When oven space is limited and energy is in short supply, these easy slow cooker Thanksgiving + holiday recipes offer a calmer way to cook; without giving up comfort or flavor! From veggie-forward sides to set-it-and-forget-it mains like slow cooker turkey breast and ham, each one brings big payoff with minimal effort. As a habits and simplicity expert, I created this list to help you enjoy the meal (and the moment) a little more!

Side shot of sliced turkey breast drizzled with gravy with sage leaves scattered around.
5 stars (5 ratings)

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (Juicy + Set‑and‑Forget!)

This slow cooker turkey breast is moist, tender, and comes together with simple ingredients. Just set it, forget it, and enjoy a comforting, no-fuss dinner that’s perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients: boneless turkey breast, spices, butter.
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Overhead shot of a white oval serving plate with a serving fork and sliced ham surrounded by orange slices and fresh herbs. Plate is surrounded by oranges, herbs, white serving plates, and a bowl of orange marmalade.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Slow Cooker Ham w/ Brown Sugar (Easy & Juicy!)

For a crowd-pleasing holiday or Sunday supper, this EASY slow cooker ham with brown sugar is simple and delicious. Just prep in minutes, let the slow cooker do the rest, and enjoy a juicy, caramelized ham without tying up your oven!
Ingredients: brown sugar, orange marmalade, Dijon mustard, ham, pineapple juice.
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Creamy smashed potatoes in a large slow cooker with a large metal spoon.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes (No Peel!)

Creamy, no-peel + no-boil slow cooker mashed potatoes made with red potatoes, sour cream, and chives . They're hands-off, rustic, and perfect for holidays or cozy dinners.
Ingredients: red potatoes, olive oil, salt, milk, sour cream, garlic powder, black pepper, chives
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Big scoop of sweet potato casserole topped with pecans in a slow cooker.
5 stars (8 ratings)

Easy Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole (w/ Pecan Topping!)

Cozy and so easy to prepare, this simple crockpot sweet potato casserole is a hands-off, dump-and-go slow cooker recipe. And with an easy (and addictive) pecan topping, it will have everyone going back for seconds!
Key ingredients: sweet potatoes, orange juice, butter, pecans, brown sugar.
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Uncooked cranberries in a crockpot with granulated sugar and brown sugar sprinkled on top.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce (Easy & Make-Ahead!)

Easy slow cooker cranberry sauce with fresh or frozen berries, orange juice, and brown sugar is bright, tart-sweet, and perfect to make ahead for the holidays!
Ingredients: cranberries, orange juice, brown sugar, pure cane sugar, pure vanilla extract
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A wooden spoon rests in a slow cooker filled with spinach artichoke dip.
5 stars (1 rating)

Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip (So Easy!)

If you’ve been looking for a slow cooker spinach artichoke dip that’s creamy, melty, and totally hands-off, you’re in the right place. My version uses fresh spinach, real Parmesan, and simple everyday ingredients for that classic, cozy flavor, and everything goes straight into the slow cooker with zero extra prep!
Ingredients: artichoke hearts, spinach, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, mozzarella, granulated garlic, salt, and black pepper.
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Overhead shot of cooked green beans in a slow cooker.
No ratings yet

Slow Cooker Green Beans (w/ Bacon!)

Packed with flavor, these super easy slow cooker green beans are a simple side dish slow cooked to tender perfection. Using fresh green beans and smokey bacon it's a mostly hands-off recipe fit for the holiday table or as a delectable vegetable side!
Key ingredients: Green beans, bacon, chicken stock, garlic, smoked paprika, butter.
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A black slow cooker filled with cooked butternut squash halves.
5 stars (1 rating)

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash (Tender, Easy, Hands-Off!)

Slow cooker butternut squash made easy. Simply cook whole halves for stuffing or blend into a buttery, creamy purée. Hands-off, tender, and perfect for make-ahead sides.
Ingredients: butternut squash, olive oil, salt, pepper, butter, heavy cream, brown sugar.
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top down view of slow cooker potatoes in a black crockpot topped with fresh parsley
4.93 stars (42 ratings)

Slow Cooker Potatoes

These slow cooker potatoes are the definition of simple and delicious. All you need are a handful of pantry ingredients and a crockpot. Easy prep for weeknight dinners, but this classic, cozy recipe makes a great addition to the holiday table too!
Ingredients: small potatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and salt.
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Close up of sliced baked sweet potatoes topped with butter in a black slow cooker.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Easiest Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes

Nearly effortless to prepare, slow cooker sweet potatoes are an easy side dish for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or for the holidays. This is my absolute favorite way to cook whole sweet potatoes, with just one ingredient and three hours!
Ingredients: sweet potatoes.
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close up of slow cooker baked potatoes in a black crockpot with chives and sour cream on top
5 stars (2 ratings)

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes (No Foil, Fluffy & Hands-Off!)

Yes, you can make the perfect baked Russet potatoes in the slow cooker! With just 3-ingredients, this is the easiest, hands-off method to make fluffy, steamy slow cooker jacket potatoes with almost no effort, and no foil required.
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, olive oil and salt.
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Overhead shot of cooked collard greens with a ham hock in a black slow cooker.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Slow Cooker Collard Greens

This easy slow cooker collard greens recipe combines humble collard greens with simple spices for a lusciously tender and delicious side dish you’ll want to make on repeat.
Key ingredients: collard greens, chicken stock, ham hock, apple cider vinegar.
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white bowl filled with slow cooker cabbage with a striped napkin on a blue background
5 stars (5 ratings)

Slow Cooker Green Cabbage (w/ Bacon)

Yes, you can cook a whole head of cabbage in the slow cooker and it comes out silky, tender, and full of flavor! With just 5-ingredients including green cabbage and bacon, this easy slow cooker cabbage recipe is mostly hands-off, yet still full of flavor.
Ingredients: cabbage, apple cider vinegar, water, salt, bacon (optional), traditional or vegan butter (optional).
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close up view of red cabbage on a white plate with fresh green herbs on top
5 stars (7 ratings)

Slow Cooker Red Cabbage

This easy sweet and sour slow cooker red cabbage combines red cabbage, onion, apple, and balsamic vinegar for a simple, flavorful vegetable side dish that goes with everything.
Ingredients: red cabbage, onions, apples, water, vinegar, brown or coconut sugar, butter.
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A spoonful of apple slices in a sauce over a slow cooker with apple slices in a sauce.
5 stars (8 ratings)

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples (Easy & Cozy!)

Slow cooker cinnamon apples with brown sugar, warm spices, and vanilla. They're tender, sweet, and perfect for a cozy, easy fall dessert or breakfast topping.
Ingredients: apples, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, salt, vanilla bean paste, cornstarch, butter, lemon juice.
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A chip being dipped into a crockpot bean dip.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Taco Dip (w/ Ground Beef!)

This ultra-easy slow cooker taco dip recipe is made with ground beef, cream cheese, Rotel and cheese; making for the easiest and tastiest taco dip you've ever had. Trust me, make this and watch your friends and family absolutely devour it in no time flat.
Ingredients: ground beef, Rotel, cream cheese, shredded Mexican cheese blend, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, lime juice, hot sauce and salt.
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bowl of artichoke dip with bread on white plate with striped napkin
5 stars (8 ratings)

Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip (Vegan + Dairy-Free!)

If you’ve been looking for a slow cooker spinach artichoke dip that’s creamy, cozy, and just happens to be dairy-free + vegan, you’re in the right place! Everything you love about the classic; but made with real, whole ingredients and a no-fuss slow cooker method.
Ingredients: frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, raw cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, mayo or veganaise
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