There are some recipes that don’t require sticking in the oven. No-bake Thanksgiving meals are a real lifesaver because they allow you to continue preparing meals while the bird is in the oven; no time is wasted. It also includes foods you might not expect, like sweet potato casserole or Brussels sprouts. You can even make pumpkin pie without an oven. When planning a holiday meal, check out these no-bake Thanksgiving food recipes. Talk about something to be grateful for.
10 No-Bake Thanksgiving Foods:
1. Cranberry Dip
A dip is a food that usually doesn’t require any cooking. This cranberry walnut is dairy-free and perfect as an app with crackers or enjoyed with turkey at mealtimes. Blended with cashews makes it super rich and creamy.
2. Black-eyed pea hummus
Black-eyed pea hummus is another dip that will be at home next to sweet potatoes, dinner rolls, and green beans. It also takes a full five minutes to make. If getting a holiday meal on the table is taking longer than you think, you can always serve this dip with some veggies for everyone to enjoy while you wait.
3. Tahini Green Beans
Green beans with mushroom soup and crunchy French onions aren’t the only way to eat them. Instead of baking in the oven, this green bean dish is made on the stovetop. Tahini, shallots, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, and a dash of maple syrup are all thrown into the mix for maximum flavor. You can still add French onion crisps if you like.
4. Deviled eggs
Deviled eggs are another Thanksgiving classic cooked on the stovetop instead of the oven. In this recipe, mayonnaise is substituted for Greek yogurt. You’ll still need Dijon mustard though – it won’t be devilish without it!
5. Instant Pot Sweet Potato Casserole
Thanksgiving is an all-hands situation. That means you’ll be using all your kitchen tools, including the Instant Pot. One dish that is often cooked in the oven but you can use your IP instead is sweet potato casserole. This recipe shows you how to make it in under an hour.
6. Cranberry Sauce
Ok, so putting cranberry sauce can shape molds on a plate and also technically doesn’t require any cooking, but you can step up your cranberry sauce game by just using a blender or food processor. Along with the all-important cranberries, this recipe calls for apples, Metso dates, vanilla bean powder, cinnamon, and cloves. Doesn’t that sound more tempting than what’s in a jar? Making this “more advanced” version also only took five minutes.
7. Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
If you’re looking for a cauliflower mash recipe that will win over even the most traditional of your extended family members, this is it. Besides the cruciferous vegetables, all you need to make is milk substitute, garlic, salt, pepper, and Parmesan (or nutritional yeast if you want to keep it vegan). With a cook time of 10 minutes, it’s faster than traditional mashed potatoes—a huge T-day win.
8. Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
Most people roast Brussels sprouts in the oven, but guess what, they are absolutely delicious sautéed. This recipe takes 20 minutes to follow, and the only other ingredients besides vegetables are common culinary staples.
9. Instant Pot Vegan Macaroni and Cheese
Hope you haven’t stashed your Instant Pot yet, because this is another perfect time to use it. The recipe calls for all vegan ingredients so a wider audience of eaters can dig in. Paprika, onion powder, mustard powder, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and vegetable broth ensure it’s anything but bland.
10. No-Bake Pumpkin Pie
You can even make pumpkin pie, a quintessential Thanksgiving dessert, without ruining the turkey in the oven. Every part of the pie in this recipe is homemade, including the crust and coconut whipped cream. (The coconut milk needs to be refrigerated overnight, so plan ahead. Bookmark this recipe so you can end your holiday meal on a sweet note.