Buzz
Preparing Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd can be daunting, especially when you want to satisfy everyone’s tastes. With so many dietary preferences, restrictions, and spice levels to consider, it can feel safer to stick to the basics. But why settle for bland? I refuse to serve a dull Thanksgiving meal, so why not allow your guests to customize their plates with unexpected condiments that will bring a burst of flavor to every bite? Table space is valuable, so pick a handful of condiments that fit your meal, and place them in small bowls for easy access. Below is a list of the best condiments to enhance your Thanksgiving feast.
Slow-roast a whole garlic bulb until it’s tender and sweet.
A large batch of garlic confit is a fantastic way to let garlic aficionados season everything from dinner rolls to turkey legs and mashed potatoes. Who can resist the creamy, spreadable texture of garlic? Well, I guess those who don’t like it. Keeping it in a ramekin helps keep the garlic in one spot, making it easy for the garlic-averse to avoid it from the other side of the table. It’s a win for everyone.
Garlic confit, with its smooth texture similar to roasted garlic, has the added bonus of being infused with olive oil. To make garlic confit, simply fill a ramekin with peeled garlic cloves, cover them with olive oil, wrap in foil, and bake at 250°F for about an hour.
Hot chili oil is the perfect complement to a lively conversation.
I’ve always believed Thanksgiving meals could use more spice. I understand that heat tolerance is subjective, so roasting your turkey surrounded by chilies might be a bit bold. However, with crispy roasted meats, potatoes, and vegetables on the table, it seems like we're missing an opportunity for some extra flavor. Add a bit of heat with a jar of chili crisp, or its fiery counterpart salsa macha, placed on the table. Personally, I’d even welcome a shaker of chili flakes, like at a pizzeria, to sprinkle on my stuffing. But salsa macha feels like a more elegant option. Just a small dollop on your green beans or mashed potatoes will take them to the next level.
Introduce a bit of sweet heat with cranberry mustard.
The delightful blend of sweet and tart berry jelly that sparks so many debates has firmly secured its place on the table. This year, don’t forget to save a bit of sauce to create a zesty cranberry mustard. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, requiring only three simple ingredients: dry mustard, water, and cranberry sauce. The result is a flavor-packed condiment that will elevate your meal. Simply dissolve a small amount of dried mustard powder in water, then stir in some sweet cranberry jelly. This can start on your charcuterie board and easily make its way to the dinner table. (A generous smear on your turkey will add a fiery, sweet-savory punch!)
Introduce texture with crispy fried garlic chips.
Can you love garlic too much? The answer is no; it’s always just the right amount. You’re familiar with the rich, creamy texture of garlic confit, but on the opposite end of the spectrum lies the crispy fried garlic chip. These are thin slices of garlic, gently fried in olive oil until golden brown and perfectly crunchy. This cooking method softens the sharpness, and the delightful crunch enhances any savory dish. Think of it like the garlic croutons you’ve always craved. You can easily make your own fried garlic at home or buy a container to have on hand whenever the craving strikes (which, let’s be honest, will happen often). Sprinkle a spoonful of these crispy flakes over just about anything, though they’re especially fantastic on soft dishes like mashed potatoes, creamy mac and cheese, or stuffing, providing a wonderful textural contrast and a burst of garlic flavor.
Trust me on this one—mayo is the way to go.
I know, mayo with Thanksgiving dinner might sound odd, but hear me out. It’s perfect not just on leftover turkey sandwiches but also with the hot dishes! Mayo, with its base of oil, eggs, and acid—ingredients we already use in Thanksgiving meals—isn’t such a strange pairing. On hot foods, mayo even melts a little, so you lose that ‘sandwich’ texture. A small dollop can elevate your potatoes, roasted veggies, or meats by adding a creamy richness.
Serve with hot sauce
The Thanksgiving feast often leans toward savory and rich flavors, which I adore, but it can become overwhelming. To spice things up, I add some heat and tang. Hot sauce is an ideal choice to shake things up. You can offer a few different bottles depending on your guests' heat tolerance. Claire Lower, Senior Food Writer, loves a splash of Louisiana hot sauce for its sharp acidity and flavorful profile. Personally, I prefer Cholula hot sauce, which pairs wonderfully with meats and has the perfect medium heat.
Sage sautéed in brown butter.
This one is a surprise favorite of mine. While it's well-known that herbs are essential for creating rich and flavorful Thanksgiving meals, sage truly takes the spotlight in this dish. It pairs beautifully with roasted squash and poultry. Although sage often appears in many dishes, offering a small bowl of sage fried in browned butter is a real treat. Unlike other herbs, sage doesn’t turn bitter when fried. Instead, it softens in flavor, becoming delicate and crisp, while the butter transforms into a rich, nutty essence. The result is a savory, crunchy, and herbal topping that elevates any dish it’s added to.
Prepare a compound butter.
Compound butters are simple yet flavorful additions to any dish, allowing you to enhance food without overpowering it. If you want to introduce new flavors to your guests without making them feel overwhelmed, consider making a compound butter. It’s easy to make: soften butter and combine it with ingredients like spices, herbs, or even honey. Let the mixture chill in the fridge to harden before serving. You can experiment with different combinations like garlic butter, honey butter, or herb butter to elevate everything from your main dishes to side items.
A bowl of crunchy goodness.
While oven-baked stuffing is a classic, it doesn’t offer the same satisfying crunch as seasoned croutons. There’s something about the crispy edges of a lasagna or the golden-brown top of baked mac and cheese that brings joy to the table. Texture plays a key role! Not everyone will get a bite of crispy turkey skin, but you can compensate with crunchy additions like croutons, farofa crumbs, or even air fryer chickpeas, all of which complement a wide variety of flavors on your menu.
A delicate bowl filled with MSG crystals
Thanksgiving is undeniably centered around savory dishes. While the meal may be followed by desserts and the sweet-tart burst of cranberry sauce, the essence of the feast lies in its hearty meats, starches, and cheeses. Elevate these flavors by adding a touch of MSG (monosodium glutamate). If you've struggled to bring out deep, savory flavors in your cooking, MSG is a handy solution. It’s readily available at most grocery stores and online retailers. Consider placing a small bowl of it on the dinner table so guests can sprinkle some on mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, or corn—one of my personal favorites.
Fragrant herbal chimichurri
For a vibrant herbal punch, pair your meal with a bowl of chimichurri. A traditional specialty from both Argentina and Uruguay, chimichurri is a bold blend of spices, herbs, oil, and acidity, commonly enjoyed with richly flavored, fatty grilled or roasted meats. It’s the perfect complement to your holiday roasts. The classic recipe leans heavily on fresh herbs, with parsley, dried oregano, and garlic as the base. You can find versions with a spicy kick or opt to leave out the chilies for a milder version. Pour it over anything, but it’s especially tasty on turkey. Once you taste it, you’ll want to add it to every bite.
Enhance flavor by incorporating tangy, sour elements
I tend to go overboard when preparing Thanksgiving dinner. I always end up making way too much food, so a good guest at my table knows how to enjoy at least two full plates. I realize that might be a challenge for most, but sour flavors on the table can help. Offering a jar of tangy, zesty, or even puckering condiments can really wake up the taste buds. Think cornichons, hot and sour mango pickle, or quick-pickled vegetables that are crunchy and soaked in vinegar. The acids cut through the heaviness of fats and salts, refreshing your guests’ palates and giving them the chance to dive into those candied yams, grab another slice of turkey, or—if they’re brave enough—eyeball the dessert spread they swore off just moments ago.
