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 beloved centerpiece for many holiday meals and gatherings. Their rich, savory flavor and tender meat make them incredibly satisfying. But when it comes to side dishes, what goes best with turkey legs to create a cohesive and delicious meal?
There are many versatile options for tasty turkey leg pairings. I’ve compiled over 30 of my favorite side dish ideas to perfectly complement the hearty turkey legs. From classic comfort foods to creative spins you’ll find the ideal match to bring out the very best flavors.
Traditional Pairings for Turkey Legs
Some traditional sides have become quintessential pairings for turkey legs over the years. These familiar fixings offer comfort, balance, and make the meal feel complete.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy mashed potatoes are hands-down one of the most popular accompaniments for turkey legs Their smooth, buttery taste and indulgent texture beautifully offset the rich meatiness of the turkey. For extra decadence, stir in sour cream, cheese, or roasted garlic
Savory Stuffing or Dressing
No turkey dinner is quite complete without a hearty stuffing or dressing on the side. These bread-based sides soak up all the delicious turkey juices and add pleasant texture contrast with their slight crunch. Bake with cornbread, sourdough, or classic bread cubes for a base.
Rich Turkey Gravy
A flavorful, savory gravy truly brings everything on the plate together. Turkey leg gravy envelops the meal in mouthwatering roasted flavor. Make it ahead using drippings or quick stove-top.
Comforting Green Bean Casserole
The tried-and-true green bean casserole with creamy mushroom soup and crispy fried onions is a staple for good reason. It contributes comfort, vegetal balance and crunchy texture to complement the turkey legs.
Tangy Cranberry Sauce
Bright, tart cranberry sauce helps cut through the heavy flavors and fats of the meal. Homemade has an amazing sweet-tart pop that factory canned can’t match.
Creative Side Dish Ideas for Turkey Legs
Looking to shake up your turkey leg dinner? Try one of these creative sides that offer something deliciously different.
Loaded Baked Potato Bar
Let guests customize their spuds with a baked potato bar. Toppings like bacon, cheese, sour cream, and green onions turn it into a hearty, crave-worthy side.
Indulgent Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
For the ultimate creamy potato dish, scalloped potatoes baked in a creamy cheese sauce are irresistible. Thin sliced potatoes layered with cheese result in tender, decadent goodness.
Classic Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is the quintessential comfort food pairer, matching the turkey legs’ heartiness. Make it extra special with mixed cheeses and crispy panko topping.
Sweet Honey-Glazed Carrots
Tender roasted carrots glazed in a glistening honey brown sugar sauce balance the savory turkey. The natural sweetness pairs perfectly.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts roasted until caramelized and crispy make a fresh, colorful side. Toss with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper for a delightful flavor.
Smooth Creamed Spinach
Silky creamed spinach provides a lovely creamy element and pop of green. Sautéed spinach blended into velvety béchamel is simple but delicious.
Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
For a lower-carb alternative, mashed cauliflower mimics mashed potatoes beautifully. Garlic, cheese and butter pack it with rich flavor.
Skillet Cornbread
Warm from-scratch cornbread is ideal for soaking up turkey leg juices. Bake in a cast iron skillet for crispy edges contrasting the soft, sweet interior.
Crispy Blooming Onion
A deep-fried blooming onion is a fun, tasty pairing. The crispy fried petals match nicely with the turkey legs’ tenderness.
Classic Coleslaw
Cool, crunchy coleslaw delivers a bright, tangy crunch to contrast the heavy turkey. Works great with creamy or vinaigrette versions.
Simple Roasted Vegetables
Don’t overlook simple roasted, sautéed or steamed veggies. These easy sides provide fresh flavor and color.
- Roasted beets
- Sautéed green beans
- Glazed carrots
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Creamed spinach
- Roasted acorn squash
- Steamed asparagus
- Skillet corn
More Potato Pairings for Turkey Legs
You really can’t go wrong rounding out the meal with potatoes. Here are even more tasty spud preparations that pair wonderfully.
- Rosemary roasted potatoes
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Rich scalloped potatoes
- Cheesy potatoes au gratin
- Loaded baked potatoes
- Crispy roasted potato wedges
- Twice-baked potatoes
- Potato salad with fresh dill
- Hasselback potatoes
Bright Salads and Slaws
Fresh, crunchy salads help balance the hearty turkey legs. These ideas add color, texture, 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 greens with balsamic vinaigrette
Satisfying Whole Grains
Nutty, chewy whole grains make hearty sides for soaking up juices.
- Quinoa salad with fresh herbs
- Brown rice pilaf with pecans
- Bulgur wheat salad with mushrooms
- Farro with roasted vegetables
- Baked polenta with parmesan
- Wild rice with herbs
- Warm farro and kale salad
Something for Everyone
Turkey legs deserve outstanding sides that bring out their best qualities. With so many options like fluffy mashed potatoes, colorful salads, roasted veggies and more, you’re sure to find the perfect combinations. Get creative and come up with signature pairings that make your turkey legs shine.
So when planning your next turkey leg dinner, refer to this list for inspiration on complementary sides. Feel free to mix and match traditional and creative fixings for a meal that looks and tastes amazing. With tender, juicy turkey legs and delicious sides, you can’t go wrong.
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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.
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. 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.
We LOVE our Thermoworks Thermapen ONE meat thermometer to quickly and easily check the internal temperatures of meats. We’ve used a Thermapen for years and they are AMAZING.Get one for yourself here (affiliate link).
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?
- Melting Potatoes.
- Roasted Butternut Squash with Onions, Spinach, and Cranberries.
- Buttermilk Cornbread.
- Parmesan Roasted Green Beans.
- Candied Sweet Potatoes.
- Lemon-Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce.
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts.
- Really Easy Bread Stuffing.
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 are good side dishes for smoked turkey?
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes. …
- Roasted Root Vegetables. …
- Cornbread Stuffing. …
- Brussels Sprouts with Bacon. …
- Cranberry Sauce With Orange Zest. …
- Wild Rice Pilaf. …
- Grilled Asparagus with Lemon. …
- Mac and Cheese.