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Home » Best Of

Friendsgiving Menu & Gathering Ideas

By Laura Fuentes Updated Feb 7, 2024

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This isn’t any ordinary Friendsgiving menu with recipe suggestions but a collection of hand-selected dishes and tips to help you, the host, put on a heart-warming feast with your closest friends and loved ones. 

If you’ve been browsing the internet for delicious ideas to make without the hassle of an actual Thanksgiving dinner- your search is over. I’ve got just the resources you’re looking for and more. 

table set for Friendsgiving dinner

What is Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is almost like a pre-game to the big day and includes friends, loveable neighbors, favorite coworkers, and people you wouldn’t normally see at your family’s celebration. Basically, it’s a chance to enjoy everyone’s favorite comfort foods in a more relaxed environment with friends.

Best Friendsgiving Recipes

No need to prepare two full-out Thanksgiving meals in one month. Since it’s just you and the crew, the best Friendsgiving recipes are crowd-pleasing options that aren’t complicated or time-consuming to prepare. 

No need to overthink or do all the cooking yourself; a Friendsgiving menu is meant to be shared with the group. 

A good menu plan would be a couple of appetizers, one or two main courses, three to four sides, and two desserts. 

Lay out which/how many dishes you want for the meal, fill in the ones you plan to prepare, then share the rest of the list with your group. 

This way, everyone can sign up for the dish they’d like to bring or make a suggestion. It’s an excellent opportunity to try new things and possibly discover new favorite recipes. 

Laura serving Friendsgiving dinner

Friendsgiving Appetizers

Let’s kick things off with some mouthwatering recipes the crowd will love.
Any of these options will be a great start to the meal or end up on the main course plate, right next to the turkey- I’m looking at you Spinach Hummus Dip!

Greek Nachos
5 from 13 votes
A gorgeous display of hummus and yummy toppings for your Friendsgiving table.
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Baked Spinach Balls
5 from 29 votes
With parmesan and Italian breadcrumb base, your friends will rave over this spinach-based recipe!
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Five Classic deviled eggs
Classic Deviled Eggs
5 from 38 votes
Everyone has that one friend who can eat an entire tray of these. Make extra!
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Bacon Deviled Eggs
5 from 16 votes
Plan on making extra deviled eggs? Toss in some bacon bits and watch the crowd go wild.
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Closeup of Guacamole Deviled Eggs
Guacamole Deviled Eggs
5 from 15 votes
For those Friendsgiving guests who love deviled eggs and guacamole.
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Buffalo Chicken Dip
5 from 13 votes
This game-day dip has a secret ingredient that makes it the first thing to go at holiday gatherings.
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Friendsgiving Main Courses

The neat part about Friendsgiving is you can make whatever main course you desire. Since most of the crew will be going to a Thanksgiving celebration with a turkey, why not switch it up for this occasion? 

This could be roasted chicken leg quarters with my homemade turkey rub or a gorgeous pork loin roast. You could even go completely off the wall and whip up a pot of New Orleans-style gumbo- your guests will never forget that meal! 

Whole Roasted Chicken
5 from 19 votes
If you don't feel like roasting an entire turkey, try a whole chicken. It's elegant, simple, and with my recipe- easy!
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chicken leg quarter on a plate with green beans and tomatoes
Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
5 from 29 votes
The juiciest roasted chicken of your life! This makes a fabulous Friendsgiving main course for smaller crowds.
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large bowl of chicken gumbo with rice
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
4.95 from 39 votes
If you're open to new and different things, a big pot of homemade Chicken & Sausage Gumbo will become a Friendsgiving tradition for your group.
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Baked Pork Loin Roast (Beginner Friendly)
5 from 29 votes
Want to forgo the poultry for a different protein? This pork roast is an impressive dish and tastes just as good as it looks. Perfect for medium to large crowds.
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Friendsgiving Sides

It’s no secret that the sides are the most beloved part of Thanksgiving, and once a year isn’t enough- here’s your chance to get a double dose of your favorite dishes this holiday season.

