Fall is here, and that means the holiday season is just around the corner. As preparations and planning ramp up in anticipation of Thanksgiving, excitement is mounting. However, there’s also a new celebration that’s fast becoming a fixture of the holiday season: Friendsgiving! A time to celebrate with your chosen community, Friendsgiving is a joyful celebration of food and friendship.
Whatever events are cluttering up your social calendar, the best way to prep for each and every one is by planning who will host, then deciding on a menu. The best Friendsgiving food ideas are brimming with flavor, are simple to prep, won’t make a mess of the kitchen, and can be toted around town if they can be made in advance- even better! We have ideas for every course, from shared appetizers to luscious desserts, made with reliable, versatile RiceSelect® grains.
This fall, get fancy or keep things casual, with tips for entertaining that will carry you through Friendsgiving and beyond. With Friendsgiving ideas for classic and non-traditional Thanksgiving dishes, you’ll be ready to impress—at your place or someone else’s. Learn more about Friendsgiving, what to bring to Friendsgiving, and how to embrace this unique celebration, with grain-based ideas to wow hosts and guests of every age.
Friendsgiving Origins
In 2020, the word “Friendsgiving” was added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Although the precise origins of the celebration are unclear, the concept arose out of the need for a celebration that catered to people who, for one reason or another, couldn’t spend Thanksgiving with family. Since then, the concept has evolved to become much more than a Thanksgiving dinner with friends. Friendsgiving is now widely recognized as a seasonal celebration of friendship, and an opportunity to experiment with a mix of classic and non-traditional Thanksgiving recipes. Suffice to say, Friendsgiving is here to stay!
What to Bring to Friendsgiving
The good news? You’ve been invited to a Friendsgiving feast. The bad? Now you have to decide what to bring! Happily, choosing what to contribute to a dinner doesn’t have to be complicated. Deciding what to bring to a Friendsgiving potluck is as simple as picking a dish that you feel confident making and that travels well, coordinating with your host (about the menu, oven space, etc.), and communicating any change of plans as soon as you can.
Once you’ve accepted a Friendsgiving invitation, the next step is to ask your host what they’d like you to bring. If you have a preference, suggest an appetizer, main, side, or dessert. If possible, try to match the cuisine that your host has planned to focus on for the night. You should also feel free to make suggestions. For example, your host might not have thought of including a vegetarian dish or one that’s good for gluten-free diners.
And remember, if you’re dealing with a control freak who wants to make everything themselves, nothing says “Happy Friendsgiving” like a gift of flowers or a bottle of wine!
Appetizer to Start the Feast
Every great party should start with rounds of tempting appetizers. Perfect bites designed to wake up taste buds, these seafood-based nibbles are popular year-round.
Crispy Rice Spicy Salmon
Golden RiceSelect® Sushi Rice crackers are a perfect partner to seasoned salmon in this unique appetizer. If transporting this dish, keep the elements separate until the last minute. Cook and air-fry the rice ahead of time, then place in an airtight container. Season the salmon and transfer it to another container. Once at your destination, just before the party starts, assemble the appetizers on a platter.
Showstopping Sides
What’s the golden rule of party menu planning? That delicious mains deserve equally stunning sides! From hearty salads to warming pilafs, we have suggestions to match any spread. Try this flavorful array of options and find your faves.
Orzo Salad with Sausage, Apple and Onion
If you’re looking for delectable dishes that travel well, this RiceSelect® Orzo salad is bound to impress. Loaded with buttery orzo, savory sausage, and sautéed apples, it’s a harvest dish that’s perfect for cool-weather gatherings. The epitome of easy, this portable, 20-minute dish is at its best at room temperature.
Royal Pecan Rice Stuffing
A grain-based stuffing that plays nicely with roast or grilled meats, vegetarian mains, seafood, and more, this dish is a must-have on any holiday table. Savory and satisfying, with nutty RiceSelect® Royal Blend Rice, sautéed aromatics, toasted pecans, and parsley, this stuffing is a comforting addition to any menu.
