My very first friensgiving was 8 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
Pomegranate Apple Cider Spritzer // Healthy Nibbles
Pumpkin Pie Bourbon Pear Cocktail // Honestly Yum
Ginger Pear White Sangria // Kitchen Treaty
Pumpkin Spice White Russian // Nutmeg Nanny
Pear Pomegranate Sangria // Dietitian Debbie Dishes
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
Sweet Chili Shrimp and Tofu Wonton Cups // Healthy Nibbles
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
Curried Potato Fried Dumplings // Healthy Nibbles
Edamame Sliders // The Lean Green Bean
Sweet Potato Crostini with Walnuts & Danish Blue Cheese // Naturally Ella
SIDES
Thai-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup // Healthy Nibbles
Butternut Squash & Apple Soup with Bacon // The Pretty Bee
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
Butternut Squash Mashed Potatoes // Healthy Nibbles
MAIN DISHES
Baked Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese // Healthy Nibbles
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
Vegan Butternut Squash Curry with Spinach // Healthy Nibbles & Bits
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
Gluten-Free Chinese Almond Cookies // Healthy Nibbles
Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Loaf // The Healthy Maven
Browed Butter Furikake Chex Mix // Healthy Nibbles
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
Mini Gluten-Free Lemon Tarts // Healthy Nibbles
ENJOY!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
I want to eat everything here! It must have been torture! Thanks for including me, Lisa!
Lisa says
There were also many cocktails I saw that I wanted!!
Lisa says
Thank YOU, lady!
Jessie Snyder says
Thank you for the link-love with my muffins! This list is beautiful, wonderful job! <3
Lisa says
You’re welcome, Jessie! Those muffins look gorgeous!
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says
Yum! Everything sounds delicious!
Lisa says
Thank, Melanie!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
What a fabulous roundup! These look wonderful. Thank you for including me!
Lisa says
Thank YOU, Kelly, for letting me use your photo! That soup is wonderful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
A friendsgiving would be so fun! Great round-up!
Lisa says
Friendsgivings are the best! I bet your floor mates would be interested, too!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Wow! what a great round-up!!! Yeah, I totally remember “friendsgivings” before I got married. . they were awesome!! and yes to more cocktail and drink recipes!! I’ve never really been a mixed drink person until a couple years ago and now I love them!
Lisa says
Thanks, Alice! I love mixed drinks, but I have never dabbled with making my own (except for the awful, half-hazard “cocktails” we made in college, of course). Those cocktail recipes will definitely help me get a few tricks up my sleeve before my holiday entertaining duties begin!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
Such a great roundup, can’t wait to check out these recipes!
Lisa says
Thanks, Genevieve!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
SO glad you commented on my pecan bars, because now I see your beautiful blog and am just swooning over everything! I want allllll the things.
Lisa says
Thank you for stopping by and for your kind words, Sarah!! I LOVE your blog as well. I just want to eat all those sweet treats you have on there!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Great list, and thanks in advance! We are having a friends Thanksgiving this weekend so this comes at a perfect time!
Lisa says
That’s great! Thanks, Pamela!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
what a great roundup! So many recipes I want to try!
Lisa says
Thanks, Jessica! Don’t they look delicious?!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Loving this round up! Especially that pomegranate sangria and the pumpkin and kale pasta. MMMMM. Thanks again for sharing my drink recipe!
Lisa says
Thank YOU, Erin! YES, they look fantastic!
Georgie says
Hello yum-city! These recipes look amazing, can’t wait to “dig in” – I love fall recipes (ie all the squash!)
Lisa says
Thanks, Georgie!
Eileen says
Hooray for thanksgiving with friends! We’ve been doing that for a good eight or nine years now. It’s usually vegan & always delicious. Yay!
Lisa says
Wow! I would love to try some of those vegan dishes that all of you have cooked over the years!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
I love the sound of your friendsgivings! While I still go home every Thanksgiving, it’s a tradition that I bring home a few wayward souls who aren’t going to their respective homes. Thanksgiving never feels complete without a few friends around the table too. This year, we’re bringing home our friend Dane (the one who will cook for me when I invite him over to dinner;) and, as usual, I love finding new recipes to add to the dinner every year. Thanks for all the easy and healthy ideas! (And especially thanks for including me in the roundup!). I hope you have a delicious and loving holiday. xo.
Lisa says
Thank you!! I think after spending Thanksgiving with my friends a few years ago, it feels a bit weird not to invite a couple friends over now. And may I invite your friend Dane over, too? I could use another set of hands in the kitchen!
Alex @ DelishKnowledge says
Thanks so much for including me! This roundup is amazing!
Lisa says
Thanks, Alex! I loved that rigatoni dish!
rachel says
great link up! These recipes are perfection! YUM!
Lisa says
Thanks, Rachel!
Kelly - A Side of Sweet says
Holiday plane tickets are THE WORST. We’re staying in San Francisco for the holidays because it’s just too ridiculous to think about going home. I love Friendsgiving though and even though it’s not quite the same it’s so amazing to be surrounded by friends who feel like family. These are great suggestions!
Lisa says
Thanks, Kelly! So sorry that you won’t be going home for the holidays! I’m flying to England for Christmas, and the tickets were bonkers expensive even with one layover!!
Min says
So many delicious recipes, Lisa! It’s been awhile since I celebrated friendsgiving, but reading your story got me reminiscing about my college days. Haha you def have that effect on me. Thomas sounds like he was the perfect bird ;). Love that you name your turkey. I should start doing that hehe. Thanks for including my recipe!
Lisa says
I love when I can take people to memory lane! Hah, if you name your bird, let me know what it is! I’m stuck on giving it names beginning with a “T”. Thank YOU for letting me share your recipe!!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
What a fabulous roundup! So many yummy dishes… 😀
Lisa says
Thanks, Allie! These dishes are making me hungry.
Zainab says
What a great collection!!
Lisa says
Thanks, Zainab!
Joanne says
I’ve done a blogger Thanksgiving with some of my local blog friends a few times and it is so much fun! Better even than regular Thanksgiving. This is such a great round-up! Thanks for including my crostini!
Lisa says
Thank YOU for letting me share it! Hope your potluck with your co-workers was fun!