19 Friendsgiving Recipes Everyone Will Want You to Bring Again

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Celebrate Friendsgiving with these easy and delicious recipes for mains, sides, drinks, and desserts. From hot turkey sandwiches to pumpkin cheesecake, these dishes are foolproof crowd-pleasers that travel well and impress every time.

A plate of food for Friendsgiving: turkey breast, mashed potatoes, and green beans.


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1. Hot Turkey Sandwiches

The perfect low-stress Friendsgiving main. Slow-cooked turkey breast with beer and butter makes incredibly tender, flavorful meat that piles beautifully onto soft dinner rolls. It is easier than roasting a whole turkey and just as satisfying.

2 hot turkey sandwiches piled on a plate.

2. Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes are extra creamy and tangy thanks to a generous scoop of sour cream. The flavor is rich and comforting, and the texture stays silky even when made ahead. They travel well in a slow cooker and make an easy, crowd-pleasing twist on the classic Thanksgiving side.

A bowl of sour cream mashed potatoes.

3. Make Ahead Stuffing

An old-fashioned, buttery-soft stuffing with crispy edges and familiar holiday flavor. Assemble it the night before, refrigerate, then bake on arrival. It is traditional, comforting, and always one of the first dishes to disappear.

Baked bread stuffing in a baking dish.

4. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

All the nostalgic flavor you expect, made easier in the slow cooker. Start with frozen green beans, add a quick homemade mushroom sauce, and finish with crispy fried onions. It travels in the same pot you cooked it in, which makes hosting simple.

Vegan green bean casserole in a black slow cooker.

5. Vegetable Casserole

A retro-inspired casserole that turns broccoli and cauliflower into a crowd favorite. Velveeta melts into a creamy sauce, and crushed crackers add the perfect crunch. Use a frozen vegetable blend to keep prep time short.

Baked vegetable casserole in a baking dish.

6. Sweet Potato Casserole

A comforting classic with a sweet marshmallow topping that feels like a hint of summertime sโ€™mores. Make the casserole ahead, then give it a quick warm-up in the oven before serving.

Sweet potato casserole in a white casserole dish.

7. Twice Baked Potato Casserole

All the flavor of twice baked potatoes in an easy casserole that feeds a crowd. Creamy potatoes mixed with sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and scallions bake into a rich and comforting side that always gets second helpings. Perfect for making ahead and reheating at Friendsgiving.

A baking dish of twice baked potatoes casserole.

8. Rice Stuffing

A thoughtful option for anyone avoiding gluten. Curry powder, cumin, garlic, cranberries, nuts, and scallions create a fragrant, flavorful stuffing that pairs beautifully with turkey or chicken.

Rice stuffing being scooped off of an oval platter.

9. Dr. Pepper Ham

A festive Friendsgiving main that tastes impressive but is very simple to prepare. A spiral-cut ham bakes with an easy Dr. Pepper glaze made with orange juice, sugar, and Dijon. Use an oven bag for perfect moisture and transport the ham in a slow cooker.

A Dr. Pepper ham on a serving platter.

10. Boursin Mashed Potatoes

A fun twist on the classic. Baby potatoes get mashed with a block of Boursin Garlic and Herb Cheese, which adds instant flavor and extra creaminess. Sprinkle with chives for a pretty finish.

Boursin mashed potatoes in a light green bowl.

11. Cranberry Sauce with Apples

A bright, fruity cranberry sauce that balances sweet and tart flavors. Apples add natural sweetness and cinnamon adds warmth. This can be made well ahead and even frozen so you are ready for Friendsgiving and the big holiday.

A bowl of cranberry sauce with apples.

12. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

This slow cooker turkey breast is perfect for a smaller Friendsgiving feast. It cooks up tender and juicy without taking any oven space, and the butter and fresh sage make it taste like a classic holiday roast. It is easy to transport, simple to carve, and ideal when you want all the Thanksgiving flavor without the work of a whole bird.

A platter of slow cooker turkey breast.

13. Pumpkin Bars

Soft, cake-like pumpkin bars topped with a generous layer of cream cheese frosting. They are easy to slice, pack, and transport, which makes them a potluck favorite. Ideal when you want pumpkin flavor without making a pie.

Pumpkin bars on a cooling rack, and three on an off white plate.

14. Pumpkin Cheesecake

A luxurious blend of pumpkin pie and creamy cheesecake on a spiced graham cracker crust. This dessert looks impressive and tastes even better. It is a great choice for the resident baker of the group.

A slice of pumpkin cheesecake with whipped cream on a plate.

15. Cranberry Cheesecake Galette

A rustic, flaky galette filled with creamy cheesecake and bright cranberry flavor. It is a clever way to use leftover cranberry sauce and makes an elegant, unique Friendsgiving dessert.

Cranberry cheesecake galette on a piece of parchment paper over a cooling rack.

16. Brandy Apple Cider Slush

A fun, unexpected drink that feels festive and fresh. Mix everything in an ice cream pail, freeze, and scoop into glasses for a chilly fall treat. It is easy to transport and guaranteed to get attention.

Three mason jars of brandy apple cider slush surrounded by donuts and apples.

17. Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

A crowd-friendly grazing board with cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, and veggies. It is simple to set up, easy to refresh, and lets everyone snack without filling up too much before dinner.

A Thanksgiving charcuterie board.

18. Mini Cheese Balls

A perfect make-ahead appetizer for Friendsgiving. These bite-size cheese balls are creamy, flavorful, and rolled in crunchy herbs and nuts for a festive finish. They travel well, look beautiful on any snack board, and give guests something fun to nibble without filling up before the main meal.

Mini cheese balls on a platter with crackers and crostini.

19. Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider

A warm and cozy drink that makes your kitchen smell like the holidays. Apple juice, cranberry juice, spices, and a touch of sugar simmer in a slow cooker. Set out mugs so guests can serve themselves and keep a bottle of bourbon nearby for the adults.

Slow cooker cranberry apple cider in a clear mug.

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Comments

  1. I love your recipes for Friendgiving, so many great ideas thank you so much your site is awesome and I enjoy being a part of it!

    1. Hi Dee! Iโ€™m so glad you found some good ideas here! Thanks for your kind words! -Meggan