Slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes exist for one reason, and it is not that cooking is a chore. Cooking is closer to meditation for me and I genuinely do not mind spending hours in the kitchen, but I only own one oven, and on the fourth Thursday in November that oven has a turkey in it from morning until the light goes. So everything else moves to the counter. There are 34 recipes here: herbed stuffing, cheesy scalloped potatoes, no-boil mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, a bone-in turkey breast that makes its own gravy, pumpkin soup, candied nuts for the people circling the kitchen, and a cheesecake. I would start by choosing the dish that is hardest to fit into your oven schedule rather than trying to move the whole menu into one pot, tempting as that is. A few still want a quick sauté or a minute under the broiler, and I have said so where it matters. Perfect for a crowded oven, a small kitchen, a potluck or a Thanksgiving where you would rather be sitting down!
1. Slow Cooker Thai Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin doesn't have to arrive with cinnamon and a pie crust. Red curry paste gives this smooth soup a little heat, with coconut milk for creaminess and lime to brighten it up. You can start with canned pumpkin, just check that you've picked up plain puree, not pie filling (a fairly important distinction here).
Get the full tutorial at Bake. Eat. Repeat..
2. Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
Apricot or peach preserves give these carrots a fruity glaze, with balsamic vinegar, thyme and mustard adding a savory note. Amanda Batcher at The Chunky Chef uses slender whole carrots, which look lovely lined up on a platter, but she also explains how to use regular carrots or the bagged baby kind. Check those notes before choosing your cooking time, since the size makes a difference. You can serve them straight from the cooker or use her optional broiler finish for a little caramelization.
Get the full tutorial at The Chunky Chef.
3. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Risotto
Love risotto, but less excited about standing there stirring while the rest of Thanksgiving dinner needs you? Jackie Gonzalez-Feezer's pumpkin version starts with a quick sauté, then the slow cooker takes over, with sage and roasted pumpkin bringing plenty of fall flavor to the rice.
Get the full tutorial at Eating Rules.
4. Slow Cooker Apple Cider Maple Meatballs
I'd put these apple cider maple meatballs out while everyone's still asking when the turkey will be ready. You start with frozen meatballs, so the homemade part is the sweet-tangy sauce, not an afternoon of rolling little balls of meat. Trish's fresh apple cubes on toothpicks are worth borrowing, too, for a crisp bite with the saucy meatballs.
Get the full tutorial at Mom On Timeout.
5. Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
These stuffed peppers give your meat-free guests something to put in the middle of their plates, not just around the edges. Jennifer at Slow Cooker Gourmet fills them with black beans, rice and fire-roasted tomatoes, then adds cheese for a filling vegetarian dinner. One detail to pay attention to: her recipe uses instant rice, so ordinary uncooked rice isn't a straight swap.
Get the full tutorial at Slow Cooker Gourmet.
6. Thanksgiving Stuffing in the Slow Cooker
Save a little oven space for the dishes that actually need it. This slow cooker stuffing has the bread cubes, celery and herbs you'd expect, but Kresha at Nourishing Joy points out something easy to overlook: the vegetables release moisture as they cook, so you don't want to drown the bread at the start.
Get the full tutorial at Nourishing Joy.
7. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
If mac and cheese belongs on your Thanksgiving plate, Sara Welch's version at Dinner at the Zoo is worth a look. Sharp cheddar gives it flavor, while deli-style American cheese helps make the sauce smooth. The corkscrew pasta needs a short boil first, and Sara deliberately leaves it underdone so it can finish in the slow cooker. This isn't an all-day recipe to leave unattended; it needs a few stirs along the way.
Get the full tutorial at Dinner at the Zoo.
8. Orange Sweet Rolls (Slow Cooker Version)
Orange zest in the filling and glaze makes these sweet rolls a nice choice for a holiday breakfast. There's cinnamon tucked inside, too, so you still get some of that familiar cinnamon-roll flavor. Jen Sobjack at Baked by an Introvert uses a homemade yeast dough that rises as the rolls cook, rather than asking you to wait through a separate long rise. You will still need to mix, roll and slice the dough, so give yourself some breakfast prep time.
