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Home » Recipes » What To Serve With

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2024 by Angela Latimer · Leave a Comment

What To Serve With Thanksgiving Turkey

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Pin split image with text showing different recipes that can be served on Thanksgiving with turkey.

Here's what to serve with Thanksgiving turkey so you can have the best Thanksgiving dinner menu lineup possible. From easy side dishes to classic appetizers and everything in between, this will be your best Thanksgiving yet! Go ahead and choose one (or two, or three) recipes, and your family is bound to love them.

Make sure you check out my complete roundup of Thanksgiving side dishes, appetizers, and desserts to complete your meal.

Square split image showing different recipes that can be served on Thanksgiving with turkey.
Jump to:
  • 1. Thanksgiving Turkey
  • 2. Easy Stuffing
  • 3. Candied Yams
  • 4. Campbell's Green Bean Casserole
  • 5. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • 6. Classic Turkey Gravy
  • 7. Butter Herb Rhodes Rolls
  • 8. Cranberry Cider Sauce
  • 9. Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
  • 10. Antipasto Skewers
  • 11. Charcuterie Board
  • 12. French Onion Dip
  • 13. Bacon Cheddar Green Bean Casserole
  • 14. Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
  • 15. Slow Cooker Candied Yams
  • 16. Oat Rolls
  • 17. Dauphinoise Potatoes
  • 💭 Tips For Choosing What To Serve With Thanksgiving Turkey
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • What To Serve With Thanksgiving Turkey (17+ Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes)
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

Thanksgiving is easily one of my favorite holidays (tied with Christmas, of course). Getting to share a cozy meal with those I love is my definition of quality time.

I've set up tons of guides to help you navigate this special day, from the top 10 Thanksgiving recipes to buffet Thanksgiving ideas and so much more! Today, we are going over the best accompaniments to complement your perfectly cooked turkey.

Whether you're a pro at hosting Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties or giving it a try for the first time this year, you're sure to find my ultimate guide to planning Thanksgiving a help! Don't forget to safely thaw your holiday turkey early, too!

1. Thanksgiving Turkey

There's no better place to start than with the turkey itself! This Thanksgiving turkey recipe is completely foolproof and perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks!

Spreading butter under the skin adds tons of extra flavor. If you have any meat left over, use them for an amazing leftover turkey recipe!

Check out how to safely thaw your turkey in time here!

Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey
Thanksgiving roasted turkey is moist, flavorful, juicy, and perfect for being the main component of your holiday meal! This fool-proof recipe is perfect for both beginners and experienced cooks. Trust me when I say that this turkey is so delicious that your family will simply gobble it up!
Check out this recipe
Square image of Thanksgiving turkey.

2. Easy Stuffing

Is there a more perfect side dish for turkey than stuffing (or is it dressing)? This easy stuffing is a classic, but you can try tons of other Thanksgiving stuffing recipes, too!

Enjoy a unique twist with this cornbread stuffing, or add some extra protein to this sausage stuffing!

Easy Stuffing Recipe
My easy stuffing recipe is a cornerstone for Thanksgiving dinner, holiday meals, and tasty family dinners all year. Classic ingredients including celery, onion, and ready-to-use stuffing cubes are combined with tasty herbs to complement all your favorite dishes. It only takes minutes to prep this classic Thanksgiving side dish staple that the whole family loves.
A single serving of this recipe is baked in an 8x8 dish and yields 10 side servings, or 6-8 heartier portions. It's also easy to 2x or 3x this recipe for larger gatherings.
Check out this recipe
Easy stuffing with tasty herbs served in glass dish with serving spoon.

3. Candied Yams

Yams are a classic Thanksgiving side dish, and there are so many ways you can enjoy them, too! You can top them with some marshmallows for a dessert-like flavor, or leave them with some crumbled bacon for a more savory side!

Maple Candied Yams
Maple candied yams feature tasty yams or sweet potatoes tossed in warm spices, maple syrup, crumbled bacon, and chopped pecans! In just 30 minutes, you'll be sitting down to enjoy this delectable dish! Perfect for Thanksgiving, these yams will be a hit with your entire family!
Check out this recipe
Square image showing maple candied yams in a white baking dish.

4. Campbell's Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole holds a permanent spot on pretty much every Thanksgiving table. This Campbell's version uses canned green beans and only a few ingredients for an extra simple side dish.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can make it from scratch with fresh green beans! Check out my post on how to make green bean casserole for bonus tips!

