Thanksgiving Slow Cooker Recipes
Keep your holiday menu effortless by making these Thanksgiving slow cooker recipes! You’ll find appetizers, entrees, side items, and desserts here. An entire menu awaits!
This collection of crock pot recipes will inspire you to make classic holiday favorites such as turkey, ham, pork tenderloin, and cranberry meatballs.

Traditional casseroles such as green beans and sweet potatoes will cook to perfection with the help of your slow cooker. Making cranberry sauce, mulled wine, apples, and pumpkin-inspired desserts in your crock pot are also great ways to save space on your stovetop and in your oven. Even side dishes like Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese can be a star this year!
Minimize your time and effort by preparing your Thanksgiving feast with the efficiency of this countertop appliance that shines during the holiday season.
Keep this list of Thanksgiving slow cooker recipes handy for this year’s easy, stress-free, and delicious dinner. Find inspiration for your next quick meal menu with these delicious and easy recipes.
Why are slow cooker recipes popular?
During the holiday season, the crock pot is the perfect way to free up space in the stove to cook all the other foods.
The slow cooker is the perfect way to make side dishes, desserts, and more – without stopping the flow of the rest of the ingredients.
This is why cooking with a slow cooker is a great way to finish all the food on time!
How do I reheat slow cooker recipes?
The great thing about cooking recipes in the slow cooker is that you can reheat them slowly in the crockpot or microwave.
Slow cookers are meant to keep food warm for some time, so it’s also a great way to reheat leftovers.
Thanksgiving Slow Cooker Recipes
As you can see, I’ve gathered some of the best recipes for you to try this Thanksgiving! I can’t wait to hear which one you will make first. (maybe make a few of them?!)
Thanksgiving Slow Cooker Recipes
Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete with a version of cranberry sauce on the table. Let your slow cooker render a sweetly tart sauce using fresh cranberries, apples and orange juice. A dash of honey, sugar and cinnamon make it a scrumptious accompaniment to your meal.
Milk, long grain white rice and a little sugar will get you started on this slow cooker dessert. During the final 30 minutes of cooking you'll add the pumpkin spice and cream mixture. This simple yet seasonal dessert is always a crowd pleaser.
You can't offer too many potato dishes during the holidays, so these zesty ranch potatoes will be a welcome addition when the mashed potato bowl is getting low. Red potatoes are seasoned with a packet of ranch seasoning plus garlic powder, dried onion and Parmesan cheese. Cook low and slow for a savory potato dish that will be appreciated by all.
Use frozen green beans, cream of mushroom and chicken soups, milk and cheese to make this easy vegetable dish. French fried onions go on the top toward the end of the cooking for that classic side dish taste that's always a winner.
Take your sweet potatoes to an even sweeter level by slowly cooking them in your crock pot in a mixture of brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. As your sweet potato slices caramelize, they become an irresistible candied side dish that will be a hit at your holiday table.
Pork tenderloin gets a sweet and savory seasoning thanks to onions, garlic, apple cider and chicken stock. Cook for as little as 3 hours in your crock pot to keep it moist and tender when cut and ready to serve.
Pumpkin's big day is Thanksgiving so having multiple pumpkin desserts is totally acceptable. This dump cake is perfect for a slow cooker since all you do is add a spiced pumpkin puree mixture and top with a crumbly buttery cake mix. Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Simmer and savor this slow cooker red wine that's spiced with cinnamon and cloves and brightened with orange slices and apple juice. Let it keep warm in your crock pot on the beverage table for a delightful adult beverage for the holidays.
Let your slow cooker turn a Jiffy cornbread mix, canned corn, sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese into a side dish that will be a crowd pleaser for your Thanksgiving feast. It takes just 5 minutes to mix and less than 3 hours to cook. What could be easier?
You'll create an instant holiday vibe when you cook sliced apples in your crock pot. Slowly cooking them in a mixture of cinnamon, butter and sugar will make a scrumptious dessert just waiting for a scoop of whipped cream or ice cream to top it off.
Combine broccoli, carrots, cauliflower and leeks into this cheesy 4 hour slow cooker casserole for a bounty of goodness for your Thanksgiving dinner. Use fresh veggies and cheddar and mozzarella cheeses for the best texture and taste.
Get a rich, cheesy and creamy texture from this amazing slow cooker version of macaroni and cheese. The pasta softens and cooks with the cheese, evaporated milk and seasonings during the 2 hours process making it the perfect tender and cheesy side dish that everyone will enjoy.
This homemade pumpkin butter makes a lovely dessert on its own or slathered on biscuits, toast, or as a seasonal sauce for vanilla ice cream. Your crock pot will make this classic condiment a delicious way to celebrate the season. It also makes wonderful gift!
With its sweet and crunchy coating of brown sugar and pineapple glaze, this slow cooker ham is always a welcome treat for your holiday events. With just 5 ingredients to help spice it up, your ham will need just 3 hours in a slow cooker to cook to irresistible goodness.
The secret to rich and creamy mashed potatoes is to let your slow cooker do all the work! This recipe works for almost any variety of potato by letting chicken broth and seasonings cook and soften the potatoes. Mash and add in butter and sour cream before serving. Perfection!
Make your best ever sweet potato casserole by using your slow cooker. Raw, sliced sweet potatoes, brown sugar, spices, butter, heavy cream and orange juice soften and cook into a delightful casserole that you'll top with mini marshmallows and chopped pecans at the very end.
Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries, Pecans and Butternut
Let autumn flavors of cranberries and butternut squash help season Brussels sprouts with this slow cooker method of cooking. Add in some pecans for nuttiness and drizzle it all with a homemade honey cinnamon sauce for a sweet finish.
Free up oven space and make your dressing with the help of your slow cooker. This method of cooking will give you a scrumptiously moist and seasoned breaded dressing with garlic, onions, celery and mushrooms basted with vegetable broth. It will be crispy on the outside, creating the perfect texture for this Thanksgiving classic dish.
If you're all about a succulent turkey with a golden and perfectly crisp outside skin, then cook this Thanksgiving centerpiece in your slow cooker. Butter, herbs and plenty of seasoning will help this roasted turkey cook in as little as 4 hours on high or overnight on low.
Holiday parties require amazing appetizers and these easy set-it-and-forget it meatballs qualify as a winner. Seasoned with cranberry sauce, orange juice and brown sugar, your frozen meatballs will cook slowly in about 3 hours in your crock pot to absorb all those Thanksgiving flavors.
Which of these Thanksgiving Crockpot recipes are you going to make first?