In recent years, rounding up your besties to celebrate Friendsgiving has become one of the season’s best and most loved traditions. And with life continuing to inch more and more toward a sense of normalcy for many, opportunities to gather with family and friends have taken on a whole new meaning and significance. Just being around your loved ones is special, and Friendsgiving can be especially fun, since it allows you to celebrate in your own creative style without the added stress of awkward family talk at the table. That said, one thing about Friendsgiving remains unchanged from its Thanksgiving origins – the importance of food.
Friendsgiving food ideas are plentiful, and one of the great things is there’s no need to stick with traditional Thanksgiving dishes like mashed potatoes or green beans if you don’t want to. In fact, this year, only 24 percent of Friendsgiving celebrators are planning to have turkey, at least in part due to the climbing costs of the bird, according to a survey by Personal Capital. That leaves more room to try out a side dish, dessert, or drink with a little more flair. Keep reading for 15 Friendsgiving food ideas you can bring to this year’s get-together to shake things up and make the beloved holiday an unforgettable one. (You don’t want to miss the pumpkin sangria!)
Related: Alert Your Friends! These 49 Thanksgiving Cocktails Belong at Every Holiday Celebration
Running to the Kitchen
Butternut Squash Hummus
Appetizers are a must at any Friendsgiving gathering. Instead of opening up a premade hummus container and calling it a day, spice it up with some fresh produce and herbs by following this recipe. Pair it with some homemade pita chips and watch the compliments come pouring in!
Get the recipe: butternut squash hummus
The Cookie Rookie
Cheesy Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are a perfect one-bite app that’s portable and satisfying. They can be prepped ahead and are easy to reheat – two features that make this recipe a perfect starter to your meal.
Get the recipe: cheesy sausage-stuffed mushrooms
Well Plated by Erin
Pumpkin Goat Cheese Crostini
This savory Fall appetizer looks fancy but is actually super easy to make. The crostini includes some classic Thanksgiving ingredients like pumpkin seeds and cranberries, and introduces some unexpected additions like creamy goat cheese. The flavor combo is unreal.
Get the recipe: pumpkin goat cheese crostini
Half Baked Harvest
Pumpkin Thanksgiving Sangria
Skip the plain white wine this year and bring your host or hostess a festive and yummy sangria! The combo of fruit, wine, pumpkin butter, spices, and brandy will be sure to please any party guest.
Get the recipe: pumpkin Thanksgiving sangria
A Saucy Kitchen
Roasted Sweet Potato and Chickpea Kale Apple Salad with Bacon
A plain green salad just won’t do for a Friendsgiving dinner. An interesting combo of tons of Fall favorites like sweet potato and apple come together in this cozy salad that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Get the recipe: roasted sweet potato and chickpea kale apple salad with bacon
Whitney Bond
Cranberry Brussels Sprout Stuffed Acorn Squash
Bringing this gorgeous veggie side to your Friendsgiving will check so many boxes. Pretty? Check! Paleo? Check! Whole 30-approved? Check! Healthy? Check! Thanksgiving-y (is that a word?)? Check! This side can also be prepared for the vegan crowd by omitting the pancetta from the dish.
Get the recipe: cranberry brussels sprout-stuffed acorn squash
Chili Pepper Madness
Sausage Stuffing
For the traditional crowd, a classic sausage stuffing is a must. Loaded with yummy herbs and flavors, this side is an easy addition to bring to any home over the holidays.
Get the recipe: sausage stuffing
Well Plated by Erin
Glazed Sweet Potatoes With Honey Whisky Pecans
This side dish marries sweet, savory, and spicy perfectly for an incredibly unique twist on a traditional side. Mixing tart apples with sweet potatoes is a yummy combo, but the crown jewel of this recipe is the honey whisky pecan topping.
Get the recipe: glazed sweet potatoes with honey whisky pecans
Fit Foodie Finds
Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
If you’re looking for a healthy, colorful, and simple side dish, this carrot recipe is for you. Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness, and adding honey, garlic, and vinegar will take the flavor to the next level.
Get the recipe: honey balsamic roasted carrots
Foxes Love Lemons / Lori Yates
Thanksgiving Rice Pilaf With Cranberries and Pears
Celebrating Friendsgiving means breaking some traditional rules. Instead of bringing mashed potatoes or stuffing, why not enhance your dinner with a cozy rice dish? This pilaf is chock-full of Fall flavors like pear, cranberry, thyme, and rosemary. Mushrooms add substance to this dish, while the added walnuts add a nice and surprising crunch!
Get the recipe: Thanksgiving rice pilaf with cranberries and pears
Well Plated
Spicy Braised Green Beans With Feta
Serving plain green beans may result in some eye-rolls from your friends. Offering up some spicy braised green beans, on the other hand, will likely get some people asking for seconds! Braising the green beans allows for them to cook slowly and not end up as a chewy or stringy mess. The end result is a deliciously tender veggie with some amazing spices.
Get the recipe: spicy braised green beans with feta
The Cookie Rookie
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes With Garlic Butter
No Friendsgiving meal is complete without some sort of potatoes, and finding a recipe that allows you to use your slow cooker to cook up the creamy goodness is icing on the cake. Just toss in some potatoes, garlic, and butter for delicious mashed potatoes.
Get the recipe: slow cooker mashed potatoes with garlic butter
Shugary Sweets
Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
The beauty of using your Instant Pot to make a cheesecake? You don’t have to check for issues like cracks or breakage! Assemble the pie, wrap in foil, and cook it up. Easy and oh so yummy.
Get the recipe: Instant Pot pumpkin cheesecake
Half Baked Harvest
Pumpkin Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are delicious and are a great switch-up from the classic pies. You just combine homemade pumpkin butter with classic chocolate chips in this recipe.
Get the recipe: pumpkin butter chocolate chip cookies
Well Plated
Old-Fashioned Sweet Potato Pie
Sometimes you shouldn’t mess with a classic. This sweet potato pie is just as you would imagine it would be: silky, sweet, and perfectly spiced. Topped with homemade marshmallow whipped cream, this old-school pie is hard to beat.
Get the recipe: old-fashioned sweet potato pie
