Thanksgiving dinner is stressful enough without fighting for oven space. Between the turkey, stuffing, and pies, your oven is working overtime while you’re juggling ten different dishes and trying not to burn anything.
That’s where your crockpot becomes your best friend. These slow cooker side dishes free up precious oven real estate and practically cook themselves while you focus on everything else. Plus, most of them can be prepped the night before and just plugged in on Thanksgiving morning.
Your guests will never guess these amazing sides came from a crockpot instead of your fancy oven!
1. Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
These come out perfectly creamy every single time!
Just toss peeled sweet potato chunks in your crockpot with a little butter and water. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, then mash with some brown sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of cream. Way easier than dealing with hot ovens and burnt fingers.
You can even add mini marshmallows in the last 30 minutes if that’s your family’s thing. The crockpot keeps them warm and fluffy all day long.
Your sweet potato game just got so much easier!
2. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
All the comfort without any of the oven juggling.
Layer frozen green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy onions right in your slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours and you’re done. The beans stay perfectly tender and the flavors blend together beautifully.
French’s crispy onions are a must-have here, and you can find them at any grocery store. Add extra on top right before serving for that perfect crunch.
It’s the classic side dish everyone expects, made ridiculously simple!
3. Slow Cooker Stuffing
This frees up so much oven space and tastes incredible.
Use your favorite stuffing mix and prepare it according to the package, then transfer it to a greased crockpot. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring once halfway through. The bottom gets slightly crispy while the top stays soft and fluffy.
Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix works great for this, and you can jazz it up with diced apples, cranberries, or sausage if you want to get fancy.
Your stuffing will be perfect and you won’t have to worry about it at all!
4. Crockpot Honey Glazed Carrots
These taste like candy and look so pretty on the table.
Toss baby carrots with butter, honey, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in your crockpot. Cook on low for 4-5 hours until they’re tender but not mushy. The glaze gets all caramelized and delicious.
You can use regular carrots cut into coins too if that’s what you have. Either way, they come out sweet and glossy and absolutely gorgeous.
Even the kids will be asking for seconds on these carrots!
5. Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Fresh cranberry sauce that’s so much better than the canned stuff.
Dump fresh or frozen cranberries in your crockpot with sugar, orange juice, and maybe some orange zest. Cook on low for 2-3 hours until the berries pop and everything gets jammy. You can mash it smooth or leave it chunky.
Ocean Spray cranberries work perfectly, and adding a splash of orange juice makes it taste so fresh and bright.
This cranberry sauce will convert even the pickiest eaters!
6. Crockpot Cornbread Dressing
Southern comfort food at its absolute finest.
Crumble up day-old cornbread and mix it with sautéed celery, onions, chicken broth, and beaten eggs. Season with sage and poultry seasoning, then cook on low for 3-4 hours. It gets crispy on the edges and stays moist in the middle.
Jiffy cornbread mix makes this super easy if you don’t have homemade cornbread lying around. Make the cornbread the day before and let it get a little stale – it soaks up the flavors better.
This dressing will have everyone asking for your secret recipