How To Plan a Successful Friendsgiving Menu

Iain Bagwell

There's something special about sharing your grandmother's famous casserole with your closest friends. That said, when you're the host, it's important to plan or delegate dishes—otherwise, you may end up with three boxes of cookies and no vegetables.

Set Up a Signup List, and Be Specific

As the host, decide what you want to make first (this should include the turkey and gravy for logistical reasons). Map out what dishes you want for the rest of the meal. Add those items to the sheet in the form of categories (for example, a potato dish or something fried) or specific items (candied yams or green bean casserole), and let friends can sign up for what they want. A nice balance might include one protein, one or two carbs (mashed potatoes and stuffing), and a green vegetable or salad.

Take Note of Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions

Include a note with the RSVP or contact guests individually regarding special diets and allergies. Be considerate by offering dishes that will accommodate them, such as substantial vegetarian sides (we suggest vegetarian stuffing since it is usually the most filling dish after turkey) or serving nuts on the side of the salad if someone has an allergy.

Supply Extra Snacks and Appetizers

We've all been there when the four-hour turkey takes six. Ask a couple of people to bring snacks or appetizers, and keep a couple of backup options (like chips or pretzels) on hand in case dinner gets delayed. Nothing is more stressful than a bunch of hungry guests waiting on you to serve them. If you are stuck providing appetizers, stick to items that do not require preparation and can be replenished quickly, like cheese or veggies and dip.

Provide Drink and Dessert Variety

Provide (or have guests bring) an assortment of alcoholic beverages to accompany the meal. It's always a good idea to have both red and white wine and beer. You can opt-out of hard alcohol altogether, or if you provide it, consider making a signature cocktail that guests can help themselves with if you're busy.

As for dessert, we like a couple of options in addition to pumpkin pie to suit all palates. Our rule of thumb is one fruity item, like sorbet or an apple crisp, and something chocolate, like chocolate-chip cookies. Besides, there's no such thing as too much dessert.

Our Best Friendsgiving Recipes

Here are our recommendations for the best Friendsgiving foods for your gathering this year. Find a casserole, side dish, or dessert everyone will love.

Baked Brie with Pecans

Recipe: Baked Brie with Pecans

Even if you are saving your appetite for the main event, it's always a good idea to have a few appetizers to greet guests or to offer to bring your host. This brie takes only 15 minutes to bake, which you can top with the prepared mixture of honey, spices, cherries, and chopped pecans. If you are hosting, try to do as much of the preparations before your guests arrive. If you are bringing this to a Friendsgiving, give the host appropriate notice to see if there is room in the oven.

Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

No matter what time of year it is, buffalo chicken is always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe is great because you can serve these pinwheels fresh and hot from the oven or at room temperature. Bring your host extra hot sauce and condiments for those who want their buffalo chicken extra spicy.

Buttery Yeast Rolls

Recipe: Buttery Yeast Rolls

Homemade bread is the perfect thing to bring to your next Friendsgiving gathering. Not only will everyone enjoy a freshly baked roll to accompany the Thanksgiving staples, but extra rolls will be great for the host who has an entire Thanksgiving meal of leftovers—which might not even be their only feast that year. Everyone loves a leftover turkey sandwich.

Thanksgiving Punch with Rum

Recipe: Thanksgiving Punch with Rum

Creating a holiday punch is one way to set a festive mood for your get-together. This beautifully-colored cranberry punch mixes honey, cinnamon, and ginger beer flavors with rum and juice for a proper cocktail that your guests will enjoy. Garnish with apple or citrus slices and serve with ice.

Stuffed Celery with Cream Cheese and Walnuts

Recipe: Stuffed Celery with Cream Cheese and Walnuts

Simple appetizers are great for a day when you plan a large dinner. This snack is about as simple as it gets. Take celery and add a cream cheese mixture filled with toasted walnuts, honey, salt, cinnamon, and fresh chives, and you're ready to go.

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Serve these bite-sized mushroom cups as an appetizer or alongside your other side dishes. Have these cheese, herb, and garlic snacks ready with only five minutes of bake time. Frozen phyllo cups help make this an easy go-to recipe when hosting.

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Preparing side dishes is one of the best parts of a Thanksgiving meal, and variety is essential when cooking for a large crowd with differing eating habits. Create a savory version of the traditional marshmallow sweet potato casserole using a Parmesan-herb topping instead. Make this dish ahead of time and freeze it until your gathering.

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Recipe: Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

It wouldn't be a Friendsgiving meal without a mac-and-cheese side dish. Take this classic food up a notch by adding bacon and topping it with fresh breadcrumbs. This cheesy pasta is so indulgent that you'll want to make it for everything gathering.

Mashed Potato Casserole

Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

We found a mashed potato casserole you can prepare ahead and heat the day of your dinner. There's no longer a need to wait until the last minute to mash warm potatoes—this casserole takes care of your potato-dish needs with much less hassle. You can also make the breadcrumb topping before and add it before baking.

Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

Recipe: Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

We're sure your guests will each have an opinion about the right way to make the dressing, but this herb and pecan cornbread version will be a hit with everyone. Plus, you can prepare the cornbread three days in advance, which is always a bonus when planning a large dinner party.
Fill every bite with flavor when adding chopped onions, celery, pecans, and various herbs to this dish.

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Make this casserole up to three days ahead of your Friendsgiving gathering. Not only is it convenient, but this loaded casserole is another way to add vegetables to your Thanksgiving table. Mixing cheddar and pepper jack cheeses add distinct flavors to this cauliflower dish that you won't want to stop eating.

Classic Cranberry Salad

Recipe: Classic Cranberry Salad

This recipe is a great vegetarian option, but even turkey lovers will want some of this salad on their plates. After bringing the cranberry, brown sugar, and orange juice mixture to a boil, allow it to get to room temperature, and then stir in the pears, pineapple, celery, and pecans. After these simple steps, the most challenging part is leaving enough time for it to chill in the refrigerator, preferably for at least four hours or overnight.

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Give your casserole dish a break and bake these root vegetables with a sweet, spicy maple topping. This topping adds a kick to this vegetable dish without heavy cream or cheese weighing it down. Combine maple syrup with spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper for a pecan mix you'll want to put on everything from vegetables to mac-and-cheese.

Tee's Corn Pudding

Recipe: Tee's Corn Pudding

Corn pudding is another one of those classic Thanksgiving side dishes. Make this recipe ahead of time, which freezes perfectly, so you are ready for the big event. This rich corn pudding should be golden brown around the edges when it's finished baking.

Scalloped Oysters

Recipe: Scalloped Oysters

Seafood isn't always people's first thought when discussing what to make for Thanksgiving. Luckily, we know this Scalloped Oysters recipe is what you should make this year. This oyster bake, made with mostly pantry staples, is a great addition to a Thanksgiving spread.

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

It's always fun when you can use marshmallows and call it proper dinner food. This classic sweet potato casserole has pecans, cornflakes, and everyone's favorite marshmallows as toppings. Try alternating rows of cornflake mixture and marshmallows for a beautiful design.

Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets

Recipe: Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets

Another excellent option for vegetarian guests is these skillet collard greens with sliced garlic, which are perfect as a Thanksgiving side—or a side dish for any dinner. The torn sourdough bread pieces add a heartiness and a crispy texture. Finally, coat this classic Southern vegetable with red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Recipe: Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Butternut squash and mac-and-cheese are holiday staples. Take these two Thanksgiving dishes and combine them into one delicious side. Adding squash or pumpkin to the cheesy pasta, topped with breadcrumbs, will be your new favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving—or any night of the year.

Old-Fashioned Turkey Gravy

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Turkey Gravy

Make a gravy your guests want to pour on everything—turkey, mashed potatoes, and everything in between. This traditional gravy on takes 15 minutes to make, so it's a perfect recipe to try for a busy Friendsgiving meal. Plus, it only needs four ingredients to make a smooth and flavorful gravy.

Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy

Recipe: Roasted Herb Turkey and Gravy

There's a lot of pressure to make the perfect turkey on Thanksgiving. Alleviate some stress by following the recipe for a perfectly seasoned dish that will give you turkey with crispy skin and juicy meat. Turkey gravy is made better by adding onions, carrots, and celery to the roasting pan.

Best Pecan Pie

Recipe: Best Pecan Pie

Dessert is essential to any great Friendsgiving. Make this version of classic pecan pie ahead of time and freeze it until the day of your get-together. Light, flaky homemade crust captures the sugary, glazed pecans that fill this pie.

Pear-Cranberry Pie with Oatmeal Streusel

Recipe: Pear-Cranberry Pie with Oatmeal Streusel

Substitute apples for this pear and cranberry pie. Adjust this simple recipe to make dinner preparations easier by using frozen cranberries and store-bought pie shells. Oats, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg help make the streusel topping, adding a perfect crunch to this dessert.

Spiced Coconut-Pumpkin Pie

Recipe: Spiced Coconut-Pumpkin Pie

Make your dairy-free friends happy by serving this pumpkin pie made with coconut milk and oil. Similar to traditional pumpkin pie, seasonal spices pack this dessert. The coconut milk helps to create a smooth texture in this pie, which is not too sweet but still incredibly flavorful.

Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Recipe: Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Add an autumn twist to this classic dessert. The pecan topping adds seasonal flavoring and a nutty crunch on top of the creamy cheesecake filling. Use refrigerated pie crust to help save time.

Cherry Spice Cake Trifle

Recipe: Cherry Spice Cake Trifle

Skip the pie tins this year and opt for a trifle instead. This cherry spice cake trifle has all your favorite seasonal flavors without the hassle of crimping pie crust. The brown sugar-based custard adds the perfect amount of sweetness to layer in between the cake pieces and to top this delicious dessert.