Buzz
Introducing The Cheater’s Guide to Thanksgiving. While many guides focus on from-scratch desserts and homemade bread, the Cheater’s Guide is for those who need a little extra help—sometimes from the more unconventional side. You might call it ‘cheating’ (as if that’s a bad thing), but there’s no shame in using modern tech and supermarket hacks to craft a fantastic traditional dinner with way less stress.
Though the conventional oven is the tried-and-true method for cooking Thanksgiving dinner, there are modern appliances that can truly enhance the experience. The slow cooker, air fryer, and microwave have become staples in my holiday routine. These gadgets work in tandem with the oven, lightening the load and making a complicated meal feel effortless.
How to incorporate a slow cooker into your Thanksgiving dinner preparations
I own two slow cookers: a large 8-quart one and a small 2-quart one. While it’s not necessary to have both, I enjoy having the smaller one for warming up sauces. I use the larger slow cooker for any substantial side dish. Over the years, I’ve switched its use: one time I used it for stuffing, and another time, mashed potatoes. The key for me is that big side dishes tend to be the most annoying to manage on the stovetop or try to fit in the oven. The slow cooker is a lifesaver, letting me set it and forget it. Toss the ingredients in, and hours later, it’s done with no need to stir, whisk, or tend to it.
For a Thanksgiving dinner party, I suggest using a larger slow cooker like these to manage popular side dishes since you're likely making a large quantity.
The Crock-Pot 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
The Hamilton Beach 10-Quart Slow Cooker
How to use an air fryer for Thanksgiving dinner
I can't stop talking about my air fryer—it's the newest addition to my Thanksgiving cooking tools, and it’s quickly become my MVP. It functions as a countertop convection oven, much like the ones used by restaurants and bakeries for quick, even cooking. Not only does it deliver restaurant-quality results, but it’s portable, and every year it becomes more affordable.
Since my kitchen is rather compact, I often don’t have enough room to cook one dish while prepping another. With an air fryer, I can move it to a different plug, counter, or even another room if I need the kitchen space. I can cook the vegetables in the air fryer while the kitchen counter is free for cooling two pies. The air fryer also speeds up the cooking process—crisping, roasting, and air frying half of my side dishes in the same time it would take to bake a single casserole in the conventional oven. Once I’m done, I simply unplug it and store it away to set the table for guests.
I recommend the Instant Vortex for small kitchens where you might need to move the appliance around. For cooking multiple dishes independently and at the same time, the Ninja DoubleStack is an excellent choice.
Instant Vortex XL 6-Quart
Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-basket
How to use a microwave for Thanksgiving dinner
While the microwave is an everyday appliance, it often gets overlooked at Thanksgiving. It's the fastest cooking tool and something most people already have. Though it’s not meant for cooking roasts, it’s perfect for preparing in advance. Knowing you can reheat in the microwave allows you to pre-cook sauces or side dishes. I use mine for quick tasks when time is tight—heating broth or milk for a roux-thickened sauce, melting butter for various uses, or even cooking crispy bacon for my Brussels sprouts.
The best microwave for Thanksgiving is without a doubt the one you already own. If you don't have one yet or you're thinking about upgrading (beyond just choosing the right size), you could check out these options or treat yourself to a combi microwave—a combination of a microwave and an air fryer.
The Cuisinart Stainless Steel Microwave Oven
Toshiba 6-in-1 Inverter Microwave Oven Air Fryer
While it's not necessary to have all three appliances running for a successful Thanksgiving meal, I recommend assigning at least one or two side dishes to these modern appliances. Be sure to check out The Cheater's Guide to Thanksgiving to discover which recipes you can prepare with each. You'll be amazed at how much less stressful your day can be with a little help from these gadgets.
