Friendsgiving side dishes is basically Thanksgiving but with less stress, more laughter, and zero judgement about showing up in sweatpants. And honestly? It’s usually the food highlight of November because it’s the one meal where everyone brings their personal best dish. But here’s the catch: if you’re the “side dish person,” you know the pressure is real. You want something cozy, crowd-pleasing, and just a little bit show-offy — without needing a culinary degree.
That’s exactly why Friendsgiving side dishes are the real MVPs of the table. Turkey shows up for tradition — but the sides are what people actually talk about when they go home. (Be honest, when was the last time someone said, “wow, that turkey changed my life”? Exactly.)
What Makes a Great Friendsgiving Side Dish?
A winning side dish does three things:
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Plays well with everything else (hello, balance)
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Feels comforting but not boring
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Tastes like effort without taking all day
And here’s the fun part — Friendsgiving isn’t formal, so you get to be creative. Instead of stale stuffing or sad canned corn, we’re going fresh, flavorful, and easy.
In the next section, I’ll walk you through 5 Friendsgiving side dishes that check all the boxes. Each one comes with simple ingredients + quick instructions, so you can actually enjoy the party instead of babysitting a roasting pan.
1. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Why it belongs on the table
Friendsgiving without mashed potatoes is like Netflix without Wi-Fi — technically possible, but why would you do that to yourself?
Ingredients
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2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
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4 tbsp butter
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1/2 cup warm milk or cream
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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Salt & pepper to taste
Quick Instructions
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Boil potatoes until fork-tender.
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Mash with butter, garlic, milk, salt, and pepper.
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Taste and add more butter if your heart tells you to (pro move).
2. Classic Green Bean Casserole (but better)
Why it belongs on the table
This is the dish people pretend not to love — then go back for seconds. The secret? Fresh mushrooms > canned cream soup.
Ingredients
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1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
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1 cup sliced mushrooms
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1 tbsp butter
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1 cup milk
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1 tbsp flour
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1 tsp soy sauce
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Crispy fried onions (for topping)
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Salt & pepper
Quick Instructions
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Blanch green beans, then set aside.
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Sauté mushrooms in butter, then sprinkle flour and whisk in milk to make a quick sauce.
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Stir in soy sauce, salt, pepper, and beans.
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Transfer to baking dish, top with crispy onions, bake 10 minutes until golden.
3. Brown Butter Herb Stuffing
Why it belongs on the table
Stuffing is the soul of any holiday meal. When it’s good, everyone talks about it. When it’s dry… well, your guests will just quietly hydrate with more gravy.
Ingredients
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6 cups cubed bread (day-old or lightly toasted)
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1/2 cup butter (browned)
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1 onion, finely chopped
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2 celery stalks, diced
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1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
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1 tsp dried sage
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1 tsp thyme
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Salt & pepper
Quick Instructions
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Brown the butter in a skillet for a toasty, nutty flavor.
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Sauté onion and celery in the butter until soft.
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Toss vegetables with bread cubes, herbs, salt, and pepper.
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Pour broth over mixture and gently stir.
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Bake until golden and slightly crisp on top.
4. Sweet and Savory Roasted Carrots
Why it belongs on the table
This is that “you made vegetables delicious??” dish. Sweet, caramelized, and just fancy-looking enough to feel special.
Ingredients
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1 lb carrots, peeled and cut
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2 tbsp butter or olive oil
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1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/4 tsp black pepper
Quick Instructions
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Toss carrots with butter/oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
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Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes.
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If you want extra flair → drizzle with more honey before serving.
5. Buttery Dinner Rolls on Friendsgiving side dishes
Why it belongs on the table
Because everything on the plate eventually ends up being scooped onto a roll like a tiny edible shovel — and that’s peak Friendsgiving energy.
Ingredients (shortcut version)
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Ready-to-bake or frozen dinner rolls
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2 tbsp melted butter
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(Optional) Sprinkle of flaky salt
Quick Instructions
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Bake rolls according to package instructions.
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Brush with melted butter right when they come out.
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Serve warm so everyone reaches for them immediately.
(FAQ) Friendsgiving side dishes
1. How many side dishes should I make for Friendsgiving?
A good rule is 2–3 sides for a small group and 4–6 for a bigger table. People come for the variety — and for the carbs, let’s be honest.
2. Can I make side dishes ahead of time?
Yes! Most Friendsgiving sides are meal-prep friendly. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, casseroles, and roasted vegetables can all be made early and reheated without losing flavor.
3. What are the easiest sides to make last minute?
Mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, or dinner rolls are the fastest. Green bean casserole also comes together quickly if you prep ingredients in advance.
4. How do I keep the sides warm until dinner?
You can use a low oven, foil wrapping, or even a slow cooker on “warm” mode. Friendsgiving isn’t about perfection — it’s about keeping things cozy (and edible).
5. Do I need to match the sides with the turkey flavor?
Not really. Classic sides pair with almost anything. Just avoid making five heavy cream-based dishes — balance creamy + savory + veggie for the best mix.
6. What’s the best side dish for picky eaters?
Dinner rolls. Always dinner rolls. Bonus points if they’re extra buttery.
7. Can I double these recipes for a bigger group?
Absolutely — all of them scale easily. Just increase ingredient amounts and taste as you go.
Conclusion on Friendsgiving side dishes
Friendsgiving sides don’t have to be complicated — they just need to feel comforting, familiar, and irresistibly good. These five classics bring all the cozy energy you expect around the table without requiring Chef-of-the-Year effort. They’re easy to prep, easy to serve, and honestly… they’re the real reason people show up hungry.
Because sure, turkey is tradition —