Be thankful for slow cookers and crescent roll dough.
Christine ByrnePublished on November 20, 2014
1. Coat your turkey with butter before you cook it instead of brining or marinating. Macey Foronda / BuzzFeed
No brining means no need to clear out your entire fridge for two days before Thanksgiving in order to fit a five-gallon cooler in there. The butter will keep your meat moist and add flavor. Just remember to thaw your turkey a few days in advance.
Recipe: Easiest Thanksgiving Turkey and Gravy
2. Use crescent roll dough to make tiny apple pies. 3. Cook mashed potatoes in a slow cooker... 4. ...then use an electric mixer to mash them! Macey Foronda / BuzzFeed
Because mashing takes a lot of time and a lot of forearm strength.
Recipe: Easy Whipped Potatoes
5. If you make a root vegetable mash instead of mashed potatoes, you can puree it in a blender. 6. Or, if you're willing to break from tradition, roasted potatoes are way easier than mashed. 7. Cook baby carrots instead of whole carrots so that you don't have to peel or cut them. 8. Bake a soft cheese in its wooden box for an easy appetizer that looks fancy. 10. Use frozen hash browns to make your potato casserole . 11. Cook sweet potatoes in the microwave, then peel and mash them. 12. Swap the green bean casserole for easy stovetop green beans. 13. Bake a semi-homemade pie with premade pie dough and homemade filling. Macey Foronda / BuzzFeed
Using store-bought crust means all you have to do is unroll it into a pie dish, then mix your filling ingredients together and pour them in. No waiting for the dough to "come together," no flour-coated countertops!
Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Pie
14. Add cheese and nuts to a simple green salad for lots of added flavor and minimal added prep. julieblanner.com
"Easy salad" doesn't have to by synonymous with "lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers in a bowl with bottles of store-bought dressing on the side." Easy salad can actually taste like something (preferably nuts and cheese).
Recipe: Irresistably Easy Salad
15. Make a quick, sweet appetizer with cream cheese, caramel sauce, and toffee pieces. 16. Cook squash with the skin on so that you don't have to waste time peeling it. jellytoastblog.com
The skin will add color, and lots of people like to eat it. Leave the squash in big pieces too. This will save you time, but it'll also make it easier for skin-averse guests to peel it off.
Recipe: Maple Roasted Acorn Squash
17. If you're cooking for fewer than 5 people, don't bother with a whole bird. butterwithasideofbread.com
Just the breast will be enough. Cooking it in a slow cooker will keep it moist and save you valuable oven space. Recipe here .
18. Dress up frozen dinner rolls with garlic and cheese to make them more special. 19. Use prepackaged bread cubes for stuffing instead of slicing your own.
20. Make a 3-ingredient green bean casserole with canned soup, canned green beans, and boxed fried onions. 21. Ditch pie and make a pumpkin icebox cake instead. Still worried about cooking for Thanksgiving? Click here for step-by-step instructions on exactly how to cook a simple Thanksgiving dinner. buzzfeed.com
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FAQs
25 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas
01 of 25. Artichoke Hearts Gratin. ... 02 of 25. Roasted Pumpkin Soup. ... 03 of 25. Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini. ... 04 of 25. Apple Pie Shot. ... 05 of 25. Citrus Turkey Brine. ... 06 of 25. Bacon-Wrapped Pork Medallions. ... 07 of 25. Tangy Honey-Glazed Ham. ... 08 of 25.
What is the most easiest thing to cook? ›
17 Of The Easiest Recipes Of All Time (Seriously)
15-Minute Lo Mein. Pinch of Yum / Via pinchofyum.com. ... Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas. ... Honey Balsamic Chicken. ... Cashew Chicken Lettuce Wraps. ... White Bean Soup With Vegetables. ... Smoked Gouda and Mushroom Quesadillas. ... Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet. ... One-Pot Pasta With Spinach and Peas.
How do you simplify Thanksgiving dinner? ›
These tips, tricks and timesavers can be a Thanksgiving host's saving grace.
Pick the menu early. Don't leave menu planning and shopping to the last minute. ... Brine your bird. ... Start prep work a few days before Thanksgiving. ... Serve batched co*cktails. ... Create simple centerpieces.
What is your least favorite Thanksgiving dish? ›
Among the many side dishes enjoyed by Americans during Thanksgiving, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, sweet potato casserole and green bean casserole made the list of least-liked side dishes.
What not to say at Thanksgiving dinner? ›
Here are five topics that should best be kept to yourself when celebrating the holiday meal.
Religion. Religion is a big topic for people, especially if you do not believe in it. ... Politics. ... Finances and Jobs. ... Relationships. ... Weight.
What can you cook in 8 minutes? ›
8-minute recipes (91)
8 minute Spanish rice. ... 8 minute spicy Ramen. ... 8 Minute Fudge. ... 3 Minute Bread Pudding (for breakfast and snacktime) ... Easy Egg Sandwiches in 5 Minutes! ... California Farm Panfried Halibut with Asparagus. ... SHRIMP FETTUCCINE ALFREDO 😋❤️😘💋💋💋 ... Glossy!
What is the most popular side dish for Thanksgiving? ›
Mashed potatoes are a traditional Thanksgiving side dish for a reason, and we definitely look forward to serving up this delicious dish every November.
What are the three least liked Thanksgiving foods? ›
According to the data, 27% of Americans absolutely hate candied yams . Green bean casseroles (25%) and cranberry sauce (24%) rounded out the top three ranking of most-hated sides.
Is there an alternative for Thanksgiving? ›
We've collected plenty of alternative Thanksgiving mains that can take center stage at your table, including Salmon Wellington, Crackling Coppa Roast with Fennel and Onions, and Garlic-Butter Rib Roast .
What can you celebrate besides Thanksgiving? ›
Below, you'll find ten Thanksgiving alternatives you can check out, from National Day Of Mourning protests to National Family Week.
National Day Of Mourning. ... Unthanksgiving Day. ... National Day of Listening. ... Native American Heritage Month. ... Restorative Justice Week. ... National Family Week. ... National Game & Puzzle Week.
Roast pork goes very well all of the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes. For anyone who doesn't go for poultry it's a perfect substitute. If it's a big enough gathering you could even have both. What are some alternatives to having turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner?
What do other cultures celebrate instead of Thanksgiving? ›
Germany, Austria, and Switzerland . Fall back a few months, and you'll land on Erntedankfest—a similar concept to American Thanksgiving celebrated by rural communities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The "rural festival of thanks" is usually held in late September or on the first Sunday of October.
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