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Side Dishes from the Slow Cooker

Side Dishes from the Slow Cooker

Updated September 22, 2009

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Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Spare the oven and prepare these tasty side dish recipes in a slow cooker.

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Stewed Green Beans and Tomatoes

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Stewed Green Beans and Tomatoes Recipe

Our update to this favorite Southern side will remind you of great Asian takeout. Don't be intimidated by red curry paste; it's a subtly spicy blend of fresh ginger, lemongrass, garlic, and chiles.

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Slow Cooker Hoppin' John

Credit: Mark Thomas; Styling: Lynn Miller

Slow Cooker Hoppin' John Recipe

This slow cooker hoppin' john recipe is perfect for New Year's Day celebrations.

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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon Recipe

These sweet-and-salty slow cooker sweet potatoes could not be easier to prep on Thanksgiving morning. Whether you’re looking to save stovetop space or just want to streamline the side dish, these simple sweet potatoes are guaranteed to please.

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Slow-Cooked Collard Greens

Credit: Oxmoor House

Slow-Cooked Collard Greens Recipe

Collard greens are the most tender when they're slow cooked in a variety of seasonings. Start the greens in the morning before work so they'll be ready by suppertime. Pair with cornbread and hot pepper sauce for an unforgettable Southern delicacy.

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Santa Fe Black Beans

Credit: Oxmoor House

Santa Fe Black Beans Recipe

Black beans are a staple side to any Mexican dish. Serve these beans warm and tender after 10 hours in the slow cooker.

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Slow-Cooker Molasses and Spice Wheat Berries

Credit: Travis Rathbone

Slow-Cooker Molasses and Spice Wheat Berries Recipe

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Balsamic Root Vegetables

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Balsamic Root Vegetables Recipe

Cooking sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots and onions over low heat in a mixture of brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and olive oil creates an unbelievably rich and mellow flavor.

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Cornbread Dressing

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Start with crumbled cornbread and a package of herbed stuffing mix for this traditional cornbread dressing that’s cooked in the slow cooker. Cooking the dressing in the slow cooker frees up oven space for the turkey.

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Hot-and-Spicy Black-Eyed Peas

Hot-and-Spicy Black-Eyed Peas Recipe

Spice up black-eyed peas with canned Mexican stewed tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, and ground red pepper. Cook in the slow cooker until the peas are tender, and then add the rice.

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Green Bean Casserole

Credit: Oxmoor House

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

Convenience products like canned green beans, canned cream of mushroom soup, presliced mushrooms, and preshredded Cheddar cheese are key ingredients in this speedy side dish. Assemble the recipe in less than 6 minutes and then forget about it for the next 2 1/2 hours.

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Start with canned sweet potatoes for a hassle-free casserole that takes less than 15 minutes to assemble. The casserole cooks on the countertop so you have plenty of room in the oven to prepare your main dish.

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Squash and Cornbread Casserole

Credit: Oxmoor House

Squash and Cornbread Casserole Recipe

Dress up traditional squash casserole by adding carrots, corn, and cornbread topping for a favorite Southern side.

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Extra-Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese

Credit: Oxmoor House

Extra-Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Cut out prep time by adding uncooked pasta straight into the slow cooker. All of the ingredients cook together resulting in a creamy, family-favorite side dish.

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Spicy Sausage Grits

Credit: Oxmoor House

Spicy Sausage Grits Recipe

With a spicy blend of sausage, corn, and creamy cheese grits, you can't go wrong serving this great version of a Southern classic for a holiday breakfast or brunch.

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Toasted Herb Rice

Credit: Oxmoor House

Toasted Herb Rice Recipe

Try these three simple steps to easily boost the flavor of this six-ingredient side dish. First, toast the rice to enhance its nutty flavor, second, cook the rice in broth instead of water, and third, add toasted pine nuts before serving for extra crunch.

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Tiny French Beans with Smoked Sausage

Credit: Photography: Jim Bathie; Styling: Jan Gautro

Tiny French Beans with Smoked Sausage Recipe

Flageolets are tiny, tender beans that are pale green in color, have a mild flavor, and are popular in French cooking. The combination of the creamy beans, the smokiness of the turkey sausage, and the addition of fresh thyme give this side dish a warm, comforting flavor.

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Slow-Cooked Collard Greens

Credit: Oxmoor House

Slow-Cooked Collard Greens Recipe

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Walnut-Stuffed Apples

Credit: Oxmoor House

Walnut-Stuffed Apples Recipe

Tender apples topped with dried fruit, nuts, and brown sugar-cinnamon glaze double as a sweet side or a healthy dessert. Pair with ham steak and green beans for a simple and flavor-packed meal.

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Peppered Corn on the Cob

Credit: Oxmoor House

Peppered Corn on the Cob Recipe

Corn cobs rubbed with garlic butter and wrapped in bacon are sure to be a hit at your next barbecue.

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Sweet Pepper Relish

Credit: Oxmoor House

Sweet Pepper Relish Recipe

Keep this 4-ingredient side on-hand to dress-up chicken, fish, or beef. This sweet-and-spicy condiment is so versatile that is also works well as a topping for burgers and sandwiches or as an appetizer when served over cream cheese.

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Candied Yams

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Candied Yams Recipe

The flavor combination of brown sugar, vanilla, and sweet potatoes are reminiscent of cool-weather holidays. Pair with traditional holiday entrées like ham, turkey, or beef tenderloin.

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Side Dishes from the Slow Cooker

1 of 21

Stewed Green Beans and Tomatoes

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Slow Cooker Hoppin' John

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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

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Slow-Cooked Collard Greens

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Santa Fe Black Beans

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Slow-Cooker Molasses and Spice Wheat Berries

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Balsamic Root Vegetables

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Cornbread Dressing

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Hot-and-Spicy Black-Eyed Peas

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Green Bean Casserole

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

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Squash and Cornbread Casserole

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Extra-Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese

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Spicy Sausage Grits

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Toasted Herb Rice

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Tiny French Beans with Smoked Sausage

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Slow-Cooked Collard Greens

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Walnut-Stuffed Apples

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Peppered Corn on the Cob

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Sweet Pepper Relish

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Candied Yams

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