Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (2024)

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Save yourself from the chaos that is all too common in Thanksgiving cooking! Toss the traditional kitchen frenzy out the window and let your trusty slow cooker do the heavy lifting. Picture this: a Thanksgiving where you’re not darting around the kitchen like a contestant on a cooking show, but actually kicking back and enjoying the holiday.

Too good to be true? Think again! With these 13 standout Crock Pot recipes, you can give your oven a break and let the slow cooker work its magic. Create everything from a mouth-watering turkey breast to scrumptious cornbread dressing and perfectly cooked potatoes. And if you are looking to shake things up, I’ve even thrown in some non-turkey main dishes that still capture the essence of Thanksgiving.

Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Make your green bean casserole in the crock pot to save precious oven space this Thanksgiving. This method makes the classic dish nearly effortless, allowing you more time to enjoy the holiday. Just mix, set, and let the slow cooker do its magic.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Crockpot Cornbread Dressing with Bacon

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (2)

Transform your dressing into a must-have side with this Crockpot cornbread dressing with bacon. It’s an easy way to get that moist, flavorful stuffing everyone craves, with the bonus of crispy bacon bits. A perfect blend of convenience and taste for your Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cornbread Dressing with Bacon

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (3)

Who needs an oven when you have a Crock Pot for your sweet potato casserole? It’s a classic Thanksgiving dish made easy, with sweet potatoes melding with brown sugar, topped with gooey marshmallows and crunchy pecans. A hassle-free side that tastes like holiday tradition.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (4)

For a smaller Thanksgiving gathering, a slow cooker boneless turkey breast is a game-changer. It’s juicy, tender, and even comes with its own gravy. This method frees up your oven and your time, making your holiday dinner prep a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (5)

Ditch the canned stuff and easily whip up your own cranberry sauce in the slow cooker. With just five simple ingredients, it’s a fuss-free way to add a homemade touch to your Thanksgiving table. Let the slow cooker work its magic while you focus on other preparations.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (6)

Let your Crock Pot take the lead with this creamy, dreamy creamed corn. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of dish that brings a sweet, velvety side to your Thanksgiving spread. Effortless and delicious, it’s a side dish that practically makes itself.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (7)

Simplify your Thanksgiving with this all-in-one Crock Pot chicken and stuffing. Juicy chicken paired with flavorful stuffing, it’s a hearty meal that combines ease with tradition. Ideal for a low-key, delicious holiday without the usual kitchen chaos.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing

Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (8)

Achieve the perfect roasted potatoes with minimal effort using your slow cooker. They come out tender and flavorful, making for an excellent side dish that complements any Thanksgiving meal. Just set them in the slow cooker and let them roast to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (9)

This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese recipe turns a favorite comfort food into a no-fuss Thanksgiving side. Just set it and forget it, and you’re rewarded with creamy, cheesy perfection. It’s a kid favorite that allows you to focus on other dishes while it cooks itself to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (10)

Bring the comfort of a warm broccoli cheddar soup to your Thanksgiving table with your Crock Pot. Rich, cheesy, and effortless, it’s a warm, welcoming start to your feast. A beloved favorite that’s easy to make and even easier to love.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Southern Green Beans

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (11)

Turn green beans into a Southern delicacy with this slow cooker recipe. Smoked pork hock and bacon add depth and richness, transforming a simple side into a standout dish. It’s a hearty, flavorful addition to any Thanksgiving spread, and it’s all done in the Crock Pot.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans

Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (12)

Embrace the flavors of fall with a comforting bowl of slow cooker butternut soup. Creamy, warming, and full of seasonal goodness, it’s a stress-free starter for your Thanksgiving feast. Let your Crock Pot do the work and serve up some autumn delight.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork

Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (13)

Make something different this Thanksgiving with this slow cooker cranberry pork. It’s a unique, flavorful main dish that marries the tanginess of cranberry with succulent pork, all with minimal effort. A delightful twist on traditional holiday flavors that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork

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Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (14)
Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker: 13 Crock Pot Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday (2024)

FAQs

What cooks better in a crock pot? ›

Fattier meats and dark meat chicken are better options, as leaner cuts may dry out during the cooking process. Fattier meats are good, but trim the fat away before placing in the Crockpot slow cooker.

How many hours is low on a crock pot? ›

Cook Time & Quantity
HighLow
3 hours7 hours
48
59
610
2 more rows

Can crock pot cook on low all day? ›

However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting. It's safe to cook foods on low the entire time -- if you're leaving for work, for example, and preparation time is limited. While food is cooking and once it's done, food will stay safe as long as the cooker is operating.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can add raw steak to a slow cooker to cook it to your desired doneness level.

Why is my beef still tough after slow cooking? ›

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot? ›

They are essentially two terms for the same thing. Crock Pot is just a trademarked name for a certain brand of slow cooker that uses a crockery insert as a cooking vessel. Agree with most of the answers. “Crock Pot” is a brand name, and the brand name of the first popular slow cooker.

What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot slow cooker? ›

The pot of the slow cooker usually sits on a base that houses the heating element on the bottom, while Crockpots have their pots inside of a container (or crock) and get heating from all sides. Therefore, slow cookers heat up slower than crockpots, with the heat level higher on the bottom of the pot.

What does the 4 6 8 10 mean on a crock pot? ›

Cook time options include 4 or 6 hours on HIGH, or 8 or 10 hours on LOW. The corresponding light illuminates, the slow cooker heats, and the internal timer starts counting down the time. NOTE: WARM is ONLY for keeping already cooked food at the perfect serving temperature until you are ready to eat.

Is it better to cook CrockPot on low or high? ›

Ginny has been working with slow-cookers for over a decade, and her advice is to use the 'Low' slow cooker settings as much as you can, finding that most dishes really benefit from a slow, gentle heat to really bring out the flavours.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

What happens if you slow cook on high instead of low? ›

Let's say you want to slow cook a pork roast recipe that calls for 8 hours on Low, but you need it done in much less than 8 hours. Switching to High for the sake of time savings can leave you with a roast that's dried out or even burned on the exterior, but undercooked and not at a food-safe temperature in the center.

Is it OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Is it safe to cook a turkey in a slow cooker on low? ›

Research conducted by USDA FSIS indicates it's safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker. Follow the manufacturer's recipes and safety guidelines. Start clean. Start with clean hands, utensils surfaces and a clean cooker.

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker.

Why does my slow cooker burn everything? ›

This is because slow cookers cook food at a lower temperature than other methods, such as stovetop cooking. This means that it takes longer for the food to reach the correct temperature, which can cause the food to overcook and become burnt.

Are slow cookers safe to leave on while at work? ›

Are slow cookers safe to leave on? Yes, it's safe to leave a slow cooker on when you leave the house. The purpose of a slow cooker is to allow you to cook while you aren't home. Slow cookers simmer food slowly, killing bacteria and raising meat to the perfect internal temperature.

Is it OK to lift the lid on a slow cooker? ›

Keep the lid on.

Do not lift the lid or cover unnecessarily during the cooking cycle. Each time the lid is raised, the internal temperature drops 10 to 15 degrees and the cooking process is slowed by 30 minutes.

What are the disadvantages of slow cooking? ›

5 Disadvantages of Slow Cookers
  • Cooking times are long.
  • You can't sear food.
  • They always produce a soft texture.
  • It's not possible to adjust as you go.
  • Some foods don't work.
Nov 15, 2023

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