11 Microwave Short Cuts For Thanksgiving

We have assembled some of our best microwave hacks designed to get you through Thanksgiving meal prep in a fraction of the time. From appetizers to side dishes to dessert, we have small frustration-reducing shortcuts that work like a charm and require no special equipment — other than your life-saving microwave.

Don't worry if you forgot to cook the corn, it can be ready in six minutes. If you left the bread at the supermarket, check out this simple trick for making quick bread in your microwave.

Trust us, these lazy cooks tools can accomplish everything from faux-frying to steaming vegetables in minutes instead of hours.

Check out our favorite microwave shortcuts carefully selected to help you get Thanksgiving dinner on the table quickly.

Line your pie pan with raw pie dough, as you normally would. Then cover the crust with plastic wrap, and place dried beans in the center to weigh down the crust. Then, prick the edges of the crust to allow steam to escape while the crust cooks. Then, cook the pie crust for five to seven minutes in the microwave until the crust is dry and opaque.

To cook four potatoes, scrub them and then poke each a few times with a fork, so steam can escape while the potatoes cook. Microwave them for about seven minutes, rotating a few times during the cooking process.

Slice the top off of a head of garlic. Place in a microwave-safe bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add a tablespoon of water to the bowl. Cover the bowl with a microwave safe-dish, and microwave on medium power until the cloves are softened and slightly golden brown, about five to seven minutes.

Place a microwave-safe bowl upside down on a larger microwave safe plate. Then, drape bacon over the bowl and cook for eight to 10 minutes. Serve the bacon whole or crumble for a salad topping.

You can make frothed milk for your coffee service after dinner by filling a glass jar half way with skim, one percent, or two percent milk. Then, screw the lid on and shake until bubbles form. Remove the lid and microwave for 30 seconds. Skim off the top layer of froth for your coffee.

Dice a stick of butter into small cubes and melt in the microwave, heating it for 30-second intervals. Then, add fresh sage, basil, rosemary, thyme, or tarragon leaves to the melted butter with a pinch of salt, and microwave for 30-second intervals until fragrant.

Make simple syrup for cocktails or desserts this holiday by combining equal parts water and sugar in a microwave safe bowl. Then microwave for three minutes, and stir. Continue to microwave and stir for one-minute intervals until the sugar has dissolved. You can add flavorings to the syrup like cinnamon, ginger, or lemon peel while you microwave.

Finely chop the chocolate and place in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate for 30-seconds at a time, being careful not to scorch the chocolate. Stir after each interval until the chocolate is melted. Then, drizzle on desserts or dip fresh fruit in the melted chocolate.

With the husks still on the corn, chop off the stalk end. On the other end, remove the top of the husk. Place your two corns, with husks still on, in the microwave. Cook for four minutes. Let them cool for a minute. Then, pull the hot corn out of the microwave and carefully remove the husks. Your corn is ready to be slathered in butter and enjoyed.

Steam your holiday green beans in the microwave by combining a pound of trimmed green beans with two tablespoons butter, a quarter cup of water, and a generous pinch of salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Then, cover with plastic wrap and cook for four minutes. Stir, return the wrap, and cook for one-minute intervals until the beans are bright green and cooked to your liking.

Spread a half cup of nuts out on a microwave-safe dish. Then, microwave for four to six minutes or until they smell toasted and look browned.