Perfect Side Dishes for a Memorable Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving is an opportunity to begin a new tradition and reconnect with friends and loved ones. If you're on side dish duty, one of these recipes is sure to be a hit at your holiday get-together.

Friendsgiving is an opportunity to begin a new tradition, reconnect with old friends, and celebrate those in your life who you think of as family, whether you're related or not. Chances are you've got a lot of catching up to do and plenty of laughs to have, so split up the cooking among your comrades to guarantee an easy, relaxed, and memorable day—the category that all Friendsgivings should fall into. If you're on side dish duty, one of these is sure to be a hit with your friends.

1. Golden Fried Rice

Who says fried rice doesn't deserve a spot at your Friendsgiving table? Twenty minutes is all it takes to assemble this stunning ensemble of crisp vegetables, tender shrimp, and fried rice with a golden egg yolk coating. Your friends will appreciate a refreshing alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving starches, and any leftovers can be remixed into a satisfying stir fry the next day.

2. Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread with Scallion Butter

For those looking to do the absolute most for their Friendsgiving feast, this two-in-one side dish recipe is an excellent choice. Once the sweet and salty cornbread comes out of the oven to cool, double down on your side dish efforts with a quick batch of creamy scallion butter for guests to slather on every warm, cheesy slice. 

3. Everything Bagel Deviled Eggs

Hear us out: deviled eggs may be a timeless appetizer all on their own, but a few sprinkles of everything bagel seasoning can take any beloved finger food up a notch. Pair these crisp and crunchy deviled eggs with buttered bagel pieces for a budget-friendly remix of everybody's favorite breakfast flavors.

4. Eggs Benedict Bread Pudding

Let Thanksgiving be the time and place for a traditional cornbread or country stuffing, and instead, surprise your friends with this sourdough bread pudding. Like a perfect stuffing, it had a soft, bready interior with a golden oven-kissed top. Unlike most stuffing, it's scattered with Parmesan cheese and drizzled with hollandaise sauce.

5. Popovers

There's rarely room left on the plate (or in your stomach) for those dense dinner rolls after you've filled up on turkey and mashed potatoes, so bring a lighter, airier option to Friendsgiving: popovers. They require just five ingredients and 35 minutes in the oven. No more waiting around for the buns to rise!

6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Jammy Eggs

A balanced Friendsgiving spread requires a vegetable side dish, and soggy green bean casserole never does the trick. Opt for a platter of these roasted Brussels sprouts topped with homemade breadcrumbs and jammy eggs. They bring the fresh flavor and crispy texture that most holiday meals are missing.

7. Loaded Breakfast Egg Rolls

Everyone loves a side dish that doubles as an irresistible appetizer, and these loaded breakfast egg rolls fit the bill perfectly. Stuffed with comfort foods like spiced breakfast sausage, shredded potato, scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar, these egg rolls will pull double-duty starting Friendsgiving off right and keeping the party going until every delicious bite is gone.

8. Butternut Squash Risotto with Soft Boiled Eggs

If the thought of preparing a labor-intensive rice dish doesn't sound like a match for your relaxed Friendsgiving gathering, take heart: this butternut risotto recipe tends to be very forgiving. You'll only be stirring every couple of minutes before delivering a pan of creamy, luscious rice finished with salty Parmesan and a boost of protein from tender soft-boiled eggs. 

9. Caramelized Onion and Gruyére Quiche

Quiche is an excellent addition to any get-together because it's a classic crowd-pleaser. This one is layered with caramelized onions, melty Gruyére, and a creamy, custardy filling that all rests atop a garlicky almond flour crust. Got friends who eat low-carb or avoid gluten? The recipe is keto-friendly and gluten-free.

10. Asparagus and Morel Salad with Black Truffle Vinaigrette

Side salads aren't exactly up there on most Thanksgiving favorites lists, but Friendsgiving is all about creating new traditions. That's why you should bring this over-the-top stunning asparagus, truffle, and morel salad. Reason number two: the port wine vinaigrette that you'll want to toss all future salads in.

11. Sweet Potato Deviled Eggs with Candied Pecans

Pressed for time? Just another reason why deviled eggs are always a good idea. These are filled with an ultra creamy sweet potato and yolk mixture, then topped with crunchy candied pecans. You probably have all the required ingredients on hand already, given that it's November, so this recipe is an excellent choice for those last-minute Friendsgiving plans.

12. Creamy Cauliflower Salad

If you're the out-of-the-box thinker in your friend group, this bacon-studded cauliflower salad is your out-of-the-box solution to being assigned side dish duty for this year's Friendsgiving. It's impossibly creamy and savory, making it a great mashed potato substitution for keto friends. And for all others, it's sure to be a welcome break from all the piping hot dishes on the table.

13. Brioche Strata

Think of strata as the stuffing of breakfast. Instead of chicken stock and aromatics, it's filled with an eggy milk mixture that transforms the slightly sweet pieces of brioche into a savory casserole dotted with rosemary and Italian sausage.

14. Asiago Gougères

Even if you're not a pro pastry chef, these French-style puffs of choux dough and sweet, nutty Asiago cheese are completely attainable as a last-minute contribution to this year's Friendsgiving. They can be a stand in for dinner rolls or be served as an appetizer for peckish attendees before the whole group has arrived.

15. Swiss Onion Quiche

Be bold with your Friendsgiving offering by whipping up this head-turning Swiss onion quiche. Living up to its name, it's filled with onion and gooey Swiss cheese, plus fresh thyme and crispy bits of bacon that manage to sneak their way into every forkful.