Get the full tutorial at Baked by an Introvert.
9. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
A smaller Thanksgiving doesn't have to mean giving up turkey and gravy. Edyta's bone-in turkey breast cooks over onion and garlic, leaving you drippings for the gravy without wrestling a whole bird into the oven. And that browned skin? It gets a short turn under the broiler, a step I'd keep even when the rest of dinner is calling.
Get the full tutorial at Eating European.
10. Cheesy Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes usually dry out around the edges in the oven, and this is the version that solves it: nothing evaporates under a slow cooker lid, so they stay creamy the whole way through. Five large russets get peeled and sliced an eighth of an inch thick, then layered in thirds with heavy cream, garlic, dry minced onion, grated Parmesan, salt and pepper. High for four to five hours, then a cup of shredded cheddar over the top for five minutes.
Get the full tutorial at Creations by Kara.
11. Slow Cooker Stuffing
Get a little of the Thanksgiving prep out of the way early with Jaclyn's stuffing from Cooking Classy. You can dry the bread a day or two ahead and sauté the vegetables the day before, leaving less chopping for a morning that's already busy enough. Fresh sage, rosemary, thyme and parsley give those bread cubes plenty of flavor, with carrot tucked in alongside the onion and celery.
Get the full tutorial at Cooking Classy.
12. Slow Cooker Stuffing With Bacon, Onions and Sage
Bacon in the stuffing? Yes, please. Bernadette at Rants From My Crazy Kitchen combines cooked, crumbled bacon with sautéed onions, sage and day-old bread for a savory side that doesn't need any fruit to make it interesting. Notice that she uses lower-sodium bacon and no-salt-added stock, helpful details when bacon is part of the mix. The bacon and onions need cooking before everything goes into the slow cooker, so allow for that little bit of stovetop prep.
Get the full tutorial at Rants From My Crazy Kitchen.
13. Homestyle Crockpot No-Boil Mashed Potatoes
One less pot of boiling water to watch? That sounds helpful on Thanksgiving. Amanda at The Chunky Chef cooks her potatoes in broth in the slow cooker, then drains and mashes them there with cream cheese, butter and cream. She recommends russets or Yukon Golds and explains why potato choice matters for the finished texture. This is a rich version to keep in mind if you like your mashed potatoes creamy, with or without gravy.
Get the full tutorial at The Chunky Chef.
14. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
This turkey breast gets a butter rub seasoned with smoked paprika, thyme, garlic and onion, spread both under and over the skin. Sara Welch at Dinner at the Zoo includes gravy made with the strained cooking juices, so there's something to spoon over your turkey and potatoes. The browned finish comes from a turn under the broiler after slow cooking, worth allowing for when you're planning the oven schedule.
Get the full tutorial at Dinner at the Zoo.
15. Easy Slow Cooker Stuffing
Looking for a stuffing recipe that doesn't call for eggs? Averie at Averie Cooks leaves them out of this version, which gets its flavor from buttery onions, celery and fresh herbs. Start with sturdy bread, such as French bread or sourdough, and don't skip drying the cubes before they go into the cooker. That part can be done the night before. You'll still sauté the vegetables first, so allow for a little stovetop prep.
Get the full tutorial at Averie Cooks.
16. 2 Ingredient Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
If the white meat always disappears first, an extra turkey breast could be worth a spot on your menu. This version from Stockpiling Moms keeps the ingredient list short: turkey breast and butter, with salt and pepper if you'd like them. The butter goes right on top before cooking, so there isn't a separate sauce to mix. Start with a fresh or fully thawed breast, and save the cooking juices if you're planning to make gravy.
Get the full tutorial at Stockpiling Moms.
17. Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Not everyone has their heart set on turkey. Angela's pot roast at Joyously Domestic brings beef, potatoes and carrots to the table together, with a gravy made from the cooking juices to spoon over the platter. This one starts on the stove: the roast is seared and the vegetables are sautéed before they go into the slow cooker. I'd keep it on the list for a holiday meal where you'd rather cook one main dish with its vegetables than juggle several separate sides.
