33 Thanksgiving Slow-Cooker Recipes (2024)

This year, don’t show up at the party empty handed. Whether it’s a family gathering, or a potluck at work, preparing the perfect Thanksgiving take-along doesn’t have to take a lot of time. In fact, here are 33 Thanksgiving Slow-Cooker Recipesthat will save you time and that taste amazing! Your friends and family will ‘gobble’ these up! Enjoy!

33 Thanksgiving Slow-Cooker Recipes (1)

1. There’s always room for more turkey, so bring this turkey breast of wonderand you’ll be a hero when it comes time to break out the after dinner sandwiches.

2. Love getting together but not the biggest fan of turkey? Check out this easy glazed ham. Delicious and a great alternative for the non-pultury-loving folk.

3. Candied pecan sweet potato casserole is a MUST HAVE at the Thanksgiving table. There’s never enough of this stuff for everyone.

4. When it comes to traditional sides, it’s hard to beat creamed corn. It’s like corn, but amplified with delicious sweet creaminess.

5. Before the feast everyone is going to look for something to munch on. To keep them away from the dinner goodies, you should make this spinach and artichoke dip.

33 Thanksgiving Slow-Cooker Recipes (2)

6. Everyone thinks they can make the perfect mashed potatoes, but the secret to yours is that you aren’t going to be spending an hour over a hot stove coaxing them to life.

7. Keep the kids happy this year with this slow-cooker mac and cheese. Want to make it even more fun? Crumble corn flakes on top before serving for a nice, crispy topping.

8. When it comes to Thanksgiving favorites, you can’t get much more Thanksgiving-y than green bean casserole.

9. Bring a dessert that’ll leave the custard fans in your life begging for more with this crustless pumpkin pie.

10. Do you love your stuffing sweet? Check out this awesome slow-cooker pear and sausage stuffing. It’s savory, sweet, complex, simple, basically it’s just about everything you want in a stuffing.

11. Make these candied pecans and they can be served as a side to garnish salads, soups, desserts and more.

33 Thanksgiving Slow-Cooker Recipes (3)

12. Anyone who is a fan of fall soups is going to love you to pieces when you bring in this homemade butternut squash soup, but only you’ll know how much effort it really took.

13. Speaking of soups, after the big day you should make this turkey and mashed potato chowder with the leftovers. It’s a great way to have dinner ready after you’ve hit up all the stores for Black Friday.

14. Thanksgiving morning, don’t leave your friends and family starving. Make this pumpkin bread. By using the slow-cooker, your stove is still free and they’ll still have something warm in their tummies until time for dinner.

15. Are you the designated drink-bringer of the office? Surprise everyone with this crock pot apple cider.

16. Glazed carrots are a delicious veggie choice for Thanksgiving meals because not only are they simple to make, they’re hard not to love.

33 Thanksgiving Slow-Cooker Recipes (4)

17. Do you prefer squash not in soup form? Check out this slow-cooker rosemary acorn squash. All the deliciousness of squash; none of the puree.

18. It’s super easy to get cranberry sauce out of the can. Know what else is super easy? This recipe for slow-cooker cranberry sauce.

19. Want another delicious after-Thanksgiving soup option? Check out this turkey barley soup. Hearty and tasty. What’s not to love?

20. Maybe you need pumpkin for pies, or soup, or who-knows-what-else, but did you know the easiest way to cook it is right in your slow cooker?

21. Not a fan of mashed? Bring these scalloped potatoes and the other guests will appreciate having more than one potato option!

22. Any daughter of the south knows that greens go great with any meal…especially big family meals. These collard greens and ham will Definitely hit the spot.

23.Have some picky eaters who have very set ideas of what foods should be served for Thanksgiving? Make this traditional stuffing recipe and you’ll send them home happy.

24. Corn casserole is something your friends and family will crave after you present them with this version on Thanksgiving day!

25. After the big meal, when everyone is sitting around full and happy, perk them up with this pumpkin spice latte.

26. Be the dessert hero everyone knows you to be with this pumpkin cobbler. It’s like pie, but without the crust.

27. Give your veggie-loving friends something to talk about with these slow-cooker balsamic brussels sprouts.

28. Bring something totally unexpected (and delicious) with these garlic herb mushrooms. They’re a perfect side because they won’t overpower the meal and just a few will wow anyone who tries them.

29. If you’ve been relocated to bread duty because your peeps don’t think you’ll come through with anything better, surprise them all with these fresh-made apple butter yeast rolls.

30. Another fan favorite is sausage and apple stuffing. Not too sweet, not too savory, just right for those who want to be daring…but not too much.

