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Next Up

10 Ways to Use Your Microwave for Thanksgiving

By: Food Network Kitchen

The Food Network Kitchen team develops recipes, tests products, preps for Food Network shows, produces videos and social content, hosts events and much more. "Food Network Kitchen" is the marker of this team's inspiring, helpful and trustworthy content on FoodNetwork.com.

Put your microwave to use to make feast prep and last-minute add-ons a little easier.

Food Network 10 Ways to Use Your Microwave for Thanksgiving for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Microwave Hacks for Turkey Day

Anyone who’s ever been in charge of the big t-day dinner knows that every square inch of your oven and stovetop is valuable. Finding a free burner or oven rack can be tricky, so put your microwave to use to make prep and last-minute add-ons a little easier.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Make Bacon Crumbles for Mashed Potatoes for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Make Bacon Crumbles for Mashed Potatoes

Turn a microwave-safe bowl over and put on top of a large plate. Drape bacon slices over the bottom of the bowl and microwave until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes (no turning necessary). Then crumble.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Toast Pecans for Garnish for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Toast Pecans for Garnish

Spread 1/2 cup pecans out on a microwave-safe dish and microwave until they smell toasted and are dark brown, 4 to 6 minutes.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Froth Milk for Coffee for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Froth Milk for Coffee

Fill a small glass jar halfway with 2% or less milk. Screw on the lid and shake until bubbly. Microwave without lid for 30 seconds, then skim off the top layer of foam. Repeat.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Steam Green Beans for a Side for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Steam Green Beans for a Side

Toss 1 pound of green beans, 2 tablespoons butter, 1/4 cup water and a large pinch of salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave for 4 minutes. Toss, then cook for 1-minute intervals, tossing after each, until the beans are bright green and crisp-tender.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Softened Garlic for Mashed Potatoes for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Soften Garlic for Mashed Potatoes

Trim the top off of a head of garlic. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper, put in a microwave-safe bowl, add 1 tablespoon water and cover with a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on 50 percent power until the cloves are soft and lightly golden, 5 to 7 minutes.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Cook Sweet Potatoes for a Side for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Cook Sweet Potatoes for a Side

Scrub 4 medium sweet potatoes, poke a few times with a fork and microwave until tender, rotating a few times, for 6 to 8 minutes.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Make Sage Butter for Bread for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Make Sage Butter for Bread

Microwave 1 stick of cubed unsalted butter for 30-second intervals until melted. Add fresh sage leaves and a pinch of salt, and microwave for 30-second intervals until fragrant.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Toast Coconut for Sweet Potatoes for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Toast Coconut for Sweet Potatoes

Spread 1/2 cup shredded coconut on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave for 2 minutes. Toss coconut around with a fork. Then cook for 30-second intervals, tossing with fork after each interval, until coconut smells toasted and is golden.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Make Ginger Simple Syrup for Cocktails for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Make Ginger Simple Syrup for Cocktails

Whisk 1 cup each water and sugar and 1/2 cup sliced ginger together in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes and whisk. Continue to microwave for 1-minute intervals, stirring, until all of the sugar dissolves. Cool.

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Food Network Kitchenâ s Melt Chocolate for Dessert for KIDS/THANKSGIVING/CAMP CUTTHROAT, as seen on Food Network.
Photo: Renee Comet ©
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Melt Chocolate for Dessert

Finely chop chocolate and put into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.

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