Royal Blend Rice Pilaf
Made from a combination of Texmati®, white, brown, wild, and red rice, RiceSelect® Royal Blend® Rice is a delectable, whole-grain base for any dish. In this simple side, it’s cooked in seasoned broth, then zhuzhed up with thyme, sage, and parsley, for a pilaf that comes together quickly but is loaded with flavor.
Roasted Seven Vegetable Couscous
Every guest will want a snap of this eye-catching side before they dig in! A layered marvel made of RiceSelect® Couscous, a kaleidoscopic bounty of roasted vegetables, crispy chickpeas, and zippy tahini dressing, this side always wows. If transporting this dish, keep the elements separate until ready to serve.
Hearty Mains
Turkey might be essential Thanksgiving fare, but there are no rules when it comes to Friendsgiving! Populate the table with an array of savory Friendsgiving recipes, and invite guests to try something new. Then again, if you must have turkey, these can be served alongside any roast bird.
Mushroom Risotto
Grab the RiceSelect® Arborio Rice for this creamy, classic Italian dish. Flavored with beef broth and a mix of fresh and dried mushrooms, it’s the ultimate harvest recipe. Best of all? Leftovers (if there are any!) can be made into arancini or crispy rice cakes to enjoy the day after the party.
Couscous with Grilled Chicken and Apple
Why should turkey have all the fun? This Friendsgiving, make chicken the star, with this bright, light dish. Simple to make—either ahead of time or last minute—this dish marries grilled chicken thighs and apple slices with RiceSelect® Tri-Color Couscous, and a punchy apple vinaigrette.
Desserts to Finish
Grain-based desserts to cap off a great meal, these are the ones that nobody will be able to resist. Boasting the flavors of the season—from pecans and pumpkins to oodles of warm spices—these homey, tempting treats always satisfy.
Festive Rice Nog Pudding
Simple RiceSelect® Texmati White Rice pudding is enriched with egg nog, evaporated milk, eggs, vanilla, sugar, and spices in this festive sweet. Even diners who shy away from the traditional drink are tempted by this luscious offering.
Toasted Pecan Rice Cream
Want to know the best foods to bring to a Friendsgiving dinner? When it comes to desserts, this velvety, pecan-studded rice cream is the answer! Made with RiceSelect® Sushi Rice, for its chewy texture and subtly sweet flavor, this frozen finale is everything you crave after a heavy meal. The recipe may say that the caramel sauce is optional, but we beg to differ.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Rice Pudding
Dessert and pick-me-up all in one, this coffee-laced final course is smooth, rich, and loaded with autumnal flavors. Portion the pudding into individual cups to make it easier to transport. Just before serving, top each cup with a generous dollop of sweetened whipped cream.
Host a Friendsgiving to Remember
Want to host this year’s Friendsgiving get-together? Take a stress-free approach, with these useful tips:
- Send out invites early. Waiting too long can lead to disappointment if everyone on your guest list is already booked!
- Decide which Thanksgiving recipes you want to make, and which ones you want to ask friends to contribute. Suggest portable dishes that are budget-friendly, easy to make, and delicious, but also be open to your guests’ ideas. You can even create a shared sign-up sheet to make it easier for your guests to take part in the planning.
- Remember to plan out how things will look on the day of the party, from choosing serving platters, bowls, and cutlery to figuring out oven space and timing. For simplicity, choose a few dishes that don’t need to be reheated or refrigerated, such as salads, pastries, charcuterie boards, and more.
- Don’t forget to count your tables and chairs! You want to ensure that you have plenty of spots for people to sit. If you’re short, ask your guests if they have foldable furniture that they can lend you for the night.
- Enlist a few friends to help you clean dishes and put them away while the party is still going. This will help to keep things tidy during dinner and save you from feeling overwhelmed once everyone has gone home.
- Stock up on takeout containers so that guests can share the leftovers! Compostable containers are handy to have on hand at Friendsgiving and beyond.
