There are so many options for side dish recipes that go with turkey it’s mind boggling! Here’s a few ideas for favorites to include on any celebration table. Here’s a list of the best vegetable recipes to serve with turkey. [feast_advanced_jump_to]
When preparing a roasted turkey, the vegetables you place underneath are almost as important as the bird itself. The right veggie choices can add beautiful flavor and color while soaking up all the savory turkey drippings. Follow this guide on the top vegetables to put under your turkey before roasting for maximum taste.
Aromatic Onions
Onions are a must for roasting under turkey. Their high moisture content allows them to soften and caramelize beautifully beneath the bird. Onions lend a lovely sweetness and richness to the pan drippings.
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Chop yellow, white, or red onions into wedges or thick slices Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper before adding to the roasting pan
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Small pearl onions can be left whole They’ll absorb flavors nicely while retaining their shape
Sweet, Nutty Carrots
Carrots are another classic choice for turkey roasting. Their natural sweetness balances the savory turkey flavors.
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Peel carrots and slice them into chunks or thick rounds. Toss in oil to coat before placing in the pan.
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As they roast, carrots develop a beautiful orange hue from their beta-carotene. This lends festive color to your turkey platter.
Hearty Potatoes
What’s turkey without potatoes? Opt for red or Yukon Gold potatoes, cutting them into halves or quarters.
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Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary before adding to the roasting pan.
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The potatoes soak up the flavorful turkey drippings as they roast, becoming ultra-rich companions to the sliced turkey meat.
Earthy Parsnips
Parsnips have a mildly sweet, nutty flavor similar to carrots. Roasting makes them wonderfully tender.
- Peel parsnips and cut into chunks or sticks. Coat with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and chopped sage or rosemary before roasting under the turkey.
Fragrant Fennel
Fresh fennel bulbs lend a crisp, licorice-like accent to roasted turkey. Their flavor mellows beautifully when roasted.
- Trim fennel stalks, cut bulbs into wedges, and toss with oil and herbs like thyme or rosemary before adding to the pan.
Crispy Celery Root
Also called celeriac, celery root roasts up extra crispy with a pleasantly earthy flavor. It contains less moisture than potatoes.
- Peel celery root, cut into chunks, coat with olive oil, and season before roasting underneath the turkey.
Sweet, Vibrant Sweet Potatoes
For color and natural sweetness, roasted sweet potato wedges are ideal. The sugars caramelize while roasting.
- Toss peeled, cut sweet potatoes with olive oil and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or sage before adding to the roasting pan.
Brussels Sprouts for Green Goodness
Trim and halve Brussels sprouts before roasting to help them cook evenly. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roasting brings out their sweet, nutty essence. They absorb the turkey flavors beautifully.
Bright Butternut Squash
Roasting concentrates butternut squash’s natural sweetness. The tender, caramelized results make a lovely turkey pairing.
- Peel, seed, and chop the squash. Toss with olive oil and herbs like sage or rosemary before roasting under the bird.
Mello w Roasted Garlic
Nestle halved garlic bulbs in with the vegetables. As they roast, the garlic becomes spreadably sweet and infuses the dish with its heady flavor.
Fresh Herbs Are Key
Chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, and marjoram add wonderful flavors to the roasted veggies. Use a few different herbs for complexity.
- Toss the chopped herbs with the prepared vegetables before placing them in the roasting pan.
Season and Roast Evenly
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Drizzle good olive oil over the vegetables and season with salt and pepper before roasting.
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Cut vegetables to a uniform size so they cook evenly along with the turkey.
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Place the veggie medley in the roasting pan first. Top with the turkey so the juices baste the vegetables.
With the right vegetables roasted underneath, your turkey will be beautifully moist, colorful, and full of flavor. Enjoy the perfect pairing!
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Why You’ll Love These Recipes
Like many of you, I love and adore side dishes more than the main course by a long shot. And while we always look forward to some traditional side dishes, we’re open to boosting our game up with some fresh recipe ideas for the celebration table.
I’ve pulled together a few favorites all in one spot:
- Roasted vegetables are always a star – you’ll see some of my very favorite recipes here.
- There’s even a potato recipe, but only because it’s a cheesy, veggie packed standout.
- You’ll find my favorite squash and sweet potato recipes here too!
Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt Sauce
Delicious made spicy or not, with a cool, creamy sauce
- Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt Sauce: You control the heat in these incredible roasted sweet potatoes, embellished with a fresh-tasting yogurt sauce.
Cauliflower is amazingly delicious when roasted…
- Roasted Cauliflower with Yogurt Sauce: This pesto-spiked yogurt sauce is a fabulous flavor with this parmesan roasted cauliflower. This is another side dish you just can’t stop eating!
How to Remove Vegetables from a Roasted Turkey
FAQ
What veggies should I put under my turkey?
… it on a roasting rack in your pan; or do what I do, and fill the bottom of your pan with a combination of the chopped apples, celery, onions, and carrots …Nov 19, 2020
Do you put anything under the turkey?
Impart rich flavor and add moisture to your Thanksgiving turkey by adding a layer of butter under the skin before roasting. Learn how to do this simple (but genius) technique for a delicious Thanksgiving turkey.
What vegetables to put in a turkey bag?
Seasonings: The turkey is simply seasoned with just salt and pepper, which allows the natural flavors to shine. Flour: Two tablespoons of flour keep the bag from bursting and help with browning. Vegetables: The turkey is roasted alongside onions and celery. For an extra pop of color, add carrots.
Why do you put vegetables inside a turkey?
As the turkey cooks, so do the veggies and herbs inside to release their flavors and imbue the turkey with taste from within. These will also keep the interior from drying out and produce richer pan drippings.
What vegetables can you put in a Turkey pan?
There are a variety of vegetables that you can put in the bottom of the turkey pan. Some good options include: * Carrots. Carrots are a classic choice for roasting with turkey. They add sweetness and color to the dish, and they hold up well to being cooked in a roasting pan. * Potatoes. Potatoes are another popular choice for roasting with turkey.
How do you cook vegetables before a Turkey?
Cut vegetables to uniform sizes so they cook evenly. Toss veggies with oil and seasonings before roasting for maximum flavor. Use broth or stock instead of water when steaming for a flavor boost. Roast vegetables alongside or right before the turkey so they soak up all the tasty pan drippings.
What vegetables are good for roasting a Turkey?
Here are some vegetable options to consider for achieving turkey roasting perfection: Onions are a classic choice for roasting under turkey. Their high moisture content allows them to soften and caramelize beautifully when cooked under the bird. Onions lend a lovely sweetness and richness to the surrounding drippings.
What vegetables should I serve with a smoked turkey?
If you’re serving a smoked turkey, you might want to choose vegetables that have a more assertive flavor, such as grilled vegetables or roasted Brussels sprouts. * Choose vegetables that are in season and fresh. Seasonal vegetables are typically more flavorful and nutritious than vegetables that are out of season.
Why do you cook a Turkey with vegetables under it?
The vegetables under the turkey will absorb the flavorful turkey juices as they roast. The moisture from the vegetables will also steam and bast the turkey from below, helping to impart savory flavor throughout the meat. Added moisture. The steam from the vegetables will help keep the turkey meat moist and tender. Aromatics.
How do you cook a turkey without vegetables?
Another approach is to roast the turkey alone without any vegetables inside or underneath it. You can cook veggies separately: Roast turkey on a rack set in a pan to allow airflow all around. Season and roast vegetables like butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, etc as side dishes.