Classic Campbell's Green Bean Casserole
Campbell's green bean casserole is a classic recipe that takes minimal prep work, is ready in a snap, and tastes delicious. This casserole is packed with green beans and a creamy sauce, perfect for the holidays, and then topped with crispy French fried onions. Plus, it only uses a handful of ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Close up square image of Campbell's green bean casserole in a glass baking dish.

5. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Of all the Thanksgiving potato recipes out there, mashed potatoes are easily a must-have. These potatoes are rich, creamy, and loaded with garlic flavor.

Personally, I like to dip my Thanksgiving turkey in the potatoes themselves, but they taste great strictly on the side, too.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Roasted garlic mashed potatoes are smooth and fluffy with a rich garlic flavor from incorporating oven-roasted garlic! These mashed potatoes are so creamy and rich that you won't even need gravy. They're sure to become your new go-to favorite mashed potato recipe!
Check out this recipe
Square image of roasted garlic mashed potatoes in a wooden bowl.

6. Classic Turkey Gravy

You can't enjoy Thanksgiving turkey without some homemade turkey gravy right beside it! Make sure you save the drippings from your turkey so you can whip up this savory gravy in no time!

Classic Turkey Gravy
Classic turkey gravy is made using roasted turkey drippings and slowly simmered turkey neck and giblets for a flavorful gravy! It is rich, creamy, and amazingly smooth. This super easy gravy takes just minutes to prepare and you'll be so thankful you skipped the store-bought version!
Check out this recipe
Turkey gravy being ladled out of a white dish.

7. Butter Herb Rhodes Rolls

These buttery rolls are perfect for Thanksgiving since they only need a few minutes of prep work! You can easily save tons of time, especially since you have so many other recipes to prepare!

Butter Herb Rhodes Rolls
These butter herb Rhodes rolls are soft, fluffy, and delicious dinner rolls that make a wonderful addition to any weeknight dinner! Rhodes rolls are first thawed and set out to rise, then baked with a tasty herb-infused butter. With a prep time of only 5 minutes and a short baking time, you can have pull-apart rolls ready for dinner or any holiday gathering in a jiffy!
Check out this recipe
Square image of butter herb Rhodes rolls.

8. Cranberry Cider Sauce

I can't argue that there is something special about the can-shaped store-bought cranberry sauce. However, this homemade cranberry sauce incorporates apple cider for an extra decadent condiment (or side).

Go ahead and serve this as well as the canned variety, and let your guests decide!

Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce
My apple cider cranberry sauce is the perfect blend of spiced apples, sweet sparkling apple cider, and tangy cranberries for Thanksgiving! It is tart, sweet, and full of juicy apple flavor! This easy-to-make cranberry sauce is sure to be a new family favorite for the holidays!
Check out this recipe
Wide side image of the apple cider cranberry sauce in crystal serving dish.

>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<

9. Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

These bite-sized cheese-filled mushrooms are great for any party, even Thanksgiving! They taste amazing on your plate right alongside the turkey or can be snacked on while waiting for the rest of the food to finish cooking.

They are an ideal Thanksgiving appetizer!

Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
My quick and easy cream cheese stuffed mushrooms are the perfect bite-sized appetizers for any dinner, celebration, party, or get-together. These incredible hors d'oeuvres are stuffed with cream cheese and Parmesan filling seasoned to perfection - you can't eat just one!
Check out this recipe
Closeup on the cream cheese stuffed mushrooms on baking sheet garnished with parsley.

10. Antipasto Skewers

These antipasto skewers can easily be made in advance or even at the last minute. They are the perfect appetizer for carrying around while you mingle with all of your friends and family.

You could also try an antipasto platter or even an antipasto salad!

Antipasto Skewers
Antipasto skewers feature a medley of Italian-inspired ingredients, including cured meats, cheeses, and vegetables! This popular party appetizer is also incredibly easy to make, and can be put together last minute! Mix and match your favorite savory meats, cheese, and fresh or marinated veggies!
Check out this recipe
Wide close up image of antipasto skewer appetizers.

11. Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are one of my favorite appetizers for serving a crowd because everyone can pick and choose what they want! There is no need to adjust them to everyone's individual preferences, as there is something for everyone already!

