Whether you're getting ready to visit family you don't see often or you're planning a high school reunion in a few years, the holiday season can be stressful for a number of reasons. Creating your own traditions, like the Gift of Friendship, is one way to ensure some light during a time of year that can be anxiety-provoking.
Friends Day is the informal version of the traditional Thanksgiving, spent with—you guessed it—your best friends. You can plan a vacation with the family of your choice without having to worry about pleasing that overly picky uncle or worrying about whether you still need to sit at the kid's table. With Friendsgiving, you don't have to worry if you don't want to roast a whole turkey. Fun appetizers and low-maintenance dishes can be the star of the show so you don't get tired of the traditional Thanksgiving meal before the actual holiday.
Look no further for ideas on what to prepare for this year’s Friendship Meal. Don’t forget to bring a small gift to the host (this will give you bonus points, even with your closest friends), and get ready to host the best pre-Thanksgiving celebration of friendship ever. Here are some of the best recipes to choose from that are sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Choose from bite-sized appetizers
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip is always a fan favorite, and while Friendsgiving is all about reinventing tradition, sometimes there's no need to spoil a classic. User Julia's album on Yummly shared a recipe that uses Greek yogurt *and* cream cheese for extra rich texture.
Baked Brie and Caramelized Onion Cups
Instead of using a complicated full charcuterie board, these Baked Brie and Caramelized Onion Cups combine the sweetness of brie with the pop of flavor from sautéed onions and the crunch of chopped nuts. These are the epitome of a fall.
Grilled Turkey Sliders
It would be remiss not to include any turkey at the friendship table, but these roasted turkey sliders are an easier way to prepare and serve a traditional turkey. If you're using one Hawaiian roll as a base, you can bake them all into one piece and then chop up the individual sandwiches before serving.
Air Fryer Sausage Balls
This four-part appetizer is easy not only because the ingredient list is small, but because they can be thrown into the air fryer. Mix the sausage, cheddar cheese, dough and a little flour into a ball and fry in the air fryer until the cheese is melted and the crust is slightly crispy. You can even serve it with toothpicks so no messier dishes are needed.
Reimagining traditional side dishes
Crispy Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are usually the star of the Thanksgiving table, so having some potato-based dishes is a must at Friendsgiving. Instead of boiling, then mashing, and seasoning an entire casserole, try a mashed potato recipe that gets a crispy, crunchy, flavorful side.
Bacon Stuffed Bites
On the actual Thanksgiving weekend, you can probably expect to be stuffed with food. Instead of making a family recipe for friends, try bacon-wrapped pie for a new way to enjoy traditional flavors.
Smoked Macaroni and Cheese Egg Rolls
Making real mac and cheese is a labor of love. Use up your leftovers (or make extra from the box) to make these macaroni and cheese omelets. You can add in any excess meat you might want to remove—this recipe calls for leftover brisket—or you can keep it simple. NOTE: The dipping sauce on the side is a must.
Cornbread Casserole
Skip the hassle of scooping batter into individual portions of a muffin tin and make cornbread casserole instead. Bread in My Oven uses boxed cornbread mix but upgrades it with real corn, creamed corn, and spices.
Mixing drinks for a crowd
thanksgiving punch
The name itself should convince you that this Thanksgiving punch deserves a spot on your plate. This recipe is alcohol-free—just apple juice, caramel, and pumpkin spice—so everyone at the party can enjoy it.
Moscow Mule Boxing
Cocktails made in advance take the burden off hosts so they don't have to play bartender all night long. Try a Mint Moscow Mule Punch for a delicious cocktail that's not too sweet so it will complement your main course.
Red wine is customary during the holidays, but fruity sangria can add some fun to a gathering of friends. You can even add seasonal spices like cloves, fennel, or cinnamon to give it a more fall flavor.
champagne jelly
Who better to make jelly with you than your best friend? These champagne jellies give you all the feeling of opening a bottle without them sticking to the floor. Your hosts will surely thank you for your foresight.
Choose desserts with minimal prep work
Pecan Pie Cookie Bars
Whole pies can be a hassle to transport—especially if there are leftovers and you have to figure out what to do with them. These Pecan Pie Cookie Bars are an easier way to achieve the traditional flavor of pecan pie in a more bite-sized format so guests can try everything on the dessert table without having to fill their entire plate with one slice .
Chocolate Pomegranate Skewers
These Chocolate Pomegranate Skewers are perhaps one of the simplest holiday desserts you can make but are still guaranteed to impress. They just require pomegranate seeds and your choice of chocolate, but if you want to make them a little more decadent, you can mix dark, milk, and white chocolate together for a colorful drizzle.
Pumpkin Pie Twist Cookies
If you think the crust is the best part of a pie, then these Pumpkin Pie Twist Cookies should have your attention. They use refrigerated pie crust and pre-made pumpkin pie mix so there's almost no work required, although you wouldn't be able to tell how gorgeous they are by how they look.
earthy dessert
Remember those “cup of dirt” desserts from your childhood? Friendsgiving is the perfect opportunity to relive some nostalgia with a big-batch version of a treat. You probably won’t see this on a real Thanksgiving table, so this Brown Eyed Baker’s recipe is a great option to make for your friends.