Get the full tutorial at Joyously Domestic.
18. Slow Cooker Spicy and Creamy Pumpkin Soup
How spicy do you like your pumpkin soup? Justine at Cooking and Beer leaves the cayenne amount up to you, while curry powder, cumin and cardamom bring their own flavor to the pot. Coconut milk gives this pumpkin-puree soup its creamy base, and blending after cooking takes care of the sautéed vegetables. The cashew cream on top is optional, so you can finish with pumpkin seeds and cilantro without making another component.
Get the full tutorial at Cooking and Beer.
19. Slow Cooker Cornbread And Sausage Stuffing
Melanie at Melanie Makes starts this stuffing with her homemade sweet cornbread, so put that on your prep list for the day before. It joins browned pork sausage, celery, onion and fresh sage for a change from the usual white-bread stuffing. One detail worth remembering: fold everything together gently so you don't break up all those cornbread pieces. If your slow cooker doesn't have a browning function, you'll need a skillet for the sausage first.
Get the full tutorial at Melanie Makes.
20. Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Tenderloin
Cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard and garlic give this pork tenderloin a sweet-tart glaze with a savory side. Averie Cooks' recipe works with homemade cranberry sauce or a can from the pantry, and there's no separate searing step. One important shopping detail: buy pork tenderloin, not pork loin. Averie explains that the two cuts aren't interchangeable in this recipe. I'd pair the sliced pork with mashed potatoes to catch some of that sauce.
Get the full tutorial at Averie Cooks.
21. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Butternut Squash
You can skip wrestling with a whole butternut squash for this side. Sarah at The Magical Slow Cooker says fresh or frozen pre-cut squash works in her recipe, a welcome shortcut when there's plenty of other chopping to do. Butter and brown sugar coat the pieces, with cinnamon, nutmeg and a little clove giving them a sweet, spiced finish. Serve it beside turkey or ham if you like something sweet on your dinner plate.
Get the full tutorial at The Magical Slow Cooker.
22. Crock Pot Stuffing
Vegetable broth keeps Jessica Gavin's crock pot stuffing meat-free, with sautéed celery, red onion and herbs adding flavor to the bread. It does contain eggs, so keep that in mind when you're planning for guests. Jessica explains how to use either homemade toasted bread cubes or store-bought dried ones, with adjustments for pre-seasoned bread. Once it's cooking, resist the urge to stir; her method leaves the cubes alone so they don't break down.
Get the full tutorial at Jessica Gavin.
23. Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
For a more casual holiday get-together, I'd put out pulled pork, buns and barbecue sauce and let everyone build a sandwich. Jocelyn Brubaker at Inside BruCrew Life uses pork tenderloin with a brown sugar bourbon seasoning blend for this version. The sauce goes on when you serve it, which leaves you options for the shredded meat beyond the sandwiches pictured here. Jocelyn suggests tacos and nachos, too.
Get the full tutorial at Inside BruCrew Life.
24. Slow Cooker Apple Rosemary Pork Roast
Fresh rosemary, basil and chives give this pork roast a savory side, while chopped red apples add sweetness. Erin at Pure and Simple Nourishment recommends pork shoulder and lets it cook with the apples and broth, with no separate browning step. You can leave the apple peels on, too. I'd serve the pork with roasted vegetables or rice, both suggestions from Erin, for a fall dinner that doesn't require a long ingredient list.
Get the full tutorial at Pure and Simple Nourishment.
25. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Dump Cake
Skip the pie crust and get out the ice cream bowls. This pumpkin dessert from Stacie at Simply Stacie combines a pumpkin-puree layer with a crumbly topping made from boxed spice cake mix and butter. There's a little mixing before everything goes into the cooker, but no cake batter to make from scratch. Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream, as shown here, or choose Stacie's whipped cream suggestion.
Get the full tutorial at Simply Stacie.
