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These delicious crock pot Thanksgiving recipes make it easy to prepare the big meal before the big day so that you can enjoy your family and friends and not slave away in the kitchen!
Thanksgiving can be similar to planning a wedding. There’s so much planning and work that goes into wedding planning, and then its over in the blink of an eye. Very much like Thanksgiving. You clean the house, make multiple trips to the store (because inevitably you forgot something. Or is that just me?) and then the cooking marathon begins.Then everyone eats and it’s over (except for the cleanup… ugh!).
I don’t know about you, but I like the traditions surrounding the holidays and the opportunity to be with family, with a little football thrown in the mix. That’s why I love the idea of these fix and forget it slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes. The prep can be done before the family and friend time begins, then poof! It’s ready to eat! You can still enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving fare without trying to MacGyver how everything will fit in the oven and what goes in and comes out when (I have yet to master that).
So are you ready to rally the troops (or more specifically, their crock pots) and knock these Thanksgiving recipes out before the party gets started?! Oh, and check out these other Thanksgiving hacks if you’re hosting!
I recommend a large crock pot (like this one) if you’re cooking for a large group. The multi-cookers are great too… they have so many great functions to prepare so many kinds of meals with ease.
PRE-GAME (a.k.a Breakfast)
Usually in my family we eat in the late afternoon or early evening, so it’s nice to have breakfast to prevent a starvation based gorge-fest at dinner time! These recipes are perfect for popping in the slow cooker the night before and waking up to some fuel for the big day ahead.
Crock Pot Breakfast Scramble
Recipe and Photo by Damanda Lynn
Recipe and Photo by The Yummy Life
Photo and Recipe by Happy Domesticity
Photo and Recipe by Thriving Home
THE MAIN EVENT (a.k.a. The Turkey!)
Turkey in the slow cooker?! Yeah, that’s what I said. But how delicious does this look?! And although the bird is the star of the Thanksgiving meal, it’s often the most problematic… its overcooked. It’s not cooked enough but everything else is ready,and you know where else this can go…
Recipe and Photo by Practical Stewardship
Crock Pot Swiss Steak
Although it’s not the traditional turkey main dish, this Crock Pot Swiss Steak is such a great recipe for a crowd and on top of mashed potatoes is an amazing comfort food meal!
Recipe at Lydi Out Loud
THESIDES
A good side can steal the show!
Stuffing is probably my favorite of all of the Thanksgiving recipes. I love this creative twist with cranberries and pecans.
Recipe and Photo by The Creative Bite
Recipe and Photo by Creme De La Crumb
Recipe and Photo by Cook Crave Inspire
I recently heard that green bean casserole is more of a Midwest Thanksgiving tradition. I highly recommend it for anyone –no matter your region!
Recipe and Photo by The Magical Slow Cooker
Recipe and Photo by Damn Delicious
Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes
Candied sweet potatoes is one ofRyan’s favorites Thanksgiving recipes that his mom made every year. The marshmallows are a must!
Recipe and Photo by Six Sisters Stuff
Recipe and Photo by Recipe 4 Living
Recipe and Photo by Two Peas & Their Pod
Recipe and Photo by Gimme Some Oven
THEHYDRATION
Because you need some liquid to wash down all of the food!
Feel free to add some brandy or the spirit of your choice! 😉
Recipe and Photo by The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie
Photo and Recipe by The View from Great Island
Recipe and Photo by Kleinworth & Co.
THE SWEET ENDING
You will definitely want to save room for dessert with these scrumptious recipes!
Recipe and Photo by 365 Days of Slow Cooking
Recipe and Photo by Eat at Home
Photo and Recipe by Skinny Ms.
How excited are you at the thought of saving countless kitchen hours with these Thanksgiving recipes?! I know I am!
Related Posts:
- 50 Cricut Valentine's Day Project Ideas for All Skill Levels
- 10 Traditions to start this Thanksgiving
FAQs
However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.
What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›
10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
- Raw Meat.
- Seafood.
- Pasta.
- Rice.
- Delicate Vegetables.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
- Dairy.
- Wine and Other Liquor.
What cooks better in a crock pot? ›
Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.
How do you cook small amounts in a large crock pot? ›
Filling Right: Aim to fill the oven-safe bowl two-thirds to three-quarters full to ensure even cooking. Too little and your food cooks too fast, too much and it might not cook thoroughly. Temperature and Time Adjustments: Smaller portions may cook faster.
What is faster than a Crockpot? ›
An instant pot might be a nice upgrade. Do you cook a lot of things that normally braise in the oven or cook on the stovetop for a long time? They cook much, much faster in a pressure cooker. That's really it's biggest advantage over a crock pot, it's much much faster.
Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? ›
Yes, if you use them correctly. The slow cooker cooks foods slowly at a low temperature, generally between 170 and 280 degrees F, over several hours. The combination of direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam, destroys bacteria making the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.
Can I put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›
"Raw meat is a slow-cooker staple, but you may need to add it to the pot before adding other ingredients like green vegetables," she shared. "Browning meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker has been a game-changer for my slow-cooker meals.
Can you put raw hamburger in a slow cooker? ›
Absolutely, which is why you should always adjust times and amounts as needed. Smaller amounts of slow cooker hamburger only need a few hours before they are done.
What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›
"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."
Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a Crockpot? ›
Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.
Best Overall: All-Clad Gourmet Slow Cooker with All-in-One Browning, 7-Quart. This is so much more than a slow cooker. The All-Clad Gourmet Slow Cooker can saute, brown meat, simmer stews and cook rice!
Do potatoes go on top or bottom of roast? ›
Make the best pot roast with minimum effort and this easy slow cooker recipe! The roast cooks on top of potatoes, carrots, and celery, resulting in incredibly tender meat and veggies that are perfect for dinner any day of the week.
Can you put a pyrex bowl in a slow cooker? ›
You will get better results with Pyrex and metal cooking containers in a lot of situations. Can you put a Pyrex dish in a slow cooker? Yes, of course.
Is a mini crockpot worth it? ›
Plus, it won't take up as much space in your kitchen compared to a regular slow cooker. “I enjoy using mini slow cookers because they cook food gradually, enhance flavors, and tenderize the meat,” says Reginald Massey, professional chef and owner of Let It Marinate Catering in Atlanta.
What size crock pot are most recipes for? ›
For a family of three to five or a leftover-obsessed couple, a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. It will fit almost all recipes, including typical roasts. If you've got a big family and plenty of storage room, go for the big 7 or 8-quart models.
Why is a slow cooker called a Crockpot? ›
A slow cooker, also known as a crock-pot (after a trademark owned by Sunbeam Products but sometimes used generically in the English-speaking world), is a countertop electrical cooking appliance used to simmer at a lower temperature than other cooking methods, such as baking, boiling, and frying.
Is it worth buying a slow cooker? ›
Cost-Effective. Slow cookers are a great way to stretch your food budget. You can buy cheaper cuts of meat and let the slow cooker work its magic, resulting in tender and flavourful meals that champion the underrated bits of an animal.
When should I use a slow cooker? ›
A slow cooker is an electric appliance that simmers food at a low temperature over a long period of time. Because of this low-and-slow method, slow cookers are great for breaking down and tenderizing large pieces of meat like pot roasts or beef stews.
Why would I want a slow cooker? ›
"Slow cookers are excellent for making hearty, sustaining dishes in winter but you can also use them to cook a pot roast or one-pot meal in summer, or corned beef for sandwiches, without heating up the kitchen like an oven does."