13 Best Sides to Serve with Smoked Turkey Legs

If you’re like most people, smoked turkey legs for Thanksgiving dinner are usually a hit.

But where do you begin when it comes to planning everything else on your dinner table?

There are several options, which might be confusing.

Also see: Smoked Turkey Wine Pairing The Best Wines to Pair with Smoked Turkey

We know the food is important.

After all, you want to be recognized for your efforts.

The very thought of entertaining might make you want to take a sleep!

So, what goes well with smoked turkey legs?

Mashed potatoes are the perfect side dish with smoked turkey legs. The creaminess of the mashed potatoes absorbs the smokey flavor of the turkey legs, and the potatoes also contribute flavor to the meat.

Corn, green beans, and sautéed mushrooms are some more side dishes that go well with smoked turkey legs.

Still looking for more options?

Then keep reading!

What to Serve with Smoked Turkey Legs: 13 Best Sides

Not sure what to serve with smoked turkey legs??

Dont worry.

We’ve found a couple terrific dishes that you can serve at your next occasion.

1. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are an excellent accompaniment to smoked turkey legs.

They’re both soothing and tasty, go nicely with a number of different cuisines, and are simple to make.

Most importantly, mashed potatoes are a crowd favorite; everyone like mashed potatoes.

Whether you’re serving mashed potatoes with your favorite dish or just as an appetizer, these delectable potato recipes will fulfill any need.

2. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

These potatoes are excellent and blend well with the smoked turkey legs.

They’re fast and simple to prepare, and they can be cooked with the turkey legs on your smoker.

3. Coleslaw

While smoked turkey legs are great on their own, they may be tedious to serve on their own.

Try making coleslaw as a simple side dish to go with them.

It’s simple to prepare and complements the smokey taste of the turkey legs perfectly.

1. 4 medium onions.2 cabbage heads, coarsely chopped 1 To prepare your own homemade coleslaw, shred 1
2. After mixing the veggies, add 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons sugar, and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Serve right away or refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving.

4. Macaroni and Cheese

Smoked turkey legs are an excellent method to feed hungry people, particularly when there is a large group to feed.

They are simple to prepare and cook, and when done correctly, they are incredibly delectable.

If you’re searching for a side dish to go with the smoked turkey legs, macaroni and cheese is a good option.

This is a robust side dish that will keep everyone satisfied and prevent them from overeating on turkey legs alone.

Macaroni and cheese will also complement whatever sauce you choose on your smoked turkey legs.

If you don’t want the macaroni and cheese to overpower the taste of the smoked turkey leg, choose a milder cheese while preparing this side dish.

For example, instead of cheddar cheese, consider Velveeta in your macaroni and cheese.

This will make it taste milder than most other cheeses used in macaroni and cheese.

5. Mashed Cauliflower

Cauliflower’s mild taste pairs well with the smokiness of smoked turkey legs.

Making mashed cauliflower in an electric pressure cooker is the simplest method (see also these Cuisinart pressure cooker recipes).

1. In a saucepan, combine 1 head of cauliflower and 2 cups of water.
2. Cook for 5 minutes under high pressure, then progressively reduce the pressure.
3. Mash the cauliflower in a food processor after straining it.
4. Blend in the garlic powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil until smooth.

This is an excellent substitute for mashed potatoes!

6. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are an excellent vegetable to use with turkey, particularly smoked turkey.

They have a sweet flavor that complements the smokey flavor of the turkey, but they also have a somewhat bitter flavor that cuts through the fattiness of the flesh.

Roasted Brussels sprouts are a traditional side dish that highlights its naturally sweet taste and freshness.

Toss them with olive oil and salt, then roast them in the oven until they’re fork soft.

7. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole is a common accompaniment to smoked turkey legs.

A traditional sweet potato casserole is made with mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, vanilla essence, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

The mixture is then cooked till hot and bubbling in the oven.

The dish is topped with small marshmallows that toast throughout the baking process.

Some folks sprinkle pecans on top of their casseroles.

8. Baked Beans

Baked beans are an excellent side dish to offer with smoked turkey legs.

They are a favorite side dish to offer with any smoked meat, and they go especially well with turkey legs.

While you may always cook your own beans from scratch, there are several canned bean products that taste just as excellent.

To spice up the taste, you may also add your own ingredients, such as pig belly.

9. Potato Salad

The greatest thing since sliced bread are smoked turkey legs.

