There are two types of people at the Thanksgiving table: Those who wait all year to carve into the perfect turkey, and those who consider the bird nothing more than a decorative paperweight blocking their direct path to stuffing. But we can all agree on one crucial point: We might call it Turkey Day, but on Thanksgiving, the sides are the true stars.
And let’s be real: with respect to Tom Turkey, if everyone decided to skip the bird altogether and stuff themselves silly with as many side dishes as scientifically possible (while still saving room for at least one slice of pie), Thanksgiving would still be on the Mt. Rushmore of holidays. Especially if any of these sides grace your plate Thanksgiving.
Naturally, many of the best Thanksgiving sides can be amped up with The Sausage Project's versatile chicken links. Loosen your belt and dive into our picks for the essential Thanksgiving sides.
Stuffing
Some call it stuffing, some call it dressing, but regardless of what camp you fall in, everyone basically agrees that a Thanksgiving table without stuffing is not actually a Thanksgiving table. It’s essentially savory bread pudding, with deep pockets of flavor thanks to ingredients like sausage, garlic, and lots of herbs. No one will blame you if the stuffing takes up half of your plate—they might even be jealous.
Will it sausage?: Sausage and stuffing have been shipping for years, and our sausage cornbread stuffing recipe is destined to be the star of your table.
Mashed Potatoes
Nothing beats an elite potato format, and potatoes whipped with several sticks of butter until luxurious and silky might be the ultimate potato format. Skipping the turkey means even more stomach real estate for spoonfuls of creamy spuds. Yes, you can get mashed potatoes year-round, but they don’t get the respect—or the spotlight—they deserve until late November. And the real truth? Even mediocre mashed potatoes are arguably still the best thing on the table.
Will they sausage?: Adding diced sausage to your potatoes on Thanksgiving is probably a no-go. But mixing sausage into a bowl of potatoes with gravy and other leftovers the next day? That’s a power bowl, friend.
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce—homemade or canned—is the side that quietly makes all other sides better. The pop of sweetness cuts through the deep umami notes that dominate the Thanksgiving plate. It’s the team player, not the star, but you can’t win without them.
Will it sausage?: Honestly, cranberry sauce and chicken sausage are a great pairing. Probably not on the Thanksgiving table, but definitely in the form of a leftover sausage sandwich, or even an appetizer spread.
Rolls or Biscuits
It's often regarded as superfluous carbs, but, a very good roll or a very good biscuit is actually a very vital side dish. They serve as the best delivery vehicle for good butter, but they're also little mops, helping you wipe up every last bit of gravy and cranberry sauce on your plate.
Will they sausage?: If you have leftover biscuits or rolls and a pack of sausage, the possibilities are endless. Start with breakfast.
Gravy
If you remove turkey from the table, a giant carafe of gravy suddenly becomes less of a priority. But it remains on the table because it’s delicious, and because it transforms mashed potatoes from being great to becoming ridiculously great.
Will it sausage?: Eh, crumbled chicken sausage would definitely add depth and volume, but maybe save that delicious combo for the next day.
Mac and Cheese
Alongside mashed potatoes and stuffing, mac and cheese completes the holy trifecta of Thanksgiving carbohydrates. What’s not to love about pasta tossed in a cheese sauce, topped with more cheese, and then ideally baked off with a nice, thick layer of bread crumbs? It’s a crowd-pleaser with enough built-in protein to help anyone forget about turkey.
Will it sausage?: It will, and it should! Our recipe hooks you up with the baseline to your new favorite mac, and the chicken sausage addition is sure to make this a year-round favorite.
Green Beans
Green beans are a delightful vegetable that have a pleasing mild flavor and plenty of snap and structure if cooked properly. They are great when tossed with cream of mushroom soup and crispy onions if you love a green bean casserole, but they are also a great addition to the table simply roasted with lots of garlic or some chili oil. Green beans have range!
Will they sausage?: Probably, but maybe leave this one for the vegetarians in the house.
Why Sides Are Thanksgiving’s Real Star
At the end of the day, the best Thanksgiving sides are the ones that make you genuinely grateful to be at the table. And honestly? The beauty of Thanksgiving is that the side spread makes absolutely no sense and perfect sense at the same time. Your aunt brings a Jell-O salad from 1978, someone else shows up with their family’s go-to lettuce wraps, and there’s always one wild card (hello, Buffalo dip). But it all fits, because the table is supposed to be chaotic, nostalgic, and overflowing—on purpose.
It’s a potluck of traditions, heritage, and history, all crowding together on one overloaded plate. There’s room for everything and everyone at the table. And if a little sausage finds its way into the mix? Even better.