8 Northeastern Recipes For An Unforgettable Friendsgiving Feast (2024)

Bring some northern flavor to your meal this year with recipes like oyster stuffing, maple mashed sweet potatoes and more.

Posted Sat, Nov 4, 2023 at 8:52 am ET|Updated Mon, Nov 20, 2023 at 9:46 am ET

1. Best-Ever Oyster Stuffing (Delish) — Oyster stuffing (also referred to as oyster dressing) has a rich history that can be traced back to the East Coast and is still a popular side dish among New Englanders today. This recipe retains the familiar, earthy ingredients of stuffing like bread crumbs, parsley, thyme and sage; however, it introduces a delightful twist by incorporating plump, briny oysters. The oysters infuse the stuffing with a unique oceanic flavor, contrasting the savory herbs and making it a flavorful dish your friends didn’t see coming. See the full recipe here.

2. Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes (Once Upon A Chef) — With Vermont being the top producer of maple syrup in the United States, there’s no question why this recipe is a crowd favorite in the Northeastern region. This dish blends the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with the rich, warm flavors of pure maple syrup. It’s important to note that baking the sweet potatoes — rather than boiling — creates a fluffier consistency. While prepping for this take on mashed potatoes is rather straightforward, it still requires about an hour of hands-off cooking time. So, you might want to consider cooking this dish the day before, as it can easily be reheated in the microwave. See the full recipe here.

3. Cranberry Sauce (Simply Recipes) — Cranberry sauce is a popular addition to Northeastern residents’ Thanksgiving turkey — the majority of cranberries are grown in only five states, with Massachusetts and New Jersey being among the top producers — enhancing the overall meal with its tangy, fruity notes. To make cranberry sauce, fresh or frozen cranberries are cooked with sugar, often orange zest or juice, and sometimes spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. After cooking, the cranberries transform into a luscious, jam-like consistency, balancing their natural tartness with sweetness. You can customize your homemade sauce with additional ingredients, such as pecans, raisins or blueberries for a more complex flavor. This classic can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, making it a convenient recipe you won’t need to worry about the day of your Friendsgiving feast. See the full recipe here.

4. Ultimate Green Bean Casserole (The Daring Gourmet) — Prepare your tastebuds for the ultimate green bean casserole recipe that presents a twist to the classic American side dish — which was created by a Campbell Soup Company employee at the Camden, NJ headquarters in the 1950s. Start by frying the bacon, onions, mushrooms and garlic; once this is complete, create a new mixture of flour, butter and chicken broth in a pan, stirring in the previous mixture. Fold in fresh green beans and top with crispy French fried onions before baking. See the full recipe here.

5. New England Roast Turkey (New York Times Cooking) — This adaptation of a classic Yankee Magazine recipe requires some prep time, but the results are well worth it. Begin by rinsing the turkey under cold water, then brining it in salt, sugar, bay leaves, pepper and herbs for at least 12 hours. After bringing, roast the turkey at 425 degrees for the first 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees for an additional three hours; baste your bird every 30 minutes until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees. Once you’ve let your turkey rest for at least 30 minutes, sit down with your friends and enjoy a dish that’s succulent, flavorful and perfectly golden. See the full recipe here.

6. Sweet Northern Cornbread (The Soccer Mom Blog) — This version of cornbread deviates from its competitor, Southern Cornbread, in that it boasts a sweeter flavor and a fluffy yet moist texture. This from-scratch recipe takes about 30-35 minutes to prepare and is set apart by the use of sugar, regular milk and a mix of cornmeal and flour. Prepare this mix in a baking dish or cake pan (rather than the Southern tradition of cooking in a cast iron skillet), with a generous pat of butter on top to keep the cornbread moist. If you have any leftovers after your meal, the bread can be stored on the counter for a day or two and then moved to the refrigerator to preserve its freshness. See the full recipe here.

7. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Roll (NewEngland.com) — If the idea of baking a cake or pie isn’t your cup of tea, try this pumpkin roll recipe, which has natural autumn flavors, and is versatile enough for year-round dinners but stands out when it’s brought to the Thanksgiving table. While the cake mixture includes flavors like pumpkin and cinnamon, the cream cheese filling is a standout component composed of sugar, maple syrup, vanilla and butter blended with cream cheese. Chill before serving and watch as this simple, 20-minute recipe disappears from your Friendsgiving table. See the full recipe here.

8. Apple Pie With Cheddar Cheese Crust (Cabot Creamery) — Popular in Vermont, this apple pie has a rich, cheddar cheese crust that adds a unique twist to the classic dessert. Combine all-purpose flour, salt, Cabot Salted Butter, an egg, apple cider vinegar, cold water and grated Cabot Vermont sharp, extra sharp or seriously sharp cheddar cheese for the pie crust. As for the filling, apples, sugar, maple syrup, spices and optional fresh cranberries are all poured into the pie plate. Add thin slices of cheddar cheese before covering with the remainder of the pie crust. Once the pie is baked and ready for serving, top it off with Greek yogurt. This unorthodox, yet iconic, combo will surprise your guests and leave them wanting more. See the full recipe here.

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