13 Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Recipes To Free Up Your Oven
Every Thanksgiving host knows the real challenge isn’t the cooking… It’s the oven. The turkey needs it, the stuffing and green beans need it, the rolls need it, and somehow it all has to be hot at the same time. (So much easier said than done!) That’s why my slow cooker earns its keep every November. That crockpot does it all: it frees up oven space, it keeps things warm, and it lets me actually visit with my family on the big day instead of hovering over the stove. Here are 13 of our favorite slow cooker recipes for Thanksgiving, from the main dishes like turkey and ham to the sides we all love like stuffing and potatoes. (And why not, a couple of party starters too.) Plug it in and let it do the work!
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Not everyone needs a whole bird! If your family loves the trimmings more than the turkey, a turkey breast gives you the whole Thanksgiving experience without the fuss (and the overwhelming amount of leftovers). Cooking it in the crockpot frees up the oven, and I was honestly surprised by how succulent, juicy, and flavorful it turned out. Get the full recipe here!
Slow Cooker Stuffing
Scheduling oven time is one of the trickiest parts of the holiday. Will there be room for the stuffing once the turkey comes out? With this recipe, you don’t have to worry about it. Do a little prep early in the day, then let the slow cooker take over. It turns out incredibly moist and delicious with very little effort. Click here for the recipe!
Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Peeling, boiling, draining, mashing… mashed potatoes can be a lot of work on a busy day. This version takes about five minutes of prep, and then the slow cooker does the rest. A few minutes of whipping at the end and you’ve got the smoothest, creamiest mashed potatoes you can imagine. Get the full recipe here!
Slow Cooker Homemade Cranberry Sauce
There’s room for every kind of cranberry sauce on the Thanksgiving table, but there’s not always room on the stove. This homemade whole berry version takes just five ingredients (one of them is water!) and basically zero minutes of your time. Stir, cover, and walk away. Click here for the recipe!
Slow Cooker Copycat Honey Baked Ham
If someone in your house lights up at the sight of that famous sugary-crusted ham, this one’s for them. Start with a spiral ham from the grocery store, doctor up the glaze, and let the slow cooker work its magic. It costs about half as much as ordering one, and nobody has to drive across town to pick it up. Get the full recipe here!
Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy, rich, and cheesy, scalloped potatoes turn the humble spud into something special enough for the holiday table. You might be used to baking them, but the slow cooker actually creates the ideal environment for perfectly tender potatoes. (And it frees up that precious oven space, too.) Click here for the recipe!
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Sweet corn and cream cheese are a match made in heaven, and with a little onion and garlic, this side is a dish full of delish. Creamed corn is already pretty easy, but letting the slow cooker do all the work makes it even easier. It’s a holiday classic that always gets scraped clean. Get the full recipe here!
5-Ingredient Cranberry Meatballs
You know those slow cooker meatballs that are at every party you’ve ever been to? This is a sweet and slightly spicy cranberry version that’s a little more festive and just as easy. Store-bought turkey meatballs make it a breeze, and they’ll keep your guests happy while the turkey finishes up. Click here for the recipe!
Creamy Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
When it comes to mac and cheese, I’m not picky. Baked, stovetop, four cheeses or one, I love them all. But this incredibly creamy version made right in the slow cooker might be the easiest one yet. Put your ingredients in, stir, and turn it on. You made mac and cheese! Get the full recipe here!
Crockpot Cracker Barrel Carrots
If you’ve ever had the carrots at Cracker Barrel, you already know how good they are. Sweet, savory, and so tender, they’re one of those down-home sides people order again and again. This crockpot copycat brings that same comfort to your holiday table, no road trip required. Click here for the recipe!
Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Ham
A spiral ham feeds a crowd and brings back memories of so many family gatherings. Would you believe you can make one just as moist and delicious in the slow cooker? The meat turns out tender, and the honey mustard glaze adds a sweet, savory flavor (and a wonderful aroma) that’s hard to resist. Get the full recipe here!
Slow Cooker Herb Bread
Yes, you can make bread in the slow cooker! There’s no rising time at all. Just mix up the dough, put it in, and turn it on. A couple of hours later, you’ve got a soft, chewy loaf seasoned with fresh herbs and sea salt, and your oven is free for everything else. Click here for the recipe!
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Being a good host doesn’t mean you have to work hard, and every host needs one dish they can walk away from. This is mine. Dump everything in, walk away, and two hours later you’ve got the same creamy, garlicky dip everyone fights over at parties. (No stirring at the stove required.) Get the full recipe here!