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Friends Themed Food Ideas

By: Britni Vigil
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Host an epic Friends themed party or Friendsgiving with these Friends themed food ideas inspired by the show! There’s everything from Rachel’s infamous trifle to Phoebe’s secret chocolate chip cookie recipe and of course a few chanberries!

One of my all-time favorite shows is Friends. It’s one of those shows I can turn on and sort of watch while doing other things and still know every word they’re saying and exactly what’s going on. Kind of like Gilmore Girls, The Office, and Schitt’s Creek.

I’ve always wanted to host a Friends themed party but never got around to it.

After saying goodbye to Matthew Perry a few weeks ago, this year feels like the right time to do it in his honor. I might just put together a playlist of the best Chandler Bing episodes to have playing in the background. I’m not sure Friends will ever feel the same again.

That being said, I thought it’d be fun to do a Friendsgiving using just Friends themed party food, all things directly from the show.

So I put together a list of the best Friendsgiving food ideas based on things they made or ate in the show – now I just to invite my real life friends over to enjoy all of these!

So save the pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, green beans, and creamy mashed potatoes for your actual Thanksgiving meal and try out these Friendsgiving food ideas this year instead!

Friends Themed Appetizers

Kick off your Friendsgiving dinner with these perfectly themed starters that are so tasty no one will want to share. Your guests will love these clever ideas that are sure to have you quoting the show for the rest of the evening.

The One With the Jam
What better way to start your night off than with jamcrackers? This strawberry jam will have your guests questioning your relationship status. Okay, maybe not really, but it is tasty and a great way to get people talking as they indulge in spoonfuls of jam, Joey style!
Honestly, this recipe looks so good that you could save the leftovers to use with your homemade rolls for Thanksgiving too! Don't want to serve just jam, try these strawberry jam thumbprint cookies instead!
Check it out!
plate with various fries and dipping sauces
The One With the Fried Cheese
This fried board is reminiscent of Joey and Monica's dreamy relationship. You know, the one with a four-hundred-pound Joey and a table full of fried food with cheese? Add a few cheese sauces or some mozzarella sticks to this and you've got a perfect easy Friendsgiving recipe! This would honestly make a great addition to any party!
Check it out!
The One With the Crab Cakes
Trying to play matchmaker or simply make some new friends? While it took a bit more than crab cakes for Ross and Rachel, these tasty appetizers are sure to win over your guests! Add in a simple tartar sauce for some added flavor and you are all set! This may not be a classic Thanksgiving dish, but they sure are yummy!
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bowl of honey butter
The One With the Wax
We have all learned that wax is technically edible, but still, no one wants to eat it unless they are desperate, just ask Monica. That being said, it is a hard Friends moment to forget. I suggest we skip the wax and replace it with honey, or in this case yummy honey butter! Throw in some popsicle sticks to serve it with and you've got yourself a much tastier version of wax! This would go great with homemade dinner rolls like these homemade crescent rolls or these drop biscuits!
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The One With the Quiche
This foolproof recipe will ensure you don't "pull a Monica" at your Friendsgiving. These mouth-watering appetizers will impress even the toughest of mothers. Fill it with their suggestions or add some of your own favorite flavors. Brownie points to whoever finds the blue fingernail! If you want something more breakfasty for a Friendsgiving style brunch, these breakfast muffins would work great too!
Check it out!
Two bowls of southwestern chicken salad with dressing
The One with the Dirty Salad
This salad may not be the same one Monica was making for the interviewer who liked dirty lettuce, but it's just as good! And a good salad is always a great appetizer to any meal!
Check it out!
A pile of air fryer fries with a small white cup of ketchup
The One with the Fries
Joey doesn't share fries and you won't want to share these crispy homemade fries with your friends either! But you should because it's Friendsgiving after all!
Check it out!

Friendsgiving Main Dishes

These main courses are a way to pair good food and great conversations. Build new core memories with your friends as you get to know each other better and bond over your common love for Friends.

You’ll find some of the best dishes on our list. Easy recipes that will impress, perfect for even the most novice cook.

