The Thanksgiving Sides I Make Without Touching the Oven

Thanksgiving sides usually mean a fight for oven space, so these are the ones that skip it entirely. Half are quick stovetop, slow cooker or air fryer sides, and half are cold, no cook salads you can make well ahead of time.

Collage of four no-oven Thanksgiving side dishes, including creamy mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomato salad, and potato salad.

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Between the two groups you can round out a full Thanksgiving plate without opening the oven once.

Stovetop, Slow Cooker and Air Fryer Sides

These cook somewhere other than the oven, so they never compete with the turkey.

Irish Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Buttery mashed potatoes with cabbage and green onion folded in, made entirely on the stovetop.

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creamy mashed potatoes with kale and leeks.

Turmeric Rice Recipe

A simple turmeric rice with a warm golden color, a good starch option when the oven is full.

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Garlic Green Beans

Green beans sauteed with garlic until just tender, ready in under fifteen minutes on the stove.

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Green beans cooking in a pan, turning bright green.

Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes With Orange Juice

Old fashioned candied sweet potatoes made on the stovetop in a brown sugar and orange juice glaze.

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old fashioned candied sweet potatoes casserole.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes With Brown Sugar And Bacon

Mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar and bacon, a sweet and savory side made entirely in a pot.

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Best Crockpot Mac and Cheese (Without Flour, No Velveeta)

A creamy crock pot mac and cheese that frees up the stovetop and the oven at the same time.

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Carrots In Air Fryer

Honey glazed carrots made in the air fryer, caramelized without needing any oven space.

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glazed carrots in a bowl with rosemary stalks.

Sauteed Parmesan Zucchini and Corn Skillet

Zucchini and corn sauteed together with parmesan, a quick skillet side with a little crunch.

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Edamame With Chili

Chili garlic edamame boiled and tossed in a spicy sauce, ready in about ten minutes.

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Edamame Recipe with chili flakes and salt.

Fried Cabbage With Bacon And Onion

Cabbage fried in bacon fat with onion, a Southern style side that only needs one skillet.

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fried cabbage skillet with bacon, onion and garlic.

Cold and No-Cook Sides

Make these a day ahead and pull them straight from the fridge.

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

A classic Olivier style potato salad, made ahead and served cold so it needs no last minute attention.

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Traditional Russian Olivier Salad (Potato Salad).

Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad

A creamy cucumber and tomato salad that comes together cold, a light contrast to a heavier plate.

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Marinated Cucumber and Onion Salad

Cucumbers and onions marinated in a tangy vinegar dressing, best made the day before to let the flavor build.

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Cherry Tomato Salad

A simple cherry tomato salad with herbs, ready in the time it takes to slice the tomatoes.

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marinated cherry tomato salad with herbs.

Pickled Red Cabbage Recipe

Quick pickled red cabbage with a bright, tangy crunch that keeps well in the fridge for days.

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Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

A tangy dill pickle pasta salad that tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge.

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Pesto Potato Salad

A mayo free potato salad tossed in pesto, made ahead and served cold or at room temperature.

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Pesto Potato Salad in a wooden serving bowl

Easy Creamy Potato Salad With Bacon And Cheese

A creamy potato salad loaded with bacon and cheese, assembled cold once the potatoes are boiled.

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creamy potato salad with cheddar bacon cucumber in ranch dressing in a white bowl

Super Simple Sauerkraut

Homemade sauerkraut that ferments on the counter, no cooking required once it is packed in the jar.

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Cucumber Dill Salad With Refreshing Vinaigrette

A simple cucumber dill salad that takes minutes to toss together and serve cold.

MAKE THE RECIPE

fresh cucumber dill salad in a bowl with red onion and dressing

Tips for a No-Oven Thanksgiving Spread

Make the cold salads a day ahead – most of them taste better after a night in the fridge anyway, and it clears your day-of task list.
Use the slow cooker for one warm side – it holds food at temperature for hours without any attention, which is one less pan to watch.
Time the stovetop sides for right before serving – green beans and sauteed vegetables hold their texture best when they are cooked last.
An air fryer counts as a second oven – if you have one, run it alongside the actual oven for anything that needs real roasting or crisping.
Balance rich and light – pair a creamy potato salad or mac and cheese with something bright and vinegary like the pickled cabbage or cucumber salad.

No-Oven Thanksgiving Side Questions

Can I really make a full Thanksgiving plate without the oven?

Yes, as long as the turkey itself is handled separately, such as spatchcocked on the grill or in a slow cooker. Every side on this list cooks on the stovetop, in a slow cooker or air fryer, or needs no cooking at all.

Which of these travel well if I am not hosting?

The cold salads are the easiest to transport since they are meant to be served chilled or at room temperature. Pack the dressing separately for anything mayo or vinegar based and toss it right before serving.

What if I only have one slow cooker?

Pick one warm side for the slow cooker, such as the mac and cheese, and lean on the stovetop and no-cook sides for the rest. Stovetop sides can also be made just before serving in the time it takes to carve the turkey.

For the full spread including oven baked classics, see my 130+ Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes roundup.