The Best Apps for Planning a Friendsgiving

There is nothing more satisfying than a well-planned Friendsgiving: all of the delicious foods that you love from Thanksgiving without any of the family drama. Plus, you’ll have leftovers and you can probably get away with paper plates—thankfully, Aunt Deirdre isn’t around to make you feel bad for your non existent fine china. But when you’re planning a potluck for a big group, the best way to prevent four of your pals from bringing hummus and pita chips is to start making some appetizer assignments.

Check out these foolproof apps for a stress-free Friendsgiving that are so delicious they’ll make you forget you ever wanted anything to do with the turkey.

40 Pack Leakproof Plastic Containers with Lids, Mixed Size Set ($15.99)

Send your friends home with leftovers packed securely in these deli-style containers.

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Easy Crab Cakes

Chowhound

You can make these ahead of time and keep them in the freezer sealed in Ziploc bags. Reheat them on a baking sheet and serve with a side of aioli. Get our Easy Crab Cakes recipe.

Bacon-Wrapped Squash Bites

Chowhound

If you’re trying to find an easy recipe to pass off to a friend who isn’t confident in the kitchen, these bacon-wrapped squash bites are perfect. Roast the squash until the bacon is crispy (about 20 minutes) and serve on toothpicks. Get our Bacon-Wrapped Squash Bites recipe.

Honeyed Cashews with Kosher Salt

Chowhound

These sweet and salty cashews are an excellent choice for cocktail hour. Mix raw cashews with vegetable oil, light brown sugar, honey, water, and four teaspoons of Kosher salt for the right mix before roasting in the oven. Get our Honeyed Cashews with Kosher Salt recipe.

Spicy Oven Roasted Chickpeas

Chowhound

Two cans of chickpeas mixed with some olive oil and spices—cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and sea salt—come together to make an addictive cocktail hour snack that can easily be scaled up for a crowd. Get our Spicy Oven Roasted Chickpeas recipe.

Broccoli-Cheddar Potato Skins

Chowhound

Great for Game Day as well as Friendsgiving, these russet potatoes are borderline healthy with the addition of broccoli florets (on top of the shredded cheddar cheese and yellow onion). Serve with ranch dip. Get our Broccoli-Cheddar Potato Skins recipe.

Baked Artichoke Dip

Chowhound

There isn’t anything that doesn’t taste good dipped in this baked artichoke and cheese combination. Heavy cream, brie, Monterey Jack, bacon, Parmesan, marinated artichoke hearts, and almost two pounds of baby spinach are mixed together with seasoning for a dreamy dip. Get our Baked Artichoke Dip recipe.

The Turducken of Cheese Balls

Chowhound

If you’ve got a cheese lover in attendance, this is the assignment for them. Weighing in at five pounds of cheese, this Turducken-inspired 12-layer cheese ball is not for the faint of heart. It contains cream cheese, chorizo, Manchego, Emmentaler, sharp cheddar, blue cheese, walnuts, goat cheese, almonds, bacon, pecans, and a washed rind semi-firm cheese of your choice. Get our Turducken of Cheese Balls recipe.

Warm Cheesy Bean Dip

Chowhound

Make a big pot of refried beans and then combine with pickled jalapenos, hot sauce, and sharp cheddar cheese. Serve with tortilla chips or some chopped vegetables (keep a bottle of hot sauce on the side for friends to kick the heat up a notch). Get our Warm Cheesy Bean Dip recipe.

Pea and Ricotta Bruschetta

Chowhound

Almost impossible to mess up, this bruschetta requires grilling crusty Italian bread (coated in olive oil and garlic) and then topping with shelled peas. Make sure to use the freshest ricotta cheese you can find (or try making your own). Get our Pea and Ricotta Bruschetta recipe.

Related Video: The No-Cook Appetizer You Should Bring to Holiday Parties

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Relish the Season: Delicious Chutneys, Jams, and Condiments for Thanksgiving

Add depth to your traditional Thanksgiving meal this year, or put a saucy spin on new Friendsgiving favorites, with these unique relish and chutney recipes. Canned cranberry sauce has its place, we won’t deny it, but these condiments are truly something special, and they’ll go great with everything from turkey to toast.

