40 Friendsgiving Food Ideas That Are Perfect for Sharing With Pals
Nothing like bonding over mashed potatoes and pecan pie.
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Uh oh, are you charged with hosting Friendsgiving this year? Don't panic! Think of it this way: You've got the chance to share some of your family's favorite recipes or invite friends to bring a dish and share theirs, potluck-style. Either way, it's a win-win!
To plan a proper feast, give these Friendsgiving food ideas a try. Luckily, there are plenty of classic Thanksgiving potluck ideas that will happily feed a smaller crowd on Friendsgiving. First, get a handle on the turkey: No one expects a whole roasted bird so it's much easier to cook turkey in the air fryer. (And don't worry, we've got that recipe.) Next, make sure all of the Thanksgiving side dishes get their moment to shine: baked potatoes, green bean casserole, and candied carrots. You'll want to serve a few appetizers (think: small bites, bread basket ideas, and party dips) and a signature drink or two (apple cider cocktails and mocktails, included). And at the very end of dinner, a dessert should make its appearance. Something nostalgic that brings back childhood memories is always a delightful surprise and it's fun to plan something around Friendsgiving games like football cookies after a backyard game of flag football.
Now's the time to try non-traditional Thanksgiving ideas because, well, it's not the traditional feast. Ask your friends to bring their best Thanksgiving casseroles, a cultural dish they learned to make from their grandparents, or even a TikTok-famous recipe that will get the table talking. The point is to feed your whole crew—might as well have fun while doing it!
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Everyone arrives hungry, so here's the perfect welcome snack! This charcuterie board is customizable to guests' preferences. Ours is stocked with deli meats, cheeses, pumpkin hummus, and fresh fall fruits like pears and persimmons.
Caramel Apple Martini
Raise a glass to another year's worth of friendship with a round of these martinis. They're sweet enough to be a drink at the table or the final toast that doubles as dessert.
Get the Caramel Apple Martini recipe.
Smashed Brussels Sprouts
These will turn anyone into a Brussels sprouts lover! The crispy, crunchy bite is even better when dipped into a creamy lemon sauce.
Get the Smashed Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Roast Turkey Breast
Though you don't need to serve a whole turkey on Friendsgiving, a roasted turkey breast is a great way to enjoy the holiday staple. It'll be on the table in a fraction of the time!
Get the Roast Turkey Breast recipe.
Mashed Potato Casserole
What's better than mashed potatoes? Mashed potatoes that are loaded with bacon, cheese, crispy fried onions, and potato chips, of course! Everyone will be asking for this casserole recipe.
Get Ree's Mashed Potato Casserole recipe.
Sweet Potato Cake
This cozy spiced cake is made in a sheet pan so it's perfect for feeding a crowd. It even has a marshmallow creme frosting and chopped pecans for garnish.
Get the Sweet Potato Cake recipe.
Whipped Goat Cheese
This quick and easy appetizer is a simple addition to any party. You can even whip it up when unexpected friends show up at the door. They'll love the smooth, creamy texture and crispy pancetta topping!
Get Ree's Whipped Goat Cheese recipe.
Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon
A veggie side dish has never looked better! That's especially when it's dressed up with a cheesy sauce, crispy bacon, and buttery cracker topping. It's the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
Get Ree's Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole with Bacon recipe.
Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread
Everyone loves a pizza night, so switch up your classic appetizers with this flatbread pizza that's both sweet and savory. You can even make it with store-bought pizza dough to keep things easy.
Get Ree's Blue Cheese and Pear Flatbread recipe.
Pecan Tassies
These adorable treats are like a pecan pie in bite-sized form! Ree says they travel well so they're great for packing up to take to the potluck.
Get Ree's Pecan Tassies recipe.
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip
Here's a fun way to serve dip to a crowd: Simply scoop portions of the creamy ranch dip into individual cups then finish with crispy bacon, cheese, and potato chips on top!
Get Ree's Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip recipe.
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
This dish has all the flavor of a Thanksgiving dinner without the work! Just use a rotisserie chicken and a box of savory stuffing mix from the supermarket for an easy twist.
Turkey Meatballs
These meatballs made with ground turkey are incredibly easy when baked in the oven. Serve them up with your favorite gravy or cranberry sauce for dipping.
Get the Turkey Meatballs recipe.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Flaky puff pastry meets melty brie cheese topped with cranberry sauce and crunchy pistachios. It's the perfect holiday bite!
Get the Cranberry Brie Bites recipe.
Caramel Apple Cookies
Turn everyone's favorite childhood fall treat into an easy cookie! Each one is loaded with freshly grated apple and dried apple chips, then topped with a sweet caramel glaze.
Get the Caramel Apple Cookies recipe.
Butternut Squash Lasagna
When you're serving a crowd, a big, cheesy lasagna is always a good idea! But to make it even more on theme for the holidays, this version is made with sausage and a roasted butternut squash sauce.
Get the Butternut Squash Lasagna recipe.
Apple Butter Cheese Twists
This party snack looks impressive, but it's so easy—and delicious too, thanks to the combination of sweet apple butter and savory cheese. You can whip them up in advance and pop them in the freezer for easy entertaining.
Get the Apple Butter Cheese Twists recipe.
Pecan Pie Bars
These potluck-friendly bars don't require fussing with any pie crust. Instead they're made with a brown butter press-in shortbread crust that's incredibly easy.
Get the Pecan Pie Bars recipe.
Pumpkin-Shaped Challah
This one's for the friend who loves BreadTok: It's a pumpkin-shaped challah with a cinnamon stick as the "stem." It's a labor of love to form the dough, but easy to shape using kitchen twine.
Get the Pumpkin-Shaped Challah recipe.
Pull-Apart Pesto Turkey Sliders
If a whole roasted bird isn't doable this year, these pull-apart sliders using ground turkey are an equally delicious main dish. The garlicky herb butter makes them!
Get Ree's Pull-Apart Pesto Turkey Sliders recipe.
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