This list of delicious sides gives you some great ideas for what to serve with smoked turkey. These recipes work whether you’ve got a smoked turkey leg, a smoked turkey breast, or a whole bird. From green beans to mashed potatoes to cornbread, you can’t go wrong with any of these side dishes.
Smoking turkey is a great way to cook your holiday bird, but what about side dishes for smoked turkey? This list has you covered with over 20 great options, ranging from appetizers to traditional sides, all the way to desserts.
This list has some traditional Thanksgiving recipes, some takes on conventional classics, and some healthier options too. All of them are gluten free, several of them are dairy free (or can be made so easily), and a couple are even low carb. But all of them are truly delicious recipes your family will love. I have made side dishes on this list time and time again and they are indeed crowd pleasers.
And don’t forget you can do great things with leftovers too! I like to make leftover mashed potato pancakes and use my cranberry sauce to make orange cranberry muffins. And there are lots of ways to repurpose leftover turkey too (like my turkey and rice soup).
Turkey legs are a classic main dish for holidays and gatherings Their rich, savory flavor and tender meat make them a crowd-pleasing option. But when it comes to side dishes, what goes best with turkey legs? There are many tasty sides that perfectly complement the hearty turkey leg I’ve compiled a list of over 30 delicious ideas to give you inspiration for your next turkey leg meal. Whether you want traditional pairings or something new, there’s sure to be a side dish that will have your guests raving.
Traditional Pairings
Some classic sides have stood the test of time as perfect partners for turkey legs These familiar dishes add comfort and balance to the meal.
Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes are one of the most popular turkey leg accompaniments. Their smooth buttery flavor and velvety texture offset the richness of the turkey beautifully. For an extra decadent twist stir in sour cream, cheese, or roasted garlic.
Stuffing or Dressing
What’s a turkey dinner without stuffing or dressing? These bread-based sides soak up the turkey juices and offer the perfect bit of crunch. Opt for cornbread, sourdough, or classic bread cubes as your base.
Gravy
A flavorful gravy ties everything together. Turkey leg gravy is rich and savory, enveloping the meal in mouthwatering flavor. Make it ahead from turkey drippings or whip up an easy stove-top version.
Green Bean Casserole
The classic green bean casserole with creamy mushroom soup and crispy fried onions is a staple for good reason. It adds comfort and vegetal balance to the plate.
Cranberry Sauce
Tart cranberry sauce cuts through the hearty flavors of the meal. Homemade is simple to prepare and packs a delicious punch of sweet-tart flavor.
Creative Pairings
Looking to shake up your turkey leg dinner? Try one of these creative sides that offer something deliciously different.
Loaded Baked Potato
A baked potato bar lets guests customize their spuds. Toppings like bacon, cheese, sour cream, and green onions transform the potato into a hearty, crave-worthy side.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
For next-level creamy potatoes, scalloped potatoes are irresistible. Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with cream and cheese then baked until tender and bubbling.
Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, complementing turkey legs’ hearty flavor. Make it extra decadent with mixed cheeses and crispy breadcrumb topping.
Honey-Glazed Carrots
Sweet, tender glazed carrots balance the turkey’s richness. Honey, brown sugar, and butter create a glistening sweet-savory coating.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts roasted until crispy and caramelized make a fresh-tasting, colorful side. Toss them with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Creamed Spinach
Silky creamed spinach provides a delightful creaminess and pop of green. Sautéed spinach is blended with a velvety cream sauce for a comforting pairing.
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
For a lower-carb alternative, mashed cauliflower gives a similar creaminess to mashed potatoes. Garlic, cheese, and butter pack it with flavor.
Skillet Cornbread
Warm cornbread is the perfect vehicle for soaking up turkey juices. Bake a skillet version for delicious crispy edges contrasting the moist, sweet interior.
Blooming Onion
A deep-fried blooming onion is a fun, tasty side. The crispy fried layers pair wonderfully with turkey legs for contrasting textures.
Coleslaw
Cool, crunchy coleslaw provides bright, tangy flavor next to the savory turkey. It adds refreshing crispness and works with creamy or vinaigrette-dressed versions.
Simple Vegetable Sides
Don’t overlook simple roasted, sautéed, or steamed vegetables. These easy veggie sides offer bright flavors and colors.
- Roasted beets
- Sautéed green beans
- Glazed carrots
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Creamed spinach
- Roasted acorn squash
- Steamed asparagus
- Skillet corn
Potatoes, Potatoes, Potatoes
You really can’t go wrong with potatoes as a turkey leg side. Here are more easy potato preparations that work wonderfully.