A bowl of baked macaroni and cheese with a spoon in it
The One with C.H.E.E.S.E.
Joey played a lot of fun roles in Friends but one of my favorites was the role of Mac in the show Mac and C.H.E.E.S.E. so of course a good baked mac and cheese would make a perfect addition to a Friends food list!
Check it out!
platter of tacos with various toppings
The One With the Tacos
These tacos are not only delicious but also a great conversation starter. Even if you have a table of your closest friends you might be surprised to learn a few new things about each other. Who knows, you may even learn a few embarrassing secrets, like why Ross would never touch this dish. Bonus points if you fill them with our homemade taco meat!
Check it out!
The One With the Lasagna
Everyone needs a backup plan, but I promise this lasagna is too good to be yours! This next level dish is perfect for your Friendsgiving celebration. Just try not to lose anything important, like a ring, in it. It might give it extra flavor but stick with the parmesan cheese for that instead.
Check it out!
Two bowls of chicken noodle soup with egg noodles
The One with Noodle Soup
A lot of the food items in this list are related to Joey because well, hello Joey loves food. This is another one that reminds us of the commercial where Joey just couldn't remmeber his noodle soup line! The homemade noodles in this chicken noodle soup are the star, making it great for a Friends themed meal!
Check it out!
The One With Two Pizzas
It wouldn't be a Friends party without two pizzas! This classic comfort food is a crowd favorite for a reason, its always delicious! This easy recipe is a great option if you are wanting to try your hand at homemade pizzas! Or if you don't want to serve pizza, you could always serve these pepperoni pizza rolls, pizza loaf, or even these pizza twists!
Check it out!
bowl of lobster macaroni and cheese
The One With the Lobster
One great bowl of mac and cheese can be life-changing, or at least it was for Monica. Top it with some lobster and you have one symbolic dish, perfect for a Friendsgiving feast. Plus, who knows you might find your own lobster during the festivities! Don't want lobster? Try this old-fashioned homemade mac and cheese instead.
Check it out!
Tray of meatball subs
The One With the Sandwich
No one loves food more than a Tribbiani, and for Joey, there is nothing better than his sandwich. This meatball sub is not one you will want to share. In fact, you may just find yourself choosing it over even your closest friend. It's kind of the perfect main course.
Check it out!
The One With the Moist Maker
No one can forget the leftover turkey sandwich that Ross was obsessed with. If it was good enough for him to freak out, it's good enough for your Friends themed meal!
Check it out!

Friends Themed Desserts for Friendsgiving

Top off your Friendsgiving party with these delicious desserts! You’ll find yummy recipes for some of your favorite Friends moments. This list is full of easy Friendsgiving recipes that’ll give you a good reason to share the recipes with your friends!

plate of cookies
The One With the World’s Best Cookies
There was no way I could leave this classic french recipe off of the list, plus who doesn't love a good cookie? Add a glass of milk and enjoy talking about some of your family's favorite dishes.
Check it out!
The One With the Candy
You may want to think twice about inviting your neighbors to your Friendsgiving dinner if you make these delicious candies. They take a little bit of extra effort but I promise they will be worth it! Make an extra batch and send them home as party favors! Monica's candy is one of the best things you'll ever try.
Check it out!
layered trifle dessert with raspberries
The One With the Trifle
No trifle would be complete without a savory layer of beef and peas! This clever recipe recreates Rachel's delicious holiday dessert without the meat. This is sure to be a favorite with just the right amount of sweetness. This will also be a showstopper on your holiday table!
Check it out!
The One with the Pie
Whether your slice this in little slivers because you're afraid you'll run out or slice real pieces for real men like Joey, this homemade apple pie will be a hit with all of your friends!
Check it out!
slice of chocolate cake topped with raspberry sauce
The One With the Mocklate
This FDA-approved chocolate cake tastes as good as it looks! This is the cake broke Monica wishes she could have made and your guests will thank you for leaving out the Mocklate. Try this chocolate cake for the first time and guaranteed you make it again.
Check it out!
The One With the Cheesecake
This cheesecake is eat-off-the-floor worthy. Creamy and smooth with just the right amount of sweetness and creaminess from the cream cheese; your friends will be stealing the leftovers! This delicious recipe is the perfect way to finish off your night!
Check it out!
two chocolate cake shakes in glasses
The One with the Milkshake
I don't actually remember the Friends cast ever eating milkshakes in the show (it's likely they did, and I just don't remember) but they definitely do in all of the promos, so this would be an easy addition to any Friendsgiving food menu!
Check it out!
The One with the Muffins
I can't begin to count how many times muffins were mentioned and used during Friends whether in Central Perk or other places! And these Nutella muffins are close enough to dessert to count as both muffins and dessert!
Check it out!
chocolate covered strawberries shaped like roasted turkey
The One with the Turkey
If you've ever seen Friends, you've seen the episode where Monica ends up with at turkey on her head. And these darling little turkeys look just like that turkey, minus Monica. If you want something a little easier, you could also make these chocolate covered strawberry turkeys or these turkey treats instead!
Check it out!
The One with the Chanberries
Who could ever forget the Chanberries episode where Monica finally lets Chandler help with Thanksgiving? Remember that moment forever by bringing this cranberry orange bread full of cranberries! Or if you don't want to make bread, these white chocolate cranberry cookies would be good too!
Check it out!
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  1. Julie Ross says

    Just when I thought I couldn’t love you any more!!! I am a HUGE Friends fan. This has just solidified a reader for life!

    Reply

  2. Maria says

    This is such a fun idea! I’ve always wanted a Moist Maker sandwich. Now I will be hoarding the Thanksgiving leftovers this year to give it a try.

    Reply