Friendsgiving is a great way to enjoy the spirit of Thanksgiving with friends, without the stress of preparing a huge traditional feast. Instead of a sit-down meal, try a grazing table filled with seasonal flavors and easy-to-share foods. It’s interactive, inviting, and ideal for mingling.
Inspired by our Holiday Grazing Table blog, this Friendsgiving version incorporates fall ingredients, tasty meats and cheeses, and several prepared dishes using Martin’s Potato Rolls & Bread. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to engage guests—encourage guests to pitch in by bringing a dish to add to the table!
How to Prepare a Fall Grazing Table
A well-planned grazing table is all about variety and visual appeal. To make it easy, focus on arranging items with different textures, heights, and colors. Work systematically to create a balanced, eye-catching display:
- Lay the Foundation: Start by choosing a color scheme such as warm reds, oranges, and browns; then select a coordinating table runner. Alternately, use a brown paper tablecloth for a charming rustic touch—you can write the names of foods directly on it with markers.
- Arrange Centerpieces: Incorporate seasonal decor, such as pumpkins, gourds, or fall flowers, to add personality and appeal. A cornucopia overflowing with fruits and flowers can also create a festive look.
- Set Up Serving Areas: Next, reserve space for hot dishes. Arrange larger platters and bowls at the center or corners, using stands to add height where needed. These foods will be added once guests arrive to ensure everything remains hot.
- Fill In the Gaps: Work from large to small, adding meats and cheeses, fruits, veggies, bread products, nuts, and other garnishes.
Pro tip: To keep the display organized, arrange the items in clusters by category (cheeses, meats, spreads, etc.) and use different heights for visual appeal.
Infographic: How to Build a Friendsgiving Grazing Table
Use this graphic as a guide to map out your Friendsgiving spread using the recipes and accompaniments shown below!
Featured Recipes:
Now for the best part! Here are five delicious recipes that will make your Friendsgiving Grazing Table stand out:
Wild Mushroom Flatbread with Crispy Sage
Earthy mushrooms and melted fontina cheese are layered on Martin’s Sweet Party Potato Rolls, topped with fried sage for a pop of flavor. This flatbread makes a perfect seasonal bite.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/mushroom-fontina-flatbread-with-crispy-sage
Try the recipe!
Flatbread
Mushroom Fontina Flatbread with Crispy Sage
Fall Harvest Apple Bacon Crostini
Toasted slices of Martin’s Sweet Party Potato Rolls are topped with spiced apples, candied bacon, and a lemony cheese spread. These crostini blend sweet and savory flavors with a touch of autumn magic.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/fall-harvest-apple-bacon-crostini
Try the recipe!
Flatbread, Other
Fall Harvest Apple Bacon Crostini
Individual Turkey Pot Pies
Personal-sized pot pies with a creamy filling of diced turkey, sautéed vegetables, and peas in a savory sauce. Each pot pie is topped with a Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Roll, halved and baked to a golden finish, creating a warm and toasty crust.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/individual-turkey-pot-pies
Try the recipe!
Soups/Stews
Individual Turkey Pot Pies
Sweet Potato Hummus with Martin’s Bread Crackers
This creamy dip has a bit of a kick! It combines roasted sweet potatoes, garlic, tahini, and warm spices like smoked paprika and cumin. It’s served with crispy “bread crackers” made from Martin’s Potato Bread, Whole Wheat Potato Bread, or Butter Bread, flattened, toasted, and cut into fun seasonal shapes.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/sweet-potato-hummus
Try the recipe!
Mixes & Toppings
Sweet Potato Hummus with Bread Crackers
Pecan Pie Dip with Swirl Bread Dippers
A decadent dessert dip made with toasted pecans, brown sugar, cream, and vanilla. It’s served with crispy dippers made from Martin’s Swirl Breads—choose from Cinnamon-Sugar, Maple Brown Sugar, or Cinnamon-Raisin. Flatten the bread slices, bake until golden, and enjoy dipping into the pecan pie mixture.
https://potatorolls.com/recipes/pecan-pie-dip
Try the recipe!
Mixes & Toppings
Pecan Pie Dip with Swirl Bread Dippers
Finishing Touches and Additional Elements
A successful grazing table offers more than just good food—it needs variety, creativity, and a touch of seasonal charm. Here’s how to make your Friendsgiving spread feel complete:
Cheeses and Meats
- Cheeses: Some options include sharp cheddar or parmesan, creamy brie, cubed Monterey or pepper jack, crumbled blue cheese, fruit- or herb-infused goat cheese logs, or even a pumpkin-shaped cheese ball.
