Our favorite Thanksgiving sides are guaranteed to outshine the turkey
Turkey this, turkey that — turkey seems to be all anyone can talk about around Thanksgiving. And we get it, it's the centerpiece of the November holiday.
I don't know about you, but on Thanksgiving my plate is made up almost entirely of sides and appetizers. For me, the biggest eating day of the year is like a TV show or movie where you like the supporting actors better than the leads. You know what I mean.
Just thinking of the smorgasbord of casseroles, potatoes, vegetables, mac and cheese and dinner rolls makes us hungry. Don’t forget the gravy and cranberry sauce too!
Because we're team side dish over turkey, we’ve rounded up our favorite Thanksgiving sides recipes from celebrity chefs, cookbook authors and our very own USA TODAY Network.
Thanksgiving side dishes
Mashed potatoes are a classic. Here's how to make the best mashed potatoes of your life, along with tips and tricks to peeling, boiling, mixing and serving the crowd-pleasing dish.
Have you ever thought about switching up your potato serving style? "Girl Meets Farm" star Molly Yeh's roasted potatoes with paprika mayo are the perfect non-mashed potato side for Thanksgiving.
Now for sweet potato casserole. The way we see it, you could go for the sure thing and make a classic version complete with toasted marshmallows, or you can aim to impress with a bourbon-and-pecan studded dish.
Get the classic recipe and the bourbon pecan recipe.
Brussels sprouts are something veggie lovers look forward to every year but even haters will like this version of the dish featuring maple syrup and caramelized onions.
Not a fan of traditional dinner rolls? Ina Garten's divine brown butter skillet cornbread is a must-try.
Since we're on the topic of starches: Stuffing is great but if you're on a low-carb dietary plan it's off the menu. However, we have an this keto stuffing that is actually delicious and uses keto bread (warning: you'll have to make the bread, too).
Get the low-carb bread recipe and the and the keto stuffing recipe
While a low-carb option is great, we have your back if you want classic stuffing, too.
Cranberry sauce could constitute as a turkey topping but I see it as a mashed potato topping or simply a delicacy to eat on its own — homemade, of course. These three recipes provide a little variety beyond the basic homemade sauce.
Green bean casserole isn't fancy but it's a beloved staple for your traditional table.
Vegan guests? Give them a delicious cheesy pasta with on any holiday if they so desire. And if you're Tabitha Brown's vegan mac and cheese.
Bobby Flay’s polenta isn’t traditional, at least when you think of modern-day Thanksgiving, but we love it as a gluten free side dish or a main course for vegetarians.
Thanksgiving appetizers
Not every dish has to be crazy complicated to be good. These appetizers of stuffed mushrooms, caprese skewers and more require five or fewer ingredients and are mouthwatering.
Deviled eggs might seem like a brunch or Easter offering, but they work for Thanksgiving too.
Looking for something unique? Chef Marcus Samuelsson of Red Rooster Harlem knows good meatballs. And now, he's created a chicken meatball with berbere recipe of his own inspired by his grandmother.
Check out these recipes to up your kitchen game:
Hard-boiled eggs: Two easy ways to hard boil eggs to perfection
Creamy risotto: Pearl couscous is the trick ingredient for creamy risotto
Fried rice: The secret to making great fried rice at home
Mustard makes it better: How to use mustard not as a condiment but as an ingredient
Cranberry sauce: Three cranberry sauce recipes you need to try
Sugar cookies: 'The best sugar cookie I've ever baked.' Here's the recipe.
Kale can be tough: Raw kale can be tough. Here's how salt can help
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thanksgiving side dishes: Get the best recipes for an easy, tasty meal
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