Look, we need to talk about Thanksgiving. It’s supposed to be this beautiful, stress-free day where you gather with loved ones and give thanks. But let’s be honest—it usually turns into a chaotic mess where you’re juggling seventeen pots, fighting for oven space, and questioning every life choice that led you to volunteer as tribute for hosting duties.
Here’s the thing: your crockpot is about to become your new best friend. These 21 lazy (yes, lazy—and we’re owning it) Thanksgiving crockpot recipes will save you time, counter space, and quite possibly your sanity. Whether you’re hosting the whole shebang or just bringing a dish to someone else’s feast, these recipes are foolproof, delicious, and require minimal effort. You’re welcome.
1. Crockpot Herb Butter Turkey Breast
Why It’s Awesome
Who says you need to wrestle a whole turkey into the oven? This turkey breast cooks itself while you do literally anything else.
Ingredients
- 1 boneless turkey breast (4-5 lbs)
- ½ cup softened butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix the butter with herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Rub this magical mixture all over the turkey breast.
- Place the turkey in your crockpot and pour the broth around it.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours until the internal temp hits 165°F.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s juicy, flavorful, and you don’t have to babysit it. Plus, no fighting for oven space when you’ve got three pies and a casserole waiting in line.
2. Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Why It’s Awesome
Forget the canned stuff with the ridges. This cranberry sauce is fresh, tangy, and stupidly simple.
Ingredients
- 12 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dump everything into the crockpot.
- Stir it once just to feel involved.
- Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Mash with a fork for chunky sauce or blend for smooth.
Why You’ll Love It
It tastes way better than the canned version, and you can pretend you spent hours on it. Nobody needs to know the truth.
3. Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Why It’s Awesome
Yes, you can make mashed potatoes in a crockpot. And yes, they’re creamy perfection.
Ingredients
- 5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped chives for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place potatoes and broth in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6 hours until tender.
- Drain excess liquid if needed.
- Add cream cheese, butter, and sour cream.
- Mash until smooth and creamy.
- Season with salt, pepper, and top with chives.
Why You’ll Love It
These stay warm in the crockpot until serving time. No more reheating cold mashed potatoes in the microwave like some kind of peasant.
4. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Why It’s Awesome
All the sweet, marshmallow-y goodness without hogging oven space.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place sweet potatoes in the crockpot with a splash of water.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours until tender.
- Mash the potatoes and mix in brown sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Top with marshmallows and pecans.
- Cook on high for 30 minutes until marshmallows are gooey.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s like dessert pretending to be a side dish. Everyone wins.
5. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Why It’s Awesome
The classic holiday side, minus the stress.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups French fried onions
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix green beans, soup, sour cream, and half the cheese in the crockpot.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Top with remaining cheese and fried onions.
- Cook on high for 15 minutes until onions are crispy.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s comfort food at its finest, and the crockpot does all the work while you supervise from the couch.
6. Slow Cooker Stuffing
Why It’s Awesome
Stuffing without the turkey cavity drama? Sign me up.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf cubed bread, dried overnight
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced onion
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons sage
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sauté celery and onion in butter until soft.
- Mix bread cubes with sautéed veggies in the crockpot.
- Whisk together broth, eggs, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour over bread mixture and toss gently.
- Cook on low for 4 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s moist, flavorful, and doesn’t dry out. Plus, no weird turkey juice involved.
7. Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Why It’s Awesome
Because kids (and adults, let’s be real) need something they’ll actually eat.
Ingredients
- 1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix everything in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
- Add more milk if it gets too thick.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s creamy, cheesy, and keeps everyone happy. Sometimes that’s all that matters.
8. Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Carrots
Why It’s Awesome
Sweet, buttery carrots that cook while you forget they exist.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs baby carrots
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place carrots in the crockpot.
- Mix honey, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Pour over carrots and toss.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
They’re naturally sweet and look fancy without any actual effort. Deception at its finest.
9. Crockpot Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Why It’s Awesome
Even Brussels sprout haters might change their tune with this one.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy, then drain.
- Place Brussels sprouts in the crockpot.
- Add bacon, garlic, balsamic, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
Bacon makes everything better. That’s not an opinion; that’s science.
10. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Why It’s Awesome
Warm, cozy, and perfect for sipping before the main feast.
Ingredients
- 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add squash, onion, and broth to the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6 hours.
- Blend until smooth with an immersion blender.
- Stir in cream, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s velvety, comforting, and makes you look like you really have your life together.
