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Home » Dinner Parties » Friendsgiving Food Ideas

Friendsgiving Food Ideas

November 13, 2023 by Lori V Leave a Comment
Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This does not change your price should you buy something.

Dinner Party Diaries – Volume 1 Issue 22

I don’t know if it’s quite fair to say that the point of Friendsgiving is to try a bunch of non-traditional dishes that would cause your family to revolt.  That’s a bit too sweeping of a generalization with too many assumptions.  What I will say is that Friendsgiving Menus are the perfect opportunity to try some fun, fancy, and / or fussy dishes that might not make the cut if you already have a laundry list of more traditional dishes to make. 

Friendsgiving Place Setting

That said, rather than sharing one of my more usual dinner parties, here are some suggestions for your own Friendsgiving or any other holiday gathering that’s on your calendar.  

If you see something that interests you but doesn’t meet your particular dietary restrictions, drop me a comment and I’ll see if I have some alternative ideas for you.

Appetizers

Keto Buffalo Chicken Puff plated and close up

Keto Buffalo Chicken Puffs (Dairy Free)

Harissa Lamb Tartlets plated without any toppings

Harissa Lamb Tartlets (Keto and Dairy Free)

Entrées

Braised Beef in Wine Reduction - plated feature image

Braised Beef in Wine Reduction Sauce

Lamb Lollipops Plated with Cauliflower Rice Risotto

Lamb Lollipops

Sides

Keto Spinach and Artichoke Scones plated in a mini tart dish

Keto Spinach and Artichoke Scones (with Dairy Free Option)

Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach served in a mini tart dish

Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach

Ham and Cauliflower Soup plated

Ham and Cauliflower Soup (Dairy Free)

Savory Pumpkin Soup in a white cup / bowl between two fall candles on fall table runner

Savory Pumpkin Soup (Dairy Free)

Desserts

Keto Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cookie Cups - close up of plated cookie cups

Keto Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cookie Cups

Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding with a glaze in a red croquette

Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Menu Ideas for Friendsgiving

Appetizers

Keto Buffalo Chicken Puffs
If you’re looking for a flavor-bursting party appetizer or quick snack, these Keto Buffalo Chicken Puffs are for you! Not only are they keto-friendly, but they’re dairy-free too. Just make sure to make plenty because these mini muffins are a crowd-pleaser that’ll go fast.
View Recipe
Keto Buffalo Chicken Puff plated and close up
Harissa Lamb Tartlets
Filled with lamb, spinach, and a zippy harissa infused sauce, these Harissa Lamb Tartlets will make a truly scrumptious appetizer for your next dinner party!
View Recipe
Harissa Lamb Tartlets with Diary and Non Dairy Toppings - plated
Keto Salmon Loaf Bites
These delectable mini Keto Salmon Loaf Bites are a savory little pop for your appetizer line-up. Top them with some Buttermilk Dill Whipped Cream and they’ll disappear in a flash. They make the perfect appetizers for a dinner party or additions to a brunch menu.
View Recipe
Keto Salmon Loaf Bites with Buttermilk Dill Whipped Cream finished and plated
Keto Almond Flour Corn Dog Bites
Scrumptious and adorable, these Keto Almond Flour Corn Dog Bites make a great low carb appetizer or snack for any dinner party or get together. Serve them up with some mustard and sugar free ketchup for dipping. Be sure to grab one because they’ll go fast!
View Recipe
Keto Corn Dog Bites - finished and arranged on serving plate
Manchego Prosciutto Blueberry Bites
Elegant little pops of flavor, these Manchego Prosciutto Blueberry Bites hit all of the right notes to make the perfect hors d’oeuvre for your next dinner party. The flavors and textures of the Manchego, prosciutto, blueberries, and syrup meld into a delicious little bite. Be sure to make plenty!
View Recipe
Manchego, prosciutto, and blueberry bites prepared on a serving plate

Entrées

Braised Beef in Wine Reduction Sauce
Cooked to perfection, low and slow, this tender beef paired with a savory sauce made with red wine, herbs, and spices. It’s comfort food at its finest! Great to make ahead for a dinner party or as part of your weekly meal plan, this Braised Beef in Wine Reduction Sauce is a must try!
View Recipe
Braised Beef in Wine Reduction - plated feature image
Lamb Lollipops
Lamb Lollipops (a.k.a. Lamb chops) are a delicious dish that can look fancy (if you want to use a nice plating) but is super simple to prepare. Perfectly seasoned, seared, and done. You can dress them up or serve them casually. Either way, you’re sure to have a crowd favorite.
View Recipe
Lamb Lollipops Plated with Cauliflower Rice Risotto

