37 Crockpot Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean spending all day tethered to your oven—these crockpot recipes handle the heavy lifting while you focus on what actually matters. From turkey to sides to dessert, we’ve rounded up 37 slow cooker recipes that’ll make your holiday feast easier and somehow even more delicious.
1. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Source: recipetineats.com
Juicy, foolproof, and frees up your oven completely. This method keeps the white meat incredibly moist even if you accidentally overcook it slightly.
2. Crockpot Herb Stuffing
Source: cookingclassy.com
Forget the traditional oven version—this stays moist and develops better flavor in the slow cooker. The bread gets a subtle steam-cooked texture that’s actually superior.
3. Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Source: jaroflemons.com
Skip the last-minute mashing chaos and let the crockpot handle it. You can prep these the morning of and have them warm and creamy by dinner.
4. Sweet Potato Casserole
Source: spendwithpennies.com
That marshmallow topping actually turns golden brown in the slow cooker, giving you caramelized edges without the oven space battle.
5. Cranberry Sauce with Orange
Source: casadecrews.com
Hands-off cranberry cooking means no scorching on the bottom, and the citrus brightness cuts through the sweetness perfectly.
6. Crockpot Corn Pudding
Source: showmetheyummy.com
This creamy corn side dish practically cooks itself and stays warm throughout the meal without drying out.
7. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Source: allrecipes.com
The green beans stay crisp-tender instead of turning mushy, and you can assemble it the morning before.
8. Butternut Squash Soup Starter
Source: delish.com
A velvety first course that cooks unattended—ladle it directly from the crockpot into bowls for minimal serving hassle.
9. Crockpot Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Source: freshcoasteats.com
The bacon fat renders perfectly into the sprouts, creating a caramelized exterior that wouldn’t happen as easily on the stovetop.
10. Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
Source: sallysbakingaddiction.com
Light appetizers that cook in a tangy-sweet sauce and stay warm in the crockpot throughout your whole meal.
11. Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Source: delish.com
Creamier than baked versions and way less stirring required—the cheese sauce develops depth over hours of gentle cooking.
12. Slow Cooker Harvest Vegetables
Source: familystylefood.com
Roasted-looking root veggies without the oven—carrots, parsnips, and beets get tender while staying in a beautiful glaze.
13. Crockpot Turkey Stock
Source: theendlessmeal.com
Start this the day before Thanksgiving to extract maximum flavor for your gravy without any active cooking time.
14. Slow Cooker Stuffed Mushrooms
Source: plowingthroughlife.com
Jumbo caps get filled with a sausage mixture and stay perfectly tender—they’re substantial enough to work as an appetizer or side.
15. Crockpot Cranberry Brie Dip
Source: goodnomshoney.com
Warm, gooey, and slightly tart—this crowdpleaser needs zero reheating once it goes in the slow cooker.
16. Slow Cooker Pecan Pie Filling
Source: spicysouthernkitchen.com
Make the filling days ahead in the crockpot, chill it, then pour into a pre-made crust for minimal dessert-day stress.
17. Crockpot Bread Pudding
Source: allrecipes.com
The gentle, moist heat of a slow cooker actually creates better bread pudding than the oven—custardy and never dry.
18. Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
Source: gimmesomeoven.com
Caramelized apples with a buttery topping, ready whenever you want dessert without overheating the kitchen.
19. Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Cake
Source: willowbirdbaking.com
Impossibly moist and fluffy—the slow cooker’s steamy environment keeps this dessert tender in a way oven baking can’t match.
20. Slow Cooker Spiced Cider
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
Warm, aromatic, and can stay on the warm setting all evening—your guests will smell it before they taste it.
21. Crockpot Wine-Braised Turkey Thighs
Source: seriouseats.com
Dark meat stays incredibly tender after hours in wine sauce—this is actually more flavorful than traditional roast turkey.
22. Slow Cooker Sausage and Herb Stuffing
Source: therecipecritic.com
The sausage fat flavors the entire stuffing evenly, and there’s no fighting for oven real estate on the big day.
23. Crockpot Yam and Marshmallow Bake
Source: eatingwell.com
Candied yams become extra creamy when slow-cooked, and adding marshmallows at the end creates a toasted topping.
24. Slow Cooker Mushroom Gravy
Source: savorynothings.com
Earthy, rich, and vegetarian-friendly—the mushrooms release all their umami into this silky sauce over hours of cooking.
25. Crockpot Herb Butter Basted Turkey
Source: recipetineats.com
Herb butter melts into the meat automatically when cooked in a covered crockpot, basting itself the entire time.
26. Slow Cooker Cornbread Dressing
Source: southernbite.com
The cornbread stays moist and flavorful instead of getting hard—perfect balance of texture with zero oven monitoring.
27. Crockpot Glazed Carrots
Source: dinneratthezoo.com
Bright orange slices get sticky and caramelized without needing you to stir them—pure set-and-forget simplicity.
28. Slow Cooker Onion Confit
Source: bakeatmidnite.com
Caramelized until jammy, this condiment becomes a secret weapon for elevating turkey sandwiches the next day.
29. Crockpot Wild Rice Pilaf
Source: realhousemoms.com
Wild rice gets perfectly tender without the constant pot-watching, and nuts added at the end stay crunchy.
30. Slow Cooker Cranberry-Orange Relish
Source: crockpotladies.com
The citrus oils extract beautifully during slow cooking, creating a more complex flavor than raw relish.
31. Crockpot Dessert Fondue
Source: carlsbadcravings.com
Melted chocolate, pumpkin spice, or salted caramel—kept warm the entire night for guests to dip fruit and cake.
32. Slow Cooker Vegetable Medley
Source: slowcookergourmet.net
Mixed seasonal vegetables come out silky but hold their shape—a lighter side that doesn’t compete for oven space.
33. Crockpot Savory Herb Rice
Source: slowcookergourmet.net
Broth-cooked rice with herbs becomes infused with flavor naturally—fluffier than stovetop versions with zero scorching risk.
34. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter
Source: cookiedoughandovenmitt.com
Make it ahead and gift to guests or serve on rolls—the long cooking time concentrates the pumpkin flavor gorgeously.
35. Crockpot Hot Spiced Punch
Source: tasteofhome.com
Cinnamon sticks, cloves, and fruit juice warm together for hours—create a welcoming aroma that announces the holidays.
36. Slow Cooker Caramelized Pearl Onions
Source: bakeatmidnite.com
These glossy, sweet-savory bites develop mahogany color and jammy texture without any of the usual pan-watching stress.
37. Item 37
Source: mostlyhomemademom.com
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