FRIENDS Thanksgiving Trifle: Rachel's Recipe
If you're a Friends fan like us here at HelloFresh, you probably remember the Thanksgiving episode where Rachel Green accidentally creates a Thanksgiving trifle that goes hilariously wrong. Her “traditional English trifle” turned into an unforgettable, stomach-churning mix of ladyfingers, jam, custard...and beef sautéed with peas and onions.
Yeah, it was a disaster. But it gave us one of the most iconic moments in TV history. Now, we’re here to help you recreate this classic with our very own version of Rachel’s Friends Thanksgiving Trifle, but don’t worry—our recipe skips the beef!
Whether you're looking to relive the laughs or just want to bring a little Friends nostalgia to your Thanksgiving table, this dessert is guaranteed to be a conversation starter.
Ready to shock your friends and family? Let’s dive into the details of our take on the Friends trifle recipe and how you can make Rachel Green’s trifle your own this holiday season.
What Exactly Was Rachel's Friends Trifle?
In case you missed it, or if your memory’s a little fuzzy, here’s the backstory.In Season 6, Episode 9 of Friends, titled “The One Where Ross Got High,” Rachel offers to make a traditional English trifle for Thanksgiving dessert. Due to a mix-up in recipe pages, she accidentally combines two recipes—one for trifle and one for shepherd’s pie.
The result? A layer of custard and whipped cream followed by beef sautéed with peas and onions. Not exactly the classic trifle anyone expected.
While Rachel’s trifle was more of a culinary catastrophe, it became an instant hit with fans. Joey loved it (of course), while Ross and Monica secretly tried to avoid it. But the truth is, no Friends Thanksgiving is complete without mentioning Rachel’s infamous dessert.
So, how can you make your own take on the Friends Thanksgiving trifle without the questionable ingredients?
What Was Actually in Rachel’s Trifle?
Rachel’s trifle starts out pretty normal—until it’s not. Here’s what went into her original recipe:
- Ladyfingers
- Jam
- Custard (made from scratch)
- Raspberries
- More ladyfingers
- Beef sautéed with peas and onions (yikes!)
- A little more custard
- Bananas
- Whipped cream
It all starts off well with classic trifle layers of ladyfingers, jam, custard, and raspberries. But things take a turn when the shepherd’s pie portion sneaks in with ground beef and vegetables. If you're wondering how to recreate this Friends trifle recipe without serving beef for dessert, we've got you covered.
Can You Actually Make Rachel's Trifle Taste Good?
Surprisingly, yes! Well, sort of. The original recipe isn’t exactly what you'd call a crowd-pleaser, but with a few tweaks, you can turn this Friends Thanksgiving trifle into a dessert that’s both hilarious and delicious.
Here’s how to do it:
- Swap the Beef for Chocolate: Instead of sautéed beef, we recommend you layer in chocolate shavings or crushed cookies for that extra texture without the savory confusion.
- Stick to Classic Trifle Ingredients: Keep the ladyfingers, jam, custard, and whipped cream. These are what make trifle, well, trifle.
- Make It Colorful: Go ahead and throw on some sprinkles, toss in a handful of fruit, or crumble some candy on top. It’s all about making your dessert pop and bringing a little extra sparkle to the table.
What’s in the HelloFresh Version of Rachel’s Trifle?
We know not everyone is ready to sauté beef with peas and onions for their dessert, so HelloFresh’s version of Rachel’s trifle skips the savory ingredients and amps up the fun. We’ve turned this iconic Friends trifle into a sweet, shareable dessert that you’ll actually want to eat. Think of it as a nod to the classic with some modern upgrades.
Here’s what’s in our take on Rachel’s Friends Thanksgiving Trifle:
- Ladyfingers: A staple in any trifle recipe, these soft, spongey biscuits soak up the flavors of the layers above and below.
- Raspberry Jam: We keep Rachel’s choice of jam but make it a little more spreadable and sweet.
- Vanilla Custard: A rich, creamy custard to hold it all together.
- Fresh Raspberries: Juicy and bright, adding both color and flavor to each layer.
- Chocolate Shavings: Our upgrade to Rachel’s beef layer—because chocolate makes everything better.
- Whipped Cream: Light, fluffy, and perfect for topping this layered creation.
It’s sweet, indulgent, and packed with flavor—without any of the Friends trifle mishaps. Plus, it’s delivered straight to your door, so you can focus on enjoying time with your friends and family.
EDITOR’S NOTE: HelloFresh’s Rachel Green’s Trifle kit is already sold out, but be sure to tag us @hellofresh on social media if you try to recreate your own using the steps outlined here!
How Do You Make Rachel’s Trifle at Home?
Ready to shock your guests this Thanksgiving? Making this Friends Thanksgiving trifle is simple, especially with HelloFresh’s pre-measured ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your very own Rachel trifle:
- Layer 1: Ladyfingers
Start by laying your ladyfingers at the bottom of a trifle dish. These will form the base and soak up the delicious flavors of the other layers. - Layer 2: Jam
Spread a layer of raspberry jam over the ladyfingers. The sweetness from the jam will balance the richness of the custard. - Layer 3: Custard
Pour a generous layer of vanilla custard over the jam-covered ladyfingers. Smooth it out to ensure even coverage. - Layer 4:Raspberries
Scatter fresh raspberries over the custard layer for a burst of color and a fruity punch. - Layer 5: More Ladyfingers
Add another layer of ladyfingers to create a bit more structure and texture. - Layer 6: Chocolate Shavings
Here’s where we deviate from Rachel’s recipe. Instead of the beef, sprinkle some chocolate shavings or crushed cookies for a sweet and crunchy texture. - Layer 7: Custard (Again)
Pour a second layer of custard over the chocolate shavings, smoothing it out evenly. - Layer 8: Bananas
Add sliced bananas on top of the custard layer. The bananas add sweetness and pair well with the other fruity elements. - Layer 9: Whipped Cream
Top the entire trifle with a thick layer of whipped cream for that finishing touch. - Optional: More Chocolate
For an extra indulgent twist, sprinkle some more chocolate shavings or drizzle with caramel sauce.
And there you have it—a fun, nostalgic take on Rachel’s trifle that’s perfect for a Thanksgiving with friends.
Why Bring Rachel’s Trifle to Thanksgiving?
Serving Rachel’s Friends trifle is the ultimate way to make this Thanksgiving unforgettable. It’s more than a dessert—it’s a hilarious tribute to one of the most iconic Thanksgiving moments in TV history. Your friends and family will love the reference, and it’s sure to spark plenty of laughs around the table.Best of all, it’s super easy to make, especially with HelloFresh’s step-by-step instructions and pre-portioned ingredients. No mix-ups like Rachel’s—just a delicious, crowd-pleasing dessert that everyone will remember.
Ready to Try the HelloFresh Version of Rachel’s Trifle?
And there you have it—the ultimate guide to creating a Thanksgiving dessert that's sure to get everyone talking. With our HelloFresh twist on Rachel Green's infamous trifle, you get all the laughs and flavor without any of the culinary mishaps.
Imagine the looks on your guests' faces when they realize you've brought Rachel's trifle to life, minus the beef and peas, of course! This Thanksgiving, create a moment they'll never forget with a dessert that's as quirky and beloved as the show that inspired it.