Listen, if you're hosting Thanksgiving, oven space is basically gold, and I know you're already juggling a million things. That's why I'm such a huge fan of letting my Crockpot do the heavy lifting while I focus on the turkey. These recipes are completely hands-off, ridiculously comforting, and honestly total lifesavers when things get chaotic. From velvety mashed potatoes and cozy soups to warm, gooey desserts, I've rounded up 24 easy slow cooker recipes that'll make your holiday feel a whole lot simpler and so much more delicious.
1. Slow Cooker Apple Cider
This recipe is really a win-win. You get a warm, spicy batch of fall-perfect apple cider and your whole house smells absolutely incredible while it simmers. I often find store-bought cider to be a little too sweet for my taste, so making my own lets me control the sugar and spice. Plus, you can easily make it a grown-ups-only treat by adding a splash of whiskey.
2. Crockpot Stuffing
Is there anything more disappointing than pulling a beautiful stuffing out of the oven only to find it dry and tough? It breaks my heart a little, honestly. This Crockpot version is the total opposite of that, it comes out incredibly moist and packed with that classic savory flavor every single time. Soak everything just like you would a bread pudding, overnight if you can swing it. The gentle moisture from the slow cooker keeps it absolutely perfect.
3. Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls
Using your Crockpot for dinner rolls is actually kind of brilliant when you stop and think about it. You can set it to 'warm' to help speed along the proofing, then switch it to high and cook those little beauties without ever moving them. It's such a clever little kitchen hack. Just remember to line your pot and give the paper a quick spray so those rolls don't stick.
4. Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
I make Brussels sprouts at least once a week, usually roasted with garlic and bacon. But when I'm cooking for a holiday crowd, this is the recipe I reach for. There's a quick little reduction involved, but after that, you basically just toss in the sprouts and walk away. They come out sweet, tangy, and have the most wonderful texture thanks to those pine nuts.
5. The Best Crockpot Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Okay, real talk: stovetop cranberry sauce needs your attention or it'll scorch on the bottom. It's not hard, but if you get distracted, it's a mess. With this slow cooker version, you just set it and forget it. The only thing you'll need to actually do is give those cranberries a good mash right before serving. Easy, right?
6. Slow Cooker Beef Gravy
If you're making roast beef, I really hope you're using those pan drippings to make your gravy. It's the smartest way to capture all that incredible flavor and make every single bite sensational. The best part? This gravy cooks up in about 30 minutes. That gives your meat plenty of time to rest before you slice and serve everything up.
7. Red Cabbage and Apples
Red cabbage and apples are a match made in heaven, especially next to a beautiful pork roast. Since not everyone loves turkey, I often have a smaller roast on the table, too, and this side is perfect with it. Those fresh, tangy flavors really make the meaty pork pop, and that vibrant red color brightens up the whole table. You can easily adjust the sweet and sour balance, we like ours nice and tangy, but a little extra sugar is fine if that's your thing.
8. Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
Full confession: I try not to make these too often because I have zero self-control around them. They're insanely good, creamy, rich, and just super decadent in the best possible way. Honestly, if you left me alone with the pot, I'd probably eat the whole thing myself. This recipe uses both regular and sweet potatoes all tucked into a cheesy sauce with thyme and parmesan.
9. Crockpot Poached Pears
Poached pears look incredibly impressive, like something you'd get at a fancy restaurant, but here's the secret: they're actually so easy. You can keep them whole and serve them on a plate with a little sauce and ice cream, and trust me, they'll be all over everyone's Instagram stories. Just don't tell anyone how simple they are, basically just toss them in the Crockpot with some sugar and spice and let the magic happen.
10. No Boil Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Can you even call it a turkey dinner without a big bowl of mashed potatoes? I don't think so. Whether you like yours a little rustic and chunky or totally silky smooth, this recipe has you covered. It uses broth instead of plain water, so you know every bite is loaded with savory flavor. If you're team smooth, just grab an immersion blender and blend them right in the pot with a splash of milk or cream.
11. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pecan Pudding Cake
If you're the type who loves their chocolate fudge cake served warm and slightly dense, oh boy, this fudgy pumpkin pudding cake is going to be your new favorite thing. You whip up the batter, get it into the Crockpot, then gently pour a brown sugar simple syrup right over the top. As it bakes, it turns into this self-saucing situation, the brown sugar infuses the cake and creates a sweet sauce right at the bottom of the pot.
12. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
I love all kinds of corn, but when the holidays roll around, decadent creamed corn is my ultimate side dish. This version is pure indulgence with cream cheese, milk, butter, and a little sugar all working their magic together. Let's just say this one isn't exactly for anyone counting calories, and honestly, that's what makes it so good. It's a special occasion treat.
13. Mom's Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
This clever little casserole is full of things I adore: tender broccoli, buttery crackers, and an easy cleanup. You'll mix the veggies with a creamy soup, I like to use chicken, along with a generous amount of cheese. Then you top it all with crushed crackers that soften as everything cooks together, adding this wonderful buttery note to every spoonful.
14. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Butternut Squash
I reach for butternut squash in so much of my cooking. It has that lovely color and flavor similar to pumpkin or sweet potatoes, but it holds its shape a bit better, which I really love. In this recipe, you cook the squash with a cozy blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. And yes, there's lots of butter involved, because nothing good comes from skimping on butter, right?
15. Easy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp with Oatmeal
A fall classic like apple crisp is always a safe bet for Thanksgiving dessert. It's warm, filling, and has that lovely bit of texture that I sometimes feel regular apple pies are missing. To keep that topping from getting mushy, line the lid with paper towels to catch any condensation. If you want an extra-crispy top, just pop it under the broiler for a few minutes after it's baked.
16. Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe
I have a little collection of Crockpots in all sorts of sizes, and I'm especially fond of my minis. They're perfect for making lots of different sides without stealing all my precious oven space. This green bean recipe is just right for a smaller pot, so you get a fantastic side dish without making a giant batch. The onion, garlic, and stock bring tons of flavor, but I love to stir in a pat of butter at the end for extra richness.
17. Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Butter
I love sending my guests home with a little something special during the holidays. This apple butter is a fantastic, homemade gift idea. I mean, what's better than a gorgeous jar full of slow-cooked apples and cranberries? You just let your fruit simmer away in the Crockpot with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and vanilla. Once it's perfectly tender, you hit it with an immersion blender until it's silky smooth.
18. Crockpot Pecan Pie
I'll be honest, I didn't think this would work. I even made a backup pie because I was fully expecting a delicious-looking mess in my slow cooker. Boy, was I wrong about that one. It might not be the most gorgeous pie, you can't really crimp those edges nicely, but the crust comes out tender and perfectly cooked. It's a total surprise win.
19. Crockpot Pumpkin Soup (5 Ingredients!)
Soup is such a lovely way to start a big meal, it's light, full of veggies, and warms you right up on a chilly day. For this one, you only need five simple ingredients: pumpkin, russet potatoes, onion, vegetable broth, and cream. Once everything is tender, just blitz it all with an immersion blender and whisk in that cream for a silky, dreamy finish. So cozy and simple.
20. Slow Cooker Crustless Brown Sugar Pumpkin Pie
If you're craving that classic pumpkin pie experience but want to keep things a little lighter on carbs, this one's for you. Since it's crustless, you get all that fantastic filling flavor without the extra calories. You can use your favorite pumpkin pie filling and just pour it into a lined slow cooker. Serve it up with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cinnamon-spiced caramel.
21. Slow Cooker Apple Cake
Yes, I love pie, and yes, I'll definitely be making more than one for Thanksgiving. But I also really love variety when it comes to dessert. My dessert plate usually ends up looking like a tasting platter from a fancy catered event. That's where this cake comes in, it's dense, moist, and absolutely bursting with apples. Don't panic if the batter looks a little sparse at first, trust me, it all comes together beautifully.
22. Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
These brown sugar-glazed carrots are so good that your guests will literally be fighting over the last bite. The brown sugar gives them this beautiful caramel note while the butter creates a rich, silky texture that's pretty close to perfection. A warm little dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg just pushes them right over the edge. They're sweet, buttery, and totally addictive.
23. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
The struggle with a big holiday meal is that everything wants a different oven temperature. Veggies often need high heat to get those caramelized edges, but sweet potatoes just wouldn't survive that kind of blast. Instead, I toss everything right into the slow cooker and let it do its thing for a few hours. You end up with sweet, tender, completely irresistible bites that make the whole house smell amazing.
24. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Having vegetarian guests over for the holiday? It's always a thoughtful idea to make a few extra special sides so they have plenty of delicious options to fill their plates. This casserole is a surefire way to do exactly that. You only need six ingredients and roughly ten minutes of prep to get this going in the slow cooker. It's simple, creamy, and always a hit.
