Hosting Thanksgiving is always the thrill for me, but the madness of dividing oven space and duplicating the dishes? No thanks. I recall my first full-fledged holiday meal, nervously stirring pots as the turkey commandeered the oven. Then the genie in my slow cooker, making side dishes a snap. These 15 recipes, on top-rated sources, let your crockpot do the hard work for you so that you can spend quality time with your loved ones. From rolls to stuffing, this is how to prepare your 2025 Thanksgiving very serene.
Why Slow Cookers Are Your Holiday Hero
Slow cookers are a Thanksgiving lifesaver. They mean hands-off cooking, eliminating the need for stovetop babysitting duty. They leave oven space open for the turkey, intensify flavors by slow simmering, and offer stress reduction with their “set it and forget it” ease. And to top it all off, locking lids make potluck transport a breeze. Let’s move into these people-pleasing side dishes that’ll make your holiday meal one for the ages.
15 Thanksgiving Side Dishes in the Slow Cooker
These dishes bring home and flavor with less work, making your table look its best.
1. Slow Cooker Stuffing
Slow Cooker Stuffing
Equipment
- 1 4-Quart Slow Cooker Essential for the slow cooking process.
- 1 Large Skillet For sautéing aromatics before combining.
- 1 Very Large Mixing Bowl To combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For stirring and transferring ingredients.
- 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons For accurate ingredient measurement.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup butter
- 2 cups chopped onion
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 12 ounces sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 12 cups dry bread cubes
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried sage
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried marjoram
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 ½ cups chicken broth or as needed
- 2 large eggs beaten
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion, celery, mushroom, and parsley in butter until slightly softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Place bread cubes in a very large mixing bowl. Spoon cooked vegetables over bread cubes. Season with salt, sage, poultry seasoning, thyme, marjoram, and pepper. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Pour in enough broth to moisten, then mix in eggs. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Transfer mixture to a slow cooker. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
- Cover and cook on High for 45 minutes, then reduce heat to Low and cook for 4 to 8 hours. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Notes
2. Don’t skip sautéing the vegetables; this develops a foundational layer of flavor and softens them properly before slow cooking.
3. The amount of chicken broth can be adjusted based on the dryness of your bread and desired moisture level. Add gradually until just moistened, as the slow cooker retains a lot of moisture.
4. To achieve a golden, slightly crispy top, transfer the cooked stuffing to a baking dish and broil for 5-10 minutes, or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, after slow cooking.
Thanksgiving stuffing is a tradition, and the slow cooker makes it easy. I made this recipe last year and it was a success, no oven space required! Allrecipes’ variation, with more than 1,500 five-star reviews, is a “tried-and-tested choice.” Use all of the broth with supermarket bread, less with fresh breads, as Chef Nan suggests, mixing to prevent sogginess. For a variation, use Crockpot Sausage and Herb Stuffing, adding cooked sausage and herbs for a crispy-topped, juicy treat.
2. Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes (Yams) and Marshmallows
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker Essential for the low and slow cooking method
- 1 Can Opener For opening canned sweet potatoes
- 1 Measuring Cups For brown sugar and other optional additions
- 1 Knife For cutting butter into pieces
- 1 Serving Spoon or Spatula For arranging ingredients and serving
Ingredients
Main
- cooking spray
- 2 29 ounce cans sweet potatoes, drained
- â…“ cup butter cut into 1/4-inch pieces
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- 1 16 ounce package miniature marshmallows
Instructions
- Spray the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Place sweet potatoes in a slow cooker and arrange butter on top of sweet potatoes. Sprinkle brown sugar over sweet potatoes.
- Cook on High, 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Add marshmallows and cook until soft and somewhat puffy, about 15 minutes.
Notes
Sweet potatoes and marshmallows are the quintessential holiday tradition. Renee Coley’s recipe, a product of an oven-space deficit, was the hit at a frenzied Thanksgiving. They’re sweet and tender, slow-cooked, but watch the marshmallows-too long, and they collapse, Renee advises. This recipe conserves oven space and yields that taste so much heralded: it’s a crowd-pleaser.
3. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Creamed corn’s luscious creaminess is just terrific served alongside turkey, and the slow cooker makes it easy. I prepared this last Thanksgiving Day, letting it simmer while I tackled the rest of the dishes. With a mere cream cheese, butter, milk, sugar, salt, and pepper, it’s “easy enough for any night,” according to tastesoflizzyt.com. Crockpotladies.com refers to its 5-minute prep time, producing a creamy side dish that’s “gobbled up” by visitors.
4. Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a staple but stovetop versions steal time. Naples34102 croons, “I’m hooked” on the slow cooker method, and so do I because it relieved me of endless stirring. Thriftyjinxy.com’s recipe takes six ingredients, seasoning garlic and herbs to bring a rich, creamy result. Simmer while preparing other meals, and warm, airy spuds are easily served.
5. Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker A standard 4-6 quart slow cooker is suitable.
- 1 Measuring Cups For accurately measuring liquids and sugars.
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For stirring ingredients and scraping the sides of the slow cooker.
