Oven space is always a premium around the holidays. That big turkey takes up all the room! Here at 50+ Thanksgiving Side Dishes NOT cooked in the oven. I know you’ll find a new favorite so many amazing holiday side dishes to choose from! PLUS I’m sharing my best tips for stress-free holiday entertaining!
Thanksgiving Side Dishes NOT cooked in the oven!
Thanksgiving without a doubt is my favorite holiday. I love family time. Watching sports with my brother, giggling with the girls and talking cameras with Dad.
Hanging out and enjoying family and friends.
What does Thanksgiving mean to you?
For me, it is about family and camaraderie. It’s about reconnecting with those you love and giving thanks. Having extra time to spend with Dan.
Personally, I LOVE to cook Thanksgiving dinner. But I also recognize that isn’t for everyone!
If cooking for a crowd is stressful here are some tips!
- Go out to a great restaurant – pick your favorite, something everyone would enjoy!
- Order take-out, it’s ok! Order enough for dinner and a bit extra. That way when you’re looking for leftovers you’ll still have a great late-night snack in the refrigerator.
- Grocery stores offer a complete Turkey dinner – turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy for about fifty bucks! Ham & prime rib meals are also available. You will need to pre-order so check your local store for availability and prices.
Here’s the bottom line…. don’t stress – make it fun for everyone, including YOU!!!
So… having said that – if you are cooking Thanksgiving this year there is always so much happening in the kitchen, especially in the oven..
What about the side dishes? Is there enough room to cook them in the oven?
What’s a gal/guy to do when everything needs to be done at the same time?
Don’t use the oven of course!
Today I wanted to share with you some great Thanksgiving Side Dishes that aren’t cooked in the oven! You’re going to find at least one (probably more!!) new recipes everyone will love!
Holiday Side Dishes – Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Rutabagas
One of our favorites Thanksgiving Side Dishes NOT made in the oven is Candied Sweet Potatoes – another must-have on our table. This recipe has been in our family for over 100 years!
One of the BEST parts is that it only takes four ingredients! AND it can be made ahead, up to three days ahead. The only problem with that is they may disappear from the refrigerator before Thanksgiving Day! 😋
Potatoes are traditional AND delicious! Here are my favorite recipes!
Have you tried Rutabagas before? They are my favorite side dish – hands down! I know… you think I’m crazy right? BUT they are so good!
BEST Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Greens, Peas, Green Beans and more!
Pass on the traditional green bean casserole dish. Instead, consider serving sauteed or pan-fried greens. A light side dish helps balance the heavy meal.
And a few more recipes that sound delicious!
- German Green Bean Salad with Dill – making this side dish the night before makes Thanksgiving Day even easier!
- Peas with Pancetta & Shallots – a simple dish, but is fancy enough for your holiday meal!
- Fresh Green Beans with Prosciutto – topped with pine nuts and served with a warm vinaigrette it’s perfect for your holiday meal!
Pan-Roasted Vegetables
Great tip to keep the side dishes warm? Line your cooler with foil. Wrap the heated side dish(s) in a towel and stack them in the cooler. Close the lid tightly.
Deb Clark
Traditional Mashed Potatoes AND Gravy – all made in the pressure cooker, let me tell you it doesn’t get any either then this!
- Maple Glazed Carrots will have even your pickiest eaters looking for seconds! That sweet glaze is just so delicious!
- An easy light veg is Pan-Roasted Asparagus – quick to make and only four ingredients – YUM!
Easy Side Dishes – Salads
Salads are always great on the buffet – often made ahead they are a super simple side dish that everyone enjoys!
- If you like bacon and cheese, then you will certainly love this Broccoli Salad!
- This Broccoli Salad has crunchy apples, chopped nuts, applewood bacon – but there’s no doubt broccoli is the star!
Holiday Side Dishes – Cranberry Sauce
Your holiday table is not complete without Cranberry Sauce! You can always serve canned, but homemade is so much better!
Cranberry Sauce can be made ahead and frozen – take out of the freezer two days before to thaw.
Deb Clark
There are many variations of sauce too!
- Cranberry Cherry Apple Sauce – The addition of apples and cinnamon sounds like such a beautiful combination. I bet it’s really fragrant too, mmm!!
