What Goes With Smoked Turkey? 25 Complementary Side Dishes

Smoked turkey is a delicious and savory centerpiece for any meal but what sides do you serve it with? The smoky rich flavor of the turkey calls for sides that add color, brightness, and contrasting textures. With the right sides, smoked turkey can shine whether it’s the holiday centerpiece or a weeknight dinner.

When selecting sides for smoked turkey, aim for a mix of sweet and savory, crunchy and creamy. Play up the smoky flavor with charred veggies or baked beans. Brighten with produce-packed salads and fruit sauces. Comforting starches like mashed potatoes and stuffing soak up the turkey juices indulgently.

Here are 25 of the best side dishes to serve with smoked turkey

Sweet Sides

Smoked turkey’s richness pairs wonderfully with slightly sweet sides, The sweetness cuts through the smoky flavor and prevents the meal from feeling too heavy

• Honey glazed carrots – Roasting rainbow carrots and glazing with honey butter caramelizes their natural sugars. The sweetness balances the turkey.

• Roasted delicata squash – Delicata squash develops a sweet, nutty flavor when roasted. Tossing the rounds with brown butter adds even more richness.

• Pear, walnut, and blue cheese salad – The juicy sweetness of pears, toasted walnuts, and tangy blue cheese makes a refreshing salad.

• Cranberry sauce – You can’t beat the classic tangy-sweet cranberry sauce with orange and spices as a turkey pairing.

• Apple pecan slaw – Thinly sliced apples, pecans, and shredded cabbage in a sweet cider dressing offers crunch.

• Sweet potato casserole – For a touch of holiday flair, marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole provides a hint of sweetness.

Savory Sides

While you need some sweetness, more savory sides help complement the turkey’s smoky richness. Hearty starches, veggies, and bean dishes work well.

• Creamed spinach – Silky spinach blended with cream and spices enhances the smoky turkey flavor. Add nutmeg and garlic.

• Cornbread stuffing – Savory cornbread stuffing made with veggies, broth, and spices soaks up the turkey juices.

• Scalloped potatoes – Sliced potatoes baked in a creamy cheese sauce offer indulgent richness to match the turkey.

• Roasted Brussels sprouts – Brussels sprouts roasted with garlic, olive oil, and salt develop a delicious charred flavor.

• Baked beans – Smoky, sweet baked beans provide smokiness and flavor to mirror the turkey.

• Wild rice pilaf – Chewy wild rice with cranberries and pecans offers contrasting flavors and textures.

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

• Sauteed green beans with shallots – Quick-sauteed green beans with lightly caramelized shallots taste fresh yet complex.

• Acorn squash – Baked acorn squash halves turn velvety soft and sweet to complement the turkey.

Comforting Starches

Don’t forget the indulgent starches that soak up those delicious turkey juices. Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a must.

• Mashed potatoes – Creamy mashed russet or Yukon gold potatoes are the perfect blank canvas for turkey flavor and gravy.

• Potato gratin – Sliced potatoes baked in creamy cheese custard offer indulgence.

• Scalloped potatoes – As mentioned above, potatoes baked in creamy cheese sauce pair beautifully.

• Wild rice pilaf – Chewy wild rice with cranberries and pecans provides substance.

• Cornbread – Moist, fluffy cornbread soaks up turkey juices and gravy deliciously.

• Spoon bread – For something unique, baked spoon bread has a texture similar to cornbread but enriched with cottage cheese.

• Macaroni and cheese – Another indulgent classic, cheesy baked macaroni rounds out the meal.

• Creamy polenta – Cooked porridge-style polenta makes a nice change from potatoes.

Fresh Salads

Don’t overlook fresh vegetable salads to add nutrition, color, and crunch. Bright citrus dressings cut the turkey richness.

• Pear, walnut, and blue cheese salad – Mixed greens with juicy pears, crunchy toasted walnuts, and tangy blue cheese.

• Cranberry walnut salad – Bitter greens, dried cranberries, walnuts, and a vinaigrette.

• Kale and Brussels sprouts salad – Shredded kale and Brussels sprouts with toasted pecans and maple dressing.

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

• Greek salad – Chopped romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese with lemon vinaigrette.

Cozy Breads

Warm, crusty bread and rolls for soaking up gravy and turkey juices complete the feast.

• Cloverleaf rolls – Fluffy, soft yeast rolls for sopping up rich gravy and sauces.

• Cornbread – Slightly crumbly, savory cornbread made with cornmeal and baked to golden brown.

• Cranberry pecan cornbread – Cornbread spiced up with orange, cranberries, and toasted pecans.

• Potato rolls – Ultra-soft and fluffy yeast rolls perfect for sandwiches or sopping up gravy.

• Parker House rolls – Another type of soft, pillowy yeast roll that’s easy to make.

With choices of sweet and savory, rich and fresh, you can design an incredible feast around smoked turkey. Mix and match classic and unique sides for a memorable meal any time of year. Just add smoked turkey as the crowning touch.