with some tips and tricks to make your day less stressful.
Just the Family Thanksgiving Menu
Appetizers
Just because you are keeping it small this year doesn't mean you can't have some munchies out before dinner!
"Sometimes the most “fancy” looking, beautiful and delicious party appetizers can actually be easy to make. Although there are several steips in making this Cranberry Compote with Brie appetizer recipe, none of them are hard and they don’t take long to do either."
"These delicata squash fritters make a tasty appetizer that is packed full of flavor. Crispy and delicious, with lots of melty cheddar cheese, this gluten free fritters recipe will please a crowd."
Beverage
Warm-up after the family football game with this tasty beverage the whole family will love!
"Just because you don’t press your own apples, doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a warm mug of cider – this Spiced Apple Cider is made from apple juice."
Main Dishes
Even though you keep it small make two proteins this will allow you to take most of the week off of cooking. A little reward for working your booty off.
"Herb Roasted Turkey Breast is a bone-in turkey breast half, brushed with herbed butter and olive oil, and baked to perfection. This juicy number with slightly crispy skin is perfectly sized for smaller meals. Serve roast turkey breast for holiday meals or weeknight dinner!"
"Baked ham with a quick and easy glaze."
Sides
Whether it is a small of big Thanksgiving I believe the thing that makes it amazing is all the sides, giving you a countless number of combinations you can have on one plate.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup - a quick and completely healthy soup
"This sweet potato and red pepper soup is a lovely, healthy bowl of something special, packed full of flavour. Soups are somewhat underrated nowadays, often relegated to the starters section of restaurant menus. I, on the other hand, love soups, and once you try this sweet potato and red pepper version, I’m sure you will too."
"This Herbed Kale and Sausage Dressing has been my go-to dressing for the past couple of years. It’s savory, herby, and makes for excellent leftovers."
"Get out of that boring mashed potato rut and add some flavor and texture to those splendid spuds!! This Onion and Chive Whipped Potatoes will give you a whole new perspective on what a simple side dish of potatoes is all about!"
"Honey Herb Roasted Carrots are one of my all-time favorite vegetable sides! My husband came up with this recipe on his own when I was out of town and grilled the carrots. We took the same recipe and implemented it indoors and is incredible! "
"Dinner rolls are soft, fluffy and super delicious! Pair them with just about anything and eat them for dinner, or lunch, or anytime in between!"
"Wondering how to cook those cranberries you picked up at the store this week? They are a cinch to make in the Instant Pot, and they don’t need any babysitting to turn out perfectly each time. Fresh cranberries, orange juice and zest, simmered with cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg this is sure to be a side dish that makes an impression this holiday season!"
Dessert
When having a small Thanksgiving don't short yourself on the sweets. Make sweet you can enjoy all week long!
"This classic homemade apple pie features a sweet apple filling packed inside a delicious flaky pie crust. The perfect pie for fall or Thanksgiving!"
"Chewy, buttery blondies are the perfect dessert for potluck parties and holiday gatherings. They’re easy to make, easy to transport, and most importantly, a seriously delicious crowd-pleaser. If you’re looking to see your crowd really go wild this holiday season, you cannot go wrong with a decadent batch of Butter Pecan Blondies, rich and nutty with brown butter, topped off with a Maple Cream Cheese Frosting."
Just the Family Thanksgiving Meal Menu Grocery List
This Grocery List is a compiled list for every recipe in this dinner menu. Always review all the recipes represented in the menu. Double-check the grocery list to the recipes and your pantry and mark off anything you do have or anything for a recipe you decide not to make.
The Grocery List is set up in a few different ways.
- First, it is set up for you to see what you can buy weeks ahead of time while the stores are nice and stocked. And the other things that you will have to buy closer to the day you are having dinner.
- Second, it is set up to easily reference how much you will need to make the entire meal. The amount you will need for every item is listed. However, remember to review the recipes for any dislikes, allergies, and make sure the menu suits your needs. Then go through the fridge and the pantry and mark off anything you already have, and you won’t need it.
Some items you will have extra of like garlic, herbs, and some baking items. Unfortunately, you can’t go to the store and ask for only 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
Plan Out Your Holiday Menu Timeline
Creating a plan as to when things will be cooked, prepared, and even what dish you will serve each dish in will save you a countless amount of stress come the day of the big dinner.
Review your recipes and determine what you can prep ahead of time. Look in your fridge and map out how much space you will have to store all the prepped items.
Also review the recipes to see if you will need any extra kitchen equipment like a large roasting pan, crockpot, or instant pot. If you do not have one of these items that may be required to make a recipe you want to try, reach out to the blogger and ask if there is an alternative cooking method. You don’t have to go out and buy new stuff unless you want to, usually, there are alternative ways to make these items.
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