Here are 12 vegetarian side dishes that you can serve with any meal, whether it’s a healthy family meal or a holiday meal.
Like a lot of confirmed vegetable lovers, I am all about the side dishes. In fact, stuff the turkey – give me ALL the sides!.
Turkey is a classic centerpiece for many holiday meals and family gatherings While the turkey itself is undeniably delicious, the vegetable side dishes are what truly elevate the meal to the next level Choosing complementary vegetables to serve alongside the turkey can accentuate flavors and textures to make for a more memorable feast. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best vegetable pairings for turkey and provide tips to cook them to perfection.
Why Vegetables Matter with Turkey
Turkey has a mild, versatile flavor that pairs well with a wide variety of vegetables. The vegetables add beautiful pops of color, contrasting textures, and complementary flavors Hearty roasted and mashed vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and winter squash balance out the turkey’s richness Brighter green vegetables like Brussels sprouts, green beans, and asparagus add freshness. And roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beets add natural sweetness.
Choosing seasonal vegetables to serve with turkey not only improves the flavor, but can also reduce the cost of your holiday spread. Taking advantage of ripe, readily available produce helps make the meal extra special.
The Best Vegetables to Pair with Turkey
Potatoes
Mashed, roasted, or scalloped potatoes are a no-brainer pairing with turkey Their creaminess and ability to soak up all the tasty pan juices balances the turkey’s textures perfectly. For extra flavor, use chicken or turkey stock instead of milk when mashing
Sweet Potatoes
Honey-glazed sweet potatoes or a sweet potato casserole with toasted marshmallows on top are quintessential holiday sides. Roasted cubed sweet potatoes tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme also pair nicely with turkey. Their natural sweetness contrasts the turkey’s savory flavor.
Winter Squash
Hearty varieties like butternut squash and acorn squash work great when roasted or pureed into soups. The mild sweetness and smooth texture complement turkey. Simply roast cubed squash tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper.
Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels sprouts caramelize and become sweet and crispy. Toss halved sprouts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic before roasting. Sprinkle crispy bacon bits or toasted nuts on top for texture.
Carrots
Glazed carrots are a fast and easy veggie side for the holidays. Cook peeled baby carrots in broth, brown sugar, honey or maple syrup to get a glistening glaze. Season with thyme or ginger for extra flavor.
Parsnips
Though they resemble white carrots, parsnips have a sweeter, nuttier flavor when roasted. Prepare them just like carrots – they pair wonderfully with savory turkey.
Green Beans
Green beans provide great color contrast on the holiday plate. Roast them with olive oil, salt and pepper or quickly steam or sauté. Garnish with slivered almonds or crispy fried shallots.
Asparagus
When in season, fresh asparagus takes the meal up a notch. Simply roast or grill it with olive oil, salt and pepper. Add lemon zest or Parmesan cheese for extra flair.
Beets
Roasting brings out beets’ natural sweetness. Toss beet wedges in olive oil, salt and pepper before roasting. Top with tangy feta or goat cheese and crunchy walnuts for balance.
Corn
When in season, grilled corn on the cob makes for fun hands-on eating. Boil or grill it and serve with flavored butter. Creamed corn works well too.
Green Beans
Green beans pair nicely with turkey whether they’re sautéed, steamed, or roasted with olive oil and seasonings. Top with toasted almonds or crispy fried shallots for crunch.
Tips for Cooking Vegetables to Pair with Turkey
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Cut vegetables to uniform sizes so they cook evenly.
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Toss veggies with oil and seasonings before roasting for maximum flavor.
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Use broth or stock instead of water when steaming for a flavor boost.
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Roast vegetables alongside or right before the turkey so they soak up all the tasty pan drippings.
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Be careful not to overcook! Vegetables should be tender but still have a bit of crispness.
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Garnish roasted veggies with fresh herbs, toasted nuts, cheese, or breadcrumbs for extra texture.
Sample Recipes
Honey Glazed Carrots
Ingredients: baby carrots, honey, butter, thyme
Instructions: Simmer carrots in broth. Stir in honey and thyme. Cook until nicely glazed.