- Meats: Choices like prosciutto, Serrano ham, and salami slices are perfect for easy snacking.
Breads, Crackers, and Chips
- Martin’s Bread Crackers: Use Swirl Breads for sweet dippers or Sandwich Breads for savory options.
- Martin’s Crostini or Toast Cups: Toast halved or hallowed out Sweet Rolls to serve with spreads or toppings.
- Root Vegetable Chips: Add pops of color and seasonal flair with these crispy homemade chips.
Fruits and Fresh Produce
- Fruits: Figs, pears, apples, grapes, and dried cherries or apricots add natural sweetness and color, as well as a perfect pairing for various cheeses.
- Veggies: Classic veggies like broccoli, carrots, celery, peppers, and tomatoes provide guests an extra bit of crunch with a healthy twist.
- Herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme for an extra aromatic touch.
Spreads and Dips
- Spreads: Choose from delicious options like Sweet Potato Hummus or butternut squash dip, Pecan Pie Dip, fruit preserves, honey, apple or pumpkin butter, or a fall veggie dip.
Accompaniments:
- Nuts: Offer hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews, or almonds (served separately to avoid allergen issues).
- Sweet Treats: Add dark chocolate pieces or chocolate-covered fruits for the sweet tooth.
- Olives and Pickled Vegetables: Include for an extra savory touch.
Extra Supplies
- Décor: See below under “Décor and Ambiance.”
- Utensils: Keep utensils, small plates, and napkins nearby for guests’ convenience.
Creative Combos
One of the best parts of a grazing table or charcuterie board is the freedom to mix and match flavors. Guests can explore new combinations by pairing cheeses, meats, fruits, spreads, and bread. Encourage guests to experiment and discover their favorite combinations. Below are a few fun pairings to try using the elements from your Friendsgiving table:
- Prosciutto with Parmesan and Apricots: Assemble on skewers for easy snacking.
- Goat Cheese with Rosemary, Blackberry Preserves, and Honey: Serve on Martin’s crostini.
- Cheddar with Apple Butter and Sliced Apples: Use Martin’s bread crackers for a creative twist.
- Fig Jam with Blue Cheese and Fresh Figs: Fill Martin’s toast cups for a sweet-and-savory bite.
Décor and Ambiance
The finishing touches tie it all together. Use mini pumpkins, multi-colored corn, and leafy greens like kale or collards to fill empty spaces. Add pops of color with fall flowers such as mums or sunflowers. Herbs like rosemary or thyme double as both décor and garnish.
For a rustic touch, you can lay down a brown paper tablecloth and label foods directly on it. Burlap accents, wooden trays, or even a cornucopia centerpiece can also enhance the festive atmosphere. Consider fun displays like a turkey-shaped veggie tray to delight your guests.
How to Make a Turkey Veggie Tray
What You’ll Need:
- Your Favorite Veggie Dip (Ranch, Dill, Hummus, Green Goddess, etc.)
- Sugar Snap Peas
- Assorted Bell Peppers (Green, Red, Orange, and/or Yellow)
- Baby Carrots
- Cauliflower Florets (White and/or Purple)
- Broccoli Florets
- Celery Sticks
- Other Assorted Veggies, as desired (such as cucumbers or cherry tomatoes)
Instructions:
- Add Veggie Dip to a small bowl and place on a large round veggie platter at the bottom center.
- Make the turkey face:
- Cut the bottom off of a red pepper and place it atop the veggie dip.
- Make a beak by cutting a baby carrot. Then place it in the center of the pepper.
- Add eyeballs slightly above either side of the carrot beak using a small dot of veggie dip.
- Add the first layer of veggies, starting with sugar snap peas, on your veggie platter along the outer edge.
- Moving slight closer to the center of the platter, arrange a layer of sliced bell pepper strips, alternating colors.
- To the center of the platter, add cauliflower florets followed by broccoli florets.
- Finally, add baby carrots to the top at various placements, arranging them so they are facing inward toward the bottom center.
- Optionally, you can add two more baby carrots, one on either side of the veggie dip to resemble the turkey’s legs.
Conclusion
A Friendsgiving Grazing Table is more than just food—it’s about bringing friends together to enjoy good conversation, shared memories, and seasonal flavors. With Martin’s bread products, savory meats and cheeses, delicious spreads, and inviting decor, your table will be the centerpiece of a cozy autumn gathering. Happy Friendsgiving!
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