From classic cranberry to exotic mango, these chutneys, jams, and relishes will bring out the flavor of the Thanksgiving staples you love, and be a great addition to a spread of cheese and crackers or leftover sandwiches. Plus, they make great homemade holiday gifts.

12 8-Ounce Glass Mason Jars with Gold Lids and Labels ($23)

Whether you're stocking your pantry or making homemade gifts, these jars are just the thing for storing your creations.

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Cranberry Relish

Chowhound

No Thanksgiving meal would be complete without a dish of cranberry sauce of some sort. This year, try our twist on a classic spiced up with pomegranate and apple. Get our Cranberry Relish recipe.

Honey-Sweetened Peach Chutney

Food in Jars

Try something totally new this year. If you’re lucky enough to have access to fresh peaches, whip up a batch of this chutney from Food in Jars to spice up your Thanksgiving. Make a large batch and can it for use all year long, or cut the recipe in half for a quick Thanksgiving side. Get the Honey-Sweetened Peach Chutney recipe.

Cranberry Sauce with Dried Figs

Oh My Veggies

Why aren’t figs on every Thanksgiving table? Get them on your holiday menu this year with this simple, balsamic- and ginger-kissed recipe that will sweeten any meal. Get the Cranberry Sauce with Dried Figs recipe.

Spiced Apple Chutney

Nutmeg Nanny

This recipe proves apples are for more than pie. Nutmeg Nanny’s chutney pairs the sweetness of cooked apple with a kick of chile and warm pie spices. Get the Spiced Apple Chutney.

Tomato Jam

Chowhound

Tomatoes seem more summery in and of themselves, but when you cook them down into a sweet, savory, and sticky jam, they’re good eating in any season. Cinnamon, cider vinegar, cumin, and black pepper flavor this fancy alternative to ketchup. Get our Tomato Jam recipe.

Balsamic Caramelized Onion Jam

Attainable Sustainable

Top your turkey and potatoes with more than just gravy this year. This quick and easy recipe makes a batch of decadent relish that’s an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Get the Balsamic Caramelized Onion Jam recipe.

One-Pot Spicy Mango Chutney

Minimalist Baker

This year, be grateful for mangoes. This one-pot mango chutney hits all the right flavor notes: spicy peppers, sweet mango, and fragrant curry powder are a winning combination. Dab this chutney on your plate, but be sure to save some for leftovers—it’ll take your turkey sandwich to another level. Get the One-Pot Spicy Mango Chutney recipe.

Spicy Plum Chutney

Shutterstock

This plum chutney recipe is another great fruity option to add to your Thanksgiving menu. You can skip the canning steps by preparing it fresh a few days before Thanksgiving and freezing what you don’t use! Get our Spicy Plum Chutney recipe.

Cranberries with Orange Zest and Port

Andrea’s Recipes

One more cranberry option for the traditionalists. This recipe uses fresh cranberries and ruby port for full-bodied flavor and texture, and a bit of fresh orange zest for aromatic brightness. Get the Cranberries with Orange Zest and Port recipe.

Green Tomato Chutney

Elise Bauer/Simply Recipes

This recipe from Elise at Simply Recipes is a great way to put green tomatoes to good use, and an especially great addition to an international Thanksgiving (or a global Friendsgiving) feast. Candied ginger adds to the complex sweetness of this condiment. Get the Green Tomato Chutney recipe.

Slow Cooker Bacon Compote

Chowhound

Break out your Crock-Pot for this sweet, meaty compote that’s full of smoky bacon and lovely, melting onions, plus garlic, sorghum syrup, and coffee for depth. Get our Slow Cooker Bacon Compote recipe.

Related Video: How to Make Cranberry, Ginger, and Orange Chutney

 

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The Basics: How to Make Apple and Sage Stuffing

Apples and sage are one of the most evocative fall pairings we know—the sweetness and subtle acidity of aromatic apples like Galas or Pink Ladies, with the resinous, piny scent of the fresh herb. We’ve paired them for the ultimate autumnal celebration dish, the Thanksgiving (or Friendsgiving!) stuffing. It’s a classic, easy-to-assemble bread stuffing baked outside the turkey so the top ends up golden brown and crisp. We designed this recipe to be easy to master, more of a general formula than a strict recipe. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving To Go

You're going to need to transport all that stuffing.