This is definitely one of the easiest Thanksgiving menu ideas.

Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is an impressive but super-easy way to feed a crowd when entertaining for holidays or any reason! It doesn't matter if you're an avid cook, a great-looking appetizer tray like this amazing assortment of meats and cheeses is surprisingly easy to assemble! Add fruit, nuts, vegetables, dips, mustard spreads, pepper jelly, marmalade, honey, pickles, olives, and more to make a charcuterie board that everyone will love!
Check out this recipe
Large square charcuterie board section.

12. French Onion Dip

As far as dips and appetizers go, French onion dip is a universally loved option. You could serve it next to some sour cream chip dip for variety or leave it all on its own.

French Onion Dip
This delicious homemade French Onion Dip requires only sour cream, dried minced onion, and seasoning to make this flavorful appetizer dip! No worries if you don't have French onion soup mix on hand! You can make this completely from scratch version and still have a delicious dip for chips, crackers, bread, and veggies!
Check out this recipe
wide angled overhead image of french onion dip in wooden bowl.

13. Bacon Cheddar Green Bean Casserole

This easy green bean casserole adds tons of bacon and cheddar cheese for the ultimate budget side dish! If you aren't into all the cheese, you can try this green bean casserole with bacon.

Bacon Cheddar Green Bean Casserole
Serve this amazing bacon cheddar green bean casserole for a tasty upgrade to the easy classic recipe that everyone is sure to love! The traditionally used cream of mushroom is enhanced with grated cheddar then topped with crisped bacon along with the fried onions - and it's so tasty!!
Check out this recipe
Bacon cheddar green bean casserole being spooned out of dish.

14. Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

If you want to mix up your Thanksgiving potato side dish from just plain mashed potatoes, give these scalloped potatoes a try! After slicing and layering the potatoes, just leave them to cook in your crockpot while you work on other things!

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
This creamy crockpot scalloped potatoes is an easy potato side dish of layered potato slices and sauce. Leave the store-bought versions in the past. Enjoy a tastier, simpler way to serve this classic dish, ensuring it's a staple at every holiday meal.
Check out this recipe
Wide image of crockpot scalloped potatoes on a plate.

15. Slow Cooker Candied Yams

While yams are a must-have for the holidays, that doesn't mean you have to put a ton of work into them! This crockpot version makes them essentially effortless without having to sacrifice any of the flavors!

Slow Cooker Candied Yams
My tasty slow cooker candied yams are the easy, sweet side dish you didn't know you were missing in your life. They can be made in your crockpot, with or without marshmallows as a topping. Plus, this simple dish is equally suited to weekday dinners as it is to Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday feasts.
Check out this recipe
Square image of slow cooker candied yams in a white serving bowl.

16. Oat Rolls

If you want a tender and flavorful made-from-scratch dinner roll, then these oat rolls are fantastic. They make a perfect Thanksgiving roll and aren't difficult to make at all.

Oat Rolls
My oat rolls are soft, tender, fluffy, and just as perfect with any weeknight family meal as they are with a Thanksgiving turkey dinner! These delicious yeast rolls have ground oats & brown sugar, making them a perfect sweet snack or an awesome side for lunch or dinner! They are easy to make and can even be prepared in advance!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of the pulled apart oat rolls on wood grain background.

17. Dauphinoise Potatoes

If you want a more elegant Thanksgiving dinner, then these rich and indulgent dauphinoise potatoes are perfect! They are thinly sliced, creamy, loaded with cheese, and use fresh thyme for the ultimate flavor boost.

Dauphinoise Potatoes (Cheesy Potatoes Gratin Dauphinoise)
Dauphinoise potatoes are simple and cheesy thin-sliced potatoes layered with cream, butter, and cheese for an incredible side dish! This easy potato dish is so elegant and beautiful, it almost looks too good to eat! The flavor is so mouthwateringly delicious, you’ll never want to make potatoes another way!
Check out this recipe
Baked dauphinoise potatoes in white oval casserole dish with fresh thyme garnish.

💭 Tips For Choosing What To Serve With Thanksgiving Turkey

The possibilities are endless when choosing what to serve with Thanksgiving turkey! Keep these things in mind to help you choose some recipes.

