Summer is a time for light refreshing meals, and turkey is a versatile protein that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways during the warm months. Whether you’re grilling, roasting, or smoking your turkey, there are plenty of delicious side dishes that will complement its flavor and keep you cool.
Using two excellent sources as inspiration, we’ll look at some of the greatest summer side dishes that go well with turkey in this guide:
- Quora: A question-and-answer platform where users can share their knowledge and experiences.
- Bites with Bri: A food blog with a focus on delicious and easy-to-make recipes.
Classic Summer Sides for Turkey
While some prefer lighter fare in the summer, there’s always room for classic comfort food. These tried-and-true side dishes are perfect for pairing with turkey, regardless of the season:
- Classic Stuffing: This savory dish is made with bread, vegetables, herbs, and spices, and it can be baked in the oven or cooked on the stovetop. Stuffing is a hearty and satisfying side dish that pairs well with both roasted and grilled turkey.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and comforting, mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser. You can make them with butter, milk, and cream for a richer flavor, or use low-fat options for a lighter version.
- Green Beans: Fresh green beans are a healthy and refreshing side dish that’s perfect for summer. They can be steamed, roasted, or sauteed, and they pair well with a variety of sauces and seasonings.
- Roasted Root Vegetables: Roasted root vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and parsnips, are a delicious and colorful side dish that’s perfect for a summer barbecue. They can be roasted with olive oil, herbs, and spices for a flavorful and satisfying dish.
- Cornbread: This sweet and savory bread is a classic Southern staple that’s perfect for serving with turkey. It can be made with buttermilk, cornmeal, and eggs, and it can be baked in a loaf pan or in individual muffins.
Lighter Summer Sides for Turkey
If you’re looking for something a little lighter for your summer turkey meal. here are some refreshing and flavorful options:
- Cranberry Sauce: This tart and tangy sauce is a classic Thanksgiving staple, but it’s also a delicious accompaniment to turkey in the summer. You can make it with fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, and orange juice.
- Creamed Corn: This creamy and sweet side dish is made with fresh corn, butter, and cream. It’s a delicious and comforting dish that’s perfect for a summer meal.
- Grilled Asparagus: Grilled asparagus is a healthy and flavorful side dish that’s perfect for summer. It can be grilled with olive oil, salt, and pepper, or you can add additional flavors with herbs, spices, or a lemon-garlic marinade.
Additional Tips for Serving Turkey in the Summer
Here are a few additional tips for serving turkey in the summer:
- Keep it simple: Don’t overcomplicate your meal. Choose a few simple side dishes that you can make ahead of time, so you can relax and enjoy your time with family and friends.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh, seasonal ingredients will taste the best and will help to keep your meal light and refreshing.
- Grill or roast your turkey: Grilling or roasting your turkey is a great way to add flavor and keep it moist.
- Serve it cold: Cold turkey is a refreshing and delicious option for a summer meal. You can slice it and serve it on a sandwich or salad, or you can use it to make a cold turkey salad.
You can easily find the ideal side dishes to go with turkey in the summer with a little imagination. There’s a dish for everyone to enjoy, whether you like traditional comfort food or something lighter and more refreshing. So prepare for a tasty and filling summer meal by lighting the grill and roasting your turkey.
Couscous salad
Cranberries are a perfect partner to turkey and the sweet red fruit stars in this flavoursome couscous salad. The chorizo lends heat, while orange slices add much-needed freshness.
Green bean and goats cheese salad
Green beans are a mainstay of Thanksgiving dinner and provide plenty of crunch and colour alongside a Christmas turkey. Here, they’re served warm with salty prosciutto and crunchy almonds.
Barefoot Contessa’s Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast | Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro | Food Network
FAQ
Can you eat turkey in the summer?
What to serve with Turkey in the summer?
In this article, I list 39 of the most popular side dishes for turkey in the summer. In a rush? Here’s the short answer. The best dishes to serve with turkey in the summer are peach and arugula salad, vegetable tian, pistachio pesto salad, and succotash.
What to serve with turkey breast?
Here’s the short answer. The best side dishes to serve with turkey breast are mashed potatoes and gravy, candied sweet potatoes, honey roasted carrots, and cranberry cornbread. For something a little different, try celeriac puree or ratatouille. And for an easy fresh side, you can’t beat a tossed salad.
What to serve with smoked turkey?
Traditional side dishes for Thanksgiving are delicious. But there are also many other side dishes that you can serve with your turkey. Some of them include lemon risotto with kale, arugula, cranberry spinach or couscous salad, roasted mushrooms, sauteed brussels sprouts, etc. What Goes With Smoked Turkey In The Summer?
What to eat with Turkey?
Just cut up some sweet potatoes, rub them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices of your choice (I love to use chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic/onion powder). One side that you can easily serve with turkey is quinoa! Quinoa is technically a seed, but it is made and looks a lot like rice.