close up view of cornbread dressing with sausage inside a white baking dish
Cornbread Dressing with Sausage
5 from 42 votes
Make this and you'll be the favorite of all your Friendsgiving attendees.
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large bowl of sausage apple stuffing
Sausage Apple Stuffing with Cranberries
5 from 20 votes
One bite and even the corn-bread stuffing lovers will fall in love.
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southern mashed potatoes in a white bowl with finely chopped onion and butter on top
Southern Mashed Potatoes
5 from 50 votes
A classic recipe that belongs on the table of your feast!
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roasted fall vegetables on a sheet pan
Roasted Fall Vegetables
5 from 26 votes
The easiest way to make everyone at the table fall in love with veggies.
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overhead view of a bowl of orange cranberry sauce at a table
Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce
5 from 18 votes
All I can say is, be prepared to share this recipe with your friends!
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sweet potato stacks in a glass baking dish
Sweet Potato Stacks
5 from 37 votes
Layered with a brown-butter and grated Parmesan cheese, this is a new way to enjoy sweet potatoes.
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Roasted Parsnips
5 from 25 votes
This recipe is a little sneaky. It looks average, but the caramelized edges and flavor will have your Friendsgiving peeps competing for the last few pieces.
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Winter Salad
5 from 37 votes
The best way to amp up a side salad? Top with tender roasted veggies and a sweet-tangy Dijon vinaigrette.
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Easy Popovers
4.96 from 41 votes
Perfect to sop up the last few drops of gravy or soup. Warning: these will be the first to go.
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large bowl of cauliflower soup topped with roasted cauliflower florets
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
5 from 24 votes
Soup lovers will rejoice over the rich flavors of curry spice and roasted cauliflower.
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Chai Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
5 from 23 votes
A beautiful addition to any Friendsgiving table- bonus points for topping it with crème fraîche.
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large bowl of parmesan polenta topped with tomatoes
Creamy Polenta
5 from 31 votes
Trying new recipes to serve to your friends can be dangerous unless it's this Parmesan polenta.
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Best Desserts for Friendsgiving

No Friendsgiving is complete without a few desserts, and this is a perfect time to indulge in some different ideas you may not see on a usual Thanksgiving spread.

From frozen treats to baking goods- any of these options would be the cherry on top of a successful meal!

pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting sitting on a wire rack
Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
5 from 23 votes
Soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting are chocked full of tangy cranberries and toasted walnuts.
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frozen pumpkin pie
Frozen Pumpkin Pie
5 from 20 votes
Why do we love this option? It can be made ahead and kept in the freezer until your guests arrive.
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overhead view of a piece of pumpkin brownie being sliced
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
4.86 from 47 votes
Pumpkin and chocolate lovers rejoice! We have an option for you.
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min apple pies on a white plate
Cupcake Pan Apples Pies
4.86 from 27 votes
For those friends who only want a bite or two of dessert.
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sliced apples on a baking sheet
Roasted Cinnamon Apples
5 from 17 votes
P-E-R-F-E-C-T over vanilla ice cream or a slice of plain cheesecake.
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Fudgy Chocolate Brownies
5 from 14 votes
A square of the chocolatiest, fudgiest brownie makes a spectacular dessert. Pair it with a glass of cold milk or hot coffee for optimal enjoyment.
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Hosting Friendsgiving

Hosting a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving party of any size can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time.

Not only do you want to choose the right recipes, but there’s also the unnerving idea of fitting everything in one oven or feeling lost when it comes to cooking all. That. Food.

Been there, done that.

And it’s the reason why I created an entire menu and guide to help anyone master the art of hosting a Thanksgiving, or in this case, a Friendsgiving feast.

In my Thanksgiving Meal Plan, you will find various recipes for every course with directions and tips so anyone can prepare them with delicious results.

It gets better- the meal prep guide directs you step-by-step on which elements to prepare ahead and how to organize the oven the morning of the big day, so every dish is hot and ready to serve when guests arrive.

Grab your copy so you can host this Friendsgiving like a pro! 

Full Thanksgiving Meal Plan

Inside this eBook, you'll find a full Thanksgiving menu with 23 easy recipes, a done-for-you prep plan with oven timing and kitchen tips for the big day. This is the kitchen assistant you need to pull off a simple and delicious holiday meal.

thanksgiving menu in ipad
I Need This!
by Laura Fuentes

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  1. Sarah says

    November 21, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    My most memorable thanksgiving was ten years ago now. Our first born was just three months old and the family thought we should host since our new apartment was so spacious. I remember feeling nervous, it would be my first thanksgiving for so many things. The house was filled with love and laughter and I was so happy to have my own little family. I will never forget that thanksgiving :-).

    Reply
  2. Sandra D. says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:23 pm

    My most memorable Thanksgiving was when we smoked our first turkey. It was delicious! We cook it that way every year now.

    Reply
  3. Amy Wahl says

    November 21, 2017 at 7:15 pm

    I always watched the Macy’s Day parade on tv and would call my grandma to talk about each float.

    Reply
  4. Kathy Coy says

    November 21, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    My most memorable Thanksgivings were when I was younger and we would go out to my grandma’s where all the cousins came and we played all day long and had wonderful food.

    Reply
  5. Marion says

    November 21, 2017 at 10:11 am

    Helping my mom in the kitchen, making pies and gravy. I know do this with my little ones passing on the traditions and recipes.

    Reply
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Laura fuentes holding a skillet of food standing in front of a blue door

Hi! I'm Laura.
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, mom of three, and the woman behind the world’s best pancakes—here to help you ditch the mealtime drama with recipes your family will actually eat.

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