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Easy Thanksgiving Meal for One

Create an easy Thanksgiving meal for one. No one likes being alone but you can still enjoy the holiday spirit with this clever simple meal. Deliciously easy to prepare.

Many people are faced with being alone for Thanksgiving. Perhaps the worst part of being alone on Thanksgiving is missing out on all the great food being prepared in countless kitchens across the United States. You simply cannot afford the time or effort to prepare a whole Thanksgiving feast-Turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, fresh corn and of course the traditional pumpkin pie. As a long time bachelor, I know this feeling all too well.

Thanksgiving Dinner Options

Due to traditional holiday hours, even your Thanksgiving dinner options are limited.

You can go to a local restaurant.
(assuming you can find one open on Thanksgiving)
You can visit a fast food place and buy burgers.
You can order a pizza or Chinese take-out.
You can microwave a frozen turkey dinner.

Most of these options are less than healthy. Very few of them are satisfying. None
of them give you that home cooked Thanksgiving flavor. However with a little
effort, you can cook your very own Thanksgiving feast. Try this quick and easy
Thanksgiving Recipe.

Thanksgiving Recipe for One

5.0/5 (2 ratings)

Prep: 30 min · Total: 120 min

Ingredients for 1 portion

1 package of Jennie-O Ground Turkey · 1 can of diced tomatoes (flavored) · 1 can of chicken broth · 1 lbs of Yukon Gold potatoes · 1 can of whole kernel corn · 1 bunch of scallions (chopped)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a glass baking dish, place the entire Turkey block. Do not break it up. Add the diced tomatoes and one third of the chicken broth. Chop the scallions. Add about one third of the scallions. Place in the oven. Set your timer for 30 minutes. Cut the Yukon Gold potatoes into quarters while it cooks.

After 30 minutes, remove from oven. Skim off any fat along the edges of the turkey. Turn the turkey over. Add the rest of the broth. Add 1 cup of water. Add the cut potatoes and the frozen corn. Place baking dish back in the oven. Set the timer for 45 minutes.

After 45 minutes, remove from oven. Stir the potatoes and corn. Add more water if necessary. Add one third of the scallions. (Save the last third for garnish) Place the dish back in the oven. Set the timer for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, remove from oven. Allow dish to cool for 5 minutes. Cut a portion of turkey and serve on a plate. Scoop out some of the potatoes and corn onto the plate. Cover with a few scallions. Serve hot.

Favorite Thanksgiving Pie?

6 votes

The Art of Manly Cooking Apron

Easy Ways to Make it Better

A big challenge of preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for one is cooking too much food. Packaged food producers rarely make single serving items. However, with a little creativity, you can give your holiday meal more appeal.

Olives
Many grocery stores and delis have Olive Bars where you can purchase different varieties of flavored olives. Buy a cup of olives. Serve on a small plate.
Dinner Rolls
Warm dinner rolls are a favorite at the Thanksgiving table. Buy a package of rolls. Heat them just before eating your turkey dinner.
Deviled Eggs
Many Delis will sell pre-made deviled eggs during the Thanksgiving season. Buy 3 - 6 eggs. Serve them as a side dish.
Cherry or Apple Tart
Stop by a Bakery shop. Buy a fresh cherry or apple tart instead of a whole pie.
Wine
A bottle of wine is always a nice touch. Try Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Google Search Failure

Normally I like to include a few Related Articles from Google on the same topic. I was shocked to find that no one has tackled the subject of Thanksgiving for One. I tried several search terms and could not find another recipe. I had tons of "hits" for easy thanksgiving recipes, thanksgiving dinner using your phone, and other recipes for one. However, no one has a easy Thanksgiving recipe for one. Enjoy and remember my motto: Cook Well, Eat Well, Live Well.

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Add Your Spicy Comments

candy47Nov 6, 2015

Great recipe! The ingredients are easy to find in any grocery store and there is very little preparation.

chefmancaveNov 24, 2013

Thanks Rose. Thanksgiving is like the super bowl for cooks and foodies. We always work way too hard and cook way too much. For me, I love everything about Thanksgiving except for that big damn turkey and the seemingly endless days of turkey sandwiches afterwards.

RoseNov 23, 2013

I cook for two and still cook too much on holidays - and for the next week we live on leftovers. I like your idea of just cooking enough though - may give it a try.

chefmancaveNov 12, 2013

Good point. But I like the idea of doing just a little cooking on Thanksgiving. It gives you the feeling of "home cooked" holiday spirit. That is what I was shooting for with this recipe.

dustytoesNov 12, 2013

I've been alone for Thanksgiving and it's not so bad really. I like your recipe, but I would just buy sliced turkey and have a sandwich with stuffing and cranberry sauce.... on a paper plate!

AbbyFitzNov 11, 2013

It is sad for someone to have to be alone on thanksgiving, but this looks good!

chefmancaveNov 10, 2013

But when you are alone you can't cook an 8+ lbs turkey and expect to eat it all. This recipe gives you the "feel" of Thanksgiving without the huge amount kitchen time normally required.

ologsinquitoNov 10, 2013

Growing up, we always had olives at Thanksgiving, as well as turkey.