9 Southwestern Recipes To Bring To This Year’s Friendsgiving

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, many friend groups are starting to plan their Friendsgiving dinners. The best part of this unofficial holiday — besides, of course, spending time with some of your favorite people — is all the delicious food.

Whether you’re hosting or heading out to Friendsgiving this year, you can’t go wrong with bringing a little Southwestern flair to the table. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these nine regional recipes to add to your menu.

1. Southwestern Saucers (Belly Full) — These meat-free, Tex-Mex-inspired appetizers are easy to prep and perfect for a crowd. You’ll heat a mixture of beans, corn and salsa over the stovetop, then add tomatoes and salt/pepper to taste. Then, grab your tortillas and cut out three-inch circles (you can also use the bottom of a 15-ounce can), pressing each circle into the cup of a muffin tin. Fill each circle with your bean mixture, topped with cheese and scallions; bake for 10 minutes at 425 degrees and enjoy. See the full recipe here.

2. Fried Okra (Edible Oklahoma City) — As part of Oklahoma’s official state meal, fried okra is a welcome addition to any Friendsgiving feast. Start by heating oil in a fryer or a large Dutch oven, then coating your okra in buttermilk and a cornmeal/flour mixture. Once the oil reaches 350 degrees, fry the okra until golden, working in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Place your fried okra on a paper-towel-lined surface to drain; for best results, serve immediately. See the full recipe here.

3. Sunny’s Texas Two-Step Turkey (Food Network) — This flavorful turkey recipe hails from the kitchen of Sunny Anderson, a Food Network star and a former resident of the Lone Star State. To start, spread a layer of well-seasoned compound butter underneath the turkey’s skin. Refrigerate the turkey for 8-24 hours, then let it come to room temperature for two hours. Roast in a 350-degree oven until its internal temperature reaches 135-140 degrees Fahrenheit; after that, you’ll baste the bird with brown sugar mustard every 20 minutes until it reaches 160 degrees. See the full recipe here.

(Looking for leftover ideas? The Curious Plate’s turkey tamale pie recipe puts a Thanksgiving spin on a Texan classic.)

4. Southwest Meatloaf (New Mexico Beef Council) — For an alternative or addition to the traditional turkey dinner, this spiced-up meatloaf from the New Mexico Beef Council offers plenty of flavor. In addition to the usual mixture of beef, egg, milk and breadcrumbs, you’ll also mix in onion, red bell pepper, corn and plenty of seasonings. Simply shape your beef mixture into a loaf, bake at 350 degrees for 75-90 minutes and top with salsa. See the full recipe here.

(If you wind up with leftovers, meatloaf makes an excellent base for a quick chili. This recipe from The Spruce Eats incorporates even more spices that complement the flavors of your Southwest Meatloaf.)

5. Wild Rice Acorn Stuffed Squash (Most Lovely Things) — Squash is a key part of Arizona’s rich agricultural history, and this vegan-friendly main dish pays a gorgeous homage to the gourd.

First, cut your acorn squash in half lengthwise, scooping out the insides. Mix olive oil, maple syrup and apple cider vinegar; brush it over the squash, then bake at 400 degrees until fork tender (about 30-40 minutes). While the squash is baking, you’ll whip up your wild rice mixture — including dried cranberries, walnuts, sage and parsley — to fill each half before serving. See the full recipe here.

6. Southwestern Cornbread Chorizo Stuffing (Handle the Heat) — This unique spin on traditional stuffing features Southwestern staples like jalapeño, chorizo and avocado. Cook a mixture of chorizo and veggies, then combine it with diced jalapeño cornbread tossed with egg and chicken stock. Bake in a 375-degree oven for 25 minutes, or until golden brown and heated through, then top with avocado sour cream and diced avocados. Note: if you make the jalapeño cornbread from scratch (included in Handle the Heat’s recipe), you’ll want to set aside some extra prep time. See the full recipe here.

(Continuing your Friendsgiving celebration into the morning? Make the most of next-day stuffing with these leftover stuffing cakes from Well Plated by Erin, topped with a fried egg.)

7. Spicy Smoky Mashed Potatoes (Jackie Alpers) — This dish is inspired by the Sonoran style of Mexican cooking, popular in Arizona and the surrounding area. Boiling your potatoes until tender in a garlic-infused broth — along with mix-ins like diced chipotle, liquid smoke and barbecue seasoning — adding an extra dose of savory goodness. Alpers’ recipe also includes a simple gravy made with country gravy mix, broth (saved from cooking the potatoes) and crumbled sausage patties. See the full recipe here.

(While there’s no shortage of ways to use up leftover tubers, mashed potato waffles make for an easy and whimsical transformation. This recipe from Kirbie’s Cravings gets an extra dash of flavor from chives and cheddar.)

8. Pecan Pie Bites (Land O’Lakes) — Pecan pie, another part of the official Oklahoma state meal, is a Thanksgiving classic. This bite-sized variation features a cookie crust and is perfect for sharing with friends.

You’ll start by making the cookie dough and pressing it into mini muffin tins, creating a shallow cup. Combine chopped pecans, brown sugar, whipping cream and vanilla extract for the filling, then fill each of the cookie cups. Bake for 13-15 minutes at 350 degrees, then remove the cookies from the pan and let cool completely before serving. See the full recipe here.

9. Basque Cheesecake (RecipeTin Eats) — The Basque culture has made a lasting impact on Nevadan cuisine, bringing distinct Spanish flavors to the region. This Basque cheesecake recipe promises a light, creamy texture and a caramelized surface, making it a delicious showstopper for any dessert table

Grab your stand or hand mixer to combine cream cheese, sugar, cream, flour and eggs. You’ll pour the batter into a springform pan and bake 425 degrees for 45-65 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden color. For best results, chill overnight and bring to room temperature before digging in. See the full recipe here.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.