Turkey takes center stage on the Thanksgiving table, but everyone knows the sides and desserts make the meal. From creamy mashed potatoes to cornbread stuffing, these classic Thanksgiving side dishes have you covered. Bonus: many of these recipes are make-ahead, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your friends and family on the big day.
Turkey is a classic centerpiece for many holiday meals and family gatherings. Whether you’re roasting a whole turkey or just cooking turkey breasts or thighs, you’ll want some tasty sides to round out the meal. The good news is that turkey goes great with a wide variety of side dishes.
In this article, I’ll recommend 12 of my favorite side dishes to serve with turkey. I’ll include classic Thanksgiving favorites as well as fresh, innovative ideas. There’s something here to appeal to every palate!
Classic Thanksgiving Sides for Turkey
Some side dishes have become turkey day traditions for good reason! They perfectly complement the flavor of the turkey and make your meal feel special, Here are 4 classics to consider
1. Mashed Potatoes
Creamy buttery mashed potatoes are one of the ultimate comfort foods. They’re soft smooth, and irresistible. Mashed potatoes make a hearty, satisfying side to soak up the turkey gravy. For extra richness, use heavy cream and cream cheese in your mashed potatoes.
2. Stuffing or Dressing
Stuffing baked inside the turkey gets all those delicious pan juices. Or you can bake it separately in a casserole dish for even browning and texture. Aromatic ingredients like onion, celery, sage, thyme, and broth give stuffing amazing flavor. Add sausage, mushrooms, or nuts for even more variety.
3. Green Bean Casserole
The combination of tender green beans, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions is hard to beat. This Thanksgiving staple adds great color to your plate. Make it ahead or use frozen green beans to cut down on prep time.
4. Cranberry Sauce
Bright red cranberry sauce adds a tangy sweet-tart flavor that perfectly balances the savory turkey. And it couldn’t get easier – cook fresh cranberries with sugar and orange until thickened. Let it keep its molded shape or stir it up before serving.
Fresh Takes on Turkey Sides
While traditional sides are great, switching up your menu can keep holidays feeling new and exciting. Here are 8 fresh ideas to serve with turkey:
5. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting caramelizes vegetables for incredible depth of flavor. Try roasting Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips, butternut squash, or cauliflower florets tossed in olive oil. You can roast them with minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, or lemon slices.
6. Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
Sweet potatoes become irresistible when roasted – the natural sugars caramelize for amazing flavor. Toss wedges in oil, salt, pepper, and spices like cinnamon or cumin. Roast at high heat until browned and tender.
7. Autumn Salad
Add crispness with an autumn-themed salad using ingredients like apples, cranberries, pecans, beets, and pomegranate arils. Top it with a tangy vinaigrette or apple cider dressing. Or go for a spinach or kale salad topped with roasted squash.
8. Quinoa Pilaf
For a nutty, protein-packed side, make quinoa cooked in broth with sautéed onions, parsley, cranberries, and toasted pecans. You can use quinoa in place of rice for a more nutritious option.
9. Mac and Cheese
Baked macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food with its gooey cheese sauce and toasted breadcrumb topping. Add grilled chicken, bacon, or butternut squash to the mac and cheese for more savory flavor.
10. Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower gets caramelized and sweet when roasted. Toss florets with olive oil, garlic, and spices like cumin or paprika. The charred edges add great texture.
11. Honey Glazed Carrots
For a pop of color, roast carrot sticks or coins tossed in olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. The honey glaze gives them a lovely sheen and balanced sweetness.
12. Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
For a low carb, vegetable-packed side, pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor then heat in a pan with cream and garlic. The texture mimics mashed potatoes beautifully.
Complement Your Turkey with Delicious Sides
From comforting classics to fresh new sides, you have lots of excellent options for rounding out your turkey dinner. Think about mixing traditional and innovative sides to please all your guests. And don’t forget the gravy! With mouthwatering sides and family by your side, you’re sure to have a memorable holiday meal.
24 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
These mashed potatoes are a must on Thanksgiving! Not only are they ultra-creamy and comforting but they can also be prepared up to 2 days in advance and reheated in the microwave—a bonus over the holidays when space in the oven and on the stove is at a premium. Get the recipe.
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without stuffing, and this version is my all-time most requested. The recipe is a cinch to make because it uses store-bought stuffing cubes, and the addition of sausage adds a ton of flavor without the need for a lot of other seasonings. Get the recipe.
A gratin is a delicious way to turn vegetables into true comfort food. Using heavy cream in place of a béchamel sauce keeps the sauce simple, making the dish perfect for the busy holidays. Get the recipe.
Cranberry sauce is the perfect accompaniment to roast turkey, and homemade is so much more delicious than the canned variety. The addition of orange zest and juice make this version a bit more special for the holidays. Get the recipe.