Sides

Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach
This Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach is a delectable side that combines the creamy goodness of traditional creamed spinach with the zesty punch of pepper jack cheese and artichoke. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply treating yourself to a tasty side, this Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach is the perfect addition to any menu.
View Recipe
Pepper Jack Creamed Spinach served in a mini tart dish
Savory Pumpkin Soup
This Savory Pumpkin Soup is a mini flavor journey in a bowl. The creaminess of the pumpkin is woven into a classic mirepoix base and then given some depth from the turmeric and red curry paste with a hint of sweet on the finish. This soup is sure to warm you and your guests from head to toe.
View Recipe
Savory Pumpkin Soup in a white cup / bowl between two fall candles on fall table runner
Ham and Cauliflower Soup
This Ham and Cauliflower Soup (Dairy Free) is a delicious way to use up a ham hock or ham bone. Creamy and full of flavor, this one is great for either a dinner party or a weekly meal plan. Give it a try!
View Recipe
Ham and Cauliflower Soup plated

Desserts

Keto Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cookie Cups
If you’re looking for a decadent little dessert bite that also happens to be keto friendly, these Keto Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cookie Cups are for you.
View Recipe
Keto Dulce de Leche Pumpkin Cookie Cups - plated
Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding
Treat your taste buds to a fun fall dessert. This Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without all of the sugar. Imagine a warm, gooey, pumpkin-infused treat that’s low in carbs and high in flavor! It’s the ultimate fall indulgence. Get ready to fall in love with this pumpkin-licious low carb bread pudding, and treat yourself to a guilt-free dessert that’s sure to impress!
View Recipe
Low Carb Pumpkin Bread Pudding with a glaze in a red croquette

Wine Pairing Ideas

Wine Pairings do depend on what you’re serving. Below are some of our favorites and frequent wines that span a range of wine types and budgets. Please note that I’m making some generalizations here and the specific pairings will vary based on the particular spicing and saucing of your dishes.

Whatever you choose, I suggest that you take one for the team and try a bottle in advance before buying it in a larger quantity for the dinner. While I very much encourage trying new things (even at a dinner party with friends), this is one of those times when I’d suggest knowing what you’re getting into.

We very typically serve something sparkling with the appetizers. How dry or sweet we go depends on the spiciness of the food. For example, we’ll often pair a demi-sec (sweet) with something spicy and a brut (dry) with something rich or creamy. If you or some portion of your guests don’t care for sparkling wine, I would usually move on to another white option to start OR serve a cocktail as the aperitif.

Some Sparkling Wines

  • Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut
  • Domaine Carneros Vermeil Demi Sec
  • Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs (regular or one of the single vineyard designates)

For a more poultry or pork focused affair, try a Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noirs

  • Domaine Carneros Le Ciel Serein Pinot Noir
  • Migration (Duckhorn Vineyards) Pinot Noir Drum Canyon Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills
  • Migration (Duckhorn Vineyards) Pinot Noir Bien Nacido
  • Twomey Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
  • Twomey Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

If you’re going to have a variety of dishes with a wide span of flavor profiles, try a Red Blend. However, I would strongly suggest reading the tasting notes to better understand what flavors you’re adding to the table.

Red Blends

  • Daou The Pessimist
  • Peju Province Winery Piccolo
  • Paraduxx Proprietary Red Blend

For something a little different, you could serve a Zinfandel.

Zinfandels or Zinfandel Blends

  • Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel
  • Saldo (by Prisoner Wine Company)
  • The Prisoner

In the event you’re serving beef or lamb, perhaps try a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Cabernet Franc. Again, I advise reading the wine notes.

Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs

  • Sequoia Grove Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Sequoia Grove Cabernet Franc
  • Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon

Maybe you simply aren’t into red wine. My typical “go to” whites fall under Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. However, there is certainly a range of flavors in each of these categories as well. I would lean towards an unoaked Chardonnay for poultry or pork, an oaked Chardonnay for beef or lamb, a Sauvignon Blanc for fish or seafood.

Sauvignon Blanc

  • Peju Province Winery Sauvignon Blanc
  • Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc

Chardonnay

  • Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay
  • Migration Chardonnay Drum Canyon
  • Migration Chardonnay Bien Nacido
  • Brasswood Cellars Chardonnay

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