11. Crockpot Corn Pudding
Why It’s Awesome
Sweet, creamy, and addictively good.
Ingredients
- 2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 can creamed corn
- 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix everything in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 4 hours.
- Let it set for 10 minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s basically a warm hug in food form. IMO, this is underrated and deserves more love.
12. Slow Cooker Candied Yams
Why It’s Awesome
Sweet, gooey, and ridiculously easy.
Ingredients
- 4 large yams, peeled and sliced
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Mini marshmallows (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Layer yams in the crockpot.
- Mix butter, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Pour over yams.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours.
- Top with marshmallows in the last 30 minutes if desired.
Why You’ll Love It
They’re sweet, tender, and require zero babysitting.
13. Crockpot Apple Cider
Why It’s Awesome
Your house will smell like Thanksgiving incarnate.
Ingredients
- 10 cups apple cider
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 orange, sliced
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dump everything into the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Strain and serve warm.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s cozy, festive, and keeps guests happy while dinner finishes cooking.
14. Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing
Why It’s Awesome
Protein-packed stuffing that’s hearty and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 loaf bread cubes, dried
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 eggs
- Sage and thyme
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Brown sausage and crumble it.
- Sauté celery and onion.
- Mix everything in the crockpot with broth, eggs, and herbs.
- Cook on low for 4 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s filling, flavorful, and satisfies the meat lovers at the table.
15. Crockpot Pecan Pie Dip
Why It’s Awesome
Dessert that you can dip apple slices or graham crackers into. Genius.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add pecans and caramel in the last 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s indulgent without being heavy. Plus, dipping things is just fun.
16. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte
Why It’s Awesome
Skip the coffee shop and make this cozy drink at home.
Ingredients
- 4 cups brewed coffee
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- Whipped cream
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix coffee, milk, pumpkin, sugar, and spice in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours.
- Whisk before serving and top with whipped cream.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s fall in a mug, and you can make a huge batch for everyone.
17. Crockpot Caramelized Onions
Why It’s Awesome
Perfect for topping everything from turkey to mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- 4 large onions, sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place onions and butter in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add sugar, salt, and pepper in the last hour.
Why You’ll Love It
They’re sweet, jammy, and elevate literally everything.
18. Slow Cooker Baked Apples
Why It’s Awesome
A warm, healthy-ish dessert that tastes like pie without the crust drama.
Ingredients
- 6 large apples, cored
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place apples in the crockpot.
- Fill each apple with sugar, butter, cinnamon, and walnuts.
- Cook on low for 4 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
They’re warm, gooey, and pair perfectly with vanilla ice cream.
19. Crockpot Gravy
Why It’s Awesome
No whisking over a hot stove while everything else needs attention.
Ingredients
- 4 cups turkey or chicken broth
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup butter
- Salt and pepper
- Pan drippings (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt butter in the crockpot on high.
- Whisk in flour until smooth.
- Gradually add broth and drippings.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, whisking occasionally.
Why You’ll Love It
It stays warm and silky smooth until serving time. No lumps, no stress.
20. Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls
Why It’s Awesome
Yes, you can make bread in a crockpot. Mind. Blown.
Ingredients
- 1 package frozen dinner rolls
- Melted butter for brushing
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Line the crockpot with parchment paper.
- Place frozen rolls inside.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours.
- Brush with butter before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
They’re soft, warm, and save your oven for more important things (like pie).
21. Crockpot Mulled Wine
Why It’s Awesome
Because sometimes you need a little liquid courage to get through family gatherings 🙂
Ingredients
- 2 bottles red wine
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 orange, sliced
- 4 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 2 star anise
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine everything in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- Strain and serve warm.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s festive, warming, and makes everything feel more sophisticated.
Look, Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a marathon of stress and oven Tetris. With these 21 crockpot recipes, you can actually enjoy the holiday without feeling like you need a vacation afterward. FYI, you can prep most of these the night before and just turn on the crockpot in the morning. Now that’s what I call working smarter, not harder. Happy Thanksgiving, you lazy genius!
Try These Various Crockpot Recipes:
Crockpot Italian Sausage Potato Soup Recipe
Cheesy Potato Kielbasa Soup Crockpot
Crockpot French Onion Meatloaf with Melted Swiss (Set‑It, Slice‑It, Swoon)
Crockpot Meatloaf with Garlic Mash (Set‑It Comfort, Weeknight Easy)
Crockpot Cajun Sausage & Potato Soup
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