Roasted Parsnips and Beets
Ingredients: parsnips, beets, olive oil, salt, pepper, goat cheese
Instructions: Toss vegetables in oil and seasonings. Roast. Top with crumbled goat cheese.
Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients: green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, fried onions
Instructions: Mix green beans, soup, and onions. Bake until hot and bubbly.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients: potatoes, butter, milk, garlic, chives
Instructions: Boil and mash potatoes. Mix in butter, milk and seasonings.
Make Your Turkey Feast Unforgettable
With so many options for delicious vegetable pairings, it’s easy to transform your holiday turkey into a spectacular feast. Combining classic roasted and mashed vegetables with fresh, seasonal green veggies can provide the perfect balance of flavors, colors and textures. Getting creative with seasonings and toppings for your vegetable sides will keep your holiday spread feeling festive yet comfortable. Let these vegetable pairing ideas inspire you to craft a turkey dinner your guests will rave about.
Southern Cornbread Stuffing
My childhood was full of vegetables. I have clear memories of a holiday table covered in lace that was barely visible because of a jigsaw puzzle of vegetable dishes, fried chicken, steak, and the obligatory Jello salad. But the star was always the side dishes, mainly vegetables. Most of the time, they were picked right from my grandmother’s garden (her parents were farmers), lightly cooked, and some may have been pickled earlier in the long Tennessee growing season.
I ate all of the other stuff too, including Southern Cornbread Dressing(stuffing). I remember it made by my grandmother with chicken or turkey giblets and stock – rich and savoury. There were a few vegetables in it too, but I can’t recall exactly which. Most likely just onions and celery. Possibly some bacon leftover from an earlier meal. I can still remember how soft it was, with the desired crispy bits on the sides and a savory, custardy center that poked through.
This vegan recipe, which I’ve worked on for years, is a small tribute to the warm, loving, and skilled cooking of my grandmother Mimi. Maybe not as good as hers, but it’s pretty good, and my family loves it. And no bacon grease. Also, this one-pan squash and kale stuffing with sour cherries and pecans is vegan and might be something you like. The texture is great, and the taste is savoury, slightly sweet and a bit tangy. Sub in dried cranberries if you can’t get the sour cherries.
Smoky Maple-Pecan Hasselback Butternut Squash
The trick to the perfect Hasselback Butternut Squash is to part-bake, and only then slice and flavour up. You save a lot of time and effort, as well as your fingers! To prepare ahead of time, partially roast the squash, then cut it into thin slices without cutting all the way through. Let it cool, then put it in the fridge until it’s time to serve. You can also cook it all the way through up to four hours before you eat it and then just heat it up quickly. This recipe can be tweaked all kinds of ways, introducing some bold spices, or even some tangy ones. This minimal-ingredient recipe is so easy, and looks suitably festive on the table.
Vegetable Dish to go With Turkey
FAQ
What vegetables are good for turkeys?
What is a popular accompaniment for turkey?
What is traditionally served with turkey?
What are the best vegetable side dishes for Thanksgiving?
Get recipes for our best vegetable side dishes for Thanksgiving, including potatoes, Brussels sprouts, squash, casseroles, green beans, and more.
What vegetables go well with celery?
Celery is a vegetable with several therapeutic properties and can be used in salads, soups or even eaten on its own. It can be prepared alone or accompanied by onions, nettles, parsley or cabbage.
What can I eat with turkey & stuffing?
Pair your turkey and stuffing with our Roasted Honeynut Squash or Carrot Casserole for a festive meal that you’ll want to make each year. From green bean casserole to hearty salads, everything you need for your Thanksgiving veggie sides is in this collection of highly-rated recipes.
Are fennel and celery underrated vegetables?
Fennel and celery share more than just the dubious honor of being incredibly underrated vegetables. Their snappy crunch is awesome raw, as proven by this densely textured salad recipe. Delicious Thanksgiving vegetable recipes for green beans, brussels sprouts, carrots, squash, and all your other favorites.
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.
Which vegetables are kidney friendly?
One of the main functions of rinses is to filter the blood. Therefore, taking care of food is important for the health and functioning of these organs. Some vegetable suggestions are: Brussels sprouts, kale, cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage, rich in phytochemicals that help protect against inflammation; garlic, which has allicin, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action.