15 Family Reunion Sides That Always Get Requested First

Family reunions call for food that everyone looks forward to and side dishes are usually the first to disappear. These 15 family reunion side dishes are the ones people go back for before the main meal even begins. From comfort-packed favorites to easy crowd-pleasers, they earn their spot on the table every time. Expect a mix of nostalgia, bold flavor, and dishes that truly bring everyone together.

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy oven asparagus is trimmed and baked at high heat for about 12–15 minutes until tender-crisp. It’s a fast and clean way to cook a vegetable side for a large group. At family reunions, these sides get picked up quickly because they’re light and pair well with everything. It’s a reliable dish that doesn’t need extra attention.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Brioche Rolls

Brioche rolls are made with a rich dough, shaped, and baked until golden brown after rising for several hours. The whole process can take 4–5 hours including proofing. These bread sides often show up first on plates at family reunions, especially with butter or jam. They’re soft, slightly sweet, and always gone too soon.
Get the Recipe: Brioche Rolls

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming skillet green beans are cooked quickly in a hot pan with garlic and white wine for sharp flavor and tender bite. The entire dish is done in about 10 minutes. These skillet sides tend to go fast at family reunions because they stand out from the usual. The name might get attention, but the flavor keeps it.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Mashed cauliflower in a white bowl. — Loaded Cauliflower Mash. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded cauliflower mash starts with boiled cauliflower, blended smooth and mixed with cheese, bacon, and green onions. It takes around 30 minutes total. This side dish is often scooped up fast at family reunions thanks to its bold toppings and creamy texture. It’s a mash that holds its own next to any main dish.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted honey glazed carrots are cooked in the oven for 25 minutes and brushed with a thyme and honey glaze for extra shine. They’re simple to make and easy to serve. These carrot sides are popular at family reunions for their sweet flavor and tender texture. There’s always someone asking who brought them.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

A serving basket of sweet potato fritters next to a bowl of dipping sauce and a single serving on a plate. — Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet potato fritters are mixed and pan-fried until golden on each side, usually within 10–15 minutes. They’re served with a dipping sauce that balances sweet and spicy flavors. These crispy sides are one of the first things to go at family reunions because they’re easy to grab and eat. The texture and taste hit just right.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots are sliced, roasted for about 25 minutes, and coated with a sticky sweet and savory glaze. They cook fast and don’t take much prep. These carrot sides get requested again and again at family reunions for their simple flavors and glossy look. The mix of honey and garlic gives them just enough punch.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted cabbage steaks are sliced thick, baked in bacon fat, and finished with toppings and a garlic sauce. They take about 35–40 minutes to roast. These hearty sides get remembered at family reunions for their rich flavor and unique presentation. It’s one of those vegetables that actually gets people talking.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic glazed brussels sprouts are roasted in the oven until tender, then tossed with a simple sweet and tangy glaze. They take about 30 minutes and don’t require complicated steps. These side dishes tend to be eaten quickly at family reunions because they bring bold flavor and a familiar texture. They land somewhere between comfort and surprise on a big dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven roasted root vegetables use chopped carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes tossed in oil and herbs, then baked for 35–40 minutes. They cook evenly and don’t need a lot of stirring. These roasted sides are common at family reunions for their earthy flavor and ease of serving. You can make a big batch and they’ll still go fast.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown butter garlic mashed potatoes are made by boiling Yukon gold potatoes, then mixing them with a brown butter and sage sauce. The full dish takes about 30–40 minutes. At family reunions, mashed potato sides like this one are often finished before the main course. It’s one of those bowls people hover over while serving.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire green beans are sautéed in a skillet with shallots and sauce until they’re crisp but cooked through. The full process takes about 20 minutes. These kinds of green bean sides often disappear quickly at family reunions thanks to the bold seasoning. They’re a solid choice that doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brown sugar baked sweet potato slices are cut into rounds, tossed in seasoning, and baked until soft with caramelized edges. They need around 30–35 minutes in the oven. These sweet potato sides are a favorite at family reunions because they feel both classic and new. The familiar flavor makes people want seconds.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlicky green beans with fried onions are quickly blanched and then sautéed in garlic, topped with crispy onions. They’re ready in under 25 minutes. These green bean sides are always a hit at family reunions for their crunch and seasoning. They remind people of comfort food without feeling too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted brussels sprouts with almonds and feta are baked until crisp, then tossed with crunchy nuts and crumbly cheese. They roast in about 30 minutes. This is the kind of side dish that gets repeated requests at family reunions because of the mix of textures. It offers something bright without being too complex.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta