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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Pin for Later

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

Is cooking a turkey in a slow cooker safe? ›

Many slow cookers cannot accommodate large turkeys, so USDA recommended cutting-up a whole turkey into smaller pieces, or using store bought turkey parts. The parts should always be thawed before placing them into a slow cooker. DON'T start cooking foods from the frozen state.

How to cook a turkey the day before and reheat in a crock pot? ›

Set the crock pot to the low setting and allow the turkey to gently reheat for 2-3 hours. This slow and steady method will preserve the moisture and flavors of your cooked turkey.

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. Unlike frying, fat won't drain away during the cooking process in a slow cooker.

Can you keep turkey warm in a slow cooker? ›

You can keep the turkey on the warm setting in the slow cooker for about 2 hours. Be sure to use some of the drippings to keep the turkey moist.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

What is the lowest temperature to slow cook a turkey? ›

It is not safe to cook any meat or poultry in an oven set lower than 325 °F. At lower temperatures, meat stays in the Danger Zone (between 40 °F and 140°F for too long.

Can I cook my turkey the day before Thanksgiving? ›

It's easy: Simply cook it a day or two in advance, let it cool completely, then carve the bird into large pieces—breasts, wings, thighs and drumsticks. Store in a container in the refrigerator until the big day. This method actually result in juicier meat—and an infinitely more relaxed host.

Do I have to brown turkey before crock pot? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Why can't you reheat food in a crock pot? ›

Because slow cookers work slowly (it's right there in the name, after all), food is likely to remain between 40 and 140 F for an extended period. The longer food remains in this Danger Zone of temperatures, the greater the risk of foodborne illness.

What is the #1 Crockpot? ›

Our Favorite Slow Cooker

We love the Cuisinart Cook Central 3-in-1 6-Quart Multi-Cooker for its roomy cooking surface and multifunctionality. Its settings let you brown, sauté, and even steam, all in one convenient appliance — making it the ultimate tool for one-pot cooking.

Is there a difference between a slow cooker and a Crockpot? ›

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 I leave something in the crockpot on warm overnight? ›

Don't leave it on 'warm' all day

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.

How long does it take to cook a 14-pound turkey? ›

10. Calculate turkey cooking time and temperature. The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that's about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb. turkey), or 15 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.

How to keep hamburgers warm in a slow cooker? ›

Set the temperature: Turn the Crock-Pot to the 140 degrees Fahrenheit "Warm" setting. Avoid the "Low" and "High" settings, as those temperatures could keep cooking and drying out the Crock-Pot hamburgers. The burgers will still dry slightly on the "Warm" setting.

What is the safest way to cook a turkey? ›

Cook Turkey Thoroughly

Place the completely thawed turkey in a roasting pan that is 2 to 2-1/2 inches deep. Cooking times depend on the weight of the turkey and whether it is stuffed. Use a food thermometer to make sure the turkey has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

What are the benefits of slow cooking a turkey? ›

Also, since a slow cooker does not release steam, it locks moisture inside the pot and meat to help deliver juicy turkey breasts. Slow cooking bone-in turkey breast can take five to six hours, but the results are unbelievable – moist and tender turkey meat packed with flavor.

Is it safe to cook in a slow cooker? ›

The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam created within the tightly-covered container combine to destroy bacteria and make the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.

Can I slow down cooking a turkey? ›

Now, we're slow-cooking the turkey at a very low heat. There are different thoughts about how low to go, but I like 170-180°F for smaller turkeys and 200°F for larger turkeys (20-24 pounders).

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