Thanksgiving Sides & Sauces Thanksgiving Sides & Sauces are very important!
Thanksgiving Sides & Sauces are very important. Thanksgiving is a holiday centered around gratitude and, let’s be honest, delicious food. While the golden-brown turkey often takes center stage, the true stars of the show are the delectable array of side dishes and the accompanying sauces that elevate the entire meal. These supporting players bring diverse flavors, textures, and colors to the table, ensuring a symphony of tastes that harmonize perfectly with the main course. Read more Classic Side Dishes: A Nostalgic Journey Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without certain traditional sides that have graced tables for generations. These dishes evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, reminding us of shared meals with loved ones. Stuffing/Dressing: This savory dish, often made with bread, vegetables, herbs, and sometimes sausage or other meats, is a staple on most Thanksgiving tables. Whether cooked inside the turkey or separately as a dressing, it’s a flavorful and satisfying addition. Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a crowd-pleaser, offering a comforting and versatile base for gravy or other toppings. Cranberry Sauce: The sweet and tart flavor of cranberry sauce provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of other dishes. While the canned variety has its fans, homemade cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and spices offers a burst of flavor. Green Bean Casserole: This classic dish, featuring green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions, is a Thanksgiving icon, albeit sometimes a subject of playful debate. Sweet Potato Casserole: Often topped with marshmallows or a pecan crumble, sweet potato casserole delivers a delightful balance of sweetness and richness. Stuffing/Dressing: This savory dish, often made with bread, vegetables, herbs, and sometimes sausage or other meats, is a staple on most Thanksgiving tables. Whether cooked inside the turkey or separately as a dressing, it’s a flavorful and satisfying addition. Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes are a crowd-pleaser, offering a comforting and versatile base for gravy or other toppings. Cranberry Sauce: The sweet and tart flavor of cranberry sauce provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of other dishes. While the canned variety has its fans, homemade cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries, orange zest, and spices offers a burst of flavor. Green Bean Casserole: This classic dish, featuring green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions, is a Thanksgiving icon, albeit sometimes a subject of playful debate. Sweet Potato Casserole: Often topped with marshmallows or a pecan crumble, sweet potato casserole delivers a delightful balance of sweetness and richness. The Importance of Sauces Sauces play a crucial role in Thanksgiving meals, adding moisture, richness, and depth of flavor to the dishes. Gravy: Arguably the most important sauce on the table, gravy is typically made from turkey drippings, flour, and seasonings. It adds a savory richness to the turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Cranberry Sauce: As mentioned earlier, cranberry sauce provides a bright counterpoint to the savory flavors. It pairs beautifully with turkey, stuffing, and even cheese plates. Gravy: Arguably the most important sauce on the table, gravy is typically made from turkey drippings, flour, and seasonings. It adds a savory richness to the turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing. Cranberry Sauce: As mentioned earlier, cranberry sauce provides a bright counterpoint to the savory flavors. It pairs beautifully with turkey, stuffing, and even cheese plates. Read less Search & Filter Search & Filter Organize by: Save any recipe you like! It is super simple! From Tom the Chef Published: November 10, 2023 From Tom the Chef Published: November 10, 2023 From Tom the Chef Published: July 26, 2025 From Bill Published: September 11, 2024 From Faceless Chef Published: December 14, 2023 From Tom the Chef Published: November 9, 2023 From Tom the Chef Published: November 4, 2024 From Tom the Chef Published: September 26, 2024 From Tom the Chef Published: November 9, 2023