Friendsgiving is Thanksgiving without the rules ~ show up in your comfy pants and bring something creative and homemade (no Costco pies, please!)
You’re on appetizer duty
Lucky you! You get to feed people at their hungriest, but you’ve got to strike the right balance with a Friendsgiving starter.
- Bring something simple ~ you don’t want to fill folks up before the main event.
- Finger food is best and make it cocktail friendly.
- Bypass the busy kitchen and bring everything pre-assembled on platters and in bowls, etc.
Friendsgiving Jarcuterie!
Jarcuterie are single serve charcuterie in adorable jars or cups. Everybody gets to take their appetizer with them as they mingle (the concept is pure genius!)
Easy Whipped Feta Dip Recipe
My whipped feta recipe transforms crumbly feta cheese into a gloriously silky dip ~ like magic! Bring crisp pita chips for dipping.
Apple Hot Pepper Jelly
Sweet and spicy apple pepper jelly is irresistible with cream cheese and crackers, and makes a thoughtful Friendsgiving host gift, too!
Smoked Trout Dip
Smoked trout dip is a fabulous light Friendsgiving appetizer made with smoked fish, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and a few secret spices.
Friendsgiving Snack Mix
Serve up a crowd-pleasing snack mix that will be the talk of your holiday gathering. It’s crunchy, buttery, and full of fall flavors.
You volunteered to bring a salad
Great! Your refreshing Friendsgiving contribution could well be the hit of the party.
- Put it together at home, don’t take over the hosts kitchen to assemble your salad.
- Best if your salad can sit at room temp while waiting for dinner. Fridge space will be limited.
- Make it colorful and fun!
Broccoli Honeycrisp Slaw
Broccoli Honeycrisp Slaw got rave reviews from taste testers. A crunchy slaw with healthy broccoli and juicy Honeycrisp apples.
Beet and Wild Rice Salad
My beet and wild rice salad with spiced pecans goes from packable lunch to holiday table ~ this superfood salad is healthy and super delicious!!
Fully Loaded Wedge Salad
My fully loaded wedge salad with crisp hearts of lettuce, bacon, eggs, croutons, black olives, and creamy blue cheese dressing, is irresistible!
Fall Apple Slaw
How to make Fall Apple Slaw: an easy seasonal side dish that goes with everything!
Wild Rice Salad with Cranberries
Simply delicious rustic wild rice salad with cranberries is a great side dish for Friendsgiving ~ makes a healthy lunch or snack, too!
You’re on team side dish
Chances are there will be several sides at your Friendsgiving, so you can relax and have fun with this, no pressure.
- Check with your host on reheating possibilities, will there be oven space?
- If you’ve got a family favorite, go for it, and be prepared to tell the story!
- Keep special diets in mind.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey and Sage
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Honey and Sage brings lots of flavor to the Thanksgiving table with minimal effort!
Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese
Elevate your macaroni and cheese with smoked Gouda cheese and an imported Italian pasta that really clings to all that thick creamy sauce!
Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Maple Candied Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is an easy side dish that will make a sprout lover out of anyone ~ guarateed!
Honeynut Squash Streusel
Adorable Honeynut Squash Streusel is an absolutely irresistible fall side dish!
Persian Jeweled Rice
Persian Jeweled Rice is a gluten free, vegan rice pilaf topped with fruits and nuts ~ a show stopping side for Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Favorite Green Bean Casserole from scratch!
Favorite Green Bean Casserole from scratch is the classic Thanksgiving side dish recipe made without canned soup. The flavor is out of this world!
You’re assigned cranberry sauce
You hit the jackpot, cranberry sauce is so easy, and so essential!
- A little tweak goes a long way. Add a special spice, a bit of liqueur, or a secret ingredient.
- Consider bringing the sauce in multiple smaller bowls rather than one for easy serving.
- Make more than you think, people love this stuff!
Spiced Rum Cranberry Sauce
Spiced Rum Cranberry Sauce ~ this quick and easy cranberry sauce recipe is an adult skewing twist on a Thanksgiving classic…
Spiced Orange Cranberry Relish
A no-cook cranberry condiment that brightens up just about anything you can think of!
