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When it comes to holidays that are stressful to prepare for, Thanksgiving probably ranks No. 1 on the list. For one thing, roasting a turkey isn’t exactly the easiest thing to perfect. Not to mention the fact that other staples like impeccably seasoned stuffing and rich homemade gravy rank pretty high up on the difficulty scale. And then there’s the sheer number of items you’re expected to prepare. How is one person supposed to have sufficient counter space, room in the oven and, oh, enough arms to whip up a turkey, mashed potatoes and half a dozen festive pies?
Our secret? The slow cooker (like this classic 7-quart Crock-Pot). We don’t usually associate a slow cooker with Turkey Day, but it’s a handy dandy device that can help add some ease into your cooking when you’re trying to time everything out perfectly. After all, why spend your Thanksgiving toiling away when you can slow-cook your way to success? Now that’s something to be thankful for.
Originally published November 2015.
Slow cooker turkey breast with cranberry sauce
Kill two birds with one stone (well, one bird and one cranberry), and make your cranberry sauce and turkey in the slow cooker at the same time. That leaves your oven and stove top free to work on your side dishes and pies.
Get the recipe from The Creative Bite.
Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes in the slow cooker transform into a creamy, silky side dish. This version gets a festive twist thanks to the addition of cinnamon, nutmeg, and plenty of butter.
Get the recipe from Sweet and Savory Meals.
Slow Cooker Ham
Not everyone is a fan of turkey, so if you plan on serving ham this Thanksgiving, make it easy on yourself by using your slow cooker. Ham is cooked through anyway, so all you need to do is warm it up without drying it out, something the slow cooker is perfect for.
Get the recipe from Kim’s Cravings.
Slow Cooker Acorn Squash
Acorn squash retains its shape in the slow cooker, making it a visually appealing Thanksgiving side dish. You can serve individual squash halves for each guest, or stuff the squash halves with quinoa pilaf to make a vegetarian entree for guests who won’t be eating any turkey this year.
Get the recipe from The Magical Slow Cooker.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
If your fam isn’t beholden to the sliceable cranberry sauce that comes from a can, then you can make this bright and flavorful slow cooker cranberry sauce instead. It’s an essential part of any Thanksgiving dinner, helping to balance out all of those rich flavors.
Get the recipe from Dinner at the Zoo.
Slow Cooker Autumn Quinoa Pilaf
Gluten-free sides are hard to come by during the holiday season, but this autumnal quinoa pilaf is right on the money. It features fluffy slow cooked quinoa, seasonal veggies, herbs, and pecans for a bit of satisfying crunch.
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
In need of a Thanksgiving appetizer that won’t take up a ton of your time? Try out these tangy, sweet, and savory slow cooker cranberry meatballs. It’s even easier if you opt for frozen meatballs (or plant-based meatless balls for vegetarian or vegan guests!).
Get the recipe from Carlsbad Cravings.
Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Potatoes
Creamy baby Yukon gold potatoes in the slow cooker are one of the most hands-off Thanksgiving side dishes around. They’re great as-is, but even better drenched with gravy.
Get the recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.
Slow Cooker Cajun Butter Turkey Breast
Juicy, seasoned turkey breast bathed in Cajun butter is perfect for families who prefer white meat to dark meat. The leftovers make amazing sandwiches the next day, too!
Get the recipe from Flavorful Eats.
Creamy garlic slow cooker mashed potatoes
Yukon gold potatoes are the star of this slow cooker dish, as they have a buttery, creamy texture already. Slow cook them with broth, then mash with butter, milk, and sour cream, and you’ve got a winning side dish.
Get the recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.
Slow cooker sweet potato casserole
For many of us, it’s just not Thanksgiving with a scoop of marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole on the plate. This slow cooker recipe leans into the sweetness, adding brown sugar, butter, warming spices, and mini marshmallows to the sweet potatoes.
Get the recipe at Crock Pots and Flip Flops.
Slow cooker brussels sprouts with bacon
We always lavish praise on roasted brussels sprouts, but we just don’t have the oven space to make them on Thanksgiving. These bacon brussels sprouts, made in the slow cooker, are just as good, seasoned in a tangy-sweet red wine vinegar sauce.
Get the recipe at The Typical Mom.
Slow cooker gratin potatoes
Is it a wild choice to have two types of potato on the table for Thanksgiving? No! The mashed potatoes are basically just there to be a vehicle for gravy, so we like having cheesy, creamy potato gratin on the side as well. If not for Thanksgiving, when?
Get the recipe at Slow Cooker Gourmet.
Slow cooker spinach & artichoke dip
An effortless appetizer everyone will love. Bonus: You can eat it straight from the pot!
Get the recipe at Damn Delicious.
Creamy herbed polenta with mushrooms
Creamy polenta and meaty mushrooms make for the perfect fall side dish.
Get the recipe at Williams Sonoma.
Slow-cooked cinnamon apples
Slow-cooked cinnamon apples over ice cream make for a very delicious deconstructed pie à la mode.
Get the recipe at Julie’s Eats & Treats.
Slow cooker creamed corn
Slow cooker creamed corn is a classic and comforting dish that goes perfectly with all your fixin’s.
Get the recipe at Damn Delicious.
Slow cooker pumpkin pie
The saying “easy as pie” has never been more true than with this pumpkin pie recipe.
Get the recipe at SheKnows.
Slow cooker dinner rolls
These pillowy soft dinner rolls take all the fear out of bread-baking.
Get the recipe from Plain Chicken.
Slow cooker green bean casserole
Skip the canned condensed soup, and make this super-easy slow cooker green bean casserole instead.
Get the recipe at Pass the Sushi.
Slow cooker pumpkin bread pudding
You won’t have to stress about dessert when you have this slow cooker bread pudding in your repertoire.
Get the recipe at The Gunny Sack.
Slow cooker cranberry-pecan stuffing
Savory, nutty and just a little sweet, this slow cooker stuffing is sure to be a hit.
Get the recipe at The Creative Bite.
Vegan butternut squash macaroni
This creamy, “cheesy,” vegan butternut macaroni makes for a great side dish and a plant-based entrée.
Get the recipe at Healthy Slow Cooking.
Slow cooker gluten-free cornbread dressing
This gluten-free cornbread dressing is a cinch to make in the slow cooker, and everyone can enjoy it.
Get the recipe at Weary Chef.
Slow cooker turnip greens
Getting nutritious greens on the table couldn’t be easier thanks to this slow-cooker turnip greens recipe.
Get the recipe at Add a Pinch.
Sticky caramel-pumpkin cake
These sweet and tender glazed carrots will brighten up your holiday table.
Get the recipe from Fabulously Frugal.
Sticky caramel-pumpkin cake
This ooey, gooey slow cooker cake will upstage any pie that dares to be part of your Thanksgiving spread.
Get the recipe at Platter Talk.
Slow cooker cranberry butter
This silky cranberry butter is great served with dinner or spread on an epic Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich.
Get the recipe at The View from Great Island.
Slow cooker winter root vegetables
Hearty root vegetables like rutabaga, carrots and parsnips cook up beautifully in the slow cooker.
Get the recipe at A Year of Slow Cooking.
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