Enhance your smoked turkey legs with perfect side dishes. Consider creamy, rich smoked mac and cheese, or nutrient-packed Southern style collard greens seasoned with onions, garlic, and vinegar. Smoked garlic bread, aromatic with garlic, butter, and herbs, adds excellent flavor. For a touch of sweetness, try a sweet potato casserole, topped with pecans or marshmallows. Smoked asparagus, with its balance of nutrition and taste, makes a healthy choice. Other great sides include Brussel sprouts, grilled zucchini, roasted beet salad, and crunchy coleslaw. Explore further to discover even more delightful pairings for your meal.
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Smoked mac and cheese, with its creamy texture and rich, smoky flavor, is an ideal complement to smoked turkey legs.
This indulgent side dish features tender macaroni coated in a luscious cheese sauce, enhanced by smoky elements like bacon or smoked cheese.
Perfect for barbecues, it pairs harmoniously with the deep flavors of smoked turkey, making it a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Southern Style Collard Greens
Southern style collard greens are a staple in traditional Southern cuisine. They provide a nutrient-rich and flavorful side dish that perfectly complements the robust taste of smoked turkey legs. Cooked low and slow with smoked meat, these greens are seasoned with onions, garlic, and vinegar.
Their savory, earthy taste and tender texture make them an excellent choice among side dishes for smoked turkey legs.
Smoked Garlic Bread
Garlic bread takes on a delicious new dimension when infused with smoky undertones, making it an ideal accompaniment to smoked turkey legs.
Smoked garlic bread is both flavorful and aromatic, enhancing the meal's overall experience.
By grilling or smoking regular garlic bread, you infuse it with a delightful smoky essence.
This combination of garlic, butter, and herbs creates a standout side dish for any feast.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and crunch, making it an exceptional side dish to complement smoked turkey legs.
This classic Thanksgiving side dish combines mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and cinnamon, topped with either crunchy pecans or marshmallows. Its creamy, sweet, and slightly savory flavors perfectly balance the smoky richness of smoked turkey legs, creating complementary flavors that delight the palate.
Smoked Asparagus
While sweet potato casserole offers a delightful contrast in flavors, smoked asparagus provides a complementary balance of nutrition and taste to accompany smoked turkey legs.
This delicious side dish is rich in fiber and vitamins, making it a healthy choice. Grilling or smoking asparagus enhances its natural flavors, adding a charred taste.
Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice for a perfect pairing.
Red Beans and Rice
A classic Creole dish, red beans and rice brings a hearty and flavorful complement to smoked turkey legs, enriching the meal with its robust seasonings and creamy texture.
This side dish features red beans cooked with onions, bell peppers, and Cajun spices served over rice, offering a satisfying and comforting element.
The slow-cooked beans absorb rich flavors, making them a perfect partner for smoked turkey legs.
Smoked Mashed Potatoes
Smoked mashed potatoes offer a sophisticated and flavorful twist on the traditional side dish, infusing a smoky aroma and taste that perfectly complements smoked turkey legs.
This delicious side dish enhances the meal with its rich, creamy texture and depth.
Versatile and customizable, smoked mashed potatoes can be paired with various ingredients, making it an excellent addition from mashed potatoes to cornbread.
Smoked Corn Bread
Infusing traditional cornbread with a smoky flavor results in a side dish that harmonizes exquisitely with the robust taste of smoked turkey legs.
Smoked cornbread offers a crispy exterior and moist interior, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Adding ingredients like bacon, jalapeños, or cheese can further elevate its flavor profile, creating a delightful pairing with the rich flavors of smoked turkey legs.
Smoked Carrots
Elevating the natural sweetness of carrots through the smoking process creates a side dish that complements the rich flavors of smoked turkey legs.
Smoked carrots are a healthy side dish option, rich in vitamins and minerals. The smoking process enhances their natural sweetness and smoky flavor profile, making them a delightful addition to your meal and one of the best side dishes to serve with smoked turkey.
Smoked Broccoli
Complementing the natural sweetness of smoked carrots, broccoli takes on a new dimension when roasted in a smoker, offering a smoky char that enhances its inherent flavors.
Smoked broccoli as a side dish is both a healthy option and a delight for the palate. Its smoky flavor, slight sweetness, and crisp texture make it an excellent pairing for smoked turkey legs.
Cheesy Potatoes
Cheesy potatoes offer a rich and satisfying side dish that pairs wonderfully with the robust smoky flavor of turkey legs.
When you serve cheesy potatoes, the creamy layers, often made with cheddar cheese, bring a delightful contrast to the smokiness.
These side dishes can be customized with ingredients like bacon or herbs.
Whether creamy or crispy, they're always a crowd-pleaser.
Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts, when roasted to perfection, offer a nutritious and flavorful side dish that contrasts beautifully with the smoky depth of smoked turkey legs.
Roasting enhances their natural sweetness, while a balsamic glaze or crispy bacon adds a delightful savory element.
Seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, these nutrient-dense vegetables become a versatile and delicious addition to any meal.
Grilled Zucchini
Grilled zucchini, with its crisp texture and subtle flavor, serves as an excellent accompaniment to the rich, smoky profile of smoked turkey legs.
This side dish, seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, not only enhances the turkey but also adds a revitalizing element to the meal.
Rich in vitamins A and C, grilled zucchini is both a delicious and nutritious choice.
Roasted Beet Salad
Roasted beet salad, with its vibrant colors and robust flavors, offers a delightful contrast to the smoky richness of smoked turkey legs.
This smoked turkey side features tender roasted beets, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy walnuts, all enhanced by a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
The caramelized sweetness of the beets and the creamy texture of the goat cheese make this salad a standout among side dishes.
Can the Same Side Dishes Be Served with both Smoked Turkey Legs and Smoked Duck Breast?
Yes, the best side dishes for smoked duck can also be served with smoked turkey legs. Classic options like roasted root vegetables, wild rice pilaf, and a crisp green salad complement both dishes perfectly. The savory and rich flavors of the meats are enhanced by these flavorful accompaniments.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw, with its crisp texture and zesty dressing, offers a revitalizing counterbalance to the smoky depth of smoked turkey legs. Made with shredded cabbage and carrots, and dressed in a creamy dressing, coleslaw adds a crunchy texture and tangy flavor.
Customize it with apples, raisins, or nuts for extra sweetness. This side dish can be prepared ahead, allowing flavors to meld beautifully.