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For 6 to 8 servings, you’ll need:

• a 3-quart baking dish
• a large heatproof bowl
• a large frying pan
• half a stick of unsalted butter, plus more to coat the baking dish
• a 1-pound loaf of day-old bread
• 2 onions
• 2 apples (such as Pink Lady, Gala, or Golden Delicious)
• 3 celery stalks
• fresh sage leaves
• fresh thyme
• 1 cup of chicken stock or broth
• salt and pepper

Steps:

1. 1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (it will take at least 20 minutes to warm up) and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat the baking dish with butter.
   2. Slice the crust off the bread, cut the loaf into 3/4-inch cubes, and place the cubes in the bowl. Chop the onions, apples, and celery stalks into 1/2-inch pieces. Finely chop a handful of sage and the leaves from about eight sprigs of thyme.

Chowhound

Chowhound

1. 1. Melt the half stick of butter in the frying pan over medium-high heat until foaming. Add the onions and cook until they’re just starting to brown, about five minutes. Add the apples, celery, and herbs and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and easily pierced with a knife, about six minutes.

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1. 1. Add the stock or broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.

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1. 1. Turn the heat off and add the vegetable-apple mixture to the bread cubes. Season with two or three generous pinches of salt and a generous pinch of pepper, and mix well.

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1. 1. Dump the bread mixture into the baking dish and bake until the top of the stuffing just starts to brown, about 30 to 40 minutes.

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The Recipes

Sausage Stuffing

Chowhound

This is an easy go-to recipe, appropriate for stuffing inside the turkey’s cavity or baking apart, in a baking dish (our preferred method, for the crispy top surface and lack of worry about timing). It calls for two types of bread, white and coarse country levain, plus sweet Italian sausage—use hot if you like things spicy! Get our Sausage Stuffing recipe.

Cornbread and Oyster Stuffing

Chowhound

Chef Charlie Palmer’s take on the Thanksgiving staple: Cornbread and oysters are a classic combination for Thanksgiving stuffing. In this recipe from Charlie Palmer, the chef uses fresh-shucked oysters, celery root, and slightly dried-out cornbread to create a stuffing with a perfectly moistened, not mushy, texture. Get our Cornbread and Oyster Stuffing recipe.

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Top Friendsgiving Tips & Tricks from Influencers

Influencers—they’re just like us. They’ve had Friendsgiving mishaps ranging from the prized turkey ending up in a mop bucket to pouring chocolate sauce all over their savory Friendsgiving dinner plate. But the good news is they’re willing to share their mistakes so you can learn from them. You know the old saying: do what they say and not what they do, and you’ll fly through Friendsgiving with ease.

Influencer: Food Faith Fit

Name: Taylor

Followers: 83k

Food Faith Fitness

“My very first time that I made a turkey, I wanted to go ALL OUT and brine it the day before. However, being a newbie turkey maker, I didn’t know you would need a BIG stock pot to fit the bird and brine in. So, I had everything prepped and ready and I went to brine the turkey the day before and had nothing to put it in. Big WHOOPS! So, I had to get “creative” and brine it in a mop bucket. Don’t worry, I made sure I washed it out REAL good before! This Easy Gluten Free Stuffing recipe is the perfect compliment to a well-brined turkey, and since it’s a remake of my grandma’s recipe it’s very special to me.”

Cooks Standard 12-Quart Classic Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid ($36.89)

Don't brine your turkey in a mop bucket—use this instead! It's great for soups and stews too.

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Influencer: Last Ingredient

Name: Paige Adams

Followers: 64k

Last Ingredient

“I still tease a friend about the time she insisted that everything at Friendsgiving was served hot. The traffic jam at the oven was a total disaster with all the reheating. Potlucks should be fun and stress free, so make dishes that are good eaten at room temperature. Perfect timing at the table is pretty much an impossible feat. Save that for a restaurant where there are professionals. You can still have your squash. Just pair it with a few other ingredients like in this Roasted Delicata Squash Couscous recipe, which is a grain salad and side in one.”

Threshold Mosiac Design Serving Platter ($9.99)

A pretty serving platter enhances even the most already-perfect eating experience.

