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.

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

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

FAQs

Why don't people like crock pots? ›

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.

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

Reheating the turkey with gravy in the crock pot is a great idea. It will help keep the turkey moist and flavorful. Simply pour the desired amount of gravy over the turkey before placing it in the crock pot and allow it to warm up along with the meat.

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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.

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Does meat get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›

Collagen makes meat tough when cooked quickly, but when slow-cooked, it breaks down into gelatin, giving you that juicy, tender mouthfeel. Fattier — and cheaper — cuts of beef can also be good for slow cooking, because the fat helps to ensure the beef won't dry out while adding extra flavour.

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Why do people put bags in crock pots? ›

Slow cooker liners are simply plastic bags that cover the surface of the Crock-Pot while you cook, which prevents food from clinging to it.

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Do chefs like slow cookers? ›

Slow cookers remain at a low, consistent temperature while cooking. The lid traps much of the steam inside the pot and the condensation then helps bastes the food (note, you might want to prevent condensation dripping onto some dishes). Do chefs use slow cookers? Yes.

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Why are crock pots recalled crock pots? ›

The risk: The recalled Crock-Pot multi-cooker can pressurize when the lid is not fully locked. This can cause the lid to suddenly detach while the product is in use, posing burn risks to consumers from hot food and liquids ejecting from the cooker.

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Can you leave food in a 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.

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Can you cook the turkey the day before and reheat it on Thanksgiving? ›

When serving your turkey the next day, the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline advises that cooked turkey may be eaten cold or reheated. To reheat your turkey, USDA gives the following recommendations: In the Oven: Set the oven temperature no lower than 325°F.

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Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

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What is the #1 crock pot? ›

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.