I used to feel so overwhelmed by the Thanksgiving menu. The oven was packed, the stovetop was crowded, and I felt like I was missing out on all the family fun. It was chaos!
I always wondered, “How can I make everything delicious without spending three days in the kitchen?” I just wanted a simple way to create that warm, comforting feast we all dream of.
So I mastered these incredible “set it and forget it” slow cooker recipes! Now you can create a stunning, stress-free Thanksgiving meal that frees up your oven and gives you more time to make memories. 🦃🍂🥧
Our Top 3 Favorite Recipes
- Easiest to Make: Simple Creamed Corn with Nutmeg
- Most Unique Twist: Brown Sugar & Balsamic Glazed Green Beans
- Biggest ‘Wow’ Factor: Herbed Turkey Breast with Gravy
7 ‘Set It and Forget It’ Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Recipes
1. All-Day Spiced Apple Cider 🦃
I just love this recipe because it’s the very first thing I start on Thanksgiving morning. The warm, spicy smell fills the entire house and instantly sets a festive, cozy mood for the whole day. It’s the perfect way to welcome guests as they walk in the door.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: 4-8 hours on Low
🎯 Best For: Welcoming guests with the perfect autumn scent.
Image-1: A glass mug of steaming cider with a cinnamon stick and an orange slice as garnish, with the slow cooker blurred in the background, adorned with festive decor.
2. Creamy Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes 🦃
This recipe is an absolute game-changer for avoiding a sink full of dishes. The potatoes get so wonderfully soft that you can mash them right in the slow cooker insert. They stay perfectly warm and creamy until you’re ready to serve, which means no last-minute mashing!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: 4-5 hours on High
🎯 Best For: The ultimate hands-off side dish that stays warm for hours.
Image-2: A scoop of fluffy mashed potatoes being lifted from the slow cooker with a serving spoon, showing off their creamy texture, garnished with fresh chives.
3. Brown Sugar & Balsamic Glazed Green Beans 🦃
This is my secret to having a truly delicious vegetable side that doesn’t involve a single pot or pan. The sweet and tangy balsamic glaze feels so sophisticated, but it couldn’t be easier to make. It’s a wonderful way to elevate a classic dish without any extra effort.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~10 mins | Cook: 3-4 hours on Low
🎯 Best For: A sophisticated veggie side dish that frees up stovetop space.
Image-3: A top-down view into the slow cooker showing the vibrant green beans coated in the dark, glistening glaze with crispy bacon bits sprinkled on top.
4. “No-Boil” Sweet Potato Casserole 🦃
I love that I can prep this entire dish the night before. I just put everything in the slow cooker insert, pop it in the fridge, and then place it in the base on Thanksgiving morning. It’s a classic favorite made unbelievably simple—no peeling or boiling required!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~15 mins | Cook: 6-7 hours on Low
🎯 Best For: A make-ahead classic that saves you time and effort.
Image-4: A shot of the finished sweet potatoes in the slow cooker insert, mashed down and topped with a blanket of perfectly toasted mini marshmallows.
5. Simple Creamed Corn with Nutmeg 🦃
This is my go-to emergency side dish because it takes about two minutes to throw together. Seriously, you just dump everything in and turn it on! It’s so rich and comforting that it always disappears from the table first, and no one ever guesses how simple it was.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~2 mins | Cook: 3-4 hours on Low
🎯 Best For: The quickest, easiest “dump-and-go” side you’ll ever make.
Image-5: A close-up of a serving spoon full of creamy, decadent corn, showing the texture and richness.
💬 Quick Question!
Of the recipes we’ve covered so far, which one is making you hungriest? Let me know in the comments below!
6. Herbed Turkey Breast with Gravy 🦃
This is my solution for always having enough juicy white meat without the stress of roasting a second bird in the oven. The turkey comes out incredibly moist every single time, and you get a flavorful base for a delicious gravy right in the same pot. It’s perfect for smaller gatherings, too!
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~15 mins | Cook: 5-6 hours on Low
🎯 Best For: A smaller main course or extra white meat without using the oven.
Image-6: The golden-brown turkey breast being lifted out of the slow cooker, dripping with juices. A small gravy boat sits beside it.
7. Honey-Glazed Spiral Ham 🦃
The oven is busy with the turkey, so the slow cooker is the perfect home for the ham! I love this method because the ham never, ever dries out. It stays so juicy while the simple honey glaze slowly infuses it with amazing flavor. It’s the easiest way to serve a second main course.
⏰ Details: Difficulty: Easy | Prep: ~5 mins | Cook: 4-5 hours on Low
🎯 Best For: A perfectly moist ham that doesn’t take up any oven space.
Image-7: A shot of the spiral ham inside the slow cooker, with the dark, bubbly glaze being spooned over the top.
My Top Tips for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
Here are a few of my favorite tricks for making Thanksgiving Day feel like a celebration, not a chore!
🍂 My Top Thanksgiving Tips
- Use a Liner. For recipes like mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole, slow cooker liners are a lifesaver. They make cleanup instantaneous, which is a true gift on a busy holiday.
- Prep the Night Before. For most of these recipes, you can chop your veggies and place everything in the removable slow cooker insert the night before. Just cover it and pop it in the fridge!
- Don’t Peek! Every time you lift the lid, you release heat and can add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time. Trust the process and let the slow cooker work its magic undisturbed.
- Your Slow Cooker is a Warmer. Once a dish is done, you can turn the setting to “Warm” to keep it at a perfect serving temperature for hours, freeing you from last-minute reheating chaos.
Your Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Timeline
You can easily fit these recipes into your master plan! The day before, chop the veggies for the green beans and potatoes, place them in their slow cooker inserts, cover, and refrigerate. On Thanksgiving morning around 8 AM, get the turkey breast or apple cider started. By 11 AM, start your potato and sweet potato sides. Then, around 2 PM, turn on the green beans and creamed corn. Everything will finish and hold beautifully on the ‘Warm’ setting until dinner is served!
I hope these recipes help you create a Thanksgiving filled with more joy and less stress. This holiday is all about gratitude and gathering around the table with the ones we love. Having a few simple, hands-off dishes lets us focus on what truly matters: making wonderful memories together.
Now I’d love to hear from you! Which of these slow cooker recipes are you most excited to try this year? Let me know in the comments below