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More Fab Friendsgiving Ideas

Friendsgiving Recipes from Chowhound's Cookbook of the Month Archives

'Queer Eye' Food Expert Antoni Porowski Shares His Friendsgiving Tips and Tricks

Friendsgiving: The Ultimate Guide

Influencer: The Baker Mama

Name: Maegan Brown

Followers: 44k

The Baker Mama

“One Friendsgiving, I put the chocolate sauce for the cake I was serving for dessert in a gravy boat so it would be easy to pass around the table and drizzle over the cake when we were eating dessert. Somehow, the chocolate sauce ended up on the table during the main feast and one of my friends thought it was the gravy and drizzled it all over his plate of turkey, mashed potatoes and dressing. He took one bite and quickly realized the mishap. We were all dying laughing and still tease him about it every year. I’ll never serve the chocolate sauce out of a gravy boat again. ;) This Garlic Thyme Turkey Gravy recipe is what he should have been pouring over his plate.”

NorPro Porcelain Gravy Sauce Boat with Stand and Candle ($19.95)

No more cold, congealed gravy! This classic porcelain boat comes with a candle niche to keep your sauces nice and warm.

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Influencer: Eat Pray Photo (+ a new food-specific account: Eat Pray Gluten Free)

Name: Lindsey Smith

Followers: 10k

Pinch of Yum

“For my annual Friendsgiving we always end up with extra dessert—it doesn’t really matter who is assigned what, the sweet tooth always prevails. Before I got really into cooking, most pies and intricate desserts felt incredibly intimidating—so my flop is more of a confession. Store bought cookies—o m g. Guilty as charged. Fast forward to years later and one of my biggest passions is finding and testing recipes. I love to experiment with ingredients or flavors you wouldn’t imagine in a dish and show my loved ones how delicious these alternatives can be—with a gluten allergy, a girl’s got to get creative! May I introduce you to this “Mind-Blowing Vegan Chocolate Pie recipe?” The main ingredient? TOFU. What’s comical is that I don’t really care for tofu, yet this pie touches the depths of my soul with its chocolatey sea salt goodness.

ORBLUE Flatware Stainless Steel Pie Server ($10.97)

Don't struggle with a butter knife; get a proper pie server with a serrated edge and ergonomic handle to make dishing up dessert neat and easy.

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Related Video: How to Make Delicious Vegan CBD Friendsgiving Cookies

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How to Add Bacon to Your Thanksgiving Feast

I love Thanksgiving—a holiday designed entirely around eating massive amounts of food, taking a break, lounging on the couch, and going back for round two. And how great is it that, unlike other holidays, you still have three whole days off afterwards?! Here’s how much I love this holiday: Growing up, Thanksgiving was so important to me that I once suggested we have a practice meal somewhere mid-way through the year. “You gotta stay sharp, mom,” I’d say. “This meal is the focal point, the show. There’s a lot riding on this, and it’s only made once a year. I think we should have a practice to make sure we get it right.” Laughing, while rolling her eyes and shaking her head, my mom wasn’t buying it. Now that I’m older and do the majority of the cooking in my house, I appreciate how much work it is to get a feast of that magnitude together, so I understand.

Luckily, there were never any issues. Year in, year out, my mom delivered masterpiece after masterpiece. One year, I over-indulged to the point of near-unconsciousness. Another year, I was so eager to partake in every culinary delight prepared, I had, unbeknownst to myself, started eating with a fork in each hand. My sister caught it, and asked, “Hey, are you eating with two forks!?” Shaken out of “the zone,” I looked at both hands, chuckled with a half smile, and said, “Yeah, I guess so!”

Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet - $26.99

Get sizzling!

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Spending time with family, the traditional dishes, and the no-need-to-apologize-or-be-embarrassed mass consumption make this holiday tough to beat. We all have our favorites. That’s why, still, my mom will send an email to the family asking for our “must-haves.” You know, those dishes so essential to your Thanksgiving enjoyment that forgetting them would almost ruin the day. With that, my goal here is not to trample on sacred ground by suggesting a way to muck up a cherished favorite. My goal is to help you out with the other items on your table—the things that could be enhanced for maximum enjoyment. I want to help you brainstorm ways to turn those plain mashed potatoes, or that soggy corn, or the boring vegetables into, perhaps, a new Thanksgiving “must-have” for you and your family. I hope to assist you in livening up your Thanksgiving feast with bacon! So, without further ado, here are some ideas.

