My Friends Beg Me To Host Friendsgiving Because I Make These 20 Things
A properly festooned room, the warm smell of roasting turkey in the air, and the voices of friends. There may be nothing I hold more sacred in life than Thanksgiving. A whole day dedicated to cooking, eating, drinking, and showing appreciation for all there is to love in life? Sign me up! And sign me up they do. For several years now, my friends have turned to me to host Friendsgiving—and while I’d like to think my taste, décor, and general atmosphere are to credit for this, I think it's far more likely due to my pre-ordering a turkey a month out and begging them to let me set the menu. My menu never disappoints though, as I take care to pick a balance of appetizers, sides, drinks, and desserts—and of course, a turkey. Take a peek below at some of my favorite recipes for a sure-fire Friendsgiving success.
While there certainly are non-traditional Thanksgiving options—as well as vegetarian Thanksgiving picks—I believe every Friendsgiving that can have a turkey should have a turkey. Personally, I prefer a dry brined turkey, but we have plenty of Thanksgiving turkey recipes if that’s not your style.
While turkey may be the centerpiece, you could argue that the sides of the table are where the real heart is at. Give our sausage stuffing bites with cranberry sauce, gnocchi green bean casserole, or air fryer deviled eggs a try. Looking for something a little bit lighter? Our turkuterie or harvest Caesar salad will do the trick. Caesar salad not for you? Don’t worry, we’ve got enough Thanksgiving salads for you to celebrate for decades.
I didn’t forget about the two most important parts of the meal either. We’ve got drinks and dessert aplenty. Check out our turkeytini and other Thanksgiving cocktails, as well as our pecan pie cheesecake bars, turkey Oreo balls, and other Thanksgiving desserts.
I’m thankful for Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for you. I hope you’re thankful for these recipes!
P.S.: We've got tips for what to do with those Thanksgiving leftovers too!
Dry Brine Turkey
It goes without saying: A roast turkey is the signature dish at Thanksgiving dinner. While prepping this centerpiece may seem like an intimidating task, don’t let it stress you out—the secret to the perfect turkey is all about a few important steps in the prep work. If you want a foolproof way to ensure your bird stays juicy and doesn't dry out in the oven—brine it!
Get the Dry Brine Turkey recipe.
Turkeytini
There’s nothing better than the combination of a dessert and cocktail. Shaken and poured into a chilled glass, dessert cocktails are the ultimate end-of-the-night treat, especially when they include mocha and bourbon. This boozy Turkeytini has all you need to complete your Thanksgiving feast with the decadent blend of creamy Baileys Irish cream, chocolate liqueur, Kahlúa, and bourbon.
Get the Turkeytini recipe.
Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce
Baked stuffing, inside the turkey or out, is a Thanksgiving staple for many families, although the particulars of the go-to recipe can vary. Some people love a classic homemade turkey stuffing using sourdough bread, while others prefer a cornbread stuffing. Some families will be very happy with our vegetarian cranberry stuffing. The only thing better than any of these stuffing recipes? MORE. STUFFING.
Get the Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce recipe.
Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
These cheesecake bars have everything you want in a holiday dessert: a gooey, nutty topping, a creamy cheesecake layer, and a salty-sweet graham cracker crust. They’re the perfect alternative to a traditional pecan pie for Thanksgiving. The cheesecake layer is lightly spiced with cinnamon. The classic graham cracker crust is buttery and sweet. And the pecan topping is soft, buttery, and rich.
Get the Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Million-Dollar Mac & Cheese
What do you get when you take mac & cheese on a shopping spree to the fanciest cheese shop you know and shower it with gold leaf? Million-dollar mac. Showcasing a trifecta of bougie (and delicious) cheeses and a crispy crunchy panko topping, this irresistible comfort food in a casserole will take center stage on any table it hits.
Get the Million-Dollar Mac & Cheese recipe.
Green Bean Casserole Bites
Green bean casserole is one of the most iconic Thanksgiving sides, and one that brings together the best flavors of the season. I’ve taken it to a new level in these bite-sized versions. Baked in crescent roll cups with crispy fried onions, a rich, creamy mushroom sauce, and tender-yet-snappy green beans, these handheld wonders hit every note.
Get the Green Bean Casserole Bites recipe.
Gnocchi Stuffing
Heading to Friendsgiving and need a fun, different dish? This gnocchi stuffing is such a creative twist on the classic stuffing. Using gnocchi instead of bread gives you dumpling-like bites with all the traditional flavors of Thanksgiving. Toast the gnocchi before adding it to your stuffing, just like you would the bread, so that the pieces on top are perfectly crunchy.
Get the Gnocchi Stuffing recipe.
Gnocchi Green Bean Casserole
That green bean casserole on your holiday menu is begging for an upgrade. Luckily that means adding just one ingredient to turn your favorite side into gnocchi green bean casserole. Seriously. That’s it. Blanched fresh green beans and buttery sliced mushrooms, onions, and garlic get tossed with a creamy béchamel sauce and pillowy gnocchi, then baked until bubbly.
