It's potluck season!
Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Are you hosting Friendsgiving this year? Don't panic! Think of it this way: You've got the chance to share some of your family's favorite recipes or invite friends to bring a dish and share theirs, potluck-style. Either way, it's a win-win!
To plan a proper feast, encourage everyone to call dibs on preparing one of these Friendsgiving food ideas. Luckily, there are plenty of classic Thanksgiving potluck ideas that will happily feed a smaller crowd. Just remember to announce this on the Friendsgiving invitations. First, get a handle on the turkey: No one expects a whole roasted bird so it's much easier to cook it in the air fryer or serve it in sandwich form. (And don't worry, we've got both recipes.) Next, make sure all of the Thanksgiving side dishes get their moment to shine: baked potatoes, green bean casserole, and candied carrots. You'll want to serve a few appetizers (think: small bites, bread basket ideas, and party dips) and a signature drink or two (apple cider co*cktails and mocktails, included). And at the very end of dinner, a dessert should make its appearance. (It's fun to plan something around Friendsgiving games like football cookies after a backyard game of flag football.)
Now's the time to try non-traditional Thanksgiving ideas because, well, it's not the traditional feast. Ask your friends to bring their best Thanksgiving casseroles, a cultural dish they learned to make from their grandparents, or even a TikTok-famous recipe that will get the table talking. The point is to feed your whole crew—might as well have fun while doing it!
1
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Everyone arrives hungry, so here's the perfect welcome snack! This charcuterie board is customizable to guests' preferences. Ours is stocked with deli meats, cheeses, pumpkin hummus, and fresh fall fruits like pears and persimmons.
Get the Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board recipe.
2
Caramel Apple Martini
Raise a glass to another year's worth of friendship with a round of these martinis. They're sweet enough to be a drink at the table or the final toast that doubles as dessert.
Get the Caramel Apple Martini recipe.
3
Pumpkin-Shaped Challah
This one's for the friend who loves BreadTok: It's a pumpkin-shaped challah with a cinnamon stick as the "stem." It's a labor of love to form the dough, but easy to shape using kitchen twine.
Get the Pumpkin-Shaped Challah recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Pull-Apart Pesto Turkey Sliders
If a whole roasted bird isn't doable this year, these pull-apart sliders using ground turkey are an equally delicious main dish. The garlicky herb butter makes them!
Get Ree's Pull-Apart Pesto Turkey Sliders recipe.
5
Apple Cranberry Sauce
Five ingredients—that's all you need to prepare this homemade cranberry sauce. You can make it fresh two weeks in advance or freeze it up to three months!
Get the Apple Cranberry Sauce recipe.
6
Brownie Pie
If the gang can't choose between a brownie or pie for dessert, this recipe will appease everyone seated at the table. Serve each slice with a scoop of ice cream for a real triple threat dessert.
Get the Brownie Pie recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls
There are two shortcuts in this recipe: two loaves of frozen white bread dough and a muffin tin. Simply roll out the dough and cut, slather in maple butter, sprinkle chopped bacon, and stack them into their impressive "fanned" shape.
Get the Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls recipe.
8
Air Fryer Turkey
Who's got time to roast a turkey all day? Not you, and certainly not on Friendsgiving! In under two hours, you've got up to five servings. (Calculate how much turkey per person is needed ahead of the big day.)
Get the Air Fryer Turkey recipe.
9
Sliced-Baked Potatoes
Spuds for your buds! You can prep the potato rounds ahead of time, then bake in the oven topped with all the fixin's.
Get the Sliced-Baked Potatoes recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Beet Hummus
Hey, at least one trendy TikTok recipe had to make the cut! This hummus spread with its bright pink hue and earthy flavor will get all the double taps.
Get the Beet Hummus recipe.
11
Green Bean Salad
Vegetables don't have to be boring! Convince your friends with this potluck-style salad. The French-style vinaigrette gets shaken in a mason jar and it only gets better as it sits out.
Get the Green Bean Salad recipe.
12
Honey-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips
If the crew can't decide between carrots and parsnips, this side dish will appeal to both. The veggies are cooked to be meltingly soft, then drizzled with honey, and topped with thyme.
Get the Honey-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
This pull-apart loaf will have everybody reaching for more. Garlic-herb butter and plenty of parmesan cheese make this a seriously addictive snack.
Get the Pull-Apart Garlic Bread recipe.
14
Blooming Onion
Yes, this restaurant-worthy idea can be yours! Friends will "ooh" and "ahh" over your shoulder as it's dunked into the frying oil and served hot on a platter.
Get the Blooming Onion recipe.
15
Crock-Pot Stuffing
Turkey or not, the stuffing is a must! (Or do your friends call it "dressing?") Whatever y'all decide, this Crock-Pot recipe saves time and oven space compared to the traditional kind.
Get the Crock-Pot Stuffing recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Apple Cider Sangria
A big batch drink is great for sharing. Apple is the main ingredient three ways in this recipe—apple cider, apple brandy, and fresh apple slices—which makes it perfect for Friendsgiving.
Get the Apple Cider Sangria recipe.
17
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
Everybody loves a cheese ball! This one is coated with dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and scallions, plus a few surprise ingredients. Make it ahead of time, then roll onto a plate of buttery crackers.
Get the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball recipe.
18
Shirley Temple
Here's the mocktail that made you feel like a grownup before you graduated from the kids' table! It's a fun throwback for anyone, whether they drink or not.
Get the Shirley Temple recipe.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
Corn Souffle
Now here's a casserole that feeds the whole crew! It has a few store-bought hacks: a container of sour cream, a can of creamed corn, and two boxes of corn muffin mix.
Get the Corn Souffle recipe.
20
Couscous Salad
Zesty and fresh: that's how we'd describe this dish. And isn't that what you need in a Friendsgiving feast loaded up with otherwise hearty casseroles? A sprinkling of pomegranate arils keeps it seasonal.
Get the Couscous Salad recipe.