The Turkey

Today

What I’m about to say could shock and appall you. I find turkey boring. There, my secret is out! I’ll eat it, and Thanksgiving certainly isn’t the same without it, but I wish the traditional meal involved a different type of meat—like beef or pork. Wait, what if I wrapped the turkey in pork? Could I do that? Yes, I can! Bacon-wrapped turkey to the rescue! Get the recipe.

The Mashed Potatoes

Chef In Training

My dad makes great whipped potatoes. But, if you’re not so fortunate to love the spuds sitting on your table, try a loaded mashed potato bake. With cheese and bacon, it’s sure to tantalize those taste buds. Get the recipe.

The Bread

Delish

My sister makes great cranberry muffins (I highly recommend) for the family, but sometimes I have a hankering for cornbread. And if you’re looking to be bold with your cornbread, throw some maple bacon in the mix for a great savory-sweet balance sure to address your carb cravings. Get the recipe.

The Starch

Love Grows Wild

My sister loves plain old, frozen corn-off-the-cob, but I could take it or leave it. There does seem to be something Thanksgivingy, though, about having maize in the meal. That’s why I’m wondering if I can do some convincing and mobilize enough support around a bacon-corn casserole. Creamy, delicious, bacony corn. Get the recipe.

The Soup, Pt. I

Spend With Pennies

Continuing this corn streak, I’d also be up for a corn chowder with bacon. In my family, a nice fall soup is made to tide folks over while the cook puts the finishing touches on the full meal. Chowders are good, hearty fall soups, and corn, as mentioned above, seems right for the occasion. Get the recipe.

The Soup, Pt. II

Damn Delicious

Another soup that enjoys much more favor in our family is the butternut squash variety. Very fall, and very good. Putting in some savory bacon to counter the sweetness of the squash could revolutionize this warm-up (pun intended!) course to the main event. Get the recipe.

The Stuffing

Simply Organic

I really enjoy stuffing. Actually, I suppose if you want to get technical, I enjoy dressing (I’m told this is what unstuffed stuffing is called). Anyway, I remember trying different variations on stuffing throughout the years. Some of them involved sausage. And while that’s fine, what if I prefer bacon? There’s a bacon stuffing recipe for that! Get the recipe.

The Vegetable…Sort of

Bread Booze Bacon

Not much of a veggie lover? Prefer your greens rich and decadent? Might I suggest a creamed spinach with bacon? Get the recipe.

The Actual Vegetable

Six Sisters’ Stuff

I would never mess around with the classic green bean casserole. That creamy, oniony dish is tough to top. But, if you happen to go for something a bit fresher, I’ve never met a fresh green bean that couldn’t be helped by some crispy bacon bits. To see what I’m talking about, get the recipe.

The Salad

The Pioneer Woman

If you’re the type of family that likes to have a salad on the table, I’d recommend going with a traditional spinach salad. Not only are there bacon bits atop it, but it’s made with a warm bacon dressing. That’s right, so much bacon you could legitimately change the name from “spinach salad” to “bacon salad.” Get the recipe.

The Pasta

Sugar & Soul Co

An obvious and kid-friendly choice for your Thanksgiving table is mac and cheese. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon who operates on rocket scientists to see the potential in adding bacon to this tasty dish, so I won’t belabor it. Get the recipe.

The Butter

Kitchen Divas

Do you like butter? I sure do. If you want to add a little something extra to your meal without making a big fuss, make a quick and easy bacon butter. Yes, that’s a thing. Put it on bread, potatoes, stuffing, mashed sweets, or vegetables and you go from blah to bumpin’! Get the recipe.

Alright, I think I’ve sufficiently whipped myself into a bacon frenzy, and might have to go scrounge around for a BLT. Hopefully, I’ve given you some ammo in your fight against humdrum Thanksgiving dishes. Here’s wishing you a safe, peaceful, filling, and tasty Thanksgiving feast.

Related Video: How to Make Bacon Candy

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