Every Thanksgiving, the oven turns into the most fought-over spot in the house. The turkey claims it for hours, and the potatoes, vegetables, and everybody else’s dishes end up waiting in line.
These 18 sides skip the oven completely, so you can spread the cooking across the air fryer, slow cooker, stovetop, and Instant Pot and still get everything to the table hot.
Air Fryer Sides
Think of the air fryer as your closer. Most of these cook in 10 to 20 minutes, right about the time the turkey needs to rest, so they hit the table hot and crispy.
It works like a small convection oven, with hot air moving all the way around the food, which is why the edges brown so fast.
Air Fryer Honey Roasted Carrots
Baby carrots roast with a little brown sugar, then get tossed in honey and maple syrup while they’re hot. Sweet, caramelized, and done in under 20 minutes.
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Halved sprouts get ranch seasoning and Parmesan, then crisp up in about 12 minutes. The outer leaves turn dark and crunchy, which wins over even the Brussels sprouts skeptics.
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Brown sugar and cinnamon caramelize into a crust in about 12 minutes. All the cozy flavor of sweet potato casserole, no oven needed.
Air Fryer Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes
Baby red potatoes cook cut side down with garlic, parsley, and rosemary until golden and crispy. A nice crispy option next to all the creamy potatoes.
Air Fryer Cauliflower
Smoked paprika and turmeric give this cauliflower a golden color and warm, savory flavor. Finish with a squeeze of lemon right before serving.
Air Fryer Roasted Lemon Pepper Broccoli
A spoonful of water in the drip tray steams the stems tender while the tops get a little char. Lemon pepper is all it needs, and it’s done in about 10 minutes.
Stovetop and Slow Cooker Sides
This is the old-school corner of the kitchen, and the good news is that a couple of these can be done before Thanksgiving even starts. Make the cranberry sauce and pickles ahead, whisk up the gravy while the turkey rests, and let the slow cooker handle the mac and cheese so your burners stay open.
Mashed Potatoes
My go-to mashed potatoes, made extra creamy with sour cream and butter. If you’re only making one potato side, this is the one.
Turkey Gravy
Made with chicken stock instead of pan drippings, so it doesn’t have to wait on the turkey. Whisk it together in about 15 minutes while the bird rests.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Four simple ingredients with orange and warm spices, and it beats the canned stuff easily. Make it a day or two ahead and check one thing off your list.
Sautéed Green Beans
Fresh green beans, garlic, and shallots in a skillet for about 10 minutes, finished with lemon. They keep some crunch, a nice break from all the creamy dishes.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Uncooked pasta goes right in with sharp cheddar and mozzarella and cooks on low for about 2 hours. Stir it every 15 to 20 minutes and add a splash of milk at the end.
Refrigerator Pickles
Crunchy dill pickles in a simple vinegar brine with garlic and fresh dill. They need a day in the fridge and keep for two weeks, perfect for an old-school relish tray.
Instant Pot Sides
The Instant Pot is about the closest thing you’ll get to an extra set of hands on Thanksgiving. Load it up while the turkey roasts, walk away, and let the Keep Warm setting hold everything until the table’s ready. Less babysitting means more time for sneaking bites of turkey.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Russets cook in about 10 minutes, then get mashed with butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan. Need more than 8 servings? Make two batches instead of doubling.
Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Fresh cranberries, brown sugar, orange juice, and warm spices cook down in just 4 minutes. It thickens as it cools, so it’s an easy one to make early.
Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Cavatappi cooks right in chicken broth, so there’s nothing to boil or drain. Extra sharp cheddar, Swiss, and Parmesan give the sauce real flavor.
Instant Pot Parmesan Ranch Potatoes
Red potatoes cook with ranch seasoning, then Parmesan thickens the broth into a creamy sauce. A fun change from mashed if your family puts ranch on everything.
Instant Pot Potatoes and Green Beans
Red potatoes and green beans cook together in 3 minutes, then get a light, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce. A potato and a vegetable from one pot.
Instant Pot Butter Noodles
Wide egg noodles cook in broth and butter in just 2 minutes, no straining. A Thanksgiving tradition in a lot of Midwest homes, especially with gravy on top.
Thanksgiving is a lot of cooking, but it doesn’t have to be a traffic jam. Give the turkey the oven, spread these sides around the rest of the kitchen, and you might even get to sit down before everyone starts eating.
Save this one for your game plan, and send it to whoever’s on potato duty this year.
How to Get Every Side on the Table Hot
- Make the cold stuff first. Cranberry sauce and pickles are served cold, so make them a day or two ahead. That’s two dishes done before Thanksgiving even starts.
- Start hands-off sides early. The slow cooker mac and Instant Pot potatoes cook while the turkey roasts. A splash of milk or cream loosens them up before serving.
- Air fry while it rests. Your turkey needs about 10 to 15 minutes to rest before carving. That’s just enough time to crisp up a batch of Brussels sprouts or carrots.
- Plan for batches. Most air fryer baskets hold enough for about 4 people in a single layer. For a bigger table, cook two different vegetables back to back instead of crowding one basket.
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