Friendsgiving is a Thanksgiving-inspired meal enjoyed with close friends. The best part: there are no rules. Stuffed turkey and mashed potatoes are Thanksgiving staples, but you don’t have to bow to tradition when planning your Friendsgiving menu.
Skip the turkey altogether if you want, put together a no-cook Friendsgiving spread for a dorm potluck, or try something completely different. This get-together is the perfect occasion to experiment with new food ideas.
1. Slow-cooker turkey breast
If you don’t have the time or energy to cook a whole turkey, try a slow-cooker turkey breast instead. A slow cooker keeps turkey breast moist and tender.
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2. Air-fryer chicken
This might be controversial, but if you’re looking for a fast and easy alternative to turkey, consider air-fryer chicken. If you’re not sure how to use an air fryer, simply season your chicken, pop it in the air fryer and voilà! You’ll have crispy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for sharing with friends.
3. Thanksgiving sandwich
A Thanksgiving sandwich is an easy no-cook option, especially if you’re feeding a smaller group of friends. Get precooked turkey from the deli, then layer it onto sturdy bread with Thanksgiving staples like cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy or mashed potatoes.
4. Braised beef short ribs
Braised beef short ribs bring a more upscale feel to the Friendsgiving table. Simmer the ribs slowly with red wine and herbs until the meat is fall-apart tender, then serve with mashed potatoes or roasted veggies.
5. Mushroom Wellington
A mushroom Wellington is a perfect meatless main. It’s made of puff pastry-encased sautéed mushrooms, garlic, onions and herbs. Combined, these ingredients come together to create a can’t-miss flavor that’s savory, buttery and slightly tangy.
Slice it up and serve it with a rich mushroom gravy for a main course that will impress your guests, whether they’re vegetarians or not.
6. Herby lamb
Lamb may be underrated as a holiday dish in North America, but it’s popular in many regions worldwide and deserves a spot at the table. Try slow-cooking lamb with rosemary, garlic and a splash of red wine. For a traditional take, serve it with a mint sauce, like in this herb-crusted lamb breast recipe.
7. Butternut squash risotto
Butternut squash is deliciously versatile and makes a satisfying meat-free main or side dish. Prepare it in a risotto so you can cook it ahead, giving yourself more time to relax and socialize on the day. If you’re reheating the risotto before serving, add about ¼ cup of broth or water for every cup of risotto. This restores moisture to prevent a gluey texture.
8. Bacon-wrapped stuffing
If you’re on canapés duty, wrap stuffing in strips of bacon for bite-sized bursts of savory goodness. For the stuffing, use a box of turkey stuffing mix or make your own from scratch by following a classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe.
9. Pumpkin hummus
Make a Thanksgiving-inspired pumpkin hummus by blending pumpkin puree into your favorite plain hummus. You can also make a creamy hummus at home from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and spices.
Serve with crackers or a sliced baguette for a tasty Friendsgiving appetizer.
10. Hasselback sweet potatoes
Elevate roasted sweet potatoes by cutting them in Hasselback style. For extra flavor, brush the Hasselback sweet potatoes with garlic-and-herb butter before baking them in the oven.
11. Brie bites
Puff pastry brie bites make an easy finger food for Friendsgiving. Fill each bite with creamy brie and a spoonful of fig jam or cranberry sauce before baking until the pastry is golden and the cheese is melty.
12. Grand Marnier sweet potatoes
For a vegetable dish that satisfies your sweet tooth, candy your sweet potato bake with an orange liqueur like Grand Marnier instead of marshmallows. It’s kind of like a Southern sweet potato casserole recipe with a twist.
13. Sweet potato and caramelized onion bake
Try a sweet potato and caramelized onion bake for Friendsgiving this year. Layer slices of sweet potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes and caramelized onion in an oven-safe dish. Pour in a cup of cream and bake until bubbly and golden. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top in the last few minutes of baking time.
14. Brussels sprouts and bacon mash
For this Friendsgiving side dish, mix cooked Brussels sprouts and fried bacon into your creamy mashed potatoes. You can even order ready-made mashed potatoes for added convenience.
