Find the best side dishes for smoked turkey breast that will create the perfect balance for flavors, texture, and excitement.
You're making a delicious smoked turkey breast and now you're looking for the best side dishes to serve with it for a complete dinner. I have some great turkey dinner ideas that will have everyone at your table asking for more, more, more.
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Smoking a Boneless Turkey Breast
After years of cooking Thanksgiving dinner, I have learned that cooking a turkey breast is way more fun than a whole turkey on my pellet smoker. While the whole bird is great for that wow factor, the ease and tender perfection of a smoked turkey breast just can't be beat. For timing purposes, plan on smoking your turkey breast for 2 ½ to 3 hours and until the internal temperature reads 160-165 on a meat thermometer.
Check out my Traeger Smoked Turkey recipe. It's a great option if you're looking for a juicy turkey breast.
Tips for a Juicy Turkey Breast
For a delicious and juicy turkey you need to follow a few best practices:
Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast to ensure you remove the turkey from the smoker as soon as it reaches an internal temperature of 160-163F. Carryover cooking will get the internal temperature to 165 degrees F and anything hotter will cause a loss of moisture. A great way to do this is with a wireless meat thermometer set to notify you when your meat is getting close to finishing.
Allow the turkey breast to come up to room temperature before putting it on the smoker.
Let the turkey rest for at least 30-45 minutes before slicing. Cover it with aluminum foil while the juices move around and settle in the turkey.
After slicing the turkey, give it a little turkey stock or chicken stock to stay moist and prevent dry turkey.
Thanksgiving Dinner Side Dishes for Smoked Turkey
I think turkey breast is totally under rated and goes way beyond our favorite fall holiday. But, when you are putting together a traditional holiday meal, you want the best recipes. Here are my top 3:
Traeger Green Bean Casserole - if there isn't green bean casserole, it isn't Thanksgiving
Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce with orange juice is bright and zippy. I have to have something bright to cut through the rich smoky flavor of all these other delicious dishes.
Sweet Potato Casserole - complete with brown sugar and marshmallows just like grandma made, but out on the Traeger
Favorite Traeger Vegetable Recipes
Traeger Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic - crispy edges of brussel sprouts are the perfect side dish. Cooking the sprouts at a higher temperature is the trick to a perfect veggie.
Smoked Traeger Baked Beans - dressed up baked beans are a super easy recipe and make a delicious meal if you serve them with leftover turkey.
Candied Yams- this original sweet potatoes recipe combines sweetness from sugar and vanilla with warm fall spices.
The Best Potato Recipes
Potatoes will always be my favorite side dishes. They are a great choice when you are looking for an easy and reliable starchy side.
Smoked Twice Baked Potatoes - for a delicious weeknight dinner, I love throwing these loaded potatoes on the pellet grill. They have a delicious flavors I'm looking for with bacon, smoked cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh chives.
Creamy Twice Smoked Mashed Potatoes - a must have for your holiday table. Heat the casserole back on the Traeger while the turkey rests. It's the best way to have everything hit the dinner table hot.
Roasted Root Vegetables with Potatoes are an easy to make hearty side dish.
For a summer time smoke turkey breast, this family recipe for potato salad is a great side.
Do you want weekly recipes and help with meal planning?
Every Table Needs a Salad
Blue Cheese and Walnut salad is a personal favorite because of its light texture and fun flavor combination.
This Fall Green Salad with Honey Apple Cider Dressing is another delicious and bright green salad option.
Great Sauces for Smoked Turkey
Easy Gravy without pan drippings- an easy gravy solution for when you are not cooking the whole turkey in a pan with juices
Mustard Maple Sauce from by no brine turkey breast recipe is a great way to brighten up the flavor from a smoky boneless breast.
Did Someone Say Cornbread?
Since we are going with a smoked turkey breast this time, ditch the regular dinner rolls for something more fitting.
Cornbread with honey butter brings a delicious sweetness to the table. Just use a store-bought mix for an easy cornbread. To make honey butter, combine 1 stick of unsalted butter and whip it with 2 tablespoons of your favorite honey.
Cornbread stuffing is another fun alternative to the traditional turkey side dish.
Special Desserts
Homemade Traeger Cheesecake is the ultimate creamy dessert. You will get a perfectly smooth top, decadent filling, and tasty graham cracker crust.
Another great dessert for smoked dinner... Easy Smoked Apple Crisp. This recipe combines crisp apples with oats and brown sugar for a warm and comforting dessert served with vanilla ice cream.
Leftovers Pro Tip
If you are looking for perfect leftovers, here are a few combinations that reheat well. Just make sure everything is saved in an airtight container.
Turkey and cranberry panini - a tasty and easy weekday sandwich with tender breast meat and just a touch of sweetness from the cranberry sauce.
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