Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday, and it’s not just about the turkey. For me, it’s the sides that make the meal unforgettable. I’ll never forget the year my Aunt Linda brought her famous sweet potato casserole, and my cousin Jake insisted on making his “secret recipe” stuffing. That’s the magic of Thanksgiving—it’s all about the little dishes that come together to create a feast. So, let’s talk turkey sides! These recipes are the unsung heroes of the holiday table, and they’re just as important as the main event. Trust me, with these classic sides, your Thanksgiving spread will be one to remember.
Why You’ll Love These Turkey Sides Thanksgiving
These sides aren’t just delicious—they’re the heart and soul of your Thanksgiving table. Here’s why they’ll become your new holiday staples:
Quick and Easy Preparation
I know how chaotic Thanksgiving morning can get! That’s why I love these sides—most come together in under 30 minutes. The sweet potatoes roast while you prep the green beans, and the mashed potatoes can be made ahead. No fancy techniques, just simple, wholesome cooking that leaves you more time to enjoy the day.
Classic Flavors Everyone Loves
There’s something magical about these traditional flavors. The creamy mashed potatoes, tart cranberry sauce, and savory stuffing—they’re like edible nostalgia. My kids go wild for the roasted sweet potatoes (especially with a pat of butter melting on top), and my husband always sneaks extra stuffing. These are the tastes that make Thanksgiving feel like home.
Ingredients for Turkey Sides Thanksgiving
Gathering the right ingredients is half the battle when it comes to perfect Thanksgiving sides. I like to divide everything into two simple categories—fresh produce and pantry staples—so you can shop efficiently and avoid last-minute panic at the grocery store.
Fresh Produce
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed (snap off those ends!)
- 1 cup sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 1 medium potato)
Pantry Staples
- 1 cup mashed potatoes (instant works in a pinch!)
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (homemade or canned—no judgment here)
- 1/2 cup stuffing (I use my grandma’s cornbread recipe)
- 1/4 cup gravy (store-bought is fine—we’ve all been there)
- 1 tsp salt (kosher salt is my go-to)
- 1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground makes all the difference)
- 2 tbsp butter (real butter only, please—it’s Thanksgiving!)
How to Make Turkey Sides Thanksgiving
Alright, let’s get cooking! The beauty of these Thanksgiving sides is how they all come together without turning your kitchen into a war zone. I’ll walk you through each step—just follow along, and you’ll have a spread worthy of a magazine cover.
Roasting the Sweet Potatoes
First things first—fire up that oven to 350°F. While it’s heating, toss your cubed sweet potatoes with a drizzle of olive oil (or melted butter if you’re feeling indulgent), plus a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread them out on a baking sheet—don’t crowd them!—and roast for about 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when you can easily pierce them with a fork and the edges get those delicious caramelized spots. The smell alone will have everyone hovering in the kitchen!
Preparing the Green Beans
About 15 minutes before your sweet potatoes are done, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in your trimmed green beans and let them cook for just 5 minutes—you want them bright green and crisp-tender, not mushy. Drain them immediately and toss with a pat of butter. My grandma always added a sprinkle of slivered almonds, and now I can’t eat them any other way!
Assembling the Sides
Now for the easy part! Warm your cranberry sauce gently in a small saucepan over low heat—stir it occasionally so it doesn’t stick. Same goes for the gravy—keep it warm but don’t let it boil. If you’re using instant mashed potatoes (hey, no shame!), whip them up according to the package directions, then stir in extra butter because… well, it’s Thanksgiving. The stuffing can go straight from the baking dish to the table—just cover it with foil to keep it cozy.
Pro tip: About 10 minutes before serving, I like to give everything a quick stir and check the seasoning. Sometimes those potatoes need another pinch of salt, or the green beans could use another knob of butter. Trust your taste buds—you’ve got this!
Tips for Perfect Turkey Sides Thanksgiving
After years of Thanksgiving kitchen chaos, I’ve learned a few tricks to keep these sides tasting amazing while saving your sanity:
- Season as you go: Taste everything before serving! Mashed potatoes always need more salt than you think, and a squeeze of lemon brightens up green beans.
