My very first Friensgiving was 9 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. Hope you enjoy these Friendsgiving recipes!
DRINKS
COCKTAILS & SANGRIA
Pomegranate Apple Cider Spritzer // Healthy Nibbles Tarragon Gin and Tonics // The Bojon Gourmet 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
NON-ALOHOLIC DRINKS
Mango Lassi // Healthy Nibbles Blackberry Hibiscus Spritzer with Tarragon // Snixy Kitchen Spiced Pear Cider // The Almond Eater Simple Bubble Tea // Healthy Nibbles 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
Rainbow Vegetable Spring Rolls // Healthy Nibbles Chocolate Chili Spiced Pecans // Healthy Seasonal Recipes Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts // Fit Foodie Finds Curried Potato Fried Dumplings // Healthy Nibbles Sweet & Spicy Roasted Cauliflower with Peanut Sauce // Heartbeet Kitchen Sweet Potato Crostini with Walnuts & Danish Blue Cheese // Naturally Ella
SIDES
Thai-Spiced Butternut Squash Soup // Healthy Nibbles Roasted Delicata Squash with Brown Butter and Pomegranate // The Bojon Gourmet Roasted Squash with Pomegranate & Goat Cheese // Floating Kitchen Butternut Squash & Apple Soup with Bacon // The Pretty Bee Easy Cornbread Muffins // Edible Perspective Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli // Oh She Glows Pomegranate Glazed Brussels Sprouts // Healthy Nibbles Za’atar Roasted Carrots and Cauliflower over Salted Yogurt // Snixy Kitchen Cider Vinaigrette Roasted Root Vegetables // Simply Recipes 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 Rigatoni with Red Pepper & “Sausage” // Delish Knowledge Vegan Green Bean Casserole // Healthy Nibbles Baked Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese with California Ripe Olives // Healthy Nibbles
Vegan Butternut Squash Curry with Spinach // Healthy Nibbles Citrusy Brown Rice with Butternut Squash & Pomegranate // The Roasted Root Chicken Bacon Pumpkin Bake // Pinch of Yum Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie with Cajun Spice // Healthy Nibbles Healthy Ham & Cheese Casserole with Apples & Sage // Well Plated
DESSERTS
Browed Butter Furikake Chex Mix // Healthy Nibbles Flourless Salted Almond Chocolate Cookies // Snixy Kitchen Creamy Pumpkin Pie Bars // Joy the Baker Instant Pot Cardamom Pumpkin Cheesecake // Heartbeet Kitchen Gluten-Free Cranberry Walnut Loaf // The Healthy Maven Skinny Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies // Sally’s Baking Addiction
Spiced Apple & Star Anise Crisp // The Foodie Teen Gingerbread Scones with Maple Drizzle // Amy’s Healthy Baking
Mini Gluten-Free Lemon Tarts // Healthy Nibbles