Ingredients
Main
- ½ cup orange juice
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 12 ounce package fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Combine orange juice, water, brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon in slow cooker; stir in cranberries. Cook on High for 3 hours, stirring once each hour.
- Remove lid; stir well. Cook on High until sauce has thickened and most cranberries have popped, about 45 more minutes.
Notes
Cranberry sauce’s citrusy zip adds a boost to any holiday, and the slow cooker makes it simple. Christine Mistretta-Birchfield’s is what filled my kitchen with a “sweet, spiced, citrusy smell” last Thanksgiving. With cranberries, sugar, orange juice, and spices, it’s sweet and sour. Use Crock-Pot Cranberry-Orange Chutney for a sour alternative both are simple and much superior to store-bought.
6. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker Essential for slow-cooking the casserole
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining ingredients before adding to the slow cooker
- 1 Spatula or Spoon For stirring ingredients and serving
Ingredients
Main
- 2 bag frozen green bean
- 10 3/4 oz cream of mushroom soup
- 3 oz french fried onion ring
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker insert to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen green beans, cream of mushroom soup, half of the French fried onions, grated cheddar cheese, and water.
- Stir all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared slow cooker insert.
- Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the green beans are tender and the casserole is bubbling.
- Approximately 30-45 minutes before serving, sprinkle the remaining French fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Replace the lid and continue cooking until the onions are heated through and slightly crisp.
- Carefully remove the slow cooker insert.
- Stir gently before serving.
- Serve hot as a comforting side dish.
Notes
Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving favorite, and the solution to oven space, courtesy of the slow cooker. Beanie VanBuskirk enjoys the enormous batch size ideal for parties. KevinBerry7406 says, “The inclusion of Parmesan cheese is a fantastic suggestion.” Green beans, fried onions, and creamy soup all come together in the crockpot with the familiar taste but without all the work.
7. Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot For initial wilting of greens and ham shanks
- 1 Slow Cooker For long, slow cooking
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef’s knife For chopping greens and jalapeños
- 1 Large Spoon or Tongs For transferring ingredients
Ingredients
Main
- 4 bunches collard greens – rinsed trimmed and chopped
- 1 pound ham shanks
- 4 pickled jalapeno peppers chopped
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ground black pepper to taste
- garlic powder to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot about 1/2 full with water. Place the ham shanks into the water, and as many of the greens as you can fit. Bring to a gentle boil.
- As soon as the greens begin wilting, start transferring the greens to the slow cooker. Alternate layers of greens with the ham shanks and jalapeno until the slow cooker is full. Stir in the baking soda, olive oil, pepper and garlic powder. Cover, and bring to a boil on High. Reduce heat to Low, and cook for 8 to 10 hours.
Notes
Southern collard greens add warm comfort, and the slow cooker tenderizes their fragile texture to perfection. Kimmy’s trick five hours the night before, and three more on Thanksgiving worked magic with me, melding flavors with bacon and seasonings such as Old Bay. This no-stirred recipe pairs beautifully with strong holiday flavors, and it’s a must-make.
8. Slow Cooker Cauliflower Casserole
Slow Cooker Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 1 skillet For crisping bacon
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef’s knife
- 1 Mixing Bowl For whisking sauce ingredients
Ingredients
Main
- 3 slices bacon
- nonstick cooking spray
- 1 medium head cauliflower cut into florets
- 0.25 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 10.75 ounce can cream of chicken soup (such as Campbell’s®)
- 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 scallion green part only, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside.
- Lightly spray the inside of your slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place the cauliflower florets evenly into the prepared slow cooker.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, salt, pepper, ground turmeric, and cream of chicken soup until smooth.
- Pour the soup mixture evenly over the cauliflower in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, or until the cauliflower is tender but not mushy.
- Stir in the shredded mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses until completely melted and well combined with the sauce.
- Serve the cheesy cauliflower casserole warm, garnished generously with the crumbled crispy bacon and thinly sliced green parts of the scallion.
Notes
A decadent cauliflower casserole is a decadent addition, and the crockpot makes it easy. I served this last Thanksgiving and even finicky eaters raved. With cream of chicken soup, mozzarella, and bacon, it’s a “crowd-pleaser” for children and keto eaters too. The slow cook of the crockpot produces a creamy, rich dinner with no oven requirements.
9. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Apples
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 1 Vegetable Peeler
- 1 Large Chef’s Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
Main
- 1 3 pound butternut squash – peeled, seeded, and cut into cubes
- 1 cup apple juice
- ¼ cup butter melted
- ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Optional
Instructions
- Combine butternut squash and apple juice in a slow cooker. Whisk butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a bowl; drizzle over butternut squash.
- Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
Notes
This cinnamon-sugar spiced side dish brings the best of fall flavors together. I prepared it when my oven was already in operation, and the aroma of cinnamon-sugar smelled divine. Butternut squash and apples, cooked with apple juice and butter, get soft and rich. It is an ideal substitute for candied yams, providing zesty sweetness with little effort.
10. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Equipment
- 1 4-Quart Slow Cooker Essential for slow cooking the macaroni and cheese.
- 1 Large Pot For cooking the elbow macaroni to al dente.
