Thanksgiving is a big holiday known for family gatherings, spending quality time with loved ones, and feasting on delicious food. This year it falls on November 25th, which is right around the corner! Whether you’re hosting a large family dinner, having a potluck dinner, or eating solo, Thanksgiving would not be complete without a number of traditional dishes.
Below, we listed 5 ideas for classic sides and dishes you could make this year that will not disappoint and will leave everyone at the dinner table feeling satisfied:
- Roasted Turkey: this is customarily the main showstopping dish of every Thanksgiving feast. Roasted turkey usually requires the most preparation and takes the longest to cook, however it’s worth it. The best-tasting turkeys are moist and well-seasoned. We recommend seasoning yours liberally with herbs such as thyme, sage, rosemary, and parsley. To cook your turkey to perfection and avoid drying it out, use a meat thermometer to monitor the temperature and be careful not to overcook it.
- Stuffing: stuffing is a rich and savory fan-favorite with a crispy outer layer and moist center. Traditional stuffing is usually made with lots of butter, onion, dried herbs, and bread cubes. Other variations of this recipe include the addition of nuts, cranberries, celery, meat, and more. You can either choose to fill your turkey with stuffing, or to serve the stuffing on its own as a side dish.
- Cornbread Dressing: this is a side dish similar to stuffing, but is cooked separately (instead of inside the turkey.) It’s a crunchy, yet tender Southern classic filled with cornbread, butter, sage, and sausage or vegetables. There are many different variations of homemade recipes for this dish and you could personalize it with your own flair to cook it to your liking.
- Garlic Butter Mashed Potatoes: mashed potatoes are another favorite for Thanksgiving. This creamy side dish is rich in flavor and is easy to make. A great tip is to roast your whole head of garlic first until it’s brown and tender before adding it along with your other ingredients to your mashed potatoes to get the most flavor out of it.
- Sweet Potato Casserole: this dessert-like side dish is a great balance of sweet and savory flavors; it has a sweet and crunchy topping with a smooth and creamy sweet potato filling. Top it off with chopped pecans and mini marshmallows and bake until they’re golden brown and toasty for a delicious treat.