Side Hustle: Turning a ‘Sides-Only’ Thanksgiving Menu into a Profit Powerhouse

Thanksgiving can be one of the most profitable times of year, but also one of the most labor-intensive. Instead of rolling out a full turkey dinner or trying to compete with grocery stores, savvy restaurants are scaling back and cashing in with a sides-only holiday menu.

Think of it as your shortcut to seasonal profit: fewer ingredients, less prep, and dishes that batch beautifully. Customers get the quality and flavor they crave, and your team gets to breathe easy before December’s rush.

‘Sides-Only’ Thanksgiving Menu Strategy

A “sides” menu is the perfect in-between. It lets your kitchen join the Thanksgiving conversation without the chaos of a full catering operation.

Here’s what works:

• Pre-order model: Collect orders 7–10 days ahead to manage inventory and labor.

• Limited menu: 6–8 items max — each one tested for flavor, reheating, and travel.

• Batch cooking: Focus on oven-ready pans, quart containers, and grab-and-go packaging.

• Premium upsells: Offer reheating instructions, garnishes, or wine pairings for a pro touch.

Sides That Steal the Show

1. Classic Comforts

Nostalgia sells — especially when it travels well.

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes with House Gravy

• Honey-Roasted Carrots with Thyme

• Brown Butter Green Beans with Crispy Shallots

• Traditional Stuffing with House-Made Brioche

Bundle Tip: Offer a “Family Favorites Pack” that feeds 4–6 and simplifies ordering.

2. Chef’s Twists

Elevate traditional flavors with a few creative turns.

• Truffle Mac & Cheese

• Maple-Chipotle Brussels Sprouts

• Cornbread Stuffing with Andouille & Sage

• Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Toasted Pecans & Chili Honey

Upsell Tip: Market as a “Gourmet Trio” with a combo price — perfect for Friendsgiving.

3. Plant-Based and Lighter Fare

Appeal to vegan and health-minded guests without complicating prep.

• Wild Rice & Cranberry Pilaf

• Cauliflower Mash with Olive Oil & Chives

• Autumn Harvest Salad (kale, apples, walnuts, cider vinaigrette)

• Vegan Mushroom Gravy

Pro Tip: Position these as “side swaps” for guests with dietary preferences.

4. Sauces, Sweets, and Extras

Low-effort, high-margin items that round out every table.

• Cranberry-Orange Relish (by the pint)

• Turkey Gravy (by the quart)

• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

• Mini Pecan Tarts

Add-On Tip: Group them under “Extras for the Table” and bundle with beverage pairings.

Friendsgiving: The New Feast That Comes First

Younger diners, especially those who live away from home or just prefer celebrating with their chosen family, have turned Friendsgiving into one of the biggest pre-holiday trends of the decade. It’s relaxed, social, and tailor-made for quick-service restaurants that know how to make comfort food fun.

Offer a few shareable dishes or “Friendsgiving Sides to-Go” to capture early orders and generate buzz before Thanksgiving week.

Unlike traditional Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving isn’t about a perfectly roasted turkey — it’s about easy, shareable dishes and plenty of sides. That makes it a golden opportunity for restaurants to step in early and boost sales before the main holiday rush.

Here’s how to make it work:

• Create a “Friendsgiving Feast” special. Bundle your best sides and crowd-pleasers into shareable group platters or dine-in sets.

• Offer sides-to-go. Perfect for hosts who want to bring a few restaurant-quality dishes to the party.

• Promote delivery. Position your Friendsgiving menu as party prep made easy — ready to order, reheat, and serve with zero stress.

• Promote early. Most Friendsgivings happen the weekend before Thanksgiving — the perfect window to build buzz for your main sides-only menu.

• Make it social. Encourage guests to tag your restaurant in their Friendsgiving posts, or offer a small discount for groups who share their celebrations online.

Friendsgiving gives your restaurant an extra week of seasonal sales, attracts younger diners who love to celebrate together, and builds momentum that carries right into Thanksgiving week.

👉 For more ideas on how to market and menu-plan for Friendsgiving, check out our related post: Friendsgiving Feast: A New Holiday Prequel, Served Casual.

Marketing Side Notes

• Launch early. Announce your sides-only menu at least two weeks before Thanksgiving (as in now). Push pre-orders through social posts, SMS, and email blasts.

• Promote convenience. Use inviting language like “Let us handle the sides” or “Bring restaurant-quality dishes home.”

• Bundle and upsell. Create “Sides Samplers” or “Mix & Match 3 for $X” packs. Include family-size options to make ordering effortless.

• Make delivery shine. Feature your sides on delivery apps under a limited-time category — “Thanksgiving To-Go.”

• Cross-sell drinks. Pair sides with wine, cider, or cocktails-to-go for an easy check boost.

• Keep momentum rolling. Use your pre-order list to promote December catering, holiday events, and gift card sales.

Delivery: The Secret Ingredient

Thanksgiving sides and delivery are a natural pairing. These dishes are compact, travel well, and fit perfectly into the “help me, but don’t cook it all for me” mindset of modern diners. For families handling the turkey at home, ordering sides from their favorite local spot is an easy win and a major opportunity for restaurants.

Make delivery shine by:

• Creating a “Thanksgiving To-Go” category on your delivery platform with its own banner, photos, and short descriptions (“Family-size mashed potatoes,” “Truffle mac & cheese,” “Cranberry pints to-go”).

• Highlighting convenience in your app listings — use phrasing like “Reheat and serve in minutes” or “Perfect sides for your home feast.”

• Offering combo packs that make checkout easy: Mix & Match 3 Sides, Family Feast Add-Ons, or Holiday Comfort Bundle.

• Timing promotions: Send push notifications or social posts the weekend before Thanksgiving reminding customers they can still order sides while prepping their own meal.

Leftover Repurposing

Helping customers repurpose their Thanksgiving leftovers with creative side orders is a smart way to stay engaged post-holiday.

Next-Day Bundles

• Mini-Bundles: Pair sides with gravy or bread rolls for a complete next-day meal enhancement.

• Breakfast Kits: Market versatile dishes like sweet potato casserole as next-morning fare.

Leftover-Friendly Add-Ons

• Next-Day Sides: Sell mashed potatoes, stuffing, or gravy that pairs perfectly with leftover turkey or ham.

• Bread Options: Promote rolls, wraps, or flatbreads for making sandwiches.

• Soup Starters: Offer pre-made turkey stock or a soup kit with fresh veggies and herbs.

Takeaway

You don’t need to offer a full roasted turkey to profit from Thanksgiving; you just need to be part of the meal. A ‘Sides-Only’ Thanksgiving Menu lets your restaurant join the celebration, showcase your best flavors, and turn holiday traffic into long-term customer loyalty.

By positioning delivery as a holiday helper, not just takeout, you transform a simple sides-only menu into a stress-saving service customers genuinely appreciate — the kind they’ll remember (and reorder) from year to year.

This season, keep it simple, keep it flavorful, and let the sides steal the show.

Up Next: Friendsgiving Feast: A New Holiday Prequel, Served Casual

By Eileen Strauss