  1. Traditional Favorites. Include classic Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Of course, these dishes pair perfectly with turkey, but they are also traditional and popular.
  2. Bread or Rolls. Freshly baked rolls (or other varieties of bread) are always a hit at Thanksgiving.
  3. Gravy and Sauces. Gravy is a fantastic condiment for turkey.
  4. Prep Ahead. Avoid added stress on Thanksgiving morning by choosing recipes that can be made ahead of time!

These recipes are sure to be a hit with both small and large Thanksgiving gatherings. Leave a comment down below and let me know your family's favorite dishes!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe Card

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5 from 3 reviews

What To Serve With Thanksgiving Turkey (17+ Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes)

Here's what to serve with Thanksgiving turkey so you can have the best Thanksgiving dinner menu lineup possible! From easy side dishes to classic appetizers and everything in between, this will be your best Thanksgiving yet! Go ahead and choose one (or two, or three) recipes and your family is bound to love them!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 522kcal
Prep 15 minutes minutes
Cooking 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Resting Time 1 hour hour
Total Time 3 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 16 lb turkey (thawed)
  • ½ cup butter (softened, at room temperature, divided)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (peeled, halved, and quartered)
  • 1 large lemon (washed, halved, and quartered)
  • 1 large orange (washed, halved, and quartered)
  • 1 head garlic (peeled and cloves crushed)
  • ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon thyme
  • ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • 30 minutes before you begin, remove the turkey from the fridge so that it can come to room temperature. This is also a good time to take out the butter so it can soften.
  • Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place a roasting rack or tray into a large roasting pan.
  • Remove the turkey from its packaging as well as the contents of the cavity (neck, gizzards, heart, liver, and sometimes a gravy packet). Rinse both the inside and outside of your turkey and then pat it dry using paper towels.
  • Transfer it to your roasting rack and generously season the interior of the turkey with salt and pepper. Then, fill the cavity with the onion, garlic cloves, orange, and lemon.
  • In a small mixing bowl, add softened butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, and optional poultry seasoning if using. Mix until well combined.
  • Gently loosen the skin of the turkey with your fingertips and spread half of the herb butter under the skin, covering the breast and legs.
  • Tuck the wing tips under and use butcher twine to hold the legs together. Spread the remaining herb butter all over the entire outside of the turkey, including all sides.
  • Leave your turkey uncovered and place it in the preheated oven. Then, reduce the temperature of the oven to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 13 minutes per pound (with no stuffing) or 15 minutes per pound (with stuffing).
  • Remove your turkey from the oven and baste it using the drippings from the pan every 45 minutes. Keep your oven closed while you are basting the turkey so that the temperature stays steady.
  • Remove your turkey from the oven when it reaches 155-160°F (68-71°C).
  • Carefully transfer the cooked turkey to a cutting board or your serving platter, then cover loosely with aluminum foil. Save the drippings for gravy (if desired). Allow your turkey to rest for about 1 hour before carving and serving.

Notes

  • Take a look at my guide for how to safely thaw turkey for some tips and tricks!
  • Allowing your turkey to come to room temperature will help it to cook evenly and minimize shrinkage.
  • An unstuffed turkey cooks at about 13 minutes per pound. However, since the cavity is stuffed with oranges, lemons, onions, and garlic, it will take slightly longer to cook at about 15 minutes per pound.
  • Turkey should never be cooked at a temperature that is lower than 325°F (163°C) due to safety. 
  • If the presentation of your turkey is not vital, you can achieve an incredibly moist turkey breast by cooking the bird with the breast side facing down.
  • The hardest spot to get to cook evenly with your turkey is the thigh joint, to help with this don't tie the legs together, and you can even use a sharp knife to cut deeper into the joint. This will cook your turkey evenly, quickly, and perfectly.
  • To store: Remove the meat from the turkey and transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • To freeze: You can place your meat into zip-top freezer bags and freeze them for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat: Place your meat into a baking dish with some chicken broth and butter then cover with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated all the way through. 

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcal (26%) | Carbohydrates: 4g (1%) | Protein: 70g (140%) | Fat: 24g (37%) | Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 247mg (82%) | Sodium: 445mg (19%) | Potassium: 786mg (22%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 3g (3%) | Vitamin A: 388IU (8%) | Vitamin C: 11mg (13%) | Calcium: 52mg (5%) | Iron: 3mg (17%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Dinner Recipes, Main Dish, Thanksgiving Turkey
Cuisine American

Originally published November 15, 2023

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Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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