A Better-For-You Friendsgiving Menu

Do you have Friendsgiving plans this year? This holiday, where you share a meal with friends in lieu of family, is increasingly popular among millennials. The concept might have started with college students or coworkers who didn’t have a place to go or the ability to travel home for Thanksgiving, but now it has taken on a life of its own. Groups of close friends (often in their 20s and 30s) gather the weekend before Thanksgiving for a feast in addition to the main holiday event. I’m sure you can understand the appeal of an evening with best friends and more of those classic holiday dishes. But this trend can double an already indulgent holiday. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered with our better-for-you Friendsgiving menu.

Friendsgiving is usually a pot luck where the host may just be responsible for the turkey. You can read more about Crowdsourcing Thanksgiving here. As with any pot luck, you can ensure a well-balanced meal and avoid duplicate recipes by coordinating a menu. If you are the host, or “the planner” friend, start a Google Doc with a menu and space for volunteers to sign up. Or, pause your debate about the best ‘Friends’ Thanksgiving episodes in your group chat and just assign dishes. You can start with what we have shared below here.

Starters

Cranberry Smoothie

Cranberry Smoothie

Three Guiding Stars iconThree Guiding Stars indicate the best nutritional value. This delicious drink is festive and easy to prepare - perfect for the friend who can’t cook.

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Apple Walnut Tossed Salad

Apple Walnut Tossed Salad

Two Guiding Stars iconTwo Guiding Stars indicate better nutritional value. Ask your friend who is literally always late to bring the ingredients for this simple, fall salad. It takes just a few minutes to throw it together.

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Main Course

Herb Roasted Turkey

Herb Roasted Turkey

Three Guiding Stars iconThree Guiding Stars indicate the best nutritional value. Impress your friends with our flavorful and Instagram-worthy turkey recipe.

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Sides

Apple, Onion & Cranberry Stuffing

Apple, Onion & Cranberry Stuffing

Two Guiding Stars iconTwo Guiding Stars indicate better nutritional value. Skip the boxed stuffing mixes and give our tasty, fresh version a try.

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Green Bean Casserole with Caramelized Onions

Green Bean Casserole with Caramelized Onions

Two Guiding Stars iconTwo Guiding Stars indicate better nutritional value. There’s something about this holiday staple that elicits strong reactions. If you love this dish, try our better-for-you recipe.

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Roasted Shallot Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Shallot Mashed Potatoes

Two Guiding Stars iconTwo Guiding Stars indicate better nutritional value. What’s a Friendsgiving without mashed potatoes?

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Cranberry Orange Sauce

Cranberry Orange Sauce

Two Guiding Stars iconTwo Guiding Stars indicate better nutritional value. For those that are willing to think outside the can.

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Whole Grain Buttermilk Biscuits

Whole Grain Buttermilk Biscuits

One Guiding Stars iconOne Guiding Stars indicate good nutritional value. Level up your biscuit game this year and make a batch of our homemade, whole-grain biscuits.

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Dessert

Apple Crumb Squares

Apple Crumb Squares

One Guiding Stars iconOne Guiding Stars indicate good nutritional value. Whether you are a pie person or a cake person, you will love these apple crumb squares.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Two Guiding Stars iconTwo Guiding Stars indicate better nutritional value. These mouthwatering cookies are a heck of a lot easier to transport than pie.

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