- 1 Box Grater For freshly grating sharp Cheddar cheese; highly recommended over pre-shredded.
- 1 Whisk For beating eggs and ensuring smooth mixture.
- 1 Large Mixing Spoon or Spatula For combining all ingredients in the slow cooker.
Ingredients
Main
- Cooking spray
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni cooked
- One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup 1/2 stick of butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Dash of pepper
- 2 large eggs beaten
- Two 10-ounce bricks sharp Cheddar cheese grated (about 5 cups)
- Dash of paprika
Instructions
- In a large 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs and all but 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the slow cooker, stir the mixture and serve hot.
Notes
Mac and cheese is a comfort food staple, and the slow cooker produces a creamy masterpiece. I threw ingredients together one year and was surprised by the silky outcome. The “toss and go” convenience of this recipe produces cheesy perfection without stirring and is a holiday favorite everyone will devour.
11. Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes with Ham
Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker A 6-quart or larger slow cooker is ideal for this volume.
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife Essential for thinly slicing potatoes and chopping ham/onion.
- 1 Cutting Board For safe and efficient preparation of ingredients.
- 2 Mixing Bowls One large for the potato mixture, one medium for the sauce.
- 1 Spatula or Spoon For mixing ingredients in the bowls and slow cooker.
Ingredients
Main
- 3 pounds potatoes peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped cooked ham
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 10.5 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients. Jen Causey / Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling: Hannah Greenwood
- Place sliced potatoes into the slow cooker. Mix shredded cheese, ham, and onion together in a bowl. Add to potatoes in the slow cooker; mix well. Jen Causey / Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling: Hannah Greenwood
- Stir condensed soup and water together in the bowl. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour evenly over potato mixture. Jen Causey / Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling: Hannah Greenwood
- Cook on High until potatoes are tender, about 4 hours. Jen Causey / Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling: Hannah Greenwood
- Enjoy! Jen Causey / Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling: Hannah Greenwood
Notes
These scalloped potatoes add richness to your ham spread. To double the ham and cheese and add milk for an extra creamy sauce, I followed the advice of others for an opulent effect. Slice potatoes thinly (1/8- to 1/4-inch) to cook them evenly and serve a filling side dish that’s a meal standout.
12. Slow Cooker Creamed Spinach
Slow Cooker Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker
- 1 Spatula or wooden spoon For mixing and stirring
- 1 Can Opener For artichoke hearts
- 1 Cutting Board and Knife For chopping artichoke hearts, if not pre-chopped
- 1 Measuring Cups For milk and shredded cheeses
Ingredients
Main
- 1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 9 ounce package frozen spinach
- 1 8 ounce package cream cheese
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine artichokes, spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, milk, salt, and pepper in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on High, stirring occasionally to combine, for 2 hours.
Notes
Creamed spinach makes it more sophisticated, and the slow cooker makes it easy. Jessica’s advice to puree after an hour, then cook for an additional four, gave me a silky texture last Thanksgiving. Cottage cheese makes it richer, so this is a rich, low-maintenance side that complements heavy courses well.
13. Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Equipment
- 1 Slow Cooker Essential for the cooking process, freeing up stovetop space.
- 1 Vegetable Peeler For efficient and clean peeling of sweet potatoes.
- 1 Chef’s knife For uniformly cutting sweet potatoes into 1-inch chunks.
- 1 Cutting Board A stable surface for safe and precise cutting.
- 1 Potato Masher For achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- 1 Colander For thoroughly draining cooked sweet potatoes.
Ingredients
Main
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and cut in 1-inch chunks
- water to cover
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place sweet potatoes in a slow cooker and add water to cover.
- Cook on High until potatoes are tender, 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Place potatoes in a colander until well drained, then return to the slow cooker. Add butter, milk, sage, salt, and pepper. Mash with a potato masher until potatoes are smooth.
Notes
For a savory-flavored sweet potato, sage, butter, and milk are used in this recipe. I was surprised at how simple it was to prepare mix, cook, mash. The pecans as a topping provide crunchiness, and the sage-scented smell wafting through your home guarantees a tasty meal to come.
14. Slow Cooker Green Beans
These green beans are worth hours of work but require only five minutes of prep time. They’re rich, buttery, bacony flavored and impressed last year’s guests, soaking up savory goodness as they cooked. This easy side allows you to sit and chat with family, not in the kitchen, and still serve up good old-fashioned comfort.
15. Slow Cooker Rosemary Dinner Rolls
Fresh rolls finish off any banquet, and these rosemary ones take advantage of frozen dough for the convenience aspect. I was doubtful but pleasantly surprised by their light texture and fragrant aroma. They brown in the slow cooker, preserving oven space and bringing homemade comfort to your table with minimal effort.
A Relaxed, Flavorful Feast
These 15 slow cooker sides turned my Thanksgiving from chaotic to calm, allowing me to enjoy time with family. From stuffing to rolls, each is a richly flavored delight with minimal effort, allowing your 2025 holiday to be filled with gratitude, not kitchen stress. Happy Thanksgiving may your table runneth over with deliciousness!
