12 Easy Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Recipes
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, but I think we can all agree that trying to get everything cooked and on the table at the same time can be a little overwhelming. Between the turkey, stuffing, side dishes, appetizers, and desserts, there never seems to be enough room in the oven!
That’s exactly why I love using my slow cooker for Thanksgiving.
I already use my slow cooker constantly throughout the year, but during the holidays, it really earns its spot on the kitchen counter. Being able to cook a turkey breast, make stuffing, or have a delicious holiday appetizer ready without taking up precious oven space makes such a difference.
And the best part is that slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes don’t have to be boring! You can make everything from tender turkey and flavorful ham to cranberry-glazed meats, homemade bread, and easy appetizers that everyone can snack on while waiting for dinner.
These 12 easy slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes are perfect whether you’re hosting the whole family, bringing something to Thanksgiving dinner, or just making a smaller holiday meal at home.
Some are traditional Thanksgiving favorites, while others are fun holiday-inspired dishes that would be right at home on your Thanksgiving table.
So grab your slow cooker, clear a little counter space, and get ready to make Thanksgiving dinner a whole lot easier!
1. Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast
1. You can’t have Thanksgiving without turkey, and this Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast is one of the easiest ways to make it!
It’s especially perfect if you’re having a smaller Thanksgiving dinner or just don’t want to deal with cooking an entire turkey. The slow cooker keeps the turkey cooking gently while you focus on all those delicious side dishes.
Serve it with mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce for a classic Thanksgiving dinner without all the extra work.
2. Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Roast
2. If you love the combination of turkey and cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, you’re going to love this Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Roast.
It combines tender turkey with sweet and tangy cranberry flavor for a holiday dinner that feels special without being complicated.
This is a wonderful option for a smaller Thanksgiving celebration, but it’s also great when you want an extra turkey dish for a larger gathering. Add your favorite holiday sides and you’ve got a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
3. Slow Cooker Cornbread Stuffing
3. Stuffing is one of my absolute favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, and making it in the slow cooker is such a lifesaver!
This Slow Cooker Cornbread Stuffing has all those delicious savory flavors that make stuffing a holiday favorite, with cornbread, vegetables, and seasonings coming together into one comforting side dish.
The best part is that you don’t have to use the oven. When you’re already trying to juggle turkey, casseroles, and dinner rolls, having the stuffing cooking away in the slow cooker makes Thanksgiving so much easier.
4. Slow Cooker Pineapple Cranberry Ham
4. Not everyone wants turkey for Thanksgiving, and honestly, I love having ham on the holiday table too!
This Slow Cooker Pineapple Cranberry Ham is a delicious combination of sweet pineapple and tart cranberries. The fruity flavors give the ham a festive twist that makes it perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
It’s also a great option if you’re hosting a larger gathering and want to offer both turkey and ham without having to cook two big main dishes in the oven.
5. Slow Cooker Cranberry Mustard Spiral Ham
If you’re looking for another easy holiday ham, this Slow Cooker Cranberry Mustard Spiral Ham is a wonderful choice.
The combination of cranberry and mustard gives the ham a delicious balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors that goes perfectly with traditional Thanksgiving sides.
And because the slow cooker handles the heating, you can keep the oven free for all those casseroles, potatoes, and homemade rolls. This is especially helpful when you’re cooking for a crowd.
6. Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup
6. One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is having leftovers the next day, and this Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup is such a cozy way to enjoy turkey after the big meal.
It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for those chilly days when you’re ready for something a little lighter than another full Thanksgiving dinner.
Serve it with leftover dinner rolls or some crusty bread for an easy meal that keeps the holiday flavors going a little longer.
7. Slow Cooker Cranberry Roast Beef
7. Turkey and ham might get most of the attention at Thanksgiving, but there’s nothing wrong with serving a delicious roast beef too!
This Slow Cooker Cranberry Roast Beef is a wonderful holiday-inspired dinner with tender beef and sweet-tart cranberry flavor.
It’s especially nice if you want something a little different for Thanksgiving or need another main dish for guests who aren’t big turkey fans.
Serve it with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables for a hearty holiday dinner.
8. Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin
8. Cranberries are one of my favorite ingredients to use during the holidays because they make even a simple dinner feel festive.
This Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin is an easy main dish with plenty of sweet and savory flavor. The slow cooker makes it especially convenient when you have a busy holiday cooking schedule.
Slice it up and serve it with stuffing, potatoes, or your favorite Thanksgiving vegetables for a delicious alternative to traditional turkey.
9. Slow Cooker Cranberry Pineapple Meatballs
9. Every Thanksgiving gathering needs a few easy appetizers to keep everyone happy while the big meal is cooking.
These Slow Cooker Cranberry Pineapple Meatballs are one of those appetizers that are so simple to make but always feel special enough for the holidays.
The combination of cranberry and pineapple gives the meatballs a sweet and tangy glaze that is perfect for serving with toothpicks.
Just keep them warm in the slow cooker and let everyone help themselves!
10. Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Little Smokies
10. Little smokies are always a hit at family gatherings, and this cranberry BBQ version is perfect for Thanksgiving.
The cranberry adds a festive twist to that familiar sweet and savory BBQ flavor, making these a fun appetizer to serve before dinner.
They’re especially convenient because you can let them stay warm in the slow cooker while everyone visits, watches football, or waits for the turkey to finish cooking.
