Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (2024)

If you’ve ever sat and wondered what to bring to a potluck, particularly Friendsgiving, or what to cook if you host Friendsgiving this year, we’ve got you with these Friendsgiving-approved food ideas. Friendsgiving, often a weekend celebration in mid-November before Thanksgiving rolls around, is the stress-free, family-free, fun gathering of friends who come together to fill their bellies before they do it all over again later in November. (Here’s when Thanksgiving is, so you can plan accordingly.)

Friends become family, especially when living away from home, and Friendsgiving is a way to celebrate this—not just in the states, but also internationally. And no celebration is complete without smart food ideas, a doable menu, and post-dinner party games. If you’re really leaning into the Thanksgiving theme at your Friendsgiving, don’t forget the Thanksgiving wishes and Thanksgiving table decor, too.

With an abundance of fall recipes, there’s no shortage of Friendsgiving food ideas. But Friendsgiving is more fun when it’s kept simple, with some surprising party food ideas sprinkled in the mix. Sure, turkey is welcome, but not always expected: Doesn’t everyone like the sides more, anyway?

Put these Friendsgiving food ideas to good work and make sure this year’s Friendsgiving menu is a tasty one. Have everyone pick one dish to make, or volunteer to make everything yourself (if you’re hosting) and ask for monetary contributions to cover food costs. However you divvy up the responsibilities, remember that Friendsgiving is an occasion for good cheer and great friends (and maybe a few Thanksgiving quotes, too) and do whatever will make this gathering the best yet.

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (1)

Getty Images

01of 12

If You're Leaning Into Fall Recipes

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (2)

A pureed soup that makes it easy to feed a crowd on Friendsgiving. The pistachio-seed topping is a riff on dukkah, a Middle Eastern nut, seed, and spice blend that adds an irresistible texture to this fall recipe.

Get the recipe: Spiced Sweet Potato Soup With Pistachio Dukkah

02of 12

If You Need An Impressive Veggie Main

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (3)

Underneath the glistening golden crust is a whole head of roasted cauliflower. Rubbed with a garlicky-Dijon paste, the cauliflower gets roasted and then draped with parsley-encrusted dough (easier than it sounds, promise!). Bonus: Puff pastry is easy to find at any supermarket.

Get the recipe: Cauliflower en Croute

03of 12

If You're Looking for a Secret Ingredient

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (4)

If you’re not roasting radishes yet, you’re doing it wrong. Good-for-your gut miso and apple cider vinegar coat the colorful and peppery radishes before they hit the heat of the oven in this healthy fall recipe.

Get the recipe: Miso Roasted Radishes

04of 12

If You Think You Have Zero Kitchen Skills

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (5)

No kitchen confidence? All good. These stuffed and wrapped peppers are your go-to easy recipe. Plus, the dish is super tasty thanks to melted cheese and crispy, salty prosciutto. Cross the appetizer off your list of Friendsgiving recipes to find, because these are it.

Get the recipe: Mozzarella-Stuffed Peppadews With Prosciutto

05of 12

If You Need a Vegan Appetizer to Please a Crowd of Omnivores

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (6)

This perfectly smooth ranch dressing dip is a show-stopper. No one will know this Friendsgiving food idea is a vegan dip, nor that it has tofu (protein!) in it. Our taste testers were convinced it was straight up ranch dressing. Serve this with wedged baby lettuces (like Little Gem) for a fun hand-held salad, an array of crudites, or just use as ranch salad dressing.

Get the recipe: Vegan Ranch Dressing

Because One Dip Is Never Enough on Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (7)

Bring this bright dip to a Friendsgiving potluck this year. Cook carrots until tender with peppery ginger and then puree in a blender or food processor. There’s garlic for a kick and olive oil for a smooth texture. Because this dip is meant to be served chilled or at room temperature, it’s the perfect appetizer to bring to a potluck.

Get the recipe: Carrot-Ginger Dip

07of 12

If You’re Into Both Shortcuts and Stellar Results

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (8)

This festive vegetarian dish also doubles as a centerpiece. Store-bought pizza dough gives you a head start on this incredibly easy but elegant fall recipe. With rich caramelized onions and a hint of sage, this Friendsgiving food idea is perfectly in-season and super tasty.

Get the recipe: Squash and Caramelized Onion Whole-Wheat Twist

08of 12

If You Want To Go Rogue While Hosting Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (9)

Nothing brings people together like a pot of warm, melted cheese. Skip the turkey–instead, grate some Swiss and Gruyere, and crowd around a pot with dipping options galore. Get creative with your cheese fondue recipe and include fruit, like apples or pears, in the mix. Set out more bread than you might think you need, because no one will be able to stop dipping.