You just cannot go wrong with these. You may either smoke or grill them.

They are awesome either way.

The only thing better than smoked turkey legs is smoked turkey legs with potato salad on the side.

The two complement each other so nicely that I’m hoarding my potato salad and eating it as a side dish to everything, not just the smoked turkey legs.

10. Green Beans Casserole

Green beans are a traditional autumn vegetable, and the creamy sauce and crisp onion topping of a green bean casserole will complement your smoked turkey legs well.

11. Arugula salad

Arugula salad, in my opinion, is one of the greatest sides to offer with smoked turkey legs.

It has a peppery flavor that complements the smokey flavor of the turkey legs.

It is also a terrific method to balance out the meal due to its nutritious worth.

Arugula is not only nutritious but also delicious.

The leaves have a moderate but distinct peppery taste and are wonderful in salads with other vegetables or on their own as part of an antipasto dish with cured meats such as proscuitto di Parma.

12. Grilled asparagus

Grilled asparagus with a lemon vinaigrette complements the smoky taste of the turkey leg well.

These two products have complimentary tastes and textures that complement each other well.

13. Roasted root veggies

Roasted root vegetables are a great option, particularly in the winter.

You may roast carrots, parsnips, or potatoes, or just choose your favorite!

8 Tips For Serving Sides with Smoked Turkey Legs

The first step in determining what side dish to serve with smoked turkey legs is to determine what you’re in the mood for.

On its own, turkey legs are meaty, flavorful, and delectable.

The side dishes you offer with them should compliment rather than overshadow these tastes.

If you’re serving turkey legs as an appetizer, it’s a good idea to have a range of vegetable-based side dishes on hand.

If you’re serving the turkey legs as a main meal, try serving them with starchy sides like rice or potatoes.

1. Focus on Things That Cook Quickly

If you’re going to serve smoked turkey legs, you’re going to have a lot of people around.

That implies you should prioritize dishes that can be prepared fast.

Salads are fantastic because they can be tossed together quickly.

You can also use your slow cooker to prepare some fast side dishes.

You may cook meat and veggies in the slow cooker, and they will come out tender and tasty.

2. Think About The Feeling Of Fall

Serving smoked turkey legs evokes the autumn season, so consider carrying that atmosphere into your dining room with your side dishes.

Roasted sweet potatoes and corn on the cob are ideal for this.

Alternatively, make your own applesauce or bake a pie with apples from your local orchard.

For a fall-inspired dinner, drizzle some maple syrup over steaming green beans or roasted carrots.

3. Offer a Wide Variety of Sides

The key to serving smoked turkey legs is variety.

You may serve it family style, where everyone receives a leg, or buffet style, so guests can select from a variety of meals.

The nicest thing about turkey drumsticks is their versatility, which allows you to make a broad range of recipes with them.

4. Add Some Interesting Sauces or Condiments

When serving sides with smoked turkey legs, one of the most important things to do is to include some unusual sauces or condiments.

Sauces to enhance the taste of the turkey legs may be purchased or made from scratch.

For example, you might use a curry and coconut milk sauce to add some more heat and flavor to the meal.

You may also make a barbecue sauce using molasses, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, and other seasonings.

5. Look at Traditional Southern Fare for Inspiration

If you’re going with a smoked turkey leg, you’re probably making a typical southern-style feast.

Consider some typical southern side dishes to accompany your main entrée.

Succotash, a bean and vegetable mixture, collard greens, fried cabbage, and buttered broccoli are also excellent choices.

6. Choose Sides That Are Easy to Make

After spending a long time smoking turkey legs, the last thing you want to do is spend even more time cooking intricate sides.

Instead, seek for items that are simple to prepare, such as salads and side dishes.

This will enable you to enjoy your visitors’ company rather than spending all night in the kitchen.

7. Spice It Up

Rather of presenting your side dish blandly with your turkey leg, spruce it up with some spices.

If you’re serving mashed potatoes, season with cayenne pepper or garlic salt to add some heat.

Another alternative is to add bacon pieces and grated cheese to ordinary green beans to make them more interesting.

8. Think Brown

You usually think of brown food when you think of smoked turkey legs.

Theres a reason for this.

Because smoking things browns them, this is what you’re accustomed to seeing with these sorts of meals.

Use brown sides to match the color of your dish.

Use a brown salad dressing, for example, or offer rice or rice pilaf on the side.

This is a terrific technique to keep the colors of your dish constant and visually pleasing.

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