Who doesn’t love turkey now? Everyone is a fan of its tender, juicy texture and its spicy, salty and tangy taste. Turkey is the perfect choice for Thanksgiving dinner, especially if you’re serving a big crowd. A whole turkey serves almost 8-9 people. It is amazingly delicious, yet easy as anything to make.
But anything accompanied by a side dish becomes even more splendid. A side dish enhances the enjoyment and the fun of the whole party. It makes dinner all more lovely to eat. However, you might yourself thinking what sides to make? Sides for turkey dinner can be a bit confusing at times as one might be unable to decide what to partner with such a mouth-watering dish that pleases everyone and is also easy to prepare.
Below we have stated some of our absolute favorite side dishes for the main course like turkey. To make benefit from it, read this article till the end and get inspired with these amazing sides for turkey dinner. Bon appetite!
Sweet Potato Crisps
If you’re looking for a light-weight starter along with something crunchy, then this is the best side dish to pair with your turkey. It is versatile and can lift your mood in seconds. The ingredients it requires are as follows:
- Sweet potatoes
- Olive oil
- An oven
- Salt and black pepper
- Cabbage
- Tomato
- Cucumber
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Meanwhile, thinly slice the sweet potato. Apply olive oil all over it and sprinkle salt and pepper. You can add cabbage, tomato and cucumber before roasting or after roasting. The choice is yours.
Roast the potatoes for a good 30 minutes. Let cool at room temperature. Enjoy!
Mac and Cheese
It is undoubtedly the most common side dish and a light snack to have when all is not good. It is straightforward and compromises simple ingredients, as follows:
- A packet of macaroni
- Salt and pepper
- Water
- Milk
- Cheese
It requires a simple process. Boil the macaroni and heat milk and water. Combine all the ingredients together. Mix until properly emulsified. Let cool at room temperature. Enjoy!
Leek Stuffing and Butternut Squash
If you want something delicious with vibrancy and robust flavors in it, then you’re at the right place. The ingredients this recipe requires are as follows:
- Butternut squash
- Leeks
- Celery
- Sage
- Cranberries
- Small onions
- Herbs
- Garlic cloves
- White wine
- Rosemary
- Broth
- Bread
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Parsley
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and spread a baking sheet along with the parchment paper. Gently and nicely cube the butternut squash and toss a little amount of olive oil. Add salt and pepper. Mix well and pour onto the pan. Roast for 30 mins or until tender enough.
Set the temperature of the oven to 400 degrees and grease with olive oil, on a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium flame. Add salt, pepper, celery and leeks and cook for 8 minutes. Combine rosemary, garlic and chopped sage and mix. A bit of addition of wine and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add the bread and the broth and mix until bread is thoroughly coated. Shift it to the baking dish and pour the broth over it.
Sprinkle the sage leaves, butternut squash and pearl onions in the baking dish. Drop some olive oil and sprinkle salt and black pepper as the last retouch.
Bake for 30 minutes or until it turns golden brown. Sprinkle chopped parsley and cranberries on top. Let cool at room temperature. Enjoy!
Scalloped potatoes
I don’t remember coming across such a luscious dish ever before that is so easy and quick to make other than scalloped potatoes. All it requires is:
- Potatoes
- Butter
- Onions
- Cheese
- Milk
- An oven
It involves easy steps. Peel the potatoes and cut in thin slices. Spread the butter and cheese on each slice of potato and soak in milk for a good 3-4 minutes and top with cheese. Afterwards, place in oven and allow to bake for 15-18 minutes at 300ᵒF. Let cool at room temperature. Serve with ketchup. Enjoy!
Macaroni salad
In my opinion, this is the easiest and quickest dish to side with any course if you have macaroni on hand. It is easy because neither does it involve much effort nor does it take plenty of time. It requires simple ingredients that reside in almost everyone’s pantry and are as follows:
- A packet Elbow macaroni (or whichever you have)
- Cabbage
- Mayonnaise or cream
- Black Pepper
- Apples
- Bananas
- Salt
This side dish is as simple as it sounds. Boil the macaroni for a good 10 mins and drain it. Let cool at room temperature. Then, after a while, add it to a bowl with all the other ingredients. Mix everything up well till blended well. Keep in the refrigerator to cool. Served chill. Enjoy!
Mix Vegetable Salad
This simple recipe requires:
- Vegetables of your choice
- Sweet corns
- Salt and pepper
- Parsley
- Bacon (optional)
Cut in small slices whatever vegetable you choose. Add sweet corns and bacon (if you want to), and salt and pepper for flavor. Add all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix. Set onto a dish or plate to enhance its presentation. Serve chilled. Enjoy!
Conclusion
Turkey is delicious to eat and fun to make. It is one of the most eaten dishes, especially on thanksgiving. But it tends to become even more appetizing when paired with a side dish. If the main course is the man of the house, then sides for turkey dinner are certainly the women.
In my opinion, macaroni salad is the best option for any time and every time. I can eat it almost every day and never get bored of it. It’s this yummy.
On the other hand, we have scalloped potatoes which seem to have been dropped straight from heaven towards us. It’s a blessing, honestly. One should really try it.
FUN FACT: Devouring over turkey was not a fashion back in 1621. People were not aware of the fact that it can be eaten and hence feasted upon geese, swans and ducks on the thanksgiving dinner. Strange, no?
Have a good day ahead!
