What Goes With Smoked Turkey: 25 Delicious Side Dish Ideas

Smoked turkey is a delicious, savory main course for any occasion from Thanksgiving to simple weeknight dinners. When smoking a turkey, it’s important to pair it with complementary side dishes that enhance the smoky flavor. Here are 25 of the best sides to serve with smoked turkey.

Creamy, Starchy Sides

• Mashed potatoes – A holiday classic, creamy mashed potatoes soak up the turkey juices and flavor. Yukon gold or russet potatoes make the creamiest mashes. Adding garlic, cheese, or herbs jazzes them up.

• Sweet potato casserole – For a touch of sweetness, a sweet potato casserole with brown sugar, marshmallows, and pecans pairs nicely with smoked turkey

• Scalloped potatoes – Sliced potatoes baked in a cheesy cream sauce are indulgent and rich. They contrast the turkey’s smokiness.

• Wild rice pilaf – Nutty wild rice with cranberries and pecans provides earthy flavors and textures The rice soaks up the turkey juices deliciously

• Broccoli rice casserole – A cheesy and creamy broccoli rice casserole adds comfort food flair. The broccoli cuts the richness.

• Macaroni and cheese – A holiday favorite, the creamy cheese sauce and pasta complement smoked turkey’s richness. Add crunchy breadcrumb topping for texture.

Veggie Sides

• Roasted Brussels sprouts – Brussels sprouts caramelized with olive oil, garlic, and seasonings are savory with a slight char.

• Glazed carrots – Roasting rainbow carrots and glazing with honey butter plays up their natural sweetness.

• Green bean casserole – A classic green bean casserole with creamy mushroom sauce and fried onions is comforting.

• Creamed spinach – Silky creamed spinach enhances the turkey’s richness. Add nutmeg and garlic for extra flavor.

• Roasted root vegetables – Roots like potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips roasted with olive oil are homey.

• Honey glazed carrots – Glazing sliced carrots while roasting them caramelizes their natural sugars.

• Sauteed green beans – Quickly cooked green beans sauteed with shallots are fresh and bright.

• Winter squash – Baked acorn or butternut squash is a nice blend of creamy and sweet. Toss with brown butter for extra richness.

Salads and Veggies

• Cranberry sauce – Required at Thanksgiving! Homemade cranberry sauce with orange and cinnamon is tangy-sweet.

• Pear, walnut, and blue cheese salad – Mixed greens with pears, walnuts, and blue cheese with a vinaigrette is fresh.

• Maple brussels sprouts salad – Shredded brussels sprout slaw with apples, pecans, and maple dressing is sweet-tangy.

• Kale salad with lemon tahini dressing – Massaged kale with carrots, chickpeas, and nutty lemon tahini dressing.

• Quinoa salad – Protein-packed quinoa salad with chopped veggies, herbs, nuts, and citrus dressing.

• Corn salad – Grilled corn kernels mixed with chopped tomatoes, avocado, lime, and cilantro for a Mexican flair.

• Caprese salad – Sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic is simple.

• Greek salad – Romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, and red wine vinaigrette.

Warm Bread and Grains

• Cornbread – Moist, fluffy cornbread complements the turkey’s texture. Add jalapenos for a kick.

• Cornbread stuffing – The best of both worlds! Hearty cornbread stuffing flavored with veggies, broth, and spices.

• Parker House rolls – Fluffy, buttery rolls are perfect for sopping up turkey juices and gravy. Easy to make ahead.

• Garlic mashed cauliflower – For lower carbs, make “mashed potatoes” with cauliflower, butter, and garlic.

• Cranberry pecan rice – Wild rice with dried cranberries and toasted pecans.

• Spoon bread – A cornbread-textured side made extra creamy with blended cottage cheese.

Beans and Legumes

• Baked beans – Tomato-based baked beans offer sweet, smoky flavors to counter the turkey.

• Green bean almondine – Quick sauteed green beans with slivered almonds and lemon.

• Cranberry barley – Nutty barley with tart dried cranberries.

• Citrusy black beans – Zest up black beans by sauteeing them with orange juice and zest.

• Lentil walnut loaf – A nicely shaped lentil and walnut loaf flavored with carrots and thyme.

Gravy and Sauces

No turkey meal is complete without velvety gravy and sauces!

• Turkey gravy – The classic made with turkey drippings, broth, roux, and seasonings.

• Cranberry gravy – For a twist, make gravy with cranberry juice for tangy sweetness.

• Pan gravy – Quick gravy made right in the turkey pan with broth whisked into the drippings.

• Giblet gravy – Enriched with the turkey giblets, this gravy is ultra-savory.

• White gravy – Made with turkey drippings, flour, milk, and seasonings for a creamy gravy.

• Turducken sauce – Drippings and deglazing liquid from turducken create an ultra-rich sauce.

With so many options for delicious sides and sauces, you can serve smoked turkey any night of the week or reserve it for a showstopping holiday spread. Experiment with your family’s favorites as well as some new recipes to find winning combinations.