The holidays are busy enough between family gatherings, shopping, decorating, and trying to keep the house somewhat presentable, the last thing anyone wants is to be stuck in the kitchen all day. That’s why slow cooker recipes feel like a true holiday gift. You can toss in your ingredients, set it, forget it, and come back to a warm, delicious meal that tastes like you put in far more effort than you actually did.
From tender meats and hearty sides to warm drinks and sweet treats, this roundup brings together effortless recipes that keep the season joyful and your oven free for everything else.
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Simple Tips for Holiday Slow Cooker Recipes
- Layer Ingredients Properly: If you’re making a recipe with multiple layers like stuffing, stews, or casseroles, always place the denser, slower-cooking ingredients at the bottom. They’ll cook faster there since the bottom of the slow cooker gets the most direct heat.
- Plan and Prep Ahead: Chop your vegetables, measure your spices, and even assemble some of your dishes directly in the slow cooker insert. Store it in the refrigerator overnight, and when you’re ready to cook, just pop it into the base and turn it on.
- Use Liners or Grease the Pot: Slow cooker liners or a quick spray of cooking oil can make cleanup a breeze. Many holiday recipes like sweet potato casserole or cheesy mashed potatoes can leave behind sticky residue. Using a liner helps prevent burnt edges and makes washing up effortless after a long day of cooking and celebrating.
- Don’t Overfill the Cooker: Filling your slow cooker to the brim may seem efficient, but it can actually lead to uneven cooking. Overfilling traps moisture and heat, causing food to cook unevenly or spill over as it simmers. As a rule of thumb, fill it no more than two-thirds full to ensure the food cooks properly and flavors blend beautifully.
20+ Slow Cooker Holiday Recipes
1. Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup
Image Credit: mymommystyle
Cozy up with this creamy Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup! Packed with fresh broccoli, rich cheddar cheese, and a smooth, comforting texture, this easy crockpot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or chilly days. A warm, cheesy bowl of comfort your family will love.
2. Slow cooker turkey pumpkin chili
Image Credit: mymommystyle
Warm up your fall with this cozy Slow Cooker Turkey Pumpkin recipe! Tender turkey simmers with creamy pumpkin, savory herbs, and spices for a hearty, flavorful meal made right in your crockpot. Perfect for busy weeknights or comforting autumn dinners.
3. Slow Cooker Maple Dijon pork chops
Image Credit: mymommystyle
Tender Slow Cooker Maple Dijon Pork Chops made with a flavorful blend of sweet maple syrup and tangy Dijon mustard. This easy crockpot recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners juicy, savory, and full of comfort in every bite.
4. Slow cooker turkey chili
Image Credit: mymommystyle
Warm up with this hearty Slow Cooker Turkey Chili. Made with lean ground turkey, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices, it’s a cozy, protein-packed meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or game day. Just toss everything in the crockpot and let it simmer to perfection.
5. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
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This Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe is the perfect easy holiday meal or weeknight dinner. Made with simple ingredients and cooked to perfection, it’s a stress-free way to enjoy delicious turkey without the hassle. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy family dinner.
6. Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
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Tender, juicy, and full of flavor — this Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe is the perfect easy holiday meal or weeknight dinner. Made with simple ingredients and cooked to perfection, it’s a stress-free way to enjoy delicious turkey without the hassle.
7. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
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Warm up with this cozy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup. Made with creamy squash, aromatic herbs, and simple ingredients, this easy crockpot recipe is perfect for fall and winter. A comforting, healthy, and flavorful soup everyone will love.
8. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte
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Cozy up with this homemade Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte! Made with real pumpkin, warm spices, and creamy milk, it’s the perfect fall drink to enjoy all day long. Easy to make for gatherings or lazy weekends.
9. Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
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This Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin is the ultimate easy comfort food. With just a few ingredients, it’s a breeze to prepare, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.Pork becomes wonderfully tender and flavorful thanks to a combination of herbs, a rich honey balsamic glaze, and slow, gentle cooking.
10. Slow Cooker Apple Cider
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Cozy up with this warm and comforting Slow Cooker Apple Cider. Made with fresh apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and oranges, it’s the perfect fall drink for gatherings, holidays, or relaxing nights in.
11. Crock Pot Pumpkin Cobbler
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Warm, cozy, and full of fall flavor! This Crock Pot Pumpkin Cobbler is the perfect easy dessert for pumpkin lovers. Made with simple ingredients and a rich, gooey pumpkin filling topped with a buttery cobbler crust. It’s the ultimate comfort treat for autumn gatherings or Thanksgiving.
12. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Dump Cake
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Slow Cooker Pumpkin Dump Cake is one of the easiest dump cake recipes there is. You have a pumpkin dump cake that uses a boxed spice cake to help give it that incredible pumpkin spice flavor.Top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It’s served hot so it will melt quickly. I think that just adds to its charm.
13. Apple Butter
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Sweet, smooth, and full of cozy fall flavor this homemade Apple Butter is a must-try. Perfect for spreading on toast, pancakes, or biscuits, it’s made with fresh apples, warm spices, and a touch of sweetness.
14. Easy Slow Cooker Stuffing
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This Easy Slow Cooker Stuffing is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal. Made with simple ingredients, it’s flavorful, fluffy, and saves oven space. Just toss everything in your crockpot and let it cook to perfection.
15. Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
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Nothing screams fall more than a great soup like this Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup. And making it in the pressure cooker, it will be done in no time flat. Deep rich flavors from not only the butternut squash but also from onions, garlic, carrot, and red pepper too.
16. Slow Cooker Turkey a la King
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Turn your leftover Thanksgiving turkey into a comforting meal with this Slow Cooker Turkey a la King recipe. Just mix the turkey with peppers, mushrooms, and peas in a creamy sauce, then ladle it over biscuits for a family dinner that feels both special and satisfying.
17. Slow Cooker Wassail
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Warm, comforting, and super easy, this Slow Cooker Wassail is a delicious cold-weather drink perfect for Fall and Winter or any holiday gatherings that you may have.Made of super easy ingredients and the perfect drink to sip on while you cuddle up under the blanket in front of the fireplace, this Slow Cooker Wassail is full of flavor.
18. Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing
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Slow cooker chicken and stuffing is tasty, creamy, and the kind of dish you’re going to find yourself wanting to make whenever you’re craving a stick-to-your-ribs dinner. Chicken thighs, veggies, soup, stuffing mix, and sour cream are cooked in a Crockpot and the resulting casserole-style dish is wonderful with any vegetable side dishes you want to whip up.
19. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
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Warm up your fall nights with this cozy Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili! Packed with tender beans, ground beef, tomatoes, and a touch of pumpkin for rich flavor, this easy crockpot recipe is hearty, comforting, and perfect for chilly days.
20. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
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This slow cooker turkey breast is coated in a seasoned herb butter, then placed in the crock pot to cook to tender perfection. It’s the perfect way to free up oven space for your big holiday meal, and the turkey comes out perfect every time.
21. Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes Recipe
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Warm, tender, and perfectly caramelized, these Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes are the easiest side dish for busy days or holiday dinners. Simply toss them in your crockpot and let them cook to soft, buttery perfection.
22. Easy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
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Warm up your day with this Easy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp. Made with tender apples, cozy cinnamon, and a buttery oat topping, this comforting dessert is perfect for fall. Just toss the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the work simple, delicious, and full of homemade flavor.
23. Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
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Warm up your season with this Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider. Made with fresh apples, cranberries, cinnamon, and spices, it’s the perfect cozy drink for fall and holiday gatherings. Easy to make, naturally sweet, and ideal for Thanksgiving or Christmas parties.
24. The Best Turkey Chili
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Warm up with a bowl of the Best Turkey Chili. This hearty, flavorful recipe is packed with lean ground turkey, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices for the perfect cozy meal. Easy to make, healthy, and ideal for family dinners or meal prep.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert a regular recipe to a slow cooker recipe?: Most of the time, yes! As a guideline, what bakes for about an hour in the oven usually needs around 6–8 hours on low or 3–4 hours on high in the slow cooker.
Is it safe to cook frozen meat in the slow cooker?: It’s better to thaw it first. Frozen meat heats up too slowly and can stay in the unsafe temperature zone longer than recommended.
Can I double recipes in a slow cooker?: Only if your slow cooker is large enough, it should be no more than two-thirds full to cook evenly.
The holidays should feel joyful not rushed and your slow cooker can truly be the secret helper to a calmer, cozier season. With just a little planning, you can serve comforting dishes that taste homemade without hovering over the stove all day.
Whether you’re feeding a crowd, hosting a last-minute gathering, or just trying to make weeknights easier during the holiday buzz, these slow cooker recipes help you enjoy more of the moments that matter.
