Thanksgiving Side Dishes NOT cooked in the oven!

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!

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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! 😋

Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Candied Yams are a family favorite. This recipe has been in our family for years – it’s sweet and decadent and always served on special occasions. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

Check out this recipe

Potatoes are traditional AND delicious! Here are my favorite recipes!

Pressure Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Creamy delicious mashed potatoes with homemade gravy all made in the pressure cooker! You'll love this easy side dish!

Check out this recipe

Pressure Cooker Baked Potatoes

Fluffy baked potatoes, perfectly cooked every time! Baked potatoes are made quick and easy your pressure cooker!

Check out this recipe

Mashed Potatoes with Cauliflower

Silky smooth, creamy mashed potatoes with cauliflower is an updated version of an old classic!

Check out this recipe

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!

Buttered Rutabagas

Buttered Rutabagas are a staple on the holiday table. Simple to make they are boiled until tender, drizzled with milk or cream and topped with rich, creamy butter.

Check out this recipe

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.

How to Make Swiss Chard 

How to Braise Chard – The combination of greens and garlic is tantalizing. Braising the greens and garlic together makes the vegetables so delicious and savory. 

Check out this recipe

Steamed Brussels sprouts

Steamed vegetables are a great way to serve a healthy side dish, without adding additional calories or heavy sauces. Delicious too – steaming keeps them bright green and fresh.

Check out this recipe

Southern Style Collard Greens

Southern-Style Collard Greens recipe is a simple side dish full of savory flavor. A classic dish is easy to make and delicious the perfect side dish for any meal!

Check out this recipe

Instant Pot Green Bean Recipe

Instant Pot Green Bean Recipe with salty bacon, onions and garlic. Southern-style green beans using your pressure cooker. A simple and flavorful side dish that takes only minutes to make!

Check out this recipe

3 Ingredient Steamed Green Beans

Steamed Green Beans are a super easy, super delicious side dish taking just minutes to make. They are perfect when paired with rich heavy meals and leftovers become a yummy snack or an ingredient for a great soup!

Check out this recipe

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!

Pan Roasted Vegetables

Fresh crisp vegetables lightly sautéed in butter and olive oil until caramelized and sweet. Adding tomatoes at the end makes a delicate light sauce. An easy lightened up side dish that only takes 15 minutes to make!

Check out this recipe

Sautéed Brussel Sprouts

Sautéed Brussel Sprout Recipe cooked in butter and olive oil seasoned simply with salt and pepper! A sprinkle of pomegranate arils brightens the flavors of this side dish!

Check out this recipe

• 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!

Macaroni Pasta Salad Recipe

Crunchy vegetables and salty bacon are loaded into this Easy Macaroni Pasta Salad! Topped with coleslaw salad dressing, this is SO GOOD and so easy!!

Check out this recipe

Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipes

Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe – Crunchy with lots of delicious Italian seasonings no mayo, it’s perfect for a cookout, barbecue or potluck!

Check out this recipe

Mediterranean White Bean Salad

Yummy deliciousness and creamy crunch in this Mediterranean White Bean Salad – you’re going to love everything about this one – you can serve it cold or room temperature. Perfect for a buffet or light lunch!

Check out this recipe

Ham Pasta Salad

Ham Pasta Salad is easy to make and a real crowd pleaser! Salty ham and feta cheese mixed with bright, crunchy vegetables and pasta.

Check out this recipe

• 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

Cranberry Sauce

Sweet, tart and crunchy this homemade Cranberry Sauce is a staple on our holiday table!

Check out this recipe

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!

Crockpot Cream Corn

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn – Easy to make this buttery, rich and creamy corn is the perfect holiday side dish!

Check out this recipe

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Sweet, juicy corn on the cob ready in minutes! No need to get a steamer basket or special accessories either. Follow this easy step-by-step guide to make Instant Pot Corn on the Cob.

Check out this 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.

Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese

Drool-worthy comfort food just got that much easier! Ditch the box and make your own creamy, cheesy mac n cheese in minutes in your pressure cooker!

Check out this recipe

Pasta Puttanesca

Pasta Puttanesca is a delicious dish that uses simple pantry ingredients to an incredible meal! It’s a quick, easy, budget-friendly meal that will have everyone begging for seconds!

Check out this recipe

Chili Mac and Cheese

Love chili? Love Mac ‘n Cheese? Well combine the two and you’ll have the MOST delicious comfort food!

Check out this recipe

Lemon Pasta Recipe

Creamy Lemon Pasta has a light sauce made with lemons, garlic, parmesan cheese, cream, olive oil and spices. The lemon spaghetti recipe is bright and tangy. It is a quick and easy meal to make!

Check out this recipe

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!

Fall Harvest Salad

This beautiful salad is very simple and uses great fall harvest fruits and vegetables – butter lettuce, roasted butternut squash, Fuyu persimmons, red onions, and a handful of micro-greens – that’s it! Topped with a creamy homemade salad dressing it’s a perfect light lunch on a beautiful fall day!

Check out this recipe

Iceberg Wedge Salad Recipe

Wedge salad is a favorite and something we enjoy quite often. This is an easy salad, so simple to put together!

Check out this recipe

Steakhouse Salad Recipe

The big bold flavors in this steakhouse salad will compliment your steak perfectly! Blue cheese, marinated artichokes and hearts of palm pair perfectly with the sweet homemade vinaigrette. 

Check out this recipe

Honey Glazed Orange Salad with Pistachios

Honey Glazed Orange Salad is light, bright and delicious, simple and amazing. This is a perfect side salad and a celebration of winter flavors – enjoy!

Check out this recipe

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad

Shaved Brussel Sprout Salad Recipe is packed crunchy greens and tangy brussels and is topped with bright fresh fruit. Dress your salad with creamy or tangy balsamic dressing for a great side salad or an easy lunch for any time of the year!

Check out this recipe

• 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

Print Recipe

5 from 15 votes

Thanksgiving Side Dishes and Roasted Turkey

Perfectly roasted, moist and delicious this is my go-to recipe for Thanksgiving!

Prep Time20 mins

Cook Time4 hrs

Total Time4 hrs 20 mins

Course: Poultry

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Christmas, Holiday Dinner, Thanksgiving

Servings: 12 Servings

Calories: 830kcal

Author: Deb Clark

Cost: $20

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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!

Nutrition

Calories: 830kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 113g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 377mg | Sodium: 1373mg | Potassium: 1380mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 5025IU | Vitamin C: 12.2mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 5.4mg

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