And let’s be serious, these are the kind of little appetizers that disappear before you know it!
11. Slow Cooker Cranberry Pineapple Kielbasa Bites
11. If you need another easy Thanksgiving appetizer, these Slow Cooker Cranberry Pineapple Kielbasa Bites are a great choice.
Smoky kielbasa and sweet-tart cranberry pineapple flavors come together for a delicious little bite that’s perfect for holiday snacking.
These are especially good when you have a house full of guests because they’re easy to serve, don’t require much attention, and can stay warm in the slow cooker until everyone is ready to eat.
12. Slow Cooker Sourdough Bread
12. Homemade bread is one of my favorite things to serve with Thanksgiving dinner, but finding room in the oven for it can be tricky!
That’s what makes this Slow Cooker Sourdough Bread such a fun recipe to have around during the holidays.
You can make a homemade loaf without needing to use the oven, which is a huge help when you’re already cooking a big Thanksgiving meal.
Slice it up and serve it with butter, use it to soak up all that delicious turkey gravy, or save some for leftover turkey sandwiches the next day.
It’s such a simple way to add homemade bread to your Thanksgiving table without adding another dish to your oven schedule.
Tips for Using Your Slow Cooker on Thanksgiving
One of the biggest things I’ve learned about cooking Thanksgiving dinner is that a little planning goes a long way. Even if you’re making easy recipes, trying to cook everything at once can quickly become stressful.
Here are a few things I like to keep in mind when using slow cookers for holiday cooking.
Plan Your Slow Cooker Space
Before Thanksgiving morning, decide which recipes you’re going to make in the slow cooker and how long each one needs to cook.
If you’re making a turkey breast, stuffing, and an appetizer, you’ll need to make sure you have enough slow cookers available or plan out when each dish can be cooked.
Use the Slow Cooker to Save Oven Space
This is probably my favorite reason to make slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes.
The oven is usually packed with casseroles, potatoes, rolls, and turkey, so being able to make a few dishes without using it makes the entire day easier.
Keep Appetizers Warm
Slow cooker appetizers like meatballs, little smokies, and kielbasa bites are perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings because you can serve them right from the slow cooker.
Once they’re fully cooked, use the warm setting to keep them at a safe serving temperature, following your slow cooker’s instructions.
Don’t Forget About Leftovers
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is all the delicious food you get to enjoy afterward!
Refrigerate leftovers promptly in shallow containers, within two hours of serving, and use them within three to four days or freeze them for later.
Turkey and rice soup is a great way to turn leftover turkey into another comforting meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you cook Thanksgiving turkey in a slow cooker?
Yes! A boneless turkey breast or appropriately sized turkey roast can be cooked in the slow cooker, making it a convenient option for smaller Thanksgiving dinners. Make sure the turkey fits your slow cooker and reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
What Thanksgiving side dishes can be made in a slow cooker?
Stuffing, certain potato dishes, vegetables, and some breads can be made in the slow cooker. Slow cooker cornbread stuffing is especially helpful because it frees up oven space for other holiday dishes.
Can I make Thanksgiving appetizers in the slow cooker?
Absolutely! Meatballs, little smokies, and kielbasa bites are wonderful slow cooker appetizers. They’re easy to prepare and can be kept warm for guests once they’re fully cooked.
How many slow cookers do I need for Thanksgiving?
That depends on how many dishes you’re planning to make. Even one slow cooker can make Thanksgiving easier by taking care of a main dish, side, or appetizer. If you have two or three, you can use them for different dishes and save even more oven space.
Can I prepare slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes ahead of time?
Many slow cooker recipes have ingredients that can be measured or prepared in advance. Some dishes can also be fully cooked ahead and reheated safely. Always follow the individual recipe’s storage and reheating directions, and don’t leave perishable ingredients sitting at room temperature.
Make Thanksgiving a Little Easier This Year
Thanksgiving is supposed to be about spending time with the people you love, enjoying delicious food, and making memories together. But when you’re the one doing most of the cooking, it’s easy to spend the entire day in the kitchen instead!
That’s why I love finding little ways to make holiday cooking easier, and using my slow cooker is one of my favorites.
Whether you’re making a tender turkey breast, a delicious cranberry ham, homemade stuffing, or a few appetizers for everyone to snack on, these easy slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes can help take some of the stress out of preparing the big meal.
You don’t have to make every single thing from scratch or spend all day standing over the stove to put together a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.
Pick a few recipes your family will love, let the slow cooker do some of the work, and enjoy a little more time around the table this year.
And don’t forget to save room for dessert!
More Fall & Holiday Recipe Ideas
Once you start planning those cozy fall and holiday meals, you can never have too many easy recipes! Whether you need simple family dinners, slow cooker favorites, or more ideas for your holiday table, these recipe collections have you covered.
- 15 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes Everyone Will Love – Plenty of easy and delicious side dishes to round out your Thanksgiving dinner.
- The BEST Holiday Recipes – A collection of festive favorites perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all your holiday celebrations.
- 25 Cozy Fall Family Dinners Everyone Will Love – Easy, comforting dinner ideas made for chilly fall evenings.
- 25 Dump-and-Go Fall Slow Cooker Dinners – Simple slow cooker meals you can toss together and let cook while you get on with your day.
- 40+ Cozy Fall Dinner Recipes to Warm Your Family All Season Long – A big collection of comforting recipes perfect for everything from busy weeknights to lazy fall weekends.