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce – Subtle hints of rosemary and orange zest that infuse the sauce. It’s a little sweet and a little tart!
Holiday Hint!
Set the table the day before – one less thing to do on Thanksgiving Day.
Deb Clark
Now we have more yummy Thanksgiving Side Dishes – all made on the stovetop or an electric skillet!
- Sharon’s Special Sticky Rice – pure comfort food! Each bite has tender morsels of glutinous sweet rice and savory nibbles of salty Chinese sausage. Is your mouth watering yet? Mmm…. mine is!
- Sausage Stuffed Potato Dumplings – pillows of goodness I say, YUM! Or, if you don’t make them for Thanksgiving, they could also be made with leftover mashed potatoes, turkey and stuffing, shape them and fry.
- Mashed Rutabagas – creamy and delicious, I know there wouldn’t be any leftovers in our home!
Cast Iron Skillet Cranberry Stuffing – perfect for a simple side dish, fancy enough for your holiday meal!
No room in the oven? Then fire up the grill! That’s a great resource also!
- Asparagus wrapped in Bacon! Click here for a great how-to guide.
- No Bacon? No problem, still grill them – here’s the step-by-step guide, how to grill asparagus.
I have a whole post with 40+ side dishes made in the pressure cooker – click here to find a new favorite recipe!
Is the Thanksgiving meal too much work? This year, make it a potluck! Everyone always brings their best dishes, cook the turkey and let others fill in with great sides.
Deb Clark
Pasta is always a wonderful side dish. It’s affordable and easy to make. If you’re looking for a meat-free side, here are some options. The Chili Mac does have beef, but you could always substitute with a vegetarian option.
Want a stress free Thanksgiving – make the gravy a day (or two!) ahead. Just reheat prior to serving!
Deb Clark
Green Salad Holiday Side Dishes
A Thanksgiving table deserves to have a salad – but not any old salad, season it up with something special!
- Soft pillowy rolls are always on the table, right? Dress them up with some creamy Cinnamon Honey Butter from An Affair from the Heart!
- Cowboy Butter – you can top off just about anything with this! Of course, it’s delicious on bread and rolls, but steamed or roasted vegetables – delicious! Also consider making this and spreading it under the skin of your bird – fabulous!
Another great tip – don’t make everything yourself. Ask each guest to bring a dessert and set up a sweets buffet. Desserts are done!
Deb Clark
Do you have a wonderful side dish that is NOT cooked in the oven? Email me the link for your original recipe and I will happily add it to this blog to share for next year!
If you would like to try a great recipe for roast turkey, here’s mine. Your turkey will be the star of the show, moist, delicious and perfectly done every time. This is my go-to recipe for Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Thanksgiving Side Dishes and Roasted Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 18-20 lb Turkey
- 6 cups root vegetables – I use onion, carrots and butternut squash
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons softened butter
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees
- Clean & chop the root vegetables into large pieces. Put them into a large roasting pan and put the turkey on top.
- Mix together the butter and spices – salt, pepper, cloves & nutmeg. With clean hands, run the butter spice mixture all over the turkey, inside & out. Separate the skin from the breast meat and get it in there also.
- Mix together the wine and chicken broth and pour it over the turkey. Cover the turkey very tightly with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 500 degree oven as follows;
- First half hour: 500 degrees
- Second half hour: 450 degrees
- Third half hour 400 degrees
- Turn heat down to 350 and continue cooking for one hour. Remove the foil. Baste turkey as it continues to cook. It will take about 1 1/2 hours more for a 20 lb. turkey.
- Allow to rest for at least a half hour, covered with aluminum foil. Remove the root veggies from the pan and you have a delicious side dish! Carve the turkey & enjoy!
Liza says
Wow, Debra,
These are the life-savers ( for the busy folks like me)! Thanks for posting them!! 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
So many wonderful recipes from our amazing colleagues – thanks Liza, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sandhya Hariharan says
Really a fab handy guide Debra !! Sometimes we just need to step out from our traditional recipes and make our life easier too .
Bowl Me Over says
I so agree Sandhya, it’s always fun to try new things!!
Sarah says
What an awesome idea for a recipe collection and talk about a life saver! I feel like there’s never enough time…but mores…there’s never enough room in the oven!
