Thanksgiving Sides that Steal the Show (Sorry, Turkey!)

So you’ve been put in charge of supplying a side dish for Thanksgiving. The Turkey may be the star of Thanksgiving, but at Southern Selects, the sides are always our favorite part of the meal. This year, excite your guests with new additions to your menu or impress them by adding new and unique ingredients to your recipes. Whether you’re revamping your grandmother’s stuffing recipe with leeks or experimenting with maple-glazed carrots, there’s something about elevating those supporting dishes that can turn a traditional dinner into something extraordinary.

This year, consider branching out—maybe a loaded cauliflower mash with garlic butter or a wild rice salad with pecans and cranberries. Even a simple twist like caramelized shallots in your green bean casserole can surprise and delight your guests.

Of course, no Thanksgiving is complete without a beautifully cooked turkey. While oven roasting has its charm, more hosts are discovering the unforgettable flavor that comes from cooking outdoors. Incorporating a fire pit with grill into your holiday setup not only frees up oven space but creates an atmosphere of warmth and gathering as the turkey slow-roasts over open flames. The smoky aroma and even heat can yield crisp skin and juicy meat that’s hard to replicate indoors.

Pair that with your standout sides, and you’ve got a Thanksgiving spread that’s memorable, comforting, and just a bit adventurous. We’ve gathered some of our favorite recipes to do just that, and we hope they get you inspired to create something delicious!

Brussels Sprouts make a great Thanksgiving side. They’ve gained huge popularity in recent years and are now a fan favorite, especially for holiday meals. This year, keep the foolproof sweet/salty combo but with a new twist by trying out this recipe by Half Baked Harvest for Brussels sprouts with dates, pistachio, and halloumi cheese.

It’s easy to get carried away with all the comfort food typically involved in Thanksgiving dinner, so be sure to include a recipe to brighten everything up! Radicchio is a great way to achieve this both in flavor and appearance. This Italian radicchio salad by Sip and Feast is the perfect recipe for the job.

Carrots are also a must. Dress them up in a delicious sauce and eye catching toppings to really make them shine. In this recipeby Every Last Bite, a tahini dressing, hazelnuts, and mint do just that.

And finally, let’s not forget the reason for the holiday, and take a moment to be grateful! At Southern Selects we are incredibly thankful we get to work with healthy foods and inspire people to use them to create delicious dishes. What are you thankful for this year?

We hope these ideas get you excited to cook up something great for your friends and family this Thanksgiving. Be sure to tag us on social media in any photos of your beautiful creations using Southern Selects items!