Thanksgiving in a Slow Cooker

Updated November 18, 2009
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Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Cook your entire Thanksgiving meal using slow cookers - or just one or two dishes. No oven required – only counter space.

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Slow Cooker Rosemary Beef Chuck Roast

Credit: Photographer and Prop Stylist: Gina DeSimone; Food Stylist: Briana Riddock

Slow Cooker Rosemary Beef Chuck Roast Recipe

Set your slow cooker on low and go on about your day knowing that dinner is gonna be delicious. In this simple set-it-and-forget-it dish, beef chuck roast cooks in a flavor-packed rosemary marinade, full of fresh rosemary leaves and onions for a succulent, highly comforting entree. The habanero pepper delivers a detectable heat, but the spice factor is not overwhelming. However, if you’re sensitive to heat, use a quarter of the pepper instead of half (or omit it altogether). The remaining liquid in the slow cooker can be cooked down on the stovetop into a rich, flavorful gravy to top the beef, along with your favorite starchy side—rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted sweet potatoes would all make great options.

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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. Look for it at Walmart or online at amazon.com.

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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 Cooker Santa Fe Meatloaf

Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower.

Slow Cooker Santa Fe Meatloaf Recipe

Oven-baked meatloaf can turn dry, but the moisture-sealing magic of the slow cooker makes this one melt in your mouth.

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Slow-Cooker Cornbread Dressing

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Slow-Cooker Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Make a traditional cornbread dressing in the slow cooker so you'll have space in the oven for your other holiday dishes.

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Pork Loin with Ginger, Fennel, and Apples

Pork Loin with Ginger, Fennel, and Apples Recipe

Serve this flavorful Instant Pot pork dish over polenta.

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Holiday Gingerbread Pudding

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Holiday Gingerbread Pudding Recipe

Dazzle your guests with fragrant Holiday Gingerbread Pudding that's prepared entirely in your slow cooker.

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Cinnamon Apples

Credit: Oxmoor House

Cinnamon Apples Recipe

Nice and versatile, these sweet apples are delicious served over ice cream or pound cake but also taste great alone.

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Mulled Pomegranate and Red Wine Punch

Credit: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Mulled Pomegranate and Red Wine Punch Recipe

If you're throwing a big holiday party and your stove is full, use a slow cooker to simmer up this tangy mulled wine. Set up the slow-cooker in the kitchen or on a dining table, and let guests serve themselves.

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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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Apple Butter

Credit: Photography: Karry Hosford

Apple Butter Recipe

Homemade apple butter is a cinch to prepare and is delicious when spread on toast, bagels, and more. 

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Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Pudding

Credit: Oxmoor House

Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Pudding Recipe

A slow cooker gives this classic dessert the gentle heat it needs to cook to perfection.

Prep: 13 minutes, Cook: 3 hours, Other: 1 hour

Slow-Cooker Size: round 6-quart

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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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A Slow Cooker Thanksgiving

Credit: Lee Harrelson

Slow cookers can be a chef's best friend when preparing the big Thanksgiving meal.  Gather up an army of slow cookers and put them to work on your Thanksgiving menu, or better yet, ask friends and family to prepare these easy dishes at home and bring them to the feast.

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Hot Mulled Ginger-Spiced Cider

Hot Mulled Ginger-Spiced Cider Recipe

Serve your guests a cup of simmering cider as everyone gathers for the big feast. The slow cooker will keep it warm throughout the meal.

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Grandma Dean's Chicken and Dressing

Credit: Jim Bathie

Grandma Dean's Chicken and Dressing Recipe

This easy recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, but you can use roasted turkey if you just can't make it though Thanksgiving without the traditional bird.

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping Recipe

Spiced sweet potatoes topped with sweetened pecans is a must for any holiday feast and can serve as either side dish or dessert.

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Green Bean Casserole

Credit: Oxmoor House

Green Bean Casserole Recipe

The addition of cheese and mushrooms to the usual green bean casserole adds both flavor and extra creaminess. You may never cook green bean casserole in the oven again.

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Squash and Cornbread Casserole

Credit: Oxmoor House

Squash and Cornbread Casserole Recipe

Dress up traditional squash casserole with cornbread and a few veggies for a hearty Thanksgiving side dish that's perfect for the slow cooker.

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Steamed Brown Bread with Currants and Walnuts

Credit: Oxmoor House

Steamed Brown Bread with Currants and Walnuts Recipe

Skip the dinner rolls, stay true to your slow cooker theme, and bake the bread in a slow cooker too! This moist dark bread is sweetened with molasses and dried currants and calls for whole wheat flour and cornmeal in addition to all-purpose flour.

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Walnut-Stuffed Slow-Cooked Apples

Credit: Oxmoor House

Walnut-Stuffed Slow-Cooked Apples Recipe

Nothing says "autumn" like the fragrance and flavor of cooked apples, especially when they're filled with a mixture of sweetened currants and walnuts and spiced with cinnamon.

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Mocha Pudding Cake

Credit: Jim Bathie

Mocha Pudding Cake Recipe

Ooey, gooey, warm chocolate is all you need to say about this decadent dessert. Be sure to use a 3-quart slow cooker or it will be overcooked at 2 hours.

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Slow-Cooked Collard Greens

Credit: Oxmoor House

Slow-Cooked Collard Greens Recipe

A sprinkling of pepper sauce is the ultimate Southern condiment for these greens.

Prep: 5 minutes, Cook: 9 hours

Slow-Cooker Size: 6-quart

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Balsamic Root Vegetables

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Balsamic Root Vegetables Recipe

For a delicious twist, top with a sprinkling of cooked and crumbled bacon just before serving.

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