26. Crispy Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Want turkey you can slice for dinner and tuck into sandwiches later? Sabrina at Dinner, then Dessert keeps this version simple with a skin-on, bone-in breast seasoned with salt and pepper. There's no added liquid in her recipe, and she includes a broiler option if the skin needs help crisping. That's a useful detail to check before you count on getting the whole meal done without turning on the oven.
Get the full tutorial at Dinner, then Dessert.
27. Slow Cooker Garlic Cauliflower Mash
For a change from potatoes, try cauliflower mashed with garlic, olive oil and Parmesan. Karen at 365 Days of Slow Cooking cooks the garlic right along with the florets, then drains them before mashing. You can leave a little texture with a potato masher or use a food processor for a smoother finish. A scattering of chives gives the pale mash a little color, too.
Get the full tutorial at 365 Days of Slow Cooking.
28. Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts With Bacon And Chicken
Brussels sprouts and carrots can be the side dish or part of the main meal here, depending on whether you include the chicken. Bacon, hard apple cider and maple syrup flavor the vegetables, while browning the chicken in the bacon drippings gives it a head start before the slow cooking. I'd consider the chicken version for dinner during Thanksgiving week when you want fall flavors without another turkey meal.
Get the full tutorial at The Weary Chef.
29. Crockpot Candied Nuts
A bowl of cinnamon-sugar nuts would fit right in beside the cheese and crackers while dinner finishes. Stacie at Simply Stacie uses almonds, cashews and pecans, with a little nutmeg and vanilla in the coating. This is a recipe to make when you'll be nearby: the nuts need stirring every 20 minutes, then time to cool and dry so the coating can firm up. You could also pack some into jars for gifts.
Get the full tutorial at Simply Stacie.
30. Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
That can of cranberry sauce has another job besides sitting next to the turkey. Jen at Yummy Healthy Easy pairs whole-berry cranberry sauce with barbecue sauce for this sweet and tangy chicken dinner. There's no separate browning step, which makes it worth a look for a busy day of holiday prep. She serves the chicken with rice, handy for catching the sauce rather than leaving it on the plate.
Get the full tutorial at Yummy Healthy Easy.
31. Best Crock Pot Creamy Cheesecake
Check that your cake pan fits inside your slow cooker before you start this one. Donna at The Slow Roasted Italian makes her vanilla cheesecake in a separate pan, with a graham cracker crust underneath. It's a good dessert to plan ahead for: after cooking, the cheesecake needs a covered rest in the cooker and at least four hours in the refrigerator. Overnight chilling is Donna's preference. I'd keep the cherry topping shown here, though she offers other topping ideas too.
Get the full tutorial at The Slow Roasted Italian.
32. Slow Cooker Turkey With Stuffing
Turkey and stuffing in the same cooker sounds like a useful way to keep a smaller holiday dinner manageable. Sugar n' Spice Gals starts with packaged herb-seasoned stuffing and adds onion, celery and dried cranberries, then cooks a boneless turkey breast on top. The gravy is made separately from a mix. That's a few shortcuts working together, with some fresh vegetables added along the way. Check the recipe before planning your morning, since the method calls for changing the heat setting during cooking.
Get the full tutorial at Sugar n' Spice Gals.
33. Slow Cooker Sweet Glazed Carrots
A bag of baby carrots makes this one easy to get started without adding more peeling and slicing to your day. Jessica at Together as Family cooks them with brown sugar, butter and chicken broth for a sweet side to serve alongside the rest of dinner. Don't pour away all the cooking liquid when you move them to a serving bowl; she recommends spooning some over the carrots to keep them moist.
Get the full tutorial at Together as Family.
34. Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes With Applesauce
Applesauce is the shortcut in this sweet potato side from Betty Crocker Kitchens. It coats the cubed potatoes along with brown sugar, cinnamon and butter, so there's no second batch of fruit to peel and chop. The toasted nuts go on after cooking, giving the soft potatoes a crunchy topping. Planning for a bigger table? The recipe includes guidance for increasing the batch and choosing a larger cooker.
Get the full tutorial at Betty Crocker.
