These 22 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes, That Don't Need an Oven or Stove to make, are the perfect solution for making a delicious holiday meal without overcrowding your kitchen.
From creamy slow cooker potatoes and fluffy Instant Pot rice to crispy air fryer vegetables, savory breads, and refreshing salads, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
What you will read about.
Why you will like these recipes.
Whether you are hosting a large Thanksgiving gathering or bringing a dish to share, these easy Thanksgiving side dish recipes can help save time, reduce holiday cooking stress, and make room for the turkey and other traditional favorites.
Here is what else you will like about this recipe.
- Easy to Make. These recipes feature simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, making holiday meal preparation less stressful.
- Convenient Cooking Methods. Air fryers, slow cookers, and pressure cookers make it easier to prepare multiple dishes without competing for oven space.
- Budget-Friendly Options. Many of these Thanksgiving sides use affordable pantry staples and everyday ingredients.
- Something for Everyone. From creamy potatoes and crispy vegetables to savory breads and fresh salads, there are plenty of delicious options to choose from.
Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipe Ideas.
From hearty potatoes to savory bread recipes, these sides are conveniently made recipes that are easy to make. There is no need to worry about oven space or making a spot on a crowded stove. All you need is an air fryer, slow cooker, a simple bowl, or a pressure cooker to make these!
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1
Instant Pot White Rice
Servings: 6
Instant Pot White Rice is a simple and convenient way to make perfectly cooked rice without having to watch a pot on the stove.Made with just long-grain white rice, water, and optional salt and oil or butter, this easy recipe produces tender, fluffy rice with very little hands-on effort.
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2
Easy Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites)
Servings: 6
This Easy Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites) Recipe is a quick and flavorful side dish that brings all the bold, delicious flavors of classic elote into a simple spoonable salad.Made with sweet corn, fresh lime juice, Cotija cheese, and a touch of chili powder, this tasty side has the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors making it perfect for taco night, summer cookouts, potlucks, or an easy weeknight side.
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3
Air Fryer Corn on the Cob, Sweet,
Servings: 4
This Air Fryer Corn on the Cob recipe delivers sweet, juicy kernels with a perfectly tender texture in just minutes.Made with just a few simple ingredients—corn, butter, and salt—you can create a delicious side dish that pairs well with everything from grilled meats to burgers, sandwiches, and salads.
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4
Easy Black Bean Salsa Recipe,
Servings: 8
This Easy Black Bean Salsa Recipe takes about 10 minutes to put together.Made with pantry ingredients including corn and tomatoes, this colorful and flavorful salsa is perfect when served as an appetizer, side, or even as a condiment.
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5
Brussels Sprout Slaw Recipe
Servings: 8
This Brussels Sprout Slaw Recipe takes about 20 minutes to put together. Made with fresh celery, apples and carrots, this simple slaw is colorful and flavorful.
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6
Air Fryer Baked Potato (loaded!)
Servings: 4
This Air Fryer Baked Potato recipe is as easy as it gets. Topped with optional ingredients including sour cream, bacon bits, and shredded cheese, this air fried baked potato is crisp on the outside and full of flavor goodness on the inside.
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7
Crockpot Potatoes Au Gratin
Servings: 8
This recipe for Crockpot Potatoes Au Gratin is a classic side that goes with about any entree.Made with thinly sliced potatoes in a creamy sauce, this mouthwatering dish is both hearty and filling, making it perfect for holiday gatherings and potluck dinners .
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8
Crockpot Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Servings: 10
Crockpot Funeral Potatoes Recipe is basically a cheesy potato casserole that is made in a slow cooker.Made with hash brown potatoes and topped with crunchy corn flake cereal, these potatoes are a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for sharing with others.
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9
Crockpot Funeral Potatoes Recipe
Servings: 10
Crockpot Funeral Potatoes Recipe is basically a cheesy potato casserole that is made in a slow cooker.Made with hash brown potatoes and topped with crunchy corn flake cereal, these potatoes are a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for sharing with others.
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10
Air Fryer Cornbread Recipe
Servings: 8
This easy Air Fryer Cornbread Recipe makes a flavorful warm cornbread in about a half hour.Made with basic pantry ingredients including cornmeal, this bread is crumbly and moist, with a slightly sweet and buttery in taste.
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11
Air Fryer Tater Tot Casserole
Servings: 4
This easy Air Fryer Tater Tot Casserole recipe is an easy comfort food idea that can be made in about a half hour.Made with frozen potato tots and ground beef, this layered casserole is the perfect blend of rich and savory flavors and textures, making it perfect for about any time of the day.
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12
Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Servings: 6
This Air Fryer Garlic Bread is really about as good as it gets.Made with sliced bread that has been coated with fresh garlic, parmesan cheese, and butter, this mouthwatering bread is garlicky, cheesey, buttery, and savory goodness.
