Thanksgiving festivities are usually potluck in nature, but even if your hostess with the mostess says she’s got it under control, contributions are always appreciated. That doesn’t mean you have to be Martha Stewart to supply something delicious to your Friendsgiving feast, by the way. If your kitchen skills are limited to buttered toast and bowls of cereal, and you’re at a loss as to what to bring to friendsgiving, don’t freak out if you’ve volunteered to add a dish to the dinner table. The internet is here to help you go from zero to chef real quick.
Every year, our favorite TV shows and Hallmark holiday movies paint a picture of the quintessential Thanksgiving. Scenes of banquet-length tables crowded with golden brown turkey, burnt orange sweet potato soufflés emblazoned with miniature marshmallows, thick, round slices of cranberry sauce, and bowls on bowls of stuffing set high expectations for what our own feasts should look like. But, let’s be real, Hollywood is a little extra around the holidays, and you don’t need five-star delicacies to make an amazing meal.
Here are a few suggestions to inspire Friendsgiving treats you'd like to add to your holiday table. Go the easy route by sticking to a compilation of sorts, or get a little crafty in the kitchen with simple recipes that require minimal labor. Whatever you contribute, I can guarantee your hostess and friends will be thankful regardless.
Personally, cheese plates are an absolute essential for my family's Thanksgiving appetizer spread, which means those who assemble said cheese plate are automatically ranked VIPs.
The hardest part will be choosing a selection of cheese from your grocery store (read: it's not that hard!). Variations like colby jack, munster, and sharp cheddar (Roth's is my current favorite) are always crowd-pleasers. You can even throw in some Gruyère or brie if you're feeling fancy.
Once you've purchased all the fixings, the next step is to chop 'em all up into cubes and arrange on a platter that really channels your Friendsgiving aesthetic. And if you really want to be BFF of the year, tell your hostess the pretty little plate is your gift to her for all of the hard work she put into throwing the soiree.
Arguably one of the best things about Thanksgiving is the endless amount of carbs you consume in a day.
While I personally think simple rounds of buttered rye bread are bae, if you want to put in a little more effort than just picking up a basic loaf, browse your grocer's artisan options instead. Brands like La Brea Bakery have seasonal offerings like their sweet cranberry walnut loaf (perfect for dinner indulgences), and pumpkin cream cheese swirl loaf cake would be an excellent dessert dish.
Autumn Delights, $20.60, See's Candies
I am a self-proclaimed chocolate connoisseur, so believe me when I say I've tasted countless truffles in my day.
See's Candies is hands-down one of the best chocolatiers I've had the pleasure of tasting, and their holiday offerings are adorable. I also appreciate their price range, as I definitely think their quality and variety of flavoring matches the cost of a box.
If you're not sure about who likes what at your Friendsgiving feast, definitely splurge for the assortment editions, as they come fully prepared to please the masses with nutty clusters, caramel chews, and much more.
Simple Mills Pumpkin Muffin Mix, $5.99, Thrive Market
'Tis the season for pumpkin everything after all, right?
You can't go wrong with adding a little pumpkin spice to your Friendsgiving dessert table, and this pumpkin muffin mix from Simple Mills tastes delicious, it's good for you, and it's super easy to throw together the morning of.
All you'll need to add to a bowl of the dry mix are ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen, like eggs, water, and oil.
No muffin tin? No problem. The almond flour mixture doubles as a pumpkin bread if all you have to work with is a loaf pan.
Hilary's Traditional Herb Millet Medley, $7.29, Healthy Goodness
Putting a culinary twist on a traditional rice pilaf, this bad boy is the ideal cozy, fall-themed side dish.
The traditional herb medley is an especially great addition to holiday plates, harmonizing whole, earthy foods like millet, carrots, peas, white beans, and fresh herbs. It's also 100 percent dairy-, egg-, nut-, and soy-free, so even plant-based peeps at the table don't have to be wary to dig in.
I know, I know: Anything that has to do with the oven may seem intimidating, but I swear this recipe is incredibly simple (and so, so, so delish).
Because I watch Lee From America's Instagram story on a daily basis, I get a lot of recipe inspiration from this health and wellness guru. She posted a picture recently of a roasted butternut squash, so naturally, I, too, roasted a butternut squash. It was hands-down the best decision of my life, but I took the liberty of adding my own twist to the dish.
First, you'll want to thoroughly wash off your butternut squash, then slice off the ends and cut that sucker in half. Now that the hard part's over (see, wasn't too bad, right?), spoon out the seeds and pulpy guck, drizzle a tablespoon of coconut oil on each side, and liberally sprinkle on cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Pop it in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes, and let it cool before serving.
It seriously tastes like a healthier version of pumpkin pie, and it can work as a side dish or a dessert, if you add a little whipped cream on top.
Yes, it's fall. Yes, it's pumpkin spice season. But let us not forget the many other delicious fruits we can enjoy this season, too.
Hit up your local grocery store or farmers market, and stock up on seasonal goodies like pomegranate, cranberries, apple, grapes, and pears. Add some chopped banana to the mix, and you've got yourself a delicious bowl filled to the brim with natural sugars that are super good for you.
And if you want to get fancy, you can even drizzle some cinnamon Greek yogurt dressing on top to add a touch of decadence.
Yago Sangria Sant'gria, $6.49, Total Wine & More
Thanksgiving is just as much about eating a ton of food as it is about enjoying bottomless booze.
Lift everyone's spirits by bringing over a tasty bottle of Yago sangria. The red table wine cocktail features natural fruit flavors that are just sweet enough. Pour a few rounds for everyone, and I guarantee they'll all be saying grace in honor of your arrival this year.
Holiday Blend 2017, $16.95, Peet's Coffee & Tea
When it's time for your squad to wind down after supper, a warm mug of Peet's holiday blend is the perfect way to finish the feast — and prepare for dessert, of course.
The brand harmonizes bittersweet flavorings inspired by Guatemala, spices of Sumatra, and an Ethiopian scent. It's an absolute gem to pair with your best friend's signature holiday pie, or even just as something to sip on through sleepy small talk.
