Easy Friendsgiving Menu with Recipes (Savory and Sweet!)

This Easy Friendsgiving Menu proves that cooking for guests doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, or stressful. This simple, savory-and-sweet menu helps you host a relaxed gathering that feels festive without spending the entire day in the kitchen.

I’ve had so much fun sharing my Friendsgiving recipes with you here on the blog this month, and now I’m excited to show you how everything came together for our gathering.

For anyone who loves the spirit of Friendsgiving (and Thanksgiving, by extension) but not the hours of prep work, this approachable menu is your new best friend! It’s designed for easy assembly, make-ahead options, and low-fuss cooking, so you can spend more time connecting with the people around your beautifully set table, rather than babysitting a giant turkey. Let’s walk through a delicious spread that’s practical, fun, and full of traditional flavors.

My Friendsgiving was a small and cozy gathering, which made it easy to cook with my guests in mind. I’m lucky to have the sweetest, most laid-back, unpicky, eager-to-help friends around, truly the kind of people who make hosting a joy.

A Bespoke Touch for the Table

First – the table. I love a pretty setting, and with an easy Friendsgiving menu, I had the time to indulge my inner tablescape designer. I decked everything out in bright orange and red hues with a pop of turquoise. But the most special touch is the block-printed napkins. My bestie designed them just for this gathering – you might remember her pomegranate linens from a previous Christmas blog post. I’m so fascinated by the block printing process! If you’d like to try your hand at making these (or create your own bespoke design), you can find her blog post instructions right here.

Now – let’s get to the food!

Our Easy Friendsgiving Menu at a Glance

Appetizers

Main Dish

Easy Turkey Sliders (see recipe card at the end of this post)

Spiced Cranberry Sauce (served on top or on the side)

Side Dishes

Seasonal Beverage

Desserts

Appetizer: Cheese & Apricot Truffles (with a Cranberry Twist)

These little cheese truffles are creamy, tangy, and savory-sweet. I first made them for my Christmas open house in 2019. They were originally made with dried apricots, but this time, I swapped the apricots for dried cranberries – perfectly tart against all that creamy cheese. Make and refrigerate them up to 1 week ahead. Or freeze for up to 1 month! You can find the recipe right here.

Appetizer: Mini Pumpkin Charcuterie Cups

Charcuterie, but make it adorable. I had so much fun assembling these! Fill hollowed-out mini pumpkins with a selection of cheeses, cured meats, nuts, and fruit. Guests love these because they’re grab-and-go, and you’ll love them because they’re charming table décor and appetizers in one. Find the tutorial and recipe right here.

Main Dish: Turkey Sliders

Instead of roasting a whole turkey, these turkey sliders deliver all the classic flavor with a fraction of the workload (and cost!). They’re juicy, low-maintenance, and perfect for serving a crowd. I cobbled this recipe together using my favorite turkey burger ingredients, but with a Thanksgiving flavor angle. Note: I urge you to follow the recipe exactly – don’t leave out the parsley or poultry seasoning! Everything in the recipe is essential and nothing is optional. These are nice – juicy and SO flavorful!

Pair them with the spiced cranberry sauce recipe included. Either spooned right onto the sliders or served on the side for dipping. It’s warm, tangy, and just sweet enough. This recipe covers the turkey, cranberry sauce, and dinner roll elements of a classic Thanksgiving all rolled into one!

Find the recipe in the card at the end of this post.

Side Dish: Mini Green Bean Casserole Pies

Yes! It’s your favorite nostalgic casserole baked into a cute little pie. They deliver all the creamy, crispy onion goodness in a tidy, party-friendly package. They’re easily made in a cupcake tin with refrigerated pie crusts, or your favorite homemade pie dough. Get the recipe right here.

Side Dish: Easy Sweet Potato Stacks

This southern girl couldn’t imagine this fall holiday without a sweet potato dish on the table. Sweet Potato Stacks are easy, with layers of tender sweet potato roasted into golden perfection. Finish them with a sprig of rosemary or skewer them with a bamboo pick. They’re beautiful and easy to plate. Find the recipe for them right here.

Side Dish: Stuffing Waffles

These were a total revelation for me! Crisp-edged, deeply savory stuffing waffles take the traditional side to a whole new level. And they’re also perfect for using up Thanksgiving leftovers. They are such a fun addition to this easy Friendsgiving menu, but my favorite other way to enjoy them is with a runny egg on top. Get the recipe for Stuffing Waffles right here.

Beverage: Spiced Cider Punch

This crowd-pleasing drink can be served hot or cold. For this gathering, I poured it in coupe glasses and topped it with a splash of ginger ale for sparkle (but you could also use prosecco!). It’s made with unfiltered apple cider, fragrant with spices, festive – everything a good Friendsgiving beverage should be! Get the printable recipe right here.

Dessert: Pumpkin Tassies with Chocolate Drizzle

These are like bite-size pumpkin pies. I first made them 12 years ago (!!) and they’re still a Thanksgiving favorite. The cream cheese crust pats in the cavities of a mini cupcake tin, so it’s easy to crank out two dozen in one go! The chocolate drizzle adds richness, but it can be optional. I sometimes sprinkle these with coarse sea salt, which gives them a pop of flavor and accents the chocolate. You can find the recipe for them right here.

Dessert: Pecan Pie Bars

All the gooey, nutty goodness of traditional pecan pie – cut into easy squares for quick serving. They travel beautifully (just in case your Friendsgiving is a potluck) and disappear fast. I think they’re even better than classic pecan pie because the ratio of filling to crunchy crust is about 1:1. I’m actually taking them to my family’s Thanksgiving Day dinner this year. You can find the recipe for them right here.

Friendsgiving doesn’t need to be complicated to feel special. Don’t get me wrong – the food is important. And yes, I like to put in some effort with décor. But what really matters is the gathering together part. Hopefully this menu will help you spend more time with your friends and family while keeping everyone well fed.

Related recipe: My Holiday Open House Menu with Recipes