First holiday season away from home? Chances are you’re feeling nostalgic, homesick, and a little clueless (and that’s okay). You’re used to eating the traditional family Thanksgiving dinner — not making it! But worry not. If you’re celebrating Friendsgiving away from home this year, here are some no-cook potluck ideas that’ll leave you and your friends feeling #blessed.
A Delicious Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards are a crowd favorite—they’re easy to put together, delicious to eat, and a fancy form of finger food, which means fewer dishes to clean for you. The Roasted Root has a guide that’ll help you build a cheese board like an award-winning fromager.
A cheese and meat board is an excellent way to serve a variety of options on one dish. Whether your friends are super bold or more conservative, you’ll have something for everyone. Cherry-picking is encouraged!
Start building your charcuterie board with an assortment of mild, medium, and bold cheeses — three choices are enough to cover all your bases. For mild, consider a sharp cheddar. For medium, perhaps a smoked gouda or gruyere. For bold, a funky bleu cheese or whipped goat cheese is a perfect choice!
Pair them with a variety of meats such as salami, prosciutto, and coppa. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, sprinkle in some seedless grapes, dried apricots, and candied pecans to spice things up further. Don’t forget to buy water crackers or wheat thins for guests to build their hor d’oeuvres on.
Try Some Wine Pairings
The great thing about charcuterie is that it pairs amazingly well with wine! Whether you’re bringing a cheese board or know that another guest is, showing up to your Friendsgiving Potluck with a good bottle of wine will help you make a positive impression.
If you’re looking for wines to pair with common smorgasbord offerings, consider the following. Mild wines are great with soft meats and cheeses, and the opposite is true, too. For your sweeter options, consider a subtle white wine, like a buttery Chardonnay. For your bolder offerings, find a deep red wine like a smokey Cabernet.
An Easy-To-Create Appetizer
Pinwheels are a great option for appetizers.
They’re easy to make, easy to munch, and can get whipped together in a moment! Choose whatever ingredients are appropriate, roll them up in a tortilla, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Then, stick picks in each one to make them easier to grab.
For Friendsgiving, keep it classic with deli meats like sliced roasted turkey or smoked chicken breast. Add that to some cranberries and pecans accompanied with cheese like mozzarella or cheddar (or both!), and mix in some onions, celery, and chives. Add salt and pepper to taste, and that’s it!
A Sippable, Seasonal Punch
Your offerings don’t have to be food-specific. Your Friendsgiving will be complete with a punch that fits the holiday season.
Delish has a recipe for a harvest punch that’s perfect for pairing with Thanksgiving meals. Bonus — it’s super easy to whip together on the day of the party. It only takes 10 minutes and serves up to 10 people (or five people two times each!).
Add six cups of ice to a large bowl. Top it with half a gallon of apple cider, one bottle of prosecco, one cup of vodka, and two 12-ounce bottles of ginger beer. Stir well to blend all the flavors.
Add three sliced apples and two oranges (cut into triangles) for a beautiful garnish. Dip the rims of the serving glasses in cinnamon-sugar for added flavor. Then drink and enjoy!
We’re Thankful for These Potluck Ideas!
It’s the day of Friendsgiving. You’ve got your outfit picked out and a list of things you’re thankful for. But…did you forget to preheat the oven—AGAIN?
Don’t be late to your friend’s apartment dinner party! Instead, keep it low-key with our no-cook Friendsgiving potluck ideas.
Friendsgiving isn’t the only way to spend your first holiday when you can’t go home, either. Here are some other great ways to give thanks this season.
