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    Home » Thanksgiving

    20 Dump-and-Cook Sides That Will Save Your Thanksgiving

    By Emmeline Kemperyd updated November 12, 2025 · Published November 12, 2025 · Leave a Comment

    These 20 dump-and-cook sides are quick and easy to make, perfect for Thanksgiving when time is tight. With minimal prep and simple ingredients, you can whip up delicious dishes that complement your holiday feast without spending hours in the kitchen. From creamy casseroles to flavorful veggies, these sides will make your meal a breeze.

    Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes

    Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes.
    Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

    This side dish is easy to prepare and great for any gathering. Simply combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker, set it, and let it cook while you focus on other things. It's a convenient option that takes the stress out of meal prep.

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    Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

    5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
    Photo Credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    This easy cranberry sauce uses only five ingredients and is prepared in a slow cooker. It frees up space on the stove for all the other Thanksgiving dishes you'll be preparing. Perfect for adding a sweet and tangy touch to your holiday meal, this sauce is a great addition to your table.

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    Slow Cooker Green Beans

    Slow Cooker Green Beans
    Photo Credit: culinary ginger.

    This side dish is perfect for the holidays. Green beans are slowly cooked in butter and vegetable stock, then topped with sweet shallots and crunchy toasted almonds. It's an easy addition to your Thanksgiving table that everyone will enjoy.

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    Cheesy Potato Casserole

    Leftover boiled potato casserole.

    Use leftover boiled potatoes or boil them just for this - it's worth it! With all the classic flavors of baked potatoes, this dish is creamy, cheesy and so quick and easy to make.

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    Instant Pot Creamed Peas

    Instant Pot Creamed Peas Recipe
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    Creamed Peas is a quick and easy side dish that you can whip up in less than 10 minutes. It's a favorite at family gatherings and fits right in with any meal. This dish is perfect for adding a touch of comfort to your table.

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    Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

    Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    Brown sugar-glazed carrots are a simple and tasty side dish that everyone loves. Their sweetness adds a nice touch to any meal, making them a perfect addition to your table.

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    Mashed Potato Casserole

    Mashed potato casserole.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This mashed potato casserole is rich and cheesy, making it a great side dish for Thanksgiving. You can get it ready ahead of time, so it's simple to serve when you're ready to eat.

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    Slow Cooker Braised Red Cabbage

    Slow Cooker Braised Red Cabbage
    Photo Credit: Cinnamon and Kale.

    Braised red cabbage with apples is a comforting side dish that pairs nicely with any meal. Using a slow cooker makes it simple to prepare, adding a nutritious option to your Thanksgiving table without much effort.

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    Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Potatoes

    A bowl of garlic herb potatoes.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This side dish is great when your oven is full of other dishes. It's simple to prepare and doesn't take much time, helping to keep your Thanksgiving relaxed and enjoyable.

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    Crock Pot Corn Casserole

    Crock Pot Corn Casserole
    Photo Credit: Mom Foodie.

    This dish is a simple take on a classic Southern favorite, perfect for holiday get-togethers. Often called corn pudding or Jiffy Corn Casserole, it combines sweet corn with cornbread mix, creating a warm and comforting side for your Thanksgiving meal.

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    Slow Cooker Green Beans With Bacon

    Slow Cooker Green Beans.
    Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

    This side dish combines buttery and smoky flavors that are easy to appreciate. With just a few simple ingredients you likely have on hand, it's a quick and easy addition to your Thanksgiving spread.

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    Bacon Potato Casserole

    Bacon Potato Casserole.
    Photo credit: Cleverly Simple.

    This side dish is full of flavor, featuring layers of bacon, potatoes, and cheese. It's an easy option that can be prepared without much work, making it a great addition to any meal. Perfect for adding something special to your table, this dish is sure to be a hit.

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    Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts

    Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Brussels sprouts are mixed with lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and garlic, then roasted until they're crispy. This simple side dish takes less than 30 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for a busy Thanksgiving.

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    Classic Slow Cooker Stuffing

    Classic Slow Cooker Stuffing
    Photo Credit: Peas and Crayons.

    Slow Cooker Stuffing is a fantastic option for Thanksgiving, allowing you to save oven space for other dishes. It comes out soft and fluffy on the inside, with a lovely crispy top. This side dish is perfect for the holiday table.

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    Instant Pot Acorn Squash

    Instant Pot Acorn Squash
    Photo Credit: Maple and Mango.

    Acorn squash prepared in the Instant Pot becomes soft and tender with very little effort. You can enhance its flavor with a buttery brown sugar topping, or keep it simple for use in different meals.

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    Gruyere Mac & Cheese

    A spoonful of cheesy Mac and Cheese.

    Making Mac and Cheese has never been this easy! With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven you can make the best baked Mac and Cheese - in one pan, without boiling, no flour and no roux. With both Cheddar and Gruyere this is as cheesy & flavor-packed as it gets!

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    Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls

    Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls are simple to prepare and come out sweet, soft, and buttery. They're perfect for dinner and can also be enjoyed with jam for breakfast.

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    Crockpot Creamy Mac and Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a rich and creamy dish featuring cheddar and American cheeses. It's incredibly simple to prepare; just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it handle the cooking. There's no need to boil the pasta beforehand, making this a convenient option for any meal.

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    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is super simple to prepare since you just throw everything into one dish without any need for pre-cooking. It's packed with mozzarella and gorgonzola, creating a creamy and satisfying side that everyone will enjoy.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes are rich and cheesy, perfect for adding to your Thanksgiving spread. They're simple to make and help keep your stove and oven available for other dishes.

    Get the recipe

    More Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Cheesy potatoes.
      14 Slow Cooker Recipes That Will Make Your Thanksgiving Unforgettably Easy
    • Pumpkin spice trifle.
      12 Thanksgiving Desserts Everyone Will Talk About
    • Turkey hash.
      12 Leftover Recipes That Are Even Better Than Thanksgiving Dinner
    • Thanksgiving Smoked Turkey
      Thanksgiving Prep Checklist: These Dishes Need to Be On Your Table!

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has 20+ years experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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