- Rosemary roasted potatoes
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Scalloped potatoes
- Cheesy potatoes au gratin
- Loaded baked potatoes
- Crispy roasted potato wedges
- Twice-baked potatoes
- Potato salad with dill
- Hasselback potatoes
Salads and Slaws
Bright, fresh salads balance the hearty turkey leg meal. These salad ideas add color, crunch, and acidity.
- Kale and apple salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Greek salad with feta, olives, tomatoes
- Cranberry pecan spinach salad
- Broccoli slaw with cranberries and poppyseed dressing
- Sweet and tangy coleslaw
- Waldorf salad with apples, celery, walnuts
- Tomato, mozzarella, and basil salad
- Mixed green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
Satisfying Whole Grains
Nutty, chewy grains make substantial sides for soaking up flavorful juices.
- Quinoa salad with herbs
- Brown rice pilaf with pecans
- Bulgur wheat with mushrooms
- Farro with roasted vegetables
- Baked polenta with parmesan
- Herbed wild rice
- Warm farro and kale salad
With so many options like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, salads, and more, you’re sure to find the perfect combinations to make your turkey leg meal amazing. Get creative and come up with your own signature sides to pair with juicy, delicious turkey legs.
What wine goes good with smoked turkey?
For a red wine, a Pinot Noir is a great choice. It’s relatively mild and won’t overwhelm the smoky flavor of the meat. We love Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Some of our favorite Pinots are from Elk Cove, Erath, Domain Drouhin, and Beaux Freres.
For a white wine, try a dry Reisling. We like ones that aren’t bone dry but have a little juiciness to them. Some of our favorite drier Reislings are from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Lemelson, and Elk Cove.
If neither of those sounds appealing, there are other options too! For more suggestions, check out this article on wine pairings for turkey.
This Traeger smoked turkey recipe turns out so juicy and flavorful, you’ll never want to cook your turkey any other way. Check it out to see step by step photos and directions for a foolproof smoked turkey on your pellet grill or smoker.
- Start out by spatchcocking your turkey, which just means you’re removing the backbone. It will help your turkey cook faster and more evenly and is truly not difficult to do.
- Next you want to dry brine your turkey. This will lock in the flavor and moisture. You will need to do this at least 24 hours ahead of when you want to cook it, so work that into your schedule.
- The only other seasoning you need is an herb butter made with fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage.
- The ideal smoking temperature for the best smoked turkey is 250 degrees F. This will deliver great smoky flavor while still cooking it in a timely manner.
- When smoking, you want to check the internal temp of the turkey in multiple spots before you take it off Traeger to make sure all of the meat is cooked. We use our Thermapen meat thermometer (affiliate link) to do this as it gives a fast and highly accurate reading so we’re not losing as much heat with the lid of our Traeger open. If you need help doing this, check out this post I wrote about how to use a meat thermometer.
- Once you’ve carved up the turkey, use the carcass to make turkey stock! It’s easy and the broth comes out so tasty.
Is it better to smoke a turkey fast or slow?
If you want the smoky flavor, it’s better to smoke your turkey slow. If you want to cook your bird more quickly, you can smoke it at a higher temperature. I have done both and both ways taste great.
Ree Drummond’s County Fair Turkey Legs with BBQ Sauce | The Pioneer Woman | Food Network
FAQ
What food goes well with turkey legs?
- 1) Bay roasted smashed potatoes. …
- 2) Green bean and goats cheese salad. …
- 3) Brussels sprouts and speck gratin. …
- 4) Couscous salad. …
- 5) Rocket coleslaw. …
- 6) Sweet potato and chive damper. …
- 7) Honey macadamia stuffing. …
- 8) Pork stuffing.
What does turkey pair well with?
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Cranberry sauceThe tartness of cranberries complements the blander taste of turkey. -
Mashed potatoesA classic side dish that pairs well with turkey.
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Green beansYou can try green beans with bacon and brown sugar for a flavorful side.
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Sweet potato casseroleA crowd-pleaser that contrasts well with crispy turkey skin.
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Cornbread stuffingA Thanksgiving staple that can be made with sausage.
What is a good side dish for turkey dinner?
On Turkey Day that means tried-and-true classics (like green bean casserole, Thanksgiving stuffing and sweet-tart cranberry sauce), a cornucopia of vegetable side dishes like corn, carrots and green beans—and, of course, all the oh-so-hearty-and-satisfying side dishes starring potatoes and sweet potatoes.
What is traditionally served with turkey?
- A classic accompaniment to turkey that adds moisture and flavor