My very first friensgiving was 4 years ago, during my first year of law school. I decided not to go home because plane tickets were too expensive. Holiday travel is the worst, by the way. Besides, it was almost time for us to hunker down in our respective caves to study for finals. Fortunately, one of my roommates graciously invited me and three other friends over to spend Thanksgiving with her family at Williamsburg, Virginia. We ate, we drank, we spent time in colonial Williamsburg. It was glorious.
The next year, I stuck around D.C. to partake in the friendsgiving festivities. I named our turkey Thomas (we were living in D.C., after all) and passed out from food coma 15 minutes after the meal—a true sign that it was indeed delicious. Even though we have all gone our separate ways, I’m keeping this tradition alive with my friends back home.
Now, I know I’m not the only person who celebrates friendsgiving. We all love a good excuse to eat and pour on the libations with our dear friends. So I decided to round up 50 easy and healthy friendsgiving recipes to get you inspired for your next gathering. I know I don’t share many recipes for drinks on this blog (this needs to be fixed), but I had to add some many adult beverages in this round-up. Friends + booze just go hand-in-hand. Also, I had busy people in mind when I was compiling the round-up, so most off these recipes should be ready in about an hour (except for the sangrias).
Perusing blogs for recipe links was torture for belly. There’s so many dishes that were tantalizingly gorgeous. Well, without any further ado, here’s my ultimate friendsgiving recipe round-up!
DRINKS
Pear Pomegranate Sangria // Dietitian Debbie Dishes
Pumpkin Pie Bourbon Pear Cocktail // Honestly Yum
Cranberry-Ginger Gin Punch // Hello Natural
Ginger Pear White Sangria // Kitchen Treaty
Pumpkin Spice White Russian // Nutmeg Nanny
Spiced Pear Cider // The Almond Eater
Grapefruit-Pomegranate Punch // Swooned
Nutella Hot Chocolate // Cafe Delites
Cider, Thyme + Tonic Mocktail // Offbeat + Inspired
Pomegranate Sparkler // Blahnik Baker
APPETIZERS
Honey Chipotle-Roasted Parnsip & Carrot Crostini with Whipped Ricotta & Pesto // Eats Well With Others
Thanksgiving Hand Pies // Real Food By Dad
Brussels Sprouts Chips // Nom Nom Paleo
Baked Brie with Honey & Sliced Almonds // The Lemon Bowl
Chocolate Chili Spiced Pecans // Healthy Seasonal Recipes
Sautéed Kale & Goat Cheese Crostini with A Balsamic Reduction // Adventures in Cooking
Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts // Fit Foodie Finds
30-Minute Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Meatballs with Homemade Marinara Sauce // Baker By Nature
Edamame Sliders // The Lean Green Bean
Sweet Potato Crostini with Walnuts & Danish Blue Cheese // Naturally Ella
SIDES
Butternut Squash & Apple Soup with Bacon // The Pretty Bee
Lemony Greens with Almond Breadcrumbs // The Kitchn
Easy Cornbread Muffins // Edible Perspective
Roasted Squash with Pomegranate & Goat Cheese // Floating Kitchen
Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli // Oh She Glows
5-Ingredient Thai Pumpkin Soup // Foodie Crush
Pomegranate Glazed Brussels Sprouts // Healthy Nibbles & Bits
Cider Vinaigrette Roasted Root Vegetables // Simply Recipes
Chili Cheddar Skillet Cornbread // Kumquat
Apple Sausage Stuffing // Home Sweet Jones
MAIN DISHES
Vegetarian Pumpkin and Kale Pasta Bake // MJ and Hungryman
Vegan Shepherd’s Pie // Minimalist Baker
Chicken Bacon Pumpkin Bake // Pinch of Yum
Rigatoni with Red Pepper & “Sausage” // Delish Knowledge
Sweet Potato Surprise // Love & Lemons
Healthy Ham & Cheese Casserole with Apples & Sage // Well Plated
Vegan Green Bean Casserole // Healthy Nibbles & Bits
Winter Kale, Sausage, and Butternut Squash Lasagna // Inspiralized
Chanterelle Mushroom Millet Bake // 10th Kitchen
Citrusy Brown Rice with Butternut Squash & Pomegranate // The Roasted Root
DESSERTS
Flourless Salted Almond Chocolate Cookies // Snixy Kitchen
Creamy Pumpkin Pie Bars // Joy the Baker
Spiced Molasses Cookies // The Crepes of Wrath
Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Loaf // The Healthy Maven
Sweet Potato, Quinoa and Dark Chocolate Coconut Crumble Crunch Muffins // Half Baked Harvest
Skinny Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies // Sally’s Baking Addiction
Spiced Apple & Star Anise Crisp // The Foodie Teen
Butternut Cranberry Muffins + Maple Pecan Crumble // Faring Well
Gingerbread Scones with Maple Drizzle // Amy’s Healthy Baking
Caramelized Pears with Pumpkin Sauce // Healthy Nibbles & Bits
ENJOY!
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