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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

How do I get the best results from a slow cooker? ›

Avoid overcrowding: For the best results, fill a slow cooker between one-half and two-thirds full. Go ahead and cook big roasts and whole chickens; just make sure you use a large crock and that the lid fits snugly on top. Trim fat: For silky sauces and gravies, take a minute or two and cut the excess fat from the meat.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned. However, browning meat and caramelising the beef is a great way to add depth of flavour and improve the visual appearance of the final dish.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

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

"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."

What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

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.

Can I put raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

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

Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

What meat is best for a 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? ›

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on overnight? The short answer: Yes. slow cookers are made to cook food for extensive periods of time (some can be left up to 24 hours). But, of course, follow safe practices outlined in your instruction manual, and keep the appliance on low or warm, as opposed to high, overnight.

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? ›

Add Just Enough Liquid

If you want the dish to be saucy, or you're making a beef stew, add enough liquid to come about 1/3 of the way up on the meats in the slow cooker. This allows your meat to braise, not boil. Boiling creates tough meat!

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

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. It's safe to cook foods on low the entire time -- if you're leaving for work, for example, and preparation time is limited.

What are the disadvantages of slow cooking? ›

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.

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

Why put paper towel under crockpot lid? ›

The paper towel will absorb excess moisture and prevent any condensation from dripping back onto the food. Be sure to reach for a good-quality, sturdy paper towel that can absorb moisture effectively without falling apart.

Are slow cookers safe to leave on while at work? ›

Are slow cookers safe to leave on? Yes, it's safe to leave a slow cooker on when you leave the house. The purpose of a slow cooker is to allow you to cook while you aren't home. Slow cookers simmer food slowly, killing bacteria and raising meat to the perfect internal temperature.

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