Bowl Me Over says
So true Sarah – never enough room in the oven!! Thank you!!
Laura | Wandercooks says
Oooh what an inspirational roundup of recipes! There’s almost no need to stress these days with the range of culinary creations and options we have available, especially when you’ve helped bring them all together into a neat collection too! Have to say, that turkey looks divine!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks much Laura!! Good stuff here that’s for sure! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Geoffrey @ Spoonabilities.com says
Great roundup of sides. Always looking for different side dishes. Love our you grouped them together too! Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks so much Geoffrey, I appreciate you stopping by!!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
These are great options to keep the oven saved for the turkey! Love all the different options!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks so much Christina!!
Sandi says
OMG thank you for this. Our oven is small so holidays are often a struggle to get everything cooked. I love these ideas. I hope you remarket it in social media so people can find these great recipes.
Bowl Me Over says
You’re so welcome Sandi! I think I’m going to put out the word and add some new recipes to it. More soon!
Nettie Moore says
Thank you for including my recipes in your delicious post! Happy Thanksgiving! Nettie, Moore or Less Cooking
Bowl Me Over says
You’re so welcome Nettie – I really appreciate your contribution!!!
Sandi says
I love this recipe roundup! I am so glad that these recipes won’t need to go in the oven. Space is a premium in our oven on Thanksgiving. Also, thank you for sharing my rutabaga post. Sharing all around!
Bowl Me Over says
Your Rutabaga recipe looks amazing – we ALWAYS have them on our dinner table. More people should! Thank you for another delicious recipe!!!
Healing Tomato says
Thank you so much for including my Navy Beans salad in this wonderful collection. I see so many many great dishes in this collection and they are all very tempting.
Bowl Me Over says
You are very welcome! Your bean salad looks so delicious and would be an amazing salad for the buffet, I love it!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
When the oven is “fully booked”, sides that can be made on the stovetop are indispensable. What a terrific list you’ve put together…very inspiring.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Karen, I’m glad you’ve found this a great resource!
Megan @ Megunprocessed says
Side dishes are my favorite thing. Great options here.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Megan!!!
Erin Clarkson says
What a great roundup!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Erin!
Richa Gupta says
I love that Navy Bean Salad and anything that involves potatoes!
Bowl Me Over says
Me too Richa – win, win!!
Carolyn says
This is perfect for the holidays!
Bowl Me Over says
Lots of great recipes from many food bloggers! Glad you found it helpful Carolyn!
michele says
So many great ideas … and with thanksgiving not using the oven is MAJOR helpful! Keeping this for thanksgiving!
Bowl Me Over says
Most definitely Michele!
debi at Life Currents says
Even with 2 ovens, when I cook Thanksgiving dinner I still need space. Thanks for these. I’ll definitely be using them.
Bowl Me Over says
Same here, there’s never enough room in the oven!
Sandra Shaffer says
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday too! I have two ovens, but it’s still not enough cooking space, so these side dishes are going to be handy to have. I’m eyeing the mac ‘n cheese recipes. What a great addition to a turkey feast!
Bowl Me Over says
Mmmm!!!! Mac ‘n Cheese! That has me drooling just thinking about it!!! Thanks Sandra!
Julie says
There are so many amazing recipes here! I love Thanksgiving and trying new dishes.
Bowl Me Over says
Me too Julie and we always run out of room in the oven!
Kathy says
Thank you for so many wonderful recipe ideas! I am always looking for ways to minimize oven use during the holidays. This is perfect!
Bowl Me Over says
Fantastic Kathy! This is a fantastic reference for the holidays!
Angela says
I want them all!! These are so delicious looking and so helpful because man it really is a problem every year! These non oven dishes sure make life easier!
Bowl Me Over says
Exactly! There’s never enough room in the oven, right?!!
Michaela Kenkel says
I don’t need to go anywhere else!! Grab a turkey and I am all set!! Great ideas for Thanksgiving!
Lois says
These all look very good, I will pick out three of them to put wit our turkey and enjoy the day. Thank you
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you! So many delicious choices!!!
Lois says
So many great ideas. Love them. Have made several myself
Bowl Me Over says
That’s great to hear, thank you for sharing!!