MCC’s Top 3 Recipes for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving
This page introduces Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving traditions in the United States for international and ESL students at Midwestern Career College. It explains cultural customs, common vocabulary, and social expectations, using simple recipes as a practical way to understand American shared-meal traditions.
International Student Life & ESL Cultural Learning
For many international students studying ESL, Business, IT, or related programs in the U.S., holidays like Thanksgiving may be unfamiliar at first. This guide explains what Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving mean, common traditions you may encounter, and how shared meals play an important role in everyday American culture.
In the United States, Thanksgiving is a holiday focused on gratitude—taking time to appreciate what you have, even during challenging periods. Many people spend the day with family or friends, sharing a meal that often includes foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
Many MCC international students do not have family nearby. Over time, classmates, coworkers, and friends often become a new kind of family. This is where Friendsgiving comes in.
Friendsgiving is an informal Thanksgiving-style gathering shared with friends instead of extended family. It is common among students and young professionals, especially in large cities. Friendsgiving meals are usually relaxed and flexible—participation is optional, and expectations are low.
In past years, international students in MCC’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program have celebrated Friendsgiving together by sharing food and conversation after class, turning everyday language learning into a real-world cultural experience.
If you are invited to a Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving meal, you may or may not be expected to bring food — it’s OK to simply ask your host whether you should bring something or just yourself! During dinner, common phrases you may hear include:
- “What can I bring?”
- “Thank you for inviting me.”
- “This is my first Thanksgiving.”
- “Help yourself!”
Below are a few simple dishes shared by MCC staff and former staff members. These recipes are commonly enjoyed at U.S. gatherings and are easy to prepare for small groups.
Corn Soufflé
This recipe is from Elizabeth (Janie) Armstrong, former ESL Instructor at Midwestern Career College.
“My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me, and it’s a great option for Thanksgiving-style meals—especially for those who prefer gluten-free dishes.”
Ingredients:
- 4 oz corn meal or corn muffin mix
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp sugar
Directions:
- Blend all ingredients in one bowl.
- Pour into a greased baking dish.
- Bake at 350°F for 35–40 minutes.
Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bars
This recipe is from Angela Mohr, International Admissions Counselor at Midwestern Career College.
“We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in Brazil, but my mother-in-law makes a peanut butter brownie every year. It’s always a favorite.”
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 6 tbsp butter, softened
- 1¼ cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 cups milk chocolate chips
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Combine peanut butter and butter.
- Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla; mix well.
- Blend in flour and salt.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Bake 25–30 minutes and cool before cutting.
Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
This recipe is from Miranda Mueller, former Associate Director of the International Department at Midwestern Career College.
“My family used to dislike Brussels sprouts until I brought this dish to Thanksgiving. Now it’s requested every year.”
Ingredients:
- 1½ lbs Brussels sprouts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Halve Brussels sprouts and toss with remaining ingredients.
- Bake 35–40 minutes until tender and crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Friendsgiving?
Friendsgiving is an informal Thanksgiving-style gathering shared with friends instead of family, common among students and young professionals.
Is it rude to bring a simple or store-bought dish?
No. Simple or store-bought dishes are common and widely accepted.
Is Thanksgiving a religious holiday?
No. Thanksgiving is a cultural holiday focused on gratitude and shared meals, not religion.
We hope this guide helps you better understand Thanksgiving traditions in the U.S. If you celebrate Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, feel free to share photos and tag @mcc.international on Instagram or Facebook. We love seeing how our international community connects and celebrates!
Editor’s note: This article was originally posted in November 2020. It was updated in November 2025 to provide additional cultural and language-learning context for international and ESL students.
