Smoked turkey is popular meat that is often used as a staple in many meals. However, you cannot only have a meal of smoked turkey; you need to serve delicious side dishes to complete the meal. So, what are the best sides to smoked turkey?
Here are the best side dishes to serve with smoked turkey:
- Mac And Cheese
- Corn On The Cob
- Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
- Roast Vegetables With A Honey And Balsamic Syrup
- Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Coleslaw
- Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Broccoli salad (for those looking for a healthier option)
- Quinoa Salad
Why are these sides the best to serve with smoked turkey?
Are these sides easy to make? We will discuss all there is to know about these side dishes for smoked turkey in this article, so keep reading!
The Best Sides For Smoked Turkey
Smoked turkey is much-loved meat among many families. Smoked turkey is moist and delicious, with a lovely smoky flavor that will have your guests coming back for more.
When you have a perfectly smoked turkey, you must ensure you serve it with side dishes that will complement the flavor of the turkey and complete the meal nicely.
Finding the perfect side dishes for your smoked turkey can be challenging, but we have put together a list of the best side dishes for a smoked turkey dinner or lunch to help make your decision easier.
Let’s go through the best sides of smoked turkey to ensure your perfect meal!
1. Mac And Cheese
Mac and cheese is always a favorite for family get-togethers, and this side dish goes well with smoked turkey.
The dish is considered comfort food, making it perfect for adults and children alike, as it will remind them of home.
You can also make this dish your own by using different cheeses and adding extra ingredients like bacon, broccoli, peas, or whatever else you can think of.
Mac and cheese is also relatively easy to make, so you can prepare it 20 minutes before you want to serve the food.
This will give you all the time you need to focus on smoking your turkey, ensuring your turkey comes out of the smoker juicy and perfectly smoked.
2. Smoked Corn On The Cob
When most people think of family BBQs and get-togethers, there is one food that they always picture in the scene: corn on the cob.
This is a traditional side to many meals and can be a great addition to your meal with smoked turkey.
A great thing about corn on the cob is that you can smoke it alongside your turkey.
Place the corn on the cob in some aluminum foil, smother it in butter and your seasoning of choice and wrap the foil around the corn. Then place the corn in the smoker and leave it until it’s cooked.
3. Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
If you don’t like to sound of the previous options, then scalloped potatoes are an excellent side dish to accompany the smoked turkey.
Cooking them in your slow cooker allows all your attention to stay on the turkey, making it an easy side dish to make.
You can load all your chosen ingredients into the slow cooker and leave it to cook for a few hours without needing to watch it. These potatoes are a delicious and creamy side dish that will complement your smoked turkey well and impress your guests.
4. Roast Vegetables With A Honey And Balsamic Syrup
If you want to go healthier with your meal, then some lovely roast vegetables are the best to serve with your smoked turkey.
You can use many vegetables for this dish, including butternut, carrots, parsnip, sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and more.
You can also make a lovely syrup to go with the roasted vegetables by mixing balsamic vinegar and honey. This mixture will bring some sweetness to the dish, which will help bring out the flavors of the vegetables and complement the smoked turkey exceptionally well.
5. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a common side for many meals, which will also go well with smoked turkey. The nice thing about this side is that you can make this dish your own.
You can add butter and garlic to make it creamier and packed with flavor; you can add bacon, chives, onions, and more to ensure the potatoes are to your liking.
You can even add some turnips into the mix to make a mashed potato and turnip mixture, making the side healthier.
6. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is a must-have side dish many people will expect to have with the meal when making a smoked turkey. It is a great way to add freshness and a lovely pop of color to the meal.
You can purchase store-bought slaw or make it yourself, which is relatively easy to do.
Coleslaw will add a crunch and a fresh flavor when served and eaten with smoked turkey, which can be refreshing on a scorching day.
7. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Roast potatoes go well with almost any meal, and smoked turkey is no exception. To give your roast potatoes an extra kick of flavor, you can roast them with some fresh rosemary.
The rosemary seasoning will give the potatoes a flavor like no other, and the smell of rosemary as the potatoes cook will make your mouth water.
These potatoes are delicious and pretty easy to make. You can cook them in your oven or place them in your smoker next to your turkey about 1 hour before the smoked turkey is ready.
These potatoes will come out crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making people pile their plates high.
8. Roasted Brussel Sprouts
If you don’t want to roast a lot of vegetables, then roasting some Brussel sprouts is perfect for adding some green to your smoked turkey meal.
Roasted Brussel sprouts are a great addition to your meal, as they are easy to make and delicious.
You can customize the roasted Brussel sprouts by adding some bacon and cream with some cheese to make the meal packed with flavor.
This will help kids who usually avoid veggies get excited about eating Brussel sprouts with smoked turkey. After all, who doesn’t love bacon?
9. Roasted Broccoli or Broccoli Salad
There are hundreds of different ways to prepare broccoli. You can roast, fry, steam it, or even eat it raw in a salad. But no matter how you choose to serve broccoli, it will go great with smoked turkey.
A broccoli salad is an excellent option if you want to keep things light. This salad contains healthy ingredients and can be made ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry about preparing it at the last minute.
Broccoli salad is a great way to add color and freshness to your meal while still getting your greens in.
10. Quinoa Salad
Another healthy side dish packed with flavor is quinoa salad. This salad contains protein, fiber, and vitamins, making it a nutritious option.
This salad can be made ahead of time and served cold or at room temperature, making it a perfect side for hot or cold days.
You can add some grilled vegetables to this salad to make it even more filling.
Don’t Forget the Bread
No Thanksgiving Day dinner is complete without some bread to eat with your smoked turkey. There are many different types of bread you can choose from, so it depends on your preferences.
You could go for a classic dinner roll, some cornbread, or even some garlic bread.
No matter what type of bread you choose, it will be the perfect vessel for mopping up all that delicious gravy.
Final Word
Smoked turkey is a popular Thanksgiving tradition, but you cannot have a meal with only smoked turkey. Thankfully, you can make several side dishes with your smoked turkey to ensure the meal is complete and fills everyone’s tummies.
The side dishes in this article are the most popular side dishes for smoked turkey, so you can be sure that everyone will love them.
They are also easy to make, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the day!
Related Articles
- Why Is My Smoked Turkey So Salty?
- Can You Use A Trash Bag to Brine A Turkey?
- Wet Vs Dry Brine for Thanksgiving Turkey?
- Can You Thaw and Refreeze Smoked Turkey?
- Should I Inject My Turkey Before Smoking It?
- How to Catch Turkey Drippings In A Smoker?
- Can You Eat The Skin On Smoked Turkey?
Sources