thanksgiving

30 Thanksgiving Slow Cooker Recipes to Make Your Holiday So Much Easier

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
Jan Valdez
Jan ValdezAssistant Recipe Producer
I cover recipe content on The Kitchn, write and update recipes and recipe roundups, and test recipes for the team. I have 10 years of experience working in R&D test kitchens, testing products and recipes, and at publishers including Serious Eats and EatingWell.
updated Sep 30, 2024
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Credit: Joe Lingeman

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner is no small feat. There is a way to make it easier, though, and it comes in the form of your slow cooker. When you’re vying for precious space in the oven, wishing you had another burner on the stovetop (or another pair of hands), or you just want to keep food warm, this trusty appliance is your best bet.

The slow cooker turns Thanksgiving sides, like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffing into a mostly hands-off affair, plus it keeps the food warm until it’s time to eat.

When it comes to the main course, your slow cooker isn’t quite large enough for a whole turkey, though it can certainly manage turkey breast or a spiral ham for a memorable holiday main.

And if you don’t have space in the oven for bake your Thanksgiving dessert, there are some delicious slow-cooked options that are just right for the occasion.

From the main course to dessert, here are 30 Thanksgiving slow cooker recipes to make your holiday easier.

Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Mains

From turkey breast and honey-glazed ham to short ribs, there’s quite a variety of totally delectable, holiday-worthy mains that can be made in your slow cooker. You’ll never miss the whole bird, trust me.

1 / 10
Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Slow cooking turkey breast gives the perennially dry white meat time to soak up a rich herb butter, making for a juicy, tender slice. And don’t let the flavorful cooking liquid and turkey drippings go to waste! Whisk in flour and broth to make silky gravy to drizzle over top.

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2 / 10
Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Slow Cooker Honey-Glazed Ham

Turkey's not the only game in town on Thanksgiving. Whether you want another main to supplement your bird, or something else entirely, a spiral ham is an easy and delicious slow cooker option.

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3 / 10
Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Classic Beef Brisket

Tender beef brisket in a rich gravy with melting potatoes and carrots. This classic recipe makes the whole house smell like a cozy Thanksgiving day. Serve with any number of our brisket side dishes.

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4 / 10
Olive & Mango
Slow Cooker Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs

If you're looking for an alternative to turkey for your main course, short ribs are totally impressive, holiday-worthy pick. The slow cooker (which does most of the heavy lifting here) yields tender, fall-off-the-bone short ribs swimming in a savory broth, made deeper and richer thanks to several glugs of Cabernet. Creamy polenta is the most popular accompaniment, but mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or orzo are all delicious options.

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5 / 10
Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Smoky BBQ Turkey

If your goal this Thanksgiving is to step away from the traditional turkey and sides for a simple meal with a bold, flavor-packed twist, you’re going to want to pull out your slow cooker and your favorite BBQ sauce.

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6 / 10
Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Pork Loin Roast

This slow-cooker pork loin is cooked over a bed of thick-cut carrots and red potatoes with a sweet and tangy sauce to bring it all together.

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7 / 10
Christine Han
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pile pulled pork onto mashed sweet potatoes or serve alongside cornbread dressing for your Thanksgiving feast.

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8 / 10
<a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/joe">Joe Lingeman</a>
Sweet & Tangy Slow Cooker Brisket

Meaty beef brisket is simmered in the slow cooker with a sweet and tangy tomatoey sauced laced with tender caramelized onions and just the right amount of spices.

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9 / 10
Michael Kartes
Slow Cooker Smothered Turkey Wings

This is a great foolproof recipe for Thanksgiving if you’re feeding a smaller group and don’t want to commit to a whole turkey. Serve with mashed potatoes and collard greens.

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10 / 10
Kelli Foster
Slow Cooker Roast Beef au Jus

Made with an affordable eye of round roast, it’s quickly seared on the stovetop then cooked low and slow for a few hours, leaving you with incredibly tender slices of beef and a rich, herb-scented au jus studded with strands of silky onion.

