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

Can you leave food in a crock pot for days? ›

That being said, however, it's not a good idea to leave food in a slow cooker for days at a time. The food will not only stain the cooker's interior, but it will also be soggy and overcooked and be left open to bacteria.

How long does it take to reheat a turkey in a crock pot? ›

Place your crockpot on LOW and cover the bottom with water or broth. Carve your smoked turkey and place the pieces into the crockpot. Apply the lid and cook until warmed throughout (around 45 minutes).

Can you use an instant pot instead of a crock pot? ›

Press the "Slow Cook" button to select the slow cooking function. Set the cooking time and temperature. The Instant Pot has three temperature settings for slow cooking: low, medium, and high. Use the "Adjust" button to choose the temperature and then use the "+" and "-" buttons to adjust the cooking time.

What is low on a crock pot? ›

Most slow cookers have two slow cooker temperature settings. The 'Low' cook setting reaches temperatures between 164-182°F (reaching a peak of around 205°F after 4 hours). Wondering what temperature is 'High' on a Crockpot slow cooker? The 'High' cook setting tops off at around 205°F after cooking for 4 hours.

Can I leave food in crockpot for 12 hours? ›

People do this all the time, but many aren't truly confident that it's 100 percent safe — I, for one, am one of those people. So I did a little digging to get the hard facts. The truth is, yes, leaving the slow cooker on and going about your day is safe, as long as you are using the appliance properly.

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.

What are 2 ways to keep turkey from drying out? ›

5 Ways to Prevent Your Turkey from Drying Out
  1. Cook Pieces Instead of a Whole Turkey. ...
  2. If Cooking a Whole Turkey, Buy Frozen. ...
  3. Ditch the Plastic Pop-Up Timer; Use an Instant-Read Thermometer Instead. ...
  4. Elevate the Legs. ...
  5. Let the Turkey Rest.
Nov 1, 2022

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.

What's the difference between a crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

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 put frozen meat in a slow cooker? ›

It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

Can Crock pots be left unattended? ›

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.

Is it OK to put raw chicken in 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!

What does the 4 6 8 10 mean on a crock pot? ›

Cook time options include 4 or 6 hours on HIGH, or 8 or 10 hours on LOW. The corresponding light illuminates, the slow cooker heats, and the internal timer starts counting down the time. NOTE: WARM is ONLY for keeping already cooked food at the perfect serving temperature until you are ready to eat.

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 long is food safe in slow cooker? ›

Yes, as long as the food has been continuously hot. Some slow cookers have a keep warm setting but this isn't guaranteed to be hot enough. If the food has been kept just below boiling continuously, then there really isn't much that can survive and grow to harmful levels.

Is it OK to leave food in crock pot 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.

Can you leave food in slow cooker for 24 hours? ›

Essentially, yes! Many newer models have programmable settings to switch the heat to 'keep warm' after a set amount of time, as well as automatic off switches after 24 hours.

Is it safe to leave slow cooker on for 10 hours? ›

Yes, if you use them correctly. The slow cooker cooks foods slowly at a low temperature, generally between 170 and 280 degrees F, over several hours. The combination of direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam, destroys bacteria making the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.

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