Get the Gnocchi Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Croissant Stuffing
Would Grandma really be all that upset if you tried a new stuffing (dressing?) this holiday? Her cornbread stuffing is undoubtedly delicious and nostalgic, but what if we switched it up a bit this year and tried something new? Enter: croissant stuffing. You heard us. Light, buttery, flaky croissants in your Thanksgiving stuffing.
Get the Croissant Stuffing recipe.
Lambrusco Smash
While a glass of Lambrusco is always good served on its own, it’s also a fantastic starting point for a cocktail. That sparkling pop and depth of flavor really goes well with this deep red cocktail. The smoky mezcal, bright orange citrus, and spice from the ginger beer tie together beautifully, giving you a zingy, sweet-ish, refreshing, and original cocktail to serve up at your next gossip session.
Get the Lambrusco Smash recipe.
Turkuterie
Try a bird of a different feather this year, and serve this festive and impressive fruit and cheese display as the centerpiece of your holiday table. We’ve packed this cheese board with fall fruits like apples, pears, and grapes, and cheeses appropriate for an autumnal charcuterie that everyone will want to gobble up!
Get the Turkuterie recipe.
Pumpkin Pie Sugar Cookies
Whether you prefer pumpkin, apple, pecan, or sweet potato, odds are that you’ll find some sort of pie at your Thanksgiving gathering. It’s so ubiquitous with the holiday that it inspires everything else on the dessert table, including these pumpkin pie sugar cookies. This festively decorated dessert resembles a pumpkin pie, but is actually made from shortbread cookies.
Get the Pumpkin Pie Sugar Cookies recipe.
Harvest Caesar Salad
If you thought kale Caesar was over, you’ve clearly never topped it with crispy frico squash croutons. Featuring butternut squash and crispy baked Parmesan frico, this autumn spin on the classic Caesar salad will have you wishing it was fall all year round.
Get the Harvest Caesar Salad recipe.
Apple Cider Hot Toddy
While pumpkin spice, in all of its many forms, may be the drink of fall, we think there’s a strong case to be made for all things apple cider too. When the leaves start to turn, the temperatures start to drop, and the first sniffles of the season start, hot toddies are delicious and healing too. To make a truly fall version of the hot toddy, we needed to make an apple cider version.
Get the Apple Cider Hot Toddy recipe.
Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip
This cranberry-topped whipped feta dip is here to save your holiday appetizer planning. Fresh feta cheese is combined with herbs, garlic, and cream cheese, whipped until super-smooth, then topped with tart homemade cranberry sauce, toasted pistachios, and honey. The result is a salty, creamy, sweet, tart, and absolutely irresistible dip perfect for wowing at your Friendsgiving gifts.
Get the Cranberry Whipped Feta Dip recipe.
Turkey Oreo Balls
When it comes to Thanksgiving desserts, pies get all the love. People mull over how many to make and debate the merits of pumpkin versus pecan or apple. Thanksgiving pies are delicious and non-negotiable for some, but if you find yourself wanting something different, these turkey-themed mini desserts are the answer.
Get the Turkey Oreo Balls recipe.
Sheet-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner
If you're hosting a small gathering or simply craving the comforting flavors of Thanksgiving any time of year, then this sheet-pan dinner is a solid choice. It’s a feast that’s as cozy as it is convenient, bringing together the classics with a few flavorful twists. The beauty of this meal lies in its simplicity—everything roasts together on a single pan, making cleanup a breeze.
Get the Sheet-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner recipe.
Turkey Leg Rice Krispies
What’s better than scoring a turkey leg at the holiday dinner table? Answer: snagging one of these gooey marshmallow and chocolate treats. One of the great things about Rice Krispies treats is that they can easily be molded and cut into all sorts of fun shapes. Plus, they’ll keep even the vegetarians around your table happy.
Get the Turkey Leg Rice Krispies recipe.
Air Fryer Deviled Eggs
Don’t look now, but I put deviled eggs in the air fryer. And guess what? They’re real good. I know, it’s bold to try a new take on a traditional recipe of which most people have very strong opinions, but it was worth it. And while I love a classic deviled egg, these texture- and flavor-packed air fryer deviled eggs have got me giddy.
Get the Air Fryer Deviled Eggs recipe.
Funeral Potatoes
Funeral potatoes are a traditional Mormon dish, and are equal parts insanely easy and ridiculously cheesy and delicious. All you need are frozen hash browns (we used the shredded kind, but cubed works great too), cream of chicken soup (like any casserole worth celebrating), sour cream, plenty of cheese, onion, and salt and pepper. The piece de resistance is a crunchy topping of Corn Flakes.
Get the Funeral Potatoes recipe.
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