If ever there were a dish worthy of a special occasion, it would be potatoes au gratin. Made with layers of potatoes, heavy cream, and Parmigianno-Reggiano, it is ultra-rich and worth every single calorie. Get the recipe.
This easy steakhouse-style creamed spinach dish is the perfect rich side dish to lean roast turkey. Made with frozen spinach, it is quick, easy, and make-ahead. Get the recipe.
Enriched with eggs, challah cubes make a deliciously rich base for stuffing. This version is crispy on top and chockfull of buttery, earthy wild mushrooms. Get the recipe.
Are you accustomed to marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes on Thanksgiving? Try this version with a crunchy brown sugar-pecan streusel and you’ll never look back! Get the recipe.
Roasted Brussels sprouts are delicious all on their own, but tossing them with a bit of honey and balsamic vinegar after pulling them out of the oven takes them to the next level. Consider yourself warned — these are hard to stop eating straight from the pan! Get the recipe.
These buttermilk biscuits are flaky, buttery, and rich, and have a beautiful golden exterior. Bonus: you can prepare them ahead and bake them right before serving. Get the recipe.
Over the holidays, you can usually find haricots verts, or French green beans, trimmed and ready to cook. Sautéed with shallots, these elegant beans pair nicely with anything from roast turkey, to seared salmon, to grilled steak. Get the recipe.
A close cousin to cornbread, spoon bread is creamy, rich, and – you guessed it – eaten with a spoon. While delicious in the summer made with fresh corn, it’s equally good as a Thanksgiving side dish made with frozen corn. Get the recipe.
Ordinary cooked carrots aren’t very exciting, but roasted carrots are a whole different story. Not only do they take on a delicious caramelized flavor, but they’re also super simple to make and will add lovely color to your Thanksgiving table. Get the recipe.
Rich and creamy mashed potatoes baked in crispy, salty potato skins, twice-baked potatoes make any meal feel like a celebration. Bonus: you can make them mostly ahead of time and even freeze them. Get the recipe
If you like traditional cranberry sauce, you’ll love this tart-sweet relish made with cranberries, orange zest, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and pecans. Get the recipe.
If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, this healthy cauliflower purée is the ticket. It’s so comforting and creamy, you won’t even miss the potatoes! Get the recipe.
Warm cornbread muffins are always a welcome addition to the Thanksgiving bread basket. You can whip up the batter for these muffins in no time, and they bake in just 20 minutes. Get the recipe.
This savory and sweet Brussels sprout salad is best made ahead of time, making it the perfect room temperature side dish for a holiday buffet. And leftovers pair perfectly with turkey sandwiches! Get the recipe.
This traditional cornbread and sausage stuffing has the consistency of spoon bread and golden, crispy top. The cornbread is homemade, so it takes a bit more time than traditional stuffing, but the recipe can be done in steps and is 100% worth the extra effort. Get the recipe.
The epitome of comfort food, this mac and cheese is extra creamy topped with crispy herb-flecked panko. The recipe is inspired by the macaroni and cheese served at Maple Ave, a restaurant in Vienna, VA. Get the recipe.
Need an impressive vegetable dish to bring to a holiday party? This is the one! With blistered and caramelized string beans, chunks of mellow garlic, nutty Parmesan cheese, and crunchy pine nuts, it beats the traditional green bean casserole any day. Get the recipe.
Made with pumpkin purée, these hearty cornbread muffins are healthier than traditional cornbread but just as delicious. The pumpkin gives the muffins a gorgeous golden-brown color and sweet earthy flavor. Get the recipe.
This salad is a Thanksgiving potluck standout! Make-ahead and portable, it offers a refreshing change from richer, carb-heavy side dishes. Plus, it’s great as leftovers—just toss in some chopped roast turkey. Get the recipe
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FAQ
What is usually served with turkey?
What pairs best with turkey?
What is a popular accompaniment for turkey?
What goes well with turkey meat?
Turkey pairs well with: Sweet flavors – ingredients like brown sugar, maple, cranberries, pomegranates, and apples perfectly complements turkey meat’s richness. Fall flavors – turkey meat’s strong flavors can stand up to warm, cozy spices like ginger, cayenne, cardamom, and cinnamon.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
What to serve with turkey dinner?
When considering what to serve alongside your turkey dinner, this salad is a fantastic choice that will surely impress your guests. Apple Walnut Pairing: The natural sweetness of the apples complements the nutty flavor of the walnuts, creating a delicious and satisfying combination.
What goes well with turkey stuffing?
When it comes to serving options for stuffing, there are plenty of delicious side dishes that can complement a turkey dinner. Classic choices like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables all pair perfectly with the rich flavors of the main dish, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.