Thanksgiving for Two: What to Buy for an Easy, Cozy Dinner

Thanksgiving for two doesn’t have to mean pizza or crab rangoon (although, if that’s what you choose because that’s what you want to eat, that’s totally A-OK with us). And it also doesn’t have to mean cooking a huge from-scratch feast that you’ll end up eating for the next week until you finally give up and throw it all away. It can be easy and festive and delicious—and fast. We’ve rounded up the best premade and almost premade Thanksgiving foods you can buy from the grocery store for a tasty Thanksgiving dinner for two. We’ve tried and tested each one and we think they’re pretty darn good. Whether you’re new to cooking or just don’t wanna, here are some Thanksgiving for two ideas.

THE APPETIZER

Supreme Brie Bites

Instacart

Instead of an elaborate cheese board or huge wheel of baked brie, just plate a few of these adorable brie bites. They’re two-bite mini rounds of creamy brie that will whet your palate for the Thanksgiving dinner for two that’s to come. If you want a little something extra, pair these brie bites with some prosciutto if you’re a meat eater or some fancy canned smoked trout.

Read the full ranking of the best brie cheese

Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart

THE APPETIZER

Raincoast Crisps Rosemary Raisin Pecan

Amazon

You can’t have cheese without crackers, and these crunchy crisps are the perfect fall crackers. Studded with chewy raisins, nutty pecans, and flavored with aromatic rosemary, they’re great alone or topped with some of the brie.

Read the full ranking of the best crackers for a charcuterie board

Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon

THE DRINK

Underwood The Bubbles

Total Wine

Sparkling wine goes with everything. And this is the best canned sparkling wine we’ve tasted. It’s similar to a Cava or Prosecco—toasty and lemony. Crack a can when the apps start and keep on sipping right through dessert. It will cleanse your palate and complement every element of the richest meal of the year. Raise a glass—or a can, we won’t judge—to an easy Thanksgiving for two. So easy, you don’t even have to pop a cork and endanger your glassware (and eyeballs).

Read the full ranking of the best canned wine

Credit: Merc / Total Wine

THE MAIN

Rotisserie Chicken with Stove Top Traditional Sage Stuffing Mix

Target

Skip the whole turkey and get a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Seriously, most of the time they’re better than anything you can make at home and you’ll still probably have enough meat left over for a midnight sandwich. (If you have a Costco membership, you know it’s worth the wait for one of them spit-roasted birds.) Then pair it with the best boxed stuffing: Stove Top Traditional Sage. Cook up the stuffing, put it on a platter, then top it with some carved rotisserie chicken so some of the juices soak into the bread.

Read the full ranking of the best boxed stuffing

Credit: Merc / Target

THE SIDE

Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes

Walmart

This package of premade mashed potatoes says it serves 4-5, but that’s just right for a Thanksgiving dinner for two. If you’re feeling nervous about premade mashed potatoes, we get it. We tasted a few duds, for sure. But these ones really do taste exactly like homemade mashed potatoes—except they’re seasoned better than homemade potatoes typically are. They’re so creamy and savory and all you have to do is microwave them.

Read the full ranking of the best premade mashed potatoes

Credit: Merc / Walmart

THE SIDE

Sprouts Market Corner Creamed Kale & Spinach

Instacart

We tried some slightly better frozen creamed spinach brands in our frozen creamed spinach taste test, but this one is just the right size for a Thanksgiving meal for two. Plus, it has a bit more flavor and flare than the other, more traditional frozen creamed spinach brands. There’s kale in the peppery, garlicky mix along with parmesan. And since you’re not preparing a ton of sides, you want to get the most out of the few you do prep.

Read the full ranking of the best frozen creamed spinach

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart

THE DESSERT

Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

Instacart

These mini pecan pies are the perfect desserts for a Thanksgiving for two. Buy one each—seriously, you might think you can split one but you’re going to want a whole mini pie for yourself. The crust is buttery and crumbly, the filling is caramelized and rich. Top with some of the best vanilla ice cream and enjoy the chill calm that is a Thanksgiving meal for two.

Credit: Merc / Instacart