Thanksgiving is wonderful for many reasons, from spending time with family to enjoying classic holiday dishes. There are dozens of different dish options you can prepare for your Thanksgiving dinner, many of which can be made in a slow-cooker. As a busy mom of four, the slow-cooker is often my go-to kitchen tool for cutting down on time and energy spent in the kitchen. So, for today’s post I’m combining two of my favorite things and sharing a round-up of slow cooker thanksgiving recipes!
20 Slow-Cooker Thanksgiving Recipes To Satisfy Every Guest
As Thanksgiving and the holiday season draws near, I thought I’d dedicate a full post to slow cooker recipes and how they can help make food preparation easier. One of the questions I hear most often is about whether slow cooker recipes are healthy and how a slow cooker compares to a crock-pot. So let’s dig in!
Is Cooking In A Slow-Cooker Healthy?
Yes–cooking in a slow cooker can be healthy, but it mostly depends on the ingredients you use.
What sets this cooking method apart from others is that the recipes usually require little to no fat, which can help reduce the fat and calories in your dish. Additionally, using a slow-cooker preserves nutrients, since cooking at a lower temperature in a sealed environment can help retain nutrients that would otherwise be lost in some other cooking methods.
But the main reason people turn to slow cookers time and time again is because they’re easy to use. With minimal prep, you can put together a meal in the morning before work or running errands, and then when you return home you have a home-cooked meal ready to enjoy.
What’s Better–A Crock Pot Or A Slow Cooker?
People often use the terms crock-pot and slow-cooker interchangeably, which makes sense given that these days they’re basically the same thing. Crock-pot is a brand of slow-cooker that first became popular in the 70s and has since become the generic term for slow-cookers. So, the question about which one is better simply comes down to whether or not you prefer name-brand appliances.
20 Slow Cooker Recipes For Thanksgiving
Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
No Thanksgiving dinner table is complete without a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes! Save yourself some time and make these creamy and flavorful garlic mashed potatoes in the slow cooker.
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Garlic
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Heavy cream
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Peel and cube potatoes
- Place potatoes, garlic, butter, and salt into the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 4 hours or until the potatoes are tender.
- Mash the potatoes directly in the slow cooker, then stir in cream cheese and heavy cream until smooth.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Why spend all day keeping an eye on your Thanksgiving turkey when you can put it in the slow cooker and leave it until it’s done? This recipe makes a moist and flavorful turkey breast, perfect for the holiday.
Ingredients
- Turkey breast
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Herbs (thyme, rosemary)
- Chicken broth
Instructions
- Rub the turkey breast with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, then place it in the slow cooker and add the chicken broth.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours until the turkey is tender and fully cooked.
Slow-Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham
If you or someone you’re welcoming for Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a big fan of turkey (the audacity!), a honey-glazed ham is a fantastic option to make instead of or in addition to your roasted turkey.
Check out the recipe over at The Kitchn!
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
This classic Thanksgiving side dish is made even easier by using a slow cooker. The longer the sweet potatoes cook, the sweeter they are, which makes for one flavorful dish!
Ingredients
- Sweet potatoes
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Marshmallows
Instructions
- Add sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon to the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or until tender.
- Top with marshmallows, then cook for 10 more minutes to allow them to melt and caramelize.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Skip the jarred cranberry sauce and whip up this fresh cranberry sauce, right in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries
- Sugar
- Orange juice
- Cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours.
- The sauce is done when the cranberries have broken down and the sauce has thickened.
Slow Cooker Stuffing
Stuffing is a must-have for Thanksgiving, but it can take up precious oven space. This slow cooker version saves time and turns out perfectly every time.
Ingredients
- Bread cubes
- Onion
- Celery
- Chicken broth
- Sage
- Butter
Instructions
- Mix bread cubes with sautéed onions, celery, and herbs.
- Add chicken broth and butter to moisten, then cook in the slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours.
Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
This twist on the classic green bean casserole will free up your oven for other dishes and satisfy even your pickiest guests.
Ingredients
- Fresh or canned green beans
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Fried onions
- Milk
- Garlic powder
Instructions
- Mix the green beans with soup, milk, and garlic powder.
- Cook on low for 5 hours, then top with fried onions just before serving.
