Top 10 Friendsgiving Food Ideas and Their Recipe

Friendsgiving Food is a Thanksgiving celebration with friends, rather than with family. It is typically celebrated around the same time as the traditional Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, which is the fourth Thursday in November.

The concept of Friendsgiving is relatively new, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among young adults and those who live far away from their families.

The celebration usually takes place in a home or apartment, and is typically potluck style, with each person bringing a dish to share. The menu often features traditional Thanksgiving foods such as turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and pies. However, Friendsgiving gatherings can also be more casual and less formal than a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, and may include a wider variety of dishes and flavors.

Friendsgiving is an opportunity for friends to come together, share a meal and give thanks for their friendship and support. It’s also a great way to build new friendships as well, it’s a time to share a meal with people you care about, and to enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed and festive setting.

It’s a perfect way for people who are far away from their families to still have a special holiday with the people they care about and also for friends who want to start a new tradition together.

Here are some 10 Friendsgiving food ideas to enjoy with friends:

Roasted Turkey with Traditional Gravy and Cranberry Sauce

Roasting a turkey is a traditional and popular way to prepare the bird for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving.

Ingredients:

• A turkey (fresh or thawed, depending on your preference)
• Salt and pepper
• Herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or sage)
• Butter or oil
• Stock or broth (for making the gravy)
• Flour (for thickening the gravy)
• Fresh or canned cranberry sauce

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Rinse the turkey and pat it dry.
3. Season the turkey all over with salt, pepper, and herbs.
4. Melt butter or heat oil in a pan.
5. Using a brush, coat the turkey with the melted butter or oil.
6. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and put it in the oven.
7. Roast the turkey, basting it occasionally with the pan juices. The roasting time will depend on the size of the turkey, but a general rule of thumb is to roast it for 15-18 minutes per pound.
8. Once the turkey is cooked through, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.

Gravy:

1. After removing the turkey from the pan, pour the pan juices into a gravy separator or a fat separator cup to separate the fat from the juices.
2. Heat the juices in a pan and add flour to thicken it.
3. Add chicken broth or stock to the pan to make the gravy.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cranberry sauce :

1. Fresh cranberry sauce is made by boiling cranberries with sugar, orange juice, and spices.
2. You can also use canned cranberry sauce, which is readily available in most grocery stores.

Serve the turkey with gravy and cranberry sauce, Enjoy your meal!

Mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes are popular side dishes for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving. They can be prepared in a similar way, but with a few variations.

Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes:

• Potatoes (russet or Yukon Gold)
• Milk or cream
• Butter
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic (optional)

Ingredients for Mashed Sweet Potatoes:

• Sweet potatoes
• Milk or cream
• Butter
• Maple syrup or brown sugar
• Cinnamon and nutmeg (optional)

Preparation for Mashed Potatoes:

1. Peel and chop the potatoes into evenly sized pieces.
2. Place the potatoes in a pot and cover them with water.
3. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low.
4. Cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender.
5. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
6. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or a fork.
7. Add milk or cream, butter, salt and pepper.
8. Mash the potatoes until they are smooth and creamy.
9. (Optional) add minced garlic for extra flavor.

Preparation for Mashed Sweet Potatoes:

1. Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into evenly sized pieces.
2. Place the sweet potatoes in a pot and cover them with water.
3. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low.
4. Cook the sweet potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until they are tender.
5. Drain the sweet potatoes and return them to the pot.
6. Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or a fork.
7. Add milk or cream, butter, maple syrup or brown sugar and spices.
8. Mash the sweet potatoes until they are smooth and creamy.

Both dishes can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. You can also add other ingredients such as cheese or chives to add a different flavor and texture.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole is a classic side dish for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving, made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions. It is a simple and easy to make dish that can be prepared in advance.

Ingredients:

• Fresh or frozen green beans
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Milk
• Salt and pepper
• Fried onions

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cook the green beans in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender. Drain the green beans and set them aside.
3. In a separate pot, mix the cream of mushroom soup, milk, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the green beans to the pot and stir until they are well coated.
5. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
6. Top the casserole with fried onions and bake it in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until it is heated through.

You can also prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. If you are making it ahead of time, you may want to wait to add the fried onions until just before baking, to keep them crispy.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Stuffing or Dressing Made with Bread, Herbs, and Onions

Stuffing (also known as dressing) is a traditional side dish for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving, made with bread, herbs, and onions. It is typically cooked inside the turkey, but it can also be cooked separately in a casserole dish.

Ingredients:

• Bread (such as white or sourdough)
• Butter or oil
• Onions
• Celery
• Garlic
• Herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or sage)
• Chicken or turkey broth
• Eggs (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Cut the bread into small cubes and let it dry out overnight or toast it in the oven.
2. In a pan, melt butter or heat oil and sauté the onions, celery, and garlic until softened.
3. Add the herbs and sauté for a few more minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, and enough chicken or turkey broth to moisten the mixture.
5. (Optional) Beat an egg and mix it into the stuffing mixture for added moisture and binding.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased casserole dish.
8. Cover the dish with foil and bake the stuffing in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 25-30 minutes.