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13
Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes
Servings: 7
These Air Fryer Ranch Potatoes are a perfect comfort food that can be enjoyed as a snack or as a side dish.Made with just three ingredients, these tasty potatoes are crispy on the outside, tender and fluffy on the inside potatoes and are bursting with savory ranch flavor .
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14
Air Fryer Carrot Fries
Servings: 4
Air Fryer Carrot Fries are a healthier alternative to the usual deep fried potatoes.These simple carrot fries are sweet and savory thanks to the carrots and the seasonings added for flavor.
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15
Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe
Servings: 36
Air Fryer Tater Tots Recipe, that is made from scratch, takes about a half hour to make.These tasty homemade tots have a crispy golden outside with a fluffy potato inside that is full of flavor..
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16
Slow Cooker (Crock Pot)) Honey Mustard Potatoes
Servings: 8
Slow Cooker (Crock Pot)) Honey Mustard Potatoes are a simple and delicious side dish that go great with chicken, steak, or a simple vegetarian salad.These mouthwatering baby sized potatoes are slow cooked to a fork tender texture and sweet and savory flavor perfection.
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17
Instant Pot Garlic Butter Knots
Servings: 24
Instant Pot Garlic Butter Knots are a homemade version of a favorite Italian or Pizza restaurant appetizer.The homemade bread recipe is soft and chewy and is full of buttery garlic flavor!
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18
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Servings: 4
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower is simple and quick recipe idea using a favorite vegetable.This delicious snack or appetizer recipe features bite sized cauliflower that have been coated with a spicy sauce and air fried to a perfect crispy crunch.
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19
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
Servings: 6
Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Honey Dijon Dip is a simple and flavorful dish that can be served as an appetizer or as a side with about any main dish.The air fried brussels sprouts are crispy on the outside and pleasantly tender, sweet and savory on the inside, making for the perfect complement to the honey dijon dip that goes with them.
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20
Instant Pot Cream of Mushroom Soup
Servings: 6
Cream of Mushroom Soup made in a Pressure Cooker.This soup is loaded with mushrooms and simple flavors making it the perfect comfort food.I like that this soup can be served as a meal in itself with a slice of bread or small salad on the side.
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21
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic
Servings: 4
Air Fryer Hasselback Potatoes with Garlic is a simple and delicious way to enjoy a potato.Hasselback style potatoes are potatoes that are sliced thin most of the way through and connected on the bottom. When made in an air fryer, these hasselback potatoes are crisp on the outside and fluffy and flavorful on the inside, making them a perfect choice as a side dish or small meal.
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22
Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Potato Chips
Servings: 4
Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Potato Chips is a quick and easy four ingredient recipe that is made without frying anything in oil.These guilt-free crispy alternative to a deep fried potato chip are full of a more intense potato flavor that is highlighted by the seasonings that are added.
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Tips for making the best Thanksgiving Side Dishes.
Plan Your Thanksgiving Menu Ahead of Time. Choose your side dishes several days before Thanksgiving so you can organize your ingredients, cooking methods, and preparation times.
More helpful tips for you.
- Prepare Ingredients in Advance. Save time on Thanksgiving Day by washing vegetables, chopping ingredients, measuring seasonings, and preparing dressings the day before.
- Check Your Electrical Outlets. Make sure you have enough accessible outlets for your small appliances. Avoid overloading electrical circuits, and plug high-wattage appliances directly into wall outlets rather than extension cords or power strips.
- Include a Few No-Cook Side Dishes. Fresh salads, slaws, and salsas are excellent additions to a Thanksgiving menu because they can be prepared ahead of time without using cooking appliances.
- Save Time with Convenient Ingredients. Frozen vegetables, pre-shredded cheese, canned beans, and prewashed produce can help reduce preparation time without sacrificing flavor.
- Share the Goodness. If you are bringing a Thanksgiving side dish to someone else's home, consider making a recipe that travels well or can be kept warm in a slow cooker. This helps avoid needing additional oven or stovetop space at your host's house.
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Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
These 22 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes (No Oven or Stove Needed) are perfect for making your holiday meal easier and less stressful. Featuring delicious air fryer recipes, slow cooker favorites, Instant Pot side dishes, and simple no-cook options, this collection makes it easy to prepare a complete Thanksgiving feast without using your oven or stovetop.
From creamy mashed potatoes and cheesy casseroles to flavorful vegetables, cornbread, and fresh salads, these easy Thanksgiving side dish recipes help save valuable oven space while keeping holiday meal preparation simple. Whether you are hosting a large Thanksgiving dinner, bringing a dish to a holiday potluck, or looking for make-ahead Thanksgiving sides, these convenient recipes offer something delicious for everyone at your holiday table.
