Here are the best Thanksgiving crockpot recipes to serve at your holiday dinner or potluck. Free up stovetop and oven space with these easy, flavorful slow-cooked dishes that are perfect for a stress-free Thanksgiving.
Turkey Day just got easier. A slow cooker takes much of the timing pressure off your oven and stove so you can focus on the rest of the meal. Use a Thanksgiving checklist to stay organized and enjoy a calmer holiday.
Crockpots shine on Thanksgiving because you can prepare dishes ahead, keep them warm, and transport them to potlucks with minimal fuss. From main courses and sides to appetizers, drinks, and desserts, here are slow-cooker recipes that deliver great results with less hands-on time.
Crock Pot Thanksgiving Main Dishes
Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey
A slow cooker turkey breast produces moist, evenly cooked meat with minimal prep. This method eliminates the need to brine and is ideal when oven space is limited. Use the pan juices to make a simple gravy for serving.
Crock Pot Ham with Glaze
Spiral-cut ham slow-cooked with a pineapple brown sugar glaze becomes tender and flavorful when finished in a crockpot. It’s one of the easiest ways to serve a holiday ham—just a few minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
A classic pot roast slow-cooked until fork-tender makes a hearty main for family-style Thanksgiving dinners. Cook with aromatics and a rich gravy; leftovers are perfect for sandwiches the next day.
Crock Pot Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Slow cookers are ideal for many Thanksgiving sides — you can make them ahead and keep them warm without crowding the oven. Below are reliable favorites and a few seasonal additions.
Best Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes prepared in the crockpot are a potluck favorite. This no-boil method yields smooth results and frees up oven and stovetop space. Finish with extra butter or herbs before serving.
Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
A family-friendly staple, slow-cooker mac and cheese is rich and creamy without the need to pre-boil pasta. It’s an easy, comforting side that pairs well with turkey and ham.
Slow Cooker Stuffing
Turn your favorite stuffing (or dressing) recipe into a make-ahead crockpot side. This keeps well for busy holiday timelines and is easy to reheat in the slow cooker before serving.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Cubed sweet potatoes slow-cooked with brown sugar, butter, a touch of orange juice, and warm spices make a classic casserole. Top with marshmallows or a pecan streusel and let the crockpot keep it warm until mealtime.
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
A hands-off green bean casserole in the crockpot is a practical alternative when oven space is at a premium. It’s creamy, topped with crispy fried onions, and serves a crowd.
Crock Pot Buttery Bacon Green Beans
Transform canned or fresh green beans with bacon, butter, and savory seasoning in the slow cooker. The result is smoky, rich, and an excellent complement to holiday mains.
Slow-Cooked Cranberry Sauce
Make cranberry sauce in the crockpot to free the stove. Simmer fresh cranberries with citrus and sweetener to taste for a customizable, make-ahead condiment.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
Add cream, garlic, fresh herbs, and melting cheese for a decadent twist on mashed potatoes. The crockpot keeps them smooth and warm until serving time.
Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Skip the canned version and make rich, creamy corn from scratch in the slow cooker using just a few ingredients. It’s simple, comforting, and vegetarian-friendly.
Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
Brown sugar–glazed carrots cooked in the crockpot become tender and shiny, a sweet-and-savory side that’s easy to prepare ahead and reheat gently in the slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Butternut Squash
For a sweeter vegetable side, toss cubed squash with cinnamon and sugar and slow-cook until tender. This dish reheats well and is a cozy seasonal addition.
Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Balsamic-glazed Brussels sprouts in the crockpot are an effortless, flavorful side that pairs nicely with richer mains.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
A creamy pumpkin soup made with coconut milk can be vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly. It’s a warming starter that’s easy to keep hot in the slow cooker for guests.
Slow-Cooker Dinner Rolls
Make soft, buttery dinner rolls in the crockpot to save oven space. These rolls are sweet and tender and require no lengthy proofing, making them ideal for busy holiday mornings or dinners.
Crock Pot Thanksgiving Appetizers
Start the meal with slow-cooker appetizers that can simmer while you finish other dishes.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
Sweet-and-spicy cranberry meatballs are an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that cooks gently in the crockpot and stays warm for serving.
Slow Cooker Chex Mix
A large-batch Chex Mix made in the slow cooker is an excellent snack for guests as they arrive—easy to prepare and simple to scale up for a crowd.
Crock-Pot Thanksgiving Desserts
Crock Pot Apple Dump Cake
A no-fuss apple dump cake uses just a few ingredients and tastes like warm apple pie without the effort of making a crust. It’s one of the easiest Thanksgiving desserts you can make in a slow cooker.
Crustless Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie
When oven space is limited, a crustless pumpkin pie cooked in the crockpot delivers classic fall flavor without needing a baking dish. You can adapt sweetness and fat content to suit dietary needs.
Slow Cooker Bread Pudding
A bread pudding with cranberries and walnuts plus warm caramel sauce makes a cozy holiday dessert that fills the home with a comforting aroma while it cooks slowly.
Crock Pot Baked Apples
Slow-cooked baked apples are light, fragrant, and pair perfectly with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. They’re a great vegetarian or vegan dessert option when made with appropriate sweeteners and toppings.
Crockpot Pecan Pie
A semi-homemade pecan pie adapted for the crockpot uses refrigerated pie crust for ease and yields a rich, nutty dessert with a tender filling.
Thanksgiving Crockpot Drinks
Slow Cooker Apple Cider
Mulled apple cider with citrus and spices warms a crowd and fills the house with seasonal aromas. Keep it on warm in the crockpot for easy self-serve throughout the gathering.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Lattes
Start with brewed coffee and add half-and-half, canned pumpkin, spices, vanilla, and sugar to make a big batch of pumpkin spice lattes in the slow cooker. Top with whipped cream for a festive touch.
Creamy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
A slow-cooker hot chocolate is ideal for serving a crowd—rich, creamy, and easy to keep warm. Offer marshmallows and whipped cream for guests to customize their drinks.
Slow Cooker Spiced Rum Cocktail
For an adult beverage, a spiced rum cocktail warmed in the crockpot adds seasonal spice and keeps guests cozy on cold days. The house will smell wonderful while it simmers.
Pull out your crockpot and let it do the heavy lifting this Thanksgiving. These recipes free up oven space, let you prepare dishes ahead, and make serving a large group much easier.
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 (14.5 ounce) cans cut green beans, drained
- 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 ounces fried onions, divided (such as French’s)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Kosher salt to taste (optional)
Equipment
- 6-quart crock pot
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula or cooking spoon
Instructions
- Prep the crockpot: Grease the inside with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the drained green beans, cream of mushroom soup, cheddar, 1/2 cup of the fried onions (reserve the rest for topping), milk, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Stir until combined and transfer to the crockpot.
- Cook on low: Cover and cook on LOW for about 3–4 hours, or on HIGH for 1.5–2 hours, until heated through.
- Add topping: About 30 minutes before serving, sprinkle the reserved fried onions on top so they crisp up. Serve warm.
Notes
Doubling: This recipe can be doubled or tripled to fit a 6‑quart crockpot if needed.
Keep warm: Once done, keep the casserole on the warm setting for up to 3 hours.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for 3–4 days.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 159 kcal; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 222 mg.