One of the hardest parts about cooking a huge meal like Thanksgiving is planning for the oven. Unless you’re lucky enough to have two ovens, you’ll probably struggle with fitting everything in the oven at the right time.

That’s where these recipes come in! They are all based on classic Thanksgiving recipes, but have been adapted so you don’t need the oven at all.

Okay. Onto the recipes!

No Oven Side Dish #1: Green Beans

Green Beans

Fresh Green Beans with Crispy Breadcrumbs

5 from 1 vote
Author: Nick Evans
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
This is a fresh no-oven take on the classic green bean casserole.

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound green beans, steamed
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Salt and Pepper

Instructions

  • Add 2 cups of water to a medium pot over high heat. Cover. Clean green beans by trimming ends off. Once water is at a rolling boil, add green beans, cover, and cook for about 90 seconds until green beans are bright green but still have a snap to them.
  • Drain green beans and toss with 1 tablespoon butter and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • In a small skillet over low heat, melt butter and add bread crumbs and almonds. Cook, stirring regularly until bread crumbs are browned. Remove from heat.
  • Liberally sprinkle bread crumbs over green beans. Serve while warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 208mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 639IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @crunchtimekitchen

This is a lighter version of the classic green bean casserole. I start this version with fresh green beans and steam them until they are just cooked, but still have a little bite to them.

Then I toss them with some butter-browned bread crumbs and almonds. Its’ a super-fast recipe to make and easy to multiply. I can seriously eat a whole plate of these by myself. If you want another green bean option, check out this Green Bean Casserole From Scratch!

No Oven Side Dish #2: Caramelized Pear Salad

Pear Salad

Caramelized Pear Salad

5 from 1 vote
Author: Nick Evans
Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
This easy salad has delicious fall flavors and is a great side dish for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients 

  • 2 pears, quartered
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 5 ounces baby arugula
  • 1 fennel bulb, sliced thin
  • 4 ounces goat cheese
  • Olive oil

Instructions

  • Quarter pears. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Melt butter and add pears. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side until they are slightly caramelized. Remove pears and let cool.
  • In a large bowl, add arugula and drizzle with olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Slice fennel bulb very thinly and sprinkle over arugula. Top with chopped pears and crumbled goat cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 484mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1322IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Appetizers, Salad, Side Dishes
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @crunchtimekitchen

I always struggle with a starter for Thanksgiving. You want something light, but also something classy.

This salad is the answer! Caramelize the pears in a little butter in a small skillet and then add them to a salad with arugula, thinly sliced fennel, and goat cheese. YUM.

No Oven Side Dish #3: Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

5 from 1 vote
Author: Nick Evans
Servings: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
This is a fresh no-oven twist on the classic sweet potato casserole.

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup cream
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar, optional
  • Marshmallows, broiled (optional)

Instructions

  • Peel sweet potatoes and chop into 1-inch chunks. Cook in lightly salted until the sweet potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Drain sweet potatoes and return to the pan. Add butter, milk (or cream) and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mash until smooth. If potatoes are dry, you might need to add more milk.
    You can serve these as-is while warm.
  • (optional) Transfer sweet potatoes to a casserole dish and top with brown sugar and marshmallows. Use a kitchen torch to lightly toast marshmallows!

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 525mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 21654IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @crunchtimekitchen

BOOOM. I wasn’t sure this was possible but I wanted to make the classic sweet potato casserole but leave out the oven.

The key to this is after you mash the sweet potatoes you use a little kitchen torch to blister the marshmallows on top! It turns out to be pretty much perfect. And it takes a fraction of the time as the classic version!

If you find yourself with a packed oven during Thanksgiving, substitute one of these recipes and take some stress off of your oven (and your brain)!