Crock-Pot Broccoli Cheese Casserole
One way to ensure everyone eats their veggies without complaint is to make this decadent broccoli cheese casserole in the slow cooker. The Crock-Pot Ladies have the ultimate, stress-free recipe for you to enjoy on Thanksgiving.
Slow Cooker Cornbread
Cornbread is a Thanksgiving staple. Make it in the slow-cooker to ensure it comes out moist, fluffy, and delicious.
Ingredients
- Cornmeal
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Eggs
- Milk
- Butter
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients with the wet, and pour into the slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 2 hours.
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Soup might not be the first thing that comes to mind for Thanksgiving dinner, but this creamy, fall-inspired soup is rich, satisfying, and too good to pass up.
Ingredients
- Butternut squash
- Onion
- Garlic
- Vegetable broth
- Coconut milk
Instructions
- Combine squash, onions, and garlic in the slow cooker.
- Add broth and cook on low for 6 hours.
- Blend the soup until smooth, then stir in coconut milk.
Slow Cooker Apple Pie
No need to bake! This slow-cooker apple pie is sweet, spiced, and perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- Apples
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Butter
- Pie crust
Instructions
- Layer apples with sugar and cinnamon in the slow cooker.
- Top with pie crust, cook on low for 5 hours.
- Serve warm.
Slow-Cooker Apple Cobbler
If you want to mix things up this year, replace your traditional apple pie with a slow-cooker apple cobbler. Maybe you’ll get lucky and have leftovers to enjoy for breakfast the next day!
Get the recipe from Taste of Home.
Slow Cooker Gravy
After you make this slow-cooker gravy for Thanksgiving, you’ll never make it another way.
Ingredients
- Turkey drippings
- Flour
- Chicken broth
- Herbs
Instructions
- Add the turkey drippings and flour to the slow cooker.
- Whisk in chicken broth and herbs, then cook on low for 2-3 hours until thickened.
Rudy’s Slow-Cooker Creamed Corn
I guarantee you’ve never had corn this sweet and tender. The rich cream sauce really takes it to the next level.
Get the recipe to this amazing slow-cooker Thanksgiving side dish over at Barefeet in the Kitchen.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese in the slow-cooker? Yes please! This comforting side dish is always a hit, and making it in the slow cooker guarantees it stays creamy and delicious throughout dinner.
Ingredients
- Elbow macaroni
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Butter
- Cheddar cheese
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta until al dente, then combine it with milk, cream, butter, and cheeses in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure everything is melted and creamy.
Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Carrots
This sweet and savory side dish adds a vibrant pop of color to your Thanksgiving table and ensures everyone will happily eat their veggies!
Ingredients
- Carrots
- Honey
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place sliced carrots in the slow cooker, then drizzle with honey, butter, and cinnamon.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the carrots are tender, stirring occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cheesecake
If you love pumpkin pie but want to mix it up this Thanksgiving, try this slow cooker pumpkin cheesecake. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!
Ingredients
- Cream cheese
- Pumpkin puree
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar, eggs, and spices.
- Pour the mixture over a graham cracker crust in a springform pan that fits in your slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours, then chill before serving.
Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Brussels sprouts paired with crispy bacon transform this often-ignored veggie into a flavorful yet simple Thanksgiving side.
Ingredients
- Brussels sprouts
- Bacon
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Toss halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add to the slow cooker with cooked, crumbled bacon.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally until the sprouts are tender.
Slow Cooker Pear and Cranberry Crisp
This fruity and festive dessert combines pears and cranberries for a tangy-sweet end to your Thanksgiving meal.
Ingredients
- Fresh pears
- Cranberries
- Oats
- Brown sugar
- Butter
- Cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix sliced pears and cranberries with a topping of oats, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
- Cook on low for 4 hours.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Slow-Cooker Mulled Wine
Last, but certainly not least, why not enjoy a comforting holiday drink without all the fuss? This recipe for slow-cooker mulled wine courtesy of The Food Network will quickly become your go-to holiday beverage.
What is your favorite slow-cooker Thanksgiving recipe?
These slow cooker recipes are perfect for adding variety and ease to your Thanksgiving preparations. After all, the holiday should be about enjoying a stress-free meal with family and friends.
Share your favorite slow-cooker Thanksgiving recipe in the comments below!
Then check out my Thanksgiving side dishes and Thanksgiving turkey recipe for more ways to add delicious flavor to your Thanksgiving table!