Creamy Cranberry Relish (with Horseradish and Sour Cream)
Creamy Cranberry Relish with Horseradish and Sour Cream is a cranberry sauce upgrade for Thanksgiving and leftover turkey sandwiches.
Maple Cranberry Butter in 15 minutes!
Silky doesn’t even begin to describe this sweet tart cranberry butter, you’ll want to scoop it, spread it, slather it, dollop it, and definitely, definitely, lick the spoon.
Mulled Wine Cranberry Sauce
Red wine and mulling spices balance out the tartness of the cranberries and give the sauce a whole new warmth and depth of flavor. This is the cranberry sauce I’ll be making for the rest of my life!
You’re bringing bread
Which is great because you don’t have to worry about reheating or refrigerating.
- Make sure it’s fresh, try to make it shortly before the event. Same day if possible.
- Yes, you could pick up a loaf of sourdough on your way over, but don’t. Biscuits and cornbread are beyond easy to make!
- Bonus points for flavored butter ~ maple, honey, or herb ~ it turns a simple bake into something Friendsgiving worthy.
Garlic Bread Biscuits
Why settle for basic biscuits when you can have buttery garlic bread biscuits? This easy recipe is fun to make and complements so many meals.
Molasses Cornbread
Molasses cornbread is a classic one bowl Southern recipe that goes with everything ~ we even love a warm buttery slice for breakfast!
Buckwheat Honey and Caraway Rolls
Buckwheat Honey and Caraway Rolls are lightly sweet with the unique aroma of caraway seeds (they’re what give rye bread its amazing flavor!) These rustic dinner rolls turn your favorite soup into a hearty meal.
Pumpkin Spice Biscuits
Tall golden pumpkin biscuits are the stuff pumpkin dreams are made of, with flaky layers enriched with pumpkin purée and warm fall spices. They’re the perfect savory sidekick for every soup and stew this season.
Pumpkin Cornbread
Pumpkin Cornbread ~ if you haven't tried it, this should be your first baking project this fall. It's the perfect side dish for soups, stews, and chilis, and a must on your Thanksgiving and holiday tables.
You’ve got dessert!
You’ve got a big responsibility here, don’t blow it with a Costco pie.
- Remember Friendsgiving is a great chance to break the chains of tradition, so go rogue!
- Best if your dessert needs no refrigeration, but sometimes that’s necessary, so call ahead if it does.
- Consider something light like a homemade candy or special cookie, welcome after the heavy meal.
- If you decide on an ice cream cocktail, or something brûléed, it’s strictly BYOB (bring your own blender/blow torch.)
The Frozen Turkey Cocktail
The Frozen Turkey is an adult cocktail of epic proportions, your holidays are never going to be the same, trust me! This spiked ice cream milkshake is guaranteed to become a new holiday tradition.
Maple Frangipane Pecan Pie
My Maple Frangipane Pecan Pie recipe is a delicious tart filled with a rich pecan frangipane flavored with vanilla bean, bourbon, and maple.
Pumpkin Pot de Crème (with maple whipped cream!)
Pumpkin pot de crème is a velvety custard with warm spices and a dollop of maple cream, it’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for fall and Thanksgiving.
Cranberry Pie
My show stopping Cranberry Pie with a gingersnap crumb crust is guaranteed to bring a little va-va-voom to your Friendsgiving dessert table this year.
Cranberry Almond Tart
This cranberry almond tart recipe is a beautiful alternative to traditional Thanksgiving pie and a showstopper for Christmas or New Year's dessert.
Chocolate Hazelnut Torrone ~ 3 ingredients!
An Italian chocolate and hazelnut fudge-like candy.
Double Chocolate Thin and Crispy Cookies
Double chocolate thin and crispy cookies are just like the Tate’s cookies you love (but hate to pay for!)
Dreamy Nutella Mousse Pie!
Nutella mousse pie with a fluffy chocolate hazelnut filling nestled in a dark chocolate cookie crust. No one will miss the pumpkin, trust me!
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