You can also add other ingredients to your stuffing such as nuts, fruits or sausage to add different flavors and texture.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie for Dessert

Pumpkin pie is a traditional and popular dessert for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving. It is made with a sweet, spiced pumpkin filling in a flaky pie crust.

Ingredients for the crust:

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Ice water

Ingredients for the filling:

• Canned pumpkin puree or fresh pumpkin puree
• Brown sugar
• Maple syrup or honey
• Eggs
• Heavy cream or evaporated milk
• Spices (such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice)
• Salt

Preparation for the crust:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the flour and salt.
2. Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the flour mixture.
3. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Slowly add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
5. Form the dough into a ball and flatten it into a disc.
6. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
7. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish.
8. Trim the edges of the dough and crimp them to create a decorative edge.

Preparation for the filling:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, maple syrup or honey, eggs, cream or evaporated milk, spices and salt.
2. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
3. Bake the pie in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
4. Let the pie cool completely before serving.

You can also top the pie with whipped cream or ice cream before serving.

Enjoy your pumpkin pie!

Biscuits

Biscuits are a popular side dish for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving, often served with butter, honey, or gravy. They are made with flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and salt.

Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cold unsalted butter
• Milk

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the flour mixture.
4. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
5. Slowly add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
6. Knead the dough a few times until it is smooth.
7. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/2 inch thickness.
8. Cut the dough into circles using a biscuit cutter or a glass.
9. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet and bake them for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

You can also add additional ingredients to the dough such as cheese, herbs or bacon to add different flavors and texture.

Serve warm and enjoy!

A Variety of Seasonal Salads

A variety of seasonal salads can be a great addition to a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving meal. They can include a mix of greens, fruits, nuts, and cheese. Here are a few ideas for seasonal salads:

1. Arugula and Pomegranate Salad: Arugula, pomegranate seeds, toasted walnuts, and crumbled blue cheese. Dress with a balsamic vinaigrette.
2. Kale and Apple Salad: Kale, sliced apples, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans. Dress with a maple-mustard vinaigrette.
3. Spinach and Roasted Beet Salad: Spinach, roasted beets, feta cheese, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Dress with a lemon vinaigrette.
4. Brussels Sprout Salad: Shredded Brussels sprouts, dried cranberries, chopped pecans and crumbled blue cheese. Dress with a balsamic vinaigrette.
5. Fall Fruit Salad: Mix of different fall fruits such as apples, pears, figs, persimmons, and pomegranates. Dress with a honey-lemon dressing.
6. Roasted Carrot and Ginger Salad: Roasted carrots, fresh ginger, cilantro, and pumpkin seeds. Dress with a honey-lime vinaigrette.
7. Classic Caesar Salad: Romaine

Roasted vegetables such as Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, and Parsnips

Roasting vegetables is a great way to add flavor and texture to your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving meal. Roasted vegetables can be made in advance and reheated before serving.

Ingredients:

• Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• Carrots, peeled and chopped
• Parsnips, peeled and chopped
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or sage)

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, toss the Brussels sprouts, carrots, and parsnips with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
3. Spread the vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet.
4. Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and golden brown.
5. Toss the vegetables occasionally during roasting for even browning.

You can add other vegetables such as onions, garlic, or sweet potatoes to the mix for variety. You can also add different flavors to the vegetables by basting them with butter, honey or balsamic vinegar.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is a comforting and popular side dish for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving. It can be made with a variety of cheeses and seasonings, and can be baked in the oven for a crispy top.

Ingredients:

• Elbow macaroni
• Butter
• Flour
• Milk
• Salt and pepper
• Mustard powder (optional)
• Various cheese such as cheddar, gruyere, gouda or a combination of them.

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions, and drain it.
3. In a separate pot, melt the butter over medium heat.
4. Whisk in the flour to make a roux, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens.
6. Add salt, pepper, and mustard powder (if using).
7. Turn off the heat and stir in the grated cheese until it is melted and the sauce is smooth.
8. Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix well.
9. Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a baking dish.
10. Top with more grated cheese, breadcrumbs and/or butter if desired.
11. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

You can also add other ingredients to your macaroni and cheese such as cooked bacon, chopped herbs, or sautéed vegetables for added flavor.

Serve warm and enjoy!

A Signature Cocktail or Punch to Serve as a Festive Drink.

A signature cocktail or punch can add a festive touch to your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving meal. Here are a few ideas for a signature cocktail or punch:

1. Spiked Apple Cider: Warm apple cider with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves, spiked with brandy, rum or whiskey.
2. Cranberry Margarita: A twist on the classic margarita, made with cranberry juice, lime juice, tequila, and triple sec.
3. Pumpkin Martini: A creamy pumpkin-flavored martini, made with pumpkin puree, vanilla vodka, and cream.
4. Fall Bourbon Punch: A warm punch made with apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, and bourbon.
5. Mulled Wine: A warm, spiced wine made with red wine, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, orange peel, and sugar.
6. Pomegranate Punch: A refreshing punch made with pomegranate juice, sparkling wine, and a splash of triple sec.
7. Hot Toddy: A warm, comforting drink made with whiskey, honey, lemon juice, and hot water or tea.

You can also add different garnishes such as cinnamon sticks, orange peel, or cranberries to your drinks to add a festive touch.

Enjoy your drinks!