15. Friendsgiving roast vegetables
Put together a colorful roasted vegetable side with a mix of your favorite fall vegetables. Some good picks include carrots, parsnips, butternut squash, delicata squash, baby potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Place your assorted veggies on a pan with some oil and seasoning, and roast them until they’re browned and caramelized. Finish with a simple sweet-and-tangy Balsamic vinaigrette mixed with apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard.
16. Brussels sprouts casserole
Make a creamy casserole featuring Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Place your cooked vegetables in a roasting dish and cover them with a white sauce, such as a French-style béchamel sauce. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Sprinkle grated Gruyère, Parmesan and breadcrumbs over the top before roasting in the oven.
17. Garlic and brown butter green beans
Whip up a garlicky green bean recipe that adds a little more flair to traditional green beans. Sauté the steamed beans in browned butter and garlic.
18. Green bean casserole
Green bean casserole is a comforting Friendsgiving side with plenty of make-ahead potential. Toss tender green beans with a creamy mushroom sauce, then top with crispy fried onions and bake until your creation starts bubbling around the edges.
19. Stuffing muffins
For the stuffing lovers, use your favorite stuffing recipe to make muffins instead of filling the turkey. Spoon your stuffing mixture into cupcake liners and bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tops are crisp and golden.
20. Festive Brussels sprouts
Sauté Brussels sprouts with toasted walnuts and cranberries or dried cherries for a festive twist on a classic side dish. This vibrant combination adds color, flavors, and textures to your table.
21. Kale salad with cranberries and almonds
Sauté Brussels sprouts with toasted walnuts and cranberries or dried cherries for a festive twist on a classic side dish. This vibrant combination adds color, flavors, and textures to your table.
22. Air-fryer potatoes
The humble potato is one of the most versatile vegetables on any Friendsgiving menu. Toss them in the air fryer for a quick, low-fuss dish with just the right amount of crispiness on the outside and fluffiness on the inside. Try making roasted potatoes, Parmesan potatoes or even baked potatoes in your air fryer to complement your turkey and trimmings.
23. Creamy corn casserole
For a super-easy side dish that any novice cook could manage, try a creamy corn casserole. This rich dish comes together quickly with just a few ingredients and bakes in about 45 minutes. Use low-fat cream cheese and milk to lighten it up.
24. Cranberry whipped feta dip
Prepare the perfect holiday-themed appetizer with a delicious whipped feta dip. Top it with cranberry compote or homemade cranberry sauce and serve with sliced bread, vegetables or crackers for a satisfying snack.
25. Cheesy sausage balls
File this one under easy appetizers — you can truly pull off this recipe at the last minute if you find yourself in a pinch. Cheesy sausage balls are great as a Friendsgiving appetizer or side. Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice for extra flavor and fun.
26. Autumnal charcuterie board
Give your charcuterie board a seasonal feel with ingredients that lean into fall flavors and colors. Arrange cranberry goat cheese, aged cheddar, pretzels, prosciutto and salami alongside Honeycrisp apples, Bosc pears, fresh figs, walnuts and pecans. For an extra festive touch, tuck in sprigs of rosemary, fresh cranberries or small autumn leaf cookies around the edges of the board.
27. Pumpkin spice vinaigrette salad
For a fresh side dish, toss together greens, blanched asparagus and steamed green beans. Then top with a festive pumpkin-spice vinaigrette made from pumpkin puree, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey and pumpkin spice. If you’re short on time, you can always use a bottled vinaigrette dressing.
28. Cognac cranberry sauce
For a flavorful take on a traditional cranberry sauce recipe, make it with brown sugar, orange juice, a generous splash of cognac and a few pinches of cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg.
29. Pumpkin gnocchi
If you have some time on your hands, make gnocchi from scratch with your leftover potatoes and canned pumpkin. Fry the cooked gnocchi in a butter-and-sage sauce. Sprinkle toasted, chopped hazelnuts and Parmesan over the top just before serving.
30. Pumpkin ravioli
If you prefer a simpler Friendsgiving pasta dish, add some pumpkin ravioli to your cart. All you need to do is make a quick sauce to go with it. For an extra touch of decadence, sprinkle crispy bacon bits over the pasta before serving.