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Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Sides

Not only does your slow cooker make easy work of a side dish, but it will also keep it warm until dinner is served.

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Photo: Ryan Liebe; Food Styling: Ben Weiner
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Your slow cooker and mashed potatoes are a match made in heaven. Not only does it take some of the work out of this must-have side, but it's also the perfect way to keep potatoes warm until they hit the table.

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2 / 10
Kelli Foster
Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Stuffing

Breaking out the slow cooker makes this version of classic stuffing even easier, and you won't be taking up precious oven space. This is the way to go if you like tender, softer stuffings.

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3 / 10
Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

If mac and cheese isn't a part of your Thanksgiving spread, let this be the year you add it. Making it in the slow cooker is a nice choice if you're short on oven space.

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4 / 10
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

The sweet-tart bite of cranberry sauce is a must on Thanksgiving, and this dump-and-go recipe is the easiest way to bring it to the table.

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5 / 10
Emma Christensen
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Making creamed corn in the slow cooker lets you keep the stovetop free for other sides that require more attention.

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7 / 10
Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Cheesy Garlic Brussels Sprouts

These slow-cooked Brussels sprouts are deliciously tender and coated in a velvety garlic and Parmesan cream sauce.

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8 / 10
Maria Siriano
Slow Cooker Buttery Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Nothing quite encapsulates everything we love about comfort food more than smooth, creamy, buttery garlic mashed potatoes.

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9 / 10
Apartment Therapy
Slow Cooker "Baked" Potatoes

Whether you're baking up russets or sweet potatoes, there is no easier way to make it happen than with the slow cooker. Serve the cooked baked potatoes with a big pat of butter, or mash into a classic meringue-topped wonder.

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10 / 10
Christine Han
Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Hearty collards greens benefit from a long, slow, and gentle braise. Tuck them away in the slow cooker early in the morning and station it in a far corner of the counter to keep your workspace free for other tasks.

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Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Desserts and Drinks

A warm drink is always such a fun idea for holiday dinners, especially since guests can fill their mugs as they please.

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<a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/mariasiriano">Maria Siriano</a>
Slow Cooker Apple Crisp

If you're in need of a fuss-free dessert, trade the apple pie for a much easier slow cooker apple crisp. Keep vanilla ice cream handy because the only thing better than making it in the slow cooker is serving it a la mode.

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2 / 10
<a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/authors/joe">Joe Lingeman</a>
Slow Cooker Cheesecake

Yes, you can make a cheesecake in your slow cooker, and it's amazing. The low, steady heat yields cheesecake with a perfectly creamy, silky, almost custard-like texture.

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3 / 10
Joe Lingeman
3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apple Pie

This simple slow cooker dessert is everything you’d expect from a classic apple pie, but requires just three ingredients — and way less work. When it’s done cooking, you’re greeted with a sweet and buttery cake-like blanket.

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4 / 10
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Maria Midoes
Slow Cooker Mulled Cider

Not only will your slow cooker mull this non-alcoholic cider and keep it warm all day, but it will also make your house smell amazing. Guests will love to serve themselves while enjoying their slices of pumpkin pie.

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6 / 10
Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Every Thanksgiving party needs a festive cocktail, but there’s no need to spend the night mixing drinks to-order. Add a few bottles of red wine, brandy, maple syrup, whole spices, and orange peel to a slow cooker and heat until warm.

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7 / 10
Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Lattes

This pumpkin spice latte recipe keeps warm in the slow cooker and doesn't even require an espresso machine, so you can cozy up and stay inside instead.

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Diana Yen
Slow Cooker Spiked Mulled Cider

Make a boozy version of the classic mulled cider and let the slow cooker man the drinks station so you can manage dinner.

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Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Wassail Punch

Slow cook apple cider, orange juice, mulling spices, and spicy ginger together into a warming winter wassail punch.

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10 / 10
Joe Lingeman
Slow Cooker Eggnog Lattes

Rich eggnog and strong-brewed coffee join forces in a slow cooker for the ultimate holiday hot beverage.

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