Get the recipe: Cheese Fondue

09of 12

If You’re Hosting Friendsgiving Brunch

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (10)

Though we’ll never say no to a traditional sticky bun, these buns lean more savory than sweet. It makes for a festive and unique Friendsgiving recipe and, because you’re using two cans of crescent rolls, it falls in the easy recipes bucket.

Get the recipe: Kabocha Squash Sticky Buns

10of 12

If You Want To Bake With Something Other Than Pumpkin

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (11)

Sweet winter squash gives this easy dessert recipe a twist. Sweetened with maple syrup, these blondies are a fall treat not to be missed. Plus, it travels well.

Get the recipe: Butternut Blondies With Maple Walnuts

11of 12

If You Need an Easy Dessert to Impress at a Friendsgiving Potluck

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (12)

Everyone loves chocolate, and this easy dessert recipes is the perfect packable confection. These fudge balls are inspired by the Brazilian treat brigadeiros, and they’re simple to make. Just combine sweetened condensed milk with warm cinnamon and semi-sweet chocolate for an incredibly easy fall treat. Pack them up in cupcake liners and bring them along to Friendsgiving—you’re guaranteed to be bringing an empty container back.

Get the recipe: Chocolate Pecan Fudge Balls

12of 12

If You Want to Give Cranberry a New Look This Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (13)

Jell-O shots get the grown-up treatment with Campari. If it rings a bell, it’s the liqueur from the trendy Negroni co*cktail. Mixed with cranberry juice, these Jell-O shots give the season’s cranberry a whole new meaning.

Get the recipe: Campari and Cranberry Jello Shots

Friendsgiving Food Ideas: The Best Recipes for Your Party (2024)

FAQs

What do you serve at a Friendsgiving party? ›

Throwing a Friendsgiving party usually includes cooking a large meal. Appetizers include spinach-artichoke dip, bruschetta, and bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts. Most Friendsgiving dinners feature turkey as the main course and many different sides. Friendsgiving desserts can include pumpkin pie, cobbler, or cookies.

What is a good meal to feed a large crowd? ›

Gather, Share, and Eat: Easy Meals for Large Groups That Won't Break the Bank
  • The Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs. ...
  • Tantalizing Tacos. ...
  • Perfectly Baked Potatoes. ...
  • Pizza Extravaganza. ...
  • Mouthwatering Pulled Pork. ...
  • Fabulous Fajitas. ...
  • Hearty Chili. ...
  • Build-Your-Own Sandwiches.
Oct 19, 2023

What to cook for 20 guests? ›

19 Ideas For Easy Meals For Large Groups
  • Taco Bar.
  • Meatballs.
  • Butter Chicken.
  • Lasagna.
  • Chili.
  • Homemade Pizza.
  • Baked Pasta.
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

What is a good Friendsgiving food? ›

35+ Friendsgiving Food Ideas
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Breast.
  • Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits.
  • Make Your Own Pizza (includes my no-knead pizza dough recipe!)
  • Soft Pretzel Stuffing.
  • Jalapeño Cornbread with Bacon & Cheddar.
  • Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Sweet Potato Casserole.
  • Homemade Hawaiian Rolls.
Nov 3, 2023

What food do you eat at Friendsgiving? ›

Friendsgiving-Friendly Food Ideas
  • Brussels Sprout and Bacon Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • Sweet Potato and Caramelized Onion Gratin. ...
  • Parmesan duch*ess Potatoes. ...
  • Green Bean Casserole Shepherd's Pie. ...
  • Pumpkin Gnocchi with Brown Butter, Sage and Hazelnuts. ...
  • Sautéed Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Walnuts and Dried Cherries.
Oct 8, 2019

What are the rules of Friendsgiving? ›

The 10 Essential Rules for Every Friendsgiving Guest
  • Put your host first. ...
  • Arrive on time, with a bottle of wine. ...
  • Do not arrive with extra, unexpected people. ...
  • Let your dietary needs be known in advance. ...
  • Don't bring anything fussy. ...
  • Bring your own serving dish. ...
  • Bring your own container for leftovers.
Jun 8, 2019

How do you host an easy Friendsgiving? ›

How to Host Your First-Ever Friendsgiving
  1. Make sure you have enough plates, silverware, and cups. ...
  2. Assign everyone a dish to bring. ...
  3. Let your friends help you. ...
  4. Give people something to eat (and drink) upon arrival. ...
  5. Don't get too hung up on the classics. ...
  6. Get creative with your space. ...
  7. Skip formal place settings.
Oct 20, 2023

How do you host a Friendsgiving dinner? ›

10 Tips for the Most Amazing Friendsgiving Feast
  1. Have someone take the lead. ...
  2. Let friends pick their dishes. ...
  3. Assign turkey duty to the host. ...
  4. Don't forget the drinks. ...
  5. Make sure there's plenty to go around. ...
  6. Arrive ready. ...
  7. Check the counter space. ...
  8. Don't sweat decorations.
Nov 16, 2017

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 6003

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.