Our Friendsgiving Menu Is the Key to Your Best Gathering Yet

bottles of wine with thanksgiving themed labels
Photo: Carson Downing

Celebrating a Thanksgiving dinner with friends is an excellent way to welcome the holiday season in a non-traditional style. Our delicious Friendsgiving menu offers simple recipes as easy alternatives to your classic Thanksgiving meal, such as veggie-turkey burgers and warmly-spiced pumpkin ice cream. We hit the "easy" button on all of the recipes so you can spend more time trading stories and sipping wine with friends. Cheers to that!

With our turkey recipe mash-ups, DIY wine pairings, and adorable Friendsgiving desserts, this homemade friends' dinner menu is guaranteed to be a memory-maker that will make everyone feel grateful.

01 of 09

Veggie-Turkey Burgers

veggie-and-turkey burgers with toppings
Andy Lyons

Reinvent your turkey recipe for Thanksgiving dinner with friends by making these quick and easy burgers. (There's no better way to channel your inner child who perked up during the morning's Thanksgiving Day parade!) This juicy turkey burger topped with fresh vegetables will delight friends and serve as the comforting star of your Friendsgiving menu. You can offer classic Thanksgiving sides with the meal—like mashed potatoes and cranberries—to balance this new turkey recipe with old traditions.

02 of 09

BBQ Spice-Rubbed Turkey Breast

BBQ Spice-Rubbed Turkey Breast
Andy Lyons

When you're among friends, there's no need to impress with a whole bird. Simplify your traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece by serving turkey breasts instead of the entire roast. Our delicious entree recipe is easy to prepare and comes topped with a crunchy glaze made from a spicy turkey rub and tangy cranberry sauce.

03 of 09

Pomegranate-Glazed Sweet Potatoes

Bowl of spiralized sweet potatoes and pomegranates for Pomegranate-Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Blaine Moats

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner with friends who are interested in the latest food trends? For a modern twist on a sweet potato side, use a spiralizer. The spud spirals (try a mix of orange and purple) soak up a delicious amount of the warmly-spiced honey butter sauce. Tart pomegranate seed "croutons" add a pop of color and freshen up your menu even more.

04 of 09

Wild Rice Dressing

Wild Rice Dressing
Jason Donnelly

Bring a colorful side dish to the table this Thanksgiving with our savory wild rice dressing. Not only is this Friendsgiving idea a great alternative to your usual heavy stuffing, but it has all the flavors you crave from the bread-base classic. This easy dressing might end up being the star of your Thanksgiving menu!

05 of 09

Mini Blue Corn-Carrot Cupcakes

Mini Blue Corn-Carrot Cupcakes
Andy Lyons

Sometimes it's good to be corny, like with this blue cornmeal-based Friendsgiving idea. Get double duty out of this recipe: Serve first as a Friendsgiving dessert topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and again as breakfast muffins for overnight guests. Simply save a few unfrosted cupcakes, and voilá—it's a two-in-one recipe perfect for every Friendsgiving menu.

06 of 09

Spiced Cider Custard Pie

Spiced Cider Custard Pie
Blaine Moats

Raise a glass to all of your cider-loving pals with this Friendsgiving menu dessert. In place of fussier peeled and sliced apples, this creamy custard pie gets a big dose of fall flavor from four cups of apple cider. Bake in your favorite pie dish, then top with pretty whipped cream peaks, and everyone will be snapping photos—and savoring every last crumb.

07 of 09

Marshmallow Treat Turkey Dessert

Marshmallow Treat Turkey Dessert
Hannah Bigot

Delight guests with a turkey-shaped snack that's sweeter than Thanksgiving pie. These chocolate-covered marshmallow treats are topped with a classic peanut butter cookie, then decorated with candies for a festive option that will delight kids and adults alike. Our easy-prep sweet also makes a perfect Friendsgiving activity for everyone to assemble together.

08 of 09

Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream
Andy Lyons

Here's the scoop: No fall feast is complete without a serving of squash. But instead of a traditional pie, put the pumpkin on ice for your Friendsgiving. The holiday treat is delectable with apple, pear, or oatmeal pie, and once it's made, the ice cream can be stored in the freezer for later. Leftovers, here we come.

09 of 09

Thanksgiving with Friends: Wine Guide

bottles of wine with thanksgiving themed labels
Carson Downing

Now that you have the food set for your Thanksgiving dinner with friends, it's time to think about what you'll serve to drink. Use our complete Thanksgiving wine guide to make sure you get the best wines to match your Friendsgiving menu.

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