13 Easy Side Dishes To Serve With Turkey

Introduction

Roast turkey may be the centerpiece of many celebratory meals, but what truly completes the feast are the savory, colorful, and crowd-pleasing side dishes. Whether it’s a classic holiday dinner or a simple family gathering, these 13 easy side dishes will perfectly complement your turkey, offering a delicious mix of flavors, textures, and colors for any table.

Flavorful and Fuss-Free Sides For Turkey

What makes these side dishes a winner is their delightful blend of simplicity and taste. They highlight seasonal ingredients and timeless preparation methods, ensuring your turkey dinner is memorable without hours of kitchen prep. Plus, these sides bring variety—think creamy potatoes, fresh vegetables, and a sprinkle of festive sweetness.

Simple Prep, Outstanding Results

Each recipe uses common pantry staples and is designed for straightforward execution. Whether you want something indulgent and creamy, like au gratin potatoes, or something fresh and vibrant, like a herbed green bean salad, these sides come together quickly and pair effortlessly with moist, oven-roasted turkey.

13 Easy Side Dishes To Serve With Turkey

From start to finish, here’s your collection of all-star side dishes:

1. **Garlic Mashed Potatoes**
2. **Classic Sage Stuffing**
3. **Cranberry Orange Relish**
4. **Sweet Potato Casserole**
5. **Green Bean Almondine**
6. **Honey Glazed Carrots**
7. **Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon**
8. **Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower**
9. **Buttery Dinner Rolls**
10. **Maple-Balsamic Roasted Acorn Squash**
11. **Cornbread Muffins**
12. **Harvest Apple Salad**
13. **Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole**

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this complete side dish collection to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients—conveniently sorted by store section for efficient grocery runs and stress-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Boil peeled potatoes until tender; mash with warmed milk, butter, and roasted garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Classic Sage Stuffing: Sauté onions and celery, toss with bread cubes and broth, add chopped sage, and bake until golden.
3. Cranberry Orange Relish: Simmer cranberries with orange zest, juice, and sugar until saucy; chill before serving.
4. Sweet Potato Casserole: Mash cooked sweet potatoes with butter and a touch of brown sugar, bake topped with marshmallows or pecans.
5. Green Bean Almondine: Sauté green beans in olive oil, add sliced almonds, toss, and season with lemon and salt.
6. Honey Glazed Carrots: Roast sliced carrots with honey, a bit of butter, and a sprinkle of thyme until caramelized.
7. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Halve Brussels sprouts, toss with olive oil and chopped bacon, roast until crispy.
8. Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower: Toss cauliflower in olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan and roast until golden.
9. Buttery Dinner Rolls: Knead and proof yeast dough, form rolls, and bake until light and fluffy. Brush with butter.
10. Maple-Balsamic Roasted Acorn Squash: Slice squash, toss with maple syrup and balsamic, and roast until caramelized.
11. Cornbread Muffins: Mix cornmeal batter, bake in muffin tins until golden, and serve warm.
12. Harvest Apple Salad: Toss sliced apples with greens, toasted nuts, and a simple vinaigrette.
13. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole: Sauté onions, stir in cooked rice, blanched broccoli, cheese, and bake until bubbly.

Serving Suggestions for the Ultimate Turkey Dinner

Arrange two to three side dishes for intimate meals or four to five for larger gatherings, ensuring a colorful and varied display. Mix traditional favorites (like stuffing and mashed potatoes) with fresher or lighter options (like the harvest salad or green beans) for a well-rounded spread.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

Each side serves 4-6 people, and many can be lightened with simple swaps (e.g., reduced-fat milk or butter). With a variety of vegetables, grains, and flavors, you can tailor the menu to fit any dietary preferences.

13 Easy Side Dishes To Serve With Turkey (Recap)

Combining traditional comfort with fresh ideas, these 13 easy side dishes ensure your turkey dinner is exciting, balanced, and suited to every palate. They’re simple, satisfying, and guaranteed to impress.

Weekly Meal Planning

With so many side dish options, meal planning and coordinated shopping is key! Save and schedule this side dish collection to plan your holiday menu or batch-prep for the week ahead. CookifyAI consolidates your shopping list, calculates total ingredient amounts (no more duplicate purchases!), and sorts groceries by category.

Planning Benefits:

• Combines ingredient needs across multiple sides and mains
• Organizes your shopping list by produce, pantry, dairy, and bakery
• Helps you make the most of what you buy—e.g., use that bunch of sage in both stuffing and salad
• Prevents forgotten items and reduces food waste

Pro tip: Coordinate your turkey dinner by planning when to prep each side, ensuring a stress-free and delicious holiday spread. Schedule your recipes and let CookifyAI streamline your kitchen workflow.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15-25 minutes per side
Cook Time: 20-40 minutes per side
Total Time: Plan for 2 hours for a full feast (you can prep several sides at once for efficiency!)

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Pair your turkey with any combination of these easy, mouthwatering sides, and you’ll find yourself looking forward to leftovers just as much as the main event!