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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
Cristina says
My most memorable Thanksgiving memory was when I was an exchange student in Russia. I went with a group of American students (about 20 of us) and lived in a dorm. We put our desks in the hallway and lined them up like one big long table. We all made one dish, sat around the table and said what we were thankful for. All in Russian. It was special to me because living in a country where they didn’t celebrate that holiday, made me realize you didn’t need a holiday to be thankful!
Monique Prichard says
My favorite thanksgiving tradition….leftovers!
Daniella Roppolo says
I’m looking forward to making new memories this year! On December 2nd I will be hosting my family for our very first “Thanksmas” – after Thanksgiving and not quite Christmas. We haven’t been able to get together on an actual holiday in years. So, I’ve decided to start a new tradition on a weekend, when everyone is available! Thanks for the awesome recipes!
MaryEllen says
Of course (one of) my most memorable Thanksgiving memories is our first together as husband and wife. We were married on November 22, so Thanksgiving followed shortly thereafter. We were on a “mini honeymoon” and we had to look for an open restaurant (32 years ago!), and really scrounge for a passable meal!
Susie says
My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is making pumpkin cheesecake & my sister making pumpkin pie. Gives us two desserts to choose from. And love that the kids are old enough to help make them.