- Make-ahead magic: Roast sweet potatoes the night before—just warm them while the turkey rests. Cranberry sauce actually tastes better made ahead!
- Butter is your best friend: That last-minute pat of butter on hot veggies or potatoes makes everything taste richer and more festive.
- Keep it warm: Use your oven (set to 200°F) as a holding station for finished sides while the turkey finishes cooking.
Serving Suggestions for Thanksgiving
Oh, the joy of arranging that Thanksgiving spread! Here’s how I like to serve these turkey sides for maximum wow factor: Pour that warm gravy right at the table—let everyone watch it cascade over fluffy mashed potatoes. Keep the cranberry sauce in a pretty bowl next to the turkey (the tartness cuts through all that richness perfectly). And don’t forget to tuck the roasted sweet potatoes near the stuffing—their caramelized edges play so nicely with the savory bread cubes. Pro tip? Put the butter dish within arm’s reach of the green beans. You’ll thank me later!
Storage and Reheating
Let’s be real—Thanksgiving leftovers are almost better than the main event! To keep your turkey sides tasting fresh, store them in airtight containers in the fridge. The green beans and mashed potatoes will stay good for about 3 days, while the cranberry sauce can last up to a week. When reheating, I splash a little broth or milk into the potatoes before microwaving to bring back their creaminess. For the sweet potatoes, a quick 5-minute stint in a 350°F oven revives those caramelized edges beautifully. Just don’t forget to label everything—nothing worse than mystery Thanksgiving containers!
Nutritional Information
Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on ingredients used. Each serving of these turkey sides contains approximately 250 calories, 8g fat, and 40g carbs. Enjoy in moderation!
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the years, I’ve gotten so many great questions about these Thanksgiving sides! Here are the ones that come up most often—consider this your cheat sheet for holiday success.
Can I Substitute Fresh Cranberry Sauce?
Absolutely! While I adore homemade cranberry sauce (that tart-sweet pop is everything), jarred sauce works beautifully in a pinch. My grocery store actually carries an amazing spiced cranberry sauce that I’ve used when time got away from me. Just warm it gently with a splash of orange juice to freshen it up. No one will know the difference—promise!
How Long Do Leftovers Last?
Properly stored in airtight containers, most of these turkey sides will keep for about 3 days in the fridge. The mashed potatoes and green beans are best eaten within 2 days though—they tend to get a little sad after that. Cranberry sauce? That stuff could probably outlast the turkey! It stays fresh for up to a week. Just give everything a good stir and reheat gently before serving.
Can I Make These Sides Ahead?
Oh honey, I insist you do! Thanksgiving morning is stressful enough without trying to cook everything at once. The sweet potatoes roast beautifully a day in advance—just reheat them while the turkey rests. Cranberry sauce actually improves after a night in the fridge. Even the stuffing can be assembled the night before and baked while the turkey rests. The only things I do last-minute are the mashed potatoes and green beans—they’re just better fresh!
Share Your Thanksgiving Spread
I’d love to see your Thanksgiving masterpiece! Did you add a twist to the green beans? Maybe extra garlic in the mashed potatoes? Snap a pic and share it—tag me so I can gush over your creation. Happy feasting! You can find more inspiration on Pinterest.
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5 Irresistible Turkey Sides Thanksgiving That Wow Every Guest
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A collection of classic side dishes perfect for your Thanksgiving turkey dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed
- 1 cup mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- 1 cup roasted sweet potatoes
- 1/2 cup stuffing
- 1/4 cup gravy
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Roast sweet potatoes for 30 minutes.
- Boil green beans for 5 minutes, then drain.
- Prepare mashed potatoes as per package instructions.
- Warm cranberry sauce and stuffing separately.
- Heat gravy on the stove.
- Season all sides with salt and pepper.
- Serve alongside turkey.
Notes
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prep ingredients ahead to save time.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Turkey sides, Thanksgiving, holiday recipes