With Thanksgiving on the horizon, choosing side dishes that pair perfectly with turkey, can be made ahead, and reheat well is a must for a stress-free holiday or weekly Shabbat meals. Thanksgiving can be a challenging meal to prepare, with its abundance of dishes and variety of flavors, each needing to complement the turkey centerpiece while standing out in its own right. The holiday's feast often requires careful planning and juggling of cooking times, making easy-to-prepare sides that reheat beautifully especially valuable.
While turkey takes the spotlight, it’s the side dishes that often steal hearts and leave lasting memories. Thanksgiving sides, from creamy mashed potatoes and stuffing to roasted vegetables and cranberry sauce, bring balance, texture, and bursts of flavor to the table. Many people cherish the variety of sides for the nostalgia they evoke and the opportunity they provide to add personal and cultural twists to traditional recipes. Whether it’s a beloved family stuffing recipe or a creative take on green beans, sides bring warmth, color, and a taste of home to the holiday table.
These side dish recipes bring bold flavors, nutritious ingredients, and a touch of Jewish culinary tradition to any festive table. Here are some of the best Jewish-inspired sides that elevate any turkey dinner, making each bite a delight.
This warm potato salad combines fingerling potatoes with a mustard vinaigrette and fresh herbs for a flavorful, comforting side. The potatoes hold their texture well, making this a great make-ahead option that only improves in flavor when reheated.
This fresh, herb-packed salad features bulgur, tomatoes, cucumbers, and vibrant parsley, finished with a lemony dressing. It adds a light and zesty note to rich turkey dishes and can be prepared ahead, giving flavors time to meld.
A unique take on a traditional Yemenite dish, this flaky dough roll is layered with leeks and mushrooms, bringing a savory, earthy taste to your table. It’s perfect for making in advance, reheating beautifully without losing its rich texture.
These dumplings are filled with sweet plum filling, offering a comforting and slightly sweet side that complements savory turkey. The dumplings can be made ahead, frozen, and quickly reheated for an impressive addition to the meal.
This light, moist zucchini kugel is both simple and elegant, with grated zucchini and onion bound together in a soft, custardy base. It’s a great vegetarian side that pairs well with turkey and can be reheated without losing its texture.
A fusion of ptitim (Israeli couscous) and mujadara, this dish brings together lentils, caramelized onions, and couscous for a comforting, savory side. It’s an excellent make-ahead dish that adds both texture and protein to your plate.
This stuffing swaps regular bread for challah, giving it a fluffy texture and slight sweetness that pairs beautifully with mushrooms and herbs. It’s perfect for Thanksgiving or Shabbat, baking well ahead of time and easily reheated.
A light and earthy side made with buckwheat groats, this dish is mixed with roasted vegetables for a rich, nutty flavor. It complements turkey perfectly and can be made in advance, gaining flavor as it sits.
A classic Middle Eastern dish, mujadara combines lentils, rice, and caramelized onions for a wholesome, savory side. It’s a warm, filling dish that’s both gluten-free and a wonderful pairing for turkey.
This kugel combines cornmeal with spices, creating a savory, cornbread-like dish that feels at home next to turkey. It reheats beautifully, and its comforting flavor profile makes it ideal for holiday dinners.
Roasted with sumac, these potatoes are zesty and aromatic, adding brightness to any meal. Their crispy exterior and soft interior make them a deliciously simple yet impressive side.
Inspired by Mexican street corn, these corn “ribs” are charred, seasoned, and topped with spices, lime, and herbs. They’re a fun, zesty side that’s easy to prepare ahead and pop back in the oven to reheat.
A classic Shabbat favorite, potato kugel is golden and crispy on the outside and soft within. It’s a hearty, comforting side that pairs well with almost any main and is especially good with turkey.
This sweet kugel combines challah with apples and cinnamon for a warm, dessert-like side that also complements savory dishes. Make ahead and serve warm for a unique addition to your Thanksgiving spread.
These cabbage steaks are seasoned with bold Jerusalem grill spice and roasted until crispy, making them an aromatic and flavorful side. They hold up well in the fridge and reheat beautifully.
A healthier take on kugel, this broccoli version adds a vegetable-packed side to your table. It’s a great way to bring green to your plate and reheats well without losing its soft texture.
Thinly sliced potatoes layered with horseradish create a delicate, flavorful side that’s worth the wait. These can be made far in advance and reheated to serve hot and crispy alongside turkey.
These mashed potato mounds, enriched with garlic, are individually portioned and baked for a golden crust. They’re easy to make ahead, store, and reheat, adding a unique twist to traditional mashed potatoes.
This kugel uses the natural sweetness of butternut squash to create a soft, custardy side that pairs beautifully with savory mains. It’s an easy, make-ahead dish that brings a pop of color to the table.
Seasoned with warm baharat spices, this rice dish is both fragrant and flavorful. It’s an ideal pairing with turkey and is simple to reheat, with the spices infusing even more as it sits.
Roasted carrots are elevated with charred dates and a drizzle of tahini, creating a side that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. This dish can be made ahead and reheated, with flavors that grow richer over time.
Egg barley farfel with mushrooms is a hearty, comforting side with an earthy flavor that complements turkey well. It’s easily reheated and makes a satisfying addition to any holiday table.
These side dishes offer variety, from classic kugels to vibrant salads and creative vegetable dishes. Each one is perfect for making ahead, so you can enjoy more time with family and less time in the kitchen. Enjoy these crowd-pleasers at Thanksgiving, Shabbat, or any festive gathering!
