When oven space runs out and the to-do list keeps growing, my slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes are the answer. I’ve curated this list from my most tested holiday recipes, including sides, mains, and everything in between, so you can free up the oven and actually enjoy the day. From no-fuss slow cooker turkey breast to hands-off mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, each recipe is designed to deliver big flavor with minimal effort. For more slow cooker holiday inspiration, my slow cooker sides collection has everything you need to round out the table.

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

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast (Boneless)

Juicy slow cooker turkey breast with a simple butter-herb rub over onion and carrots. An easy, set-and-forget dinner for Thanksgiving, weeknights, or meal prep.
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 with Brown Sugar Glaze

Juicy slow cooker ham with a simple brown sugar glaze. Five minutes of prep, no oven needed, and it comes out tender and caramelized every time.
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)

Slow Cooker Mashed Red Potatoes (No Boil)

Creamy slow cooker mashed red potatoes with no peeling and no boiling. A rustic, hands-off make-ahead side for holidays or weeknight 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)

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole (Pecan Topping)

This easy slow cooker sweet potato casserole mashes sweet potatoes with butter and brown sugar under a toasted pecan topping for the holidays.
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 (5-Ingredient)

Make-ahead slow cooker cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and brown sugar. Just 5 ingredients and perfect 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 (No Mayo)

Creamy, melty spinach artichoke dip made right in the slow cooker with no mayo, and no pre-cooking, just dump everything in and let the crockpot do the work. Perfect for parties, game day, or the holidays.
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 (with Bacon)

These slow cooker green beans simmer fresh green beans with smoky bacon, onion, and brown sugar for a tender 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 (Halves or Purée)

Slow cooker butternut squash cooks up as tender halves for stuffing or a creamy, buttery purée. Hands-off and perfect for holiday 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
4.94 stars (43 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 (4 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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Collard greens and a smoked ham hock cooked together in a slow cooker, viewed from above.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Slow Cooker Collard Greens (Ham Hocks)

These slow cooker collard greens simmer low and slow with a smoky ham hock until silky and tender, an easy Southern side for any holiday table!
Key ingredients: collard greens, chicken stock, ham hock, apple cider vinegar.
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A hand dips a tortilla chip into a thick, creamy mixture of ground meat, cheese, and tomatoes in a slow cooker.
5 stars (2 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Taco Dip (Ground Beef)

This slow cooker taco dip is made with ground beef, cream cheese, and Rotel for a warm, melty game day crowd-pleaser, no Velveeta required.
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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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)

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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