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.
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.
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
A gorgeous display of hummus and yummy toppings for your Friendsgiving table.
Baked Spinach Balls
With parmesan and Italian breadcrumb base, your friends will rave over this spinach-based recipe!
Classic Deviled Eggs
Everyone has that one friend who can eat an entire tray of these. Make extra!
Bacon Deviled Eggs
Plan on making extra deviled eggs? Toss in some bacon bits and watch the crowd go wild.
Guacamole Deviled Eggs
For those Friendsgiving guests who love deviled eggs and guacamole.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This game-day dip has a secret ingredient that makes it the first thing to go at holiday gatherings.
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
If you don’t feel like roasting an entire turkey, try a whole chicken. It’s elegant, simple, and with my recipe- easy!
Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
The juiciest roasted chicken of your life! This makes a fabulous Friendsgiving main course for smaller crowds.
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
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.
Brown Sugar Dijon Pork Roast
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.
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.
Cornbread Dressing with Sausage
Make this and you’ll be the favorite of all your Friendsgiving attendees.
Sausage Apple Stuffing with Cranberries
One bite and even the corn-bread stuffing lovers will fall in love.
Southern Mashed Potatoes
A classic recipe that belongs on the table of your feast!
Roasted Fall Vegetables
The easiest way to make everyone at the table fall in love with veggies.
Orange Juice Cranberry Sauce
All I can say is, be prepared to share this recipe with your friends!
Sweet Potato Stacks
Layered with a brown-butter and grated Parmesan cheese, this is a new way to enjoy sweet potatoes.
Roasted Parsnips
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.
Winter Salad
The best way to amp up a side salad? Top with tender roasted veggies and a sweet-tangy Dijon vinaigrette.
Easy Popovers
Perfect to sop up the last few drops of gravy or soup. Warning: these will be the first to go.
Creamy Cauliflower Soup
Soup lovers will rejoice over the rich flavors of curry spice and roasted cauliflower.
Chai Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
A beautiful addition to any Friendsgiving table- bonus points for topping it with crème fraîche.
Creamy Polenta
Trying new recipes to serve to your friends can be dangerous unless it’s this Parmesan polenta.
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
Soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting are chocked full of tangy cranberries and toasted walnuts.
Frozen Pumpkin Pie
Why do we love this option? It can be made ahead and kept in the freezer until your guests arrive.
Pumpkin Swirl Brownies
Pumpkin and chocolate lovers rejoice! We have an option for you.
Mini Apple Pies
For those friends who only want a bite or two of dessert.
Roasted Cinnamon Apples
P-E-R-F-E-C-T over vanilla ice cream or a slice of plain cheesecake.
Fudgy Chocolate Brownies
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.
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!
Thanksgiving Dinner Meal Plan & Guide
Inside this eBook, you’ll find 23 Thanksgiving recipes for easy entertaining. PLUS, done-for-you daily holiday prep, helpful kitchen notes, and hour-by-hour timing instructions for Thanksgiving day.
This digital download is like hiring a kitchen assistant to plan out an incredibly delicious menu for your family.
Sarah
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 :-).
Sandra D.
My most memorable Thanksgiving was when we smoked our first turkey. It was delicious! We cook it that way every year now.
Amy Wahl
I always watched the Macy’s Day parade on tv and would call my grandma to talk about each float.
Kathy Coy
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.
Marion
Helping my mom in the kitchen, making pies and gravy. I know do this with my little ones passing on the traditions and recipes.
Be
Just participated in the 2nd annual Friendsgiving last week…I think it’s great to spend time with friends that we wouldn’t typically see around the table and share in laughter. Truly thankful for the group of friends that I have and to get the opportunity to share a holiday with them.
Melissa
I just love cooking, eating, and spending time with my family.
Melissa
Thanksgiving has always been a small affair, mostly because the family is small.
Melanie
I am the baker in the family. Every year I love going to my Parents home and getting to bake pies and make my favorite salads and side dishes. Last year I completely flopped on the pie crust! It was as if I had never made a crust in my life and I have been doing this since I was a teenager, I’m older than 38 but younger than 42. At least the inside was very nummy! I always make extra crust for my Mom to use later when I’m not around. She did. I had forgotten to throw the horrible failed crust away and she made pie with it but couldn’t figure out why She was struggling with it, lol. The occasion was for my Aunt and Uncle. At least, they enjoyed sharing stories of all of their kid’s, collectively, and The Not So Joys of Cooking food that they have had to eat. Well, this year my Mom has already bought costco pies. I am thankful that I can safely travel and not need to be anxious about pies. Are they going to let me in the kitchen at all? Lol. Happy Thanksgiving!
Erin
Our tradition is to keep a thankfulness calendar the whole month of November. We always do something different every year for Thanksgiving Day but the calendar is something all 6 of us share and I keep them to look back on years past.
Laura Fuentes
I love this tradition!
Sadia Mustofa
Every year we cook a whole chicken for Thanksgiving instead of Turkey. I help my mom out making the other dishes and at the end of the day, my grandmother and my aunt and uncle and cousin come over to my house. I remember how there were so many leftovers, that I’d take some of it to school for lunch in my pyrex container.
Meshia Horn
I love Thanksgiving. It’s a great holiday to spend with the ones you love. I enjoy eating with my family and catching up on old times. I love seeing the kids gather and play.
Claudia
I love my husband’s stuffing! I need to learn how to make it 🙂
Candy Conrad
Love all your recipes Laura!
The past couple of years we have gone to our friends’ ranch for Thanksgiving. Everyone brings their horses and a dish to share. We ride in the morning and then eat! It’s a lot of fun!
Angie
My favorite tradition is each having the opportunity to put into words what we are grateful for! This tradition started as I child and now as a mom, with children of my own, it feels my soul to hear my kids express gratitude for family, friends, good food and so many other heartwarming sediments.
latanya
each year, everyone gets to say what they are thankful for and it is special to me because it helps to show what other things I can be thankful for.
Amy J.
My family always invited “strays” to join us for dinner. I didn’t realize til the kids started asking this year, but apparently watching the parade has become an important tradition to the them :).
Faith M
Favorite tradition was watching the parade in the morning and then after eating watching movies.
Lisa
Now that my two eldest are in college, I love having them home for the holidays and sharing our day with their girlfriends.
Talia B
I have a thankfulness journal. Each year I write down what everyone is thankful for and go back and read the best from previous years.