31. Baked mac and cheese
This baked mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Try swapping the elbow macaroni for chickpea pasta to cater to certain dietary restrictions.
32. Pecan and caramel cheesecake
Add a seasonal twist to your favorite creamy cheesecake recipe. Drizzle the baked cheesecake with salted caramel sauce and roasted pecans. If you’re short on time or baking skills, add a ready-made cheesecake to your Instacart order.
33. Bite-sized apple pies
Make individual apple pies using ready-to-fill pastry shells. These miniature pies are delicious and make for a sweet ending to your Friendsgiving. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
34. Pumpkin spice cookies
For an easy, no-bake, bite-sized dessert, try a fun spin on pumpkin spice cookies. Dip your favorite cookies in white chocolate or spread it on top and let them set. Melt orange candy melts, stir in pumpkin spice seasoning and drizzle the mixture over your cookies using a spoon or piping bag
35. Friendsgiving bread and butter pudding
Give your favorite bread-and-butter pudding recipe a Thanksgiving twist with pumpkin puree and spices. Substitute a portion of the milk and cream in your custard with pumpkin puree. Then add ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon and nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon of allspice before pouring the mixture over the bread. Sprinkle chopped hazelnuts over the top for extra holiday flair.
36. Pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving tradition and remains delicious for a few days if you’re looking for something leftover-proof. This pumpkin pie recipe uses a pre-made crust for simplicity, but feel free to make it with your homemade crust. If you prefer fresh pumpkin over canned pumpkin, roast and puree a sugar pumpkin for this recipe.
37. Sweet potato pie
Sweet potato pie is a quintessential fall dessert with a smooth, warmly spiced filling and flaky crust. Serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon for a cozy finish to your Friendsgiving meal.
38. Buttery pecan pie bars
Pairing a crumbly shortbread base with a rich pecan filling, these buttery pecan pie bars are sure to be a hit on the dessert table. The bars are generally served cool, so you can bake them a day before your gathering. To make them gluten-free, make a 1:1 switch from regular flour to gluten-free flour.
39. Stuffed dates
Stuffed dates are a bite-sized dessert that you can customize to fit your taste. Here are some popular fall-time filling ideas to get you started:
Peanut butter and chocolate
Goat cheese with honey and pistachios
Ricotta and coconut
Honey, orange blossom water and cardamom
Pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cream cheese and pecan
Apple butter and sea salt
40. Pumpkin spice lattes
Warm up your fall celebration with cozy pumpkin spice lattes. This classic drink blends espresso with creamy milk, pumpkin puree and warm spices like nutmeg. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon for that autumn vibe.
41. Friendsgiving sangria
Add a festive touch to your celebration with a refreshing sangria. Combine red or white wine with seasonal fruits like apples, oranges and cranberries — plus a splash of brandy — for a drink that pairs perfectly with all your favorite Friendsgiving food ideas.
42. Hot toddy
A hot toddy is the ultimate comforting drink. Made with warm whiskey or rum, honey, lemon and spices, this soothing cocktail will keep you toasty at any chilly outdoor gathering.
43. Homemade lemonade
Whether you’re going for a mocktail or cocktail version, simply mix fresh lemon juice, water and sugar, and jazz it up with herbs like mint. To create a lemonade cocktail, add a splash of vodka for the grown-ups.
44. Spiced apple cider
This fall classic beverage goes down well in cold weather. Make spiced apple cider and serve it hot to Friendsgiving guests. For those who want an extra kick, add a splash of rum, bourbon or brandy.
45. Spiced holiday punch
Mix cranberry juice, orange juice and pineapple juice for a bright, fruity punch with plenty of seasonal flavor. Add a dash of cinnamon, then top each glass with cold sparkling water for a lightly fizzy finish.
Fuss-free Friendsgiving feasting
The holidays can be chaotic, with lots of cooking, gift-giving and event planning. These Friendsgiving food ideas simplify your celebration.
Save time and energy by ordering your groceries online through Instacart. Select your Friendsgiving ingredients from retailers near you. Choose between pickup or delivery to your door within two hours.