31. Check out this turkey leg with honey garlic glaze recipe if you’re looking for a way to wow those non-traditionalists this year.

32.If you aren’t a fan of candied sweet potatoes, theseslow-cooker sweet potatoesmight be your better option.

33. If you and your family plan to play games Thanksgiving evening instead of rushing out to the stores, you should bring along this maple pumpkin spice Chex mix. It’s a great munch for those who just can’t eat another slice of pie.

33 Thanksgiving Slow-Cooker Recipes (6)

Looking for more delicious slow cooker recipes? Click on the images below!

33 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes

33 More 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes

Chinese Slow Cooker Recipes

Italian Slow Cooker Recipes

Spicy Slow Cooker Recipes

Family Slow Cooker Recipes

Dessert Slow Cooker Recipes

Cajun Slow Cooker Recipes

33 Thanksgiving Slow-Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is good to cook in a slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers are great for cooking cheaper cuts like beef brisket, pork shoulder, lamb shoulder and chicken thighs. You can also use less meat, as slow cooking really extracts a meaty flavour that permeates the whole dish. Bulk up with vegetables instead.

Is a crockpot the same as a slow cooker? ›

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Technically you can cook raw meat in a slow cooker, but it's tricky and requires a bit of preparation in order for it to be really worth it. If you simply pop some raw meat in your slow cooker, it won't have a chance to brown, which adds some much-needed flavor and cuts down on plenty of unappealing grease.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

​11 things you shouldn't put in your slow cooker
  1. Lean meats. ...
  2. Raw meat. ...
  3. Too much liquid. ...
  4. Delicate vegetables. ...
  5. Too much spice. ...
  6. Dairy. ...
  7. Too much booze. ...
  8. Meat that has the skin on.
Oct 12, 2022

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

Browning Is Better

And if you dredge the meat in flour before you brown it, your sauce will thicken up to make a gravy. You should always brown ground beef or any ground meat in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker to prevent the meat from clumping up or from adding excess grease to your cooked dish.

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 piece of meat is best for slow cooker? ›

The best cuts of meat for slow cooking
  • Chuck steak.
  • Round steak.
  • Blade steak.
  • Topside.
  • Silverside.
  • Skirt steak.
  • Shin (gravy) beef.
  • Sausages.

Can I leave food in a slow cooker overnight off? ›

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

Food texture changes: Canned foods, such as vegetables, can become too mushy in a slow cooker. It's better to use them fresh or frozen. But, frozen veggies tend to make the texture of the dish more “watery”.

What's better than a slow cooker? ›

✔️ Instant Pots are multi-functional.

Many people think that Instant Pots are just electric pressure cookers, but they're actually multi-cookers that cover a wide variety of functions: They slow cook, steam, warm, saute and work as a rice cooker in addition to pressure cooking.

Do you have to put water in a slow cooker? ›

If your slow cooker is 3/4 full, no extra liquid is required. However, if you're cooking a smaller amount of food, add 1-2cm of liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker bowl to ensure there's enough liquid for cooking. Don't add too much liquid, because as the food cooks, it produces its own liquid.

Why are my carrots still hard in the slow cooker? ›

Carrots may remain firm in a slow cooker if they're not cooked long enough or if the temperature is too low. Ensure sufficient cooking time and consider cutting carrots into smaller pieces for even cooking.

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.

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

Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

How not to use a slow cooker? ›

7 Slow Cooker Mistakes to Avoid, According to Chefs
  1. Adding Delicate Vegetables Too Early. ...
  2. Overfilling the Slow Cooker. ...
  3. Using a Slow Cooker to Reheat Food. ...
  4. Not Reducing Liquid for Soups and Stews. ...
  5. Not Searing Meat Before Putting It in a Slow Cooker. ...
  6. Putting Frozen Foods in a Slow Cooker. ...
  7. Adding Fresh Herbs Too Early.
Sep 15, 2023

Should I put a towel under my crockpot? ›

Set on a Flat Surface

The best place to use a crockpot is on the kitchen counter. However, any heat-safe, flat surface will also suffice. Avoid setting your slow cooker on an uneven surface, and never place it near loose fabrics, including curtains, kitchen towels, or napkins.

Why does my slow cooker burn everything? ›

Editor: It sounds like the temperature might be too high on your slow cooker, or the dishes might be cooking too long.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 6316

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Francesca Jacobs Ret

Birthday: 1996-12-09

Address: Apt. 141 1406 Mitch Summit, New Teganshire, UT 82655-0699

Phone: +2296092334654

Job: Technology Architect

Hobby: Snowboarding, Scouting, Foreign language learning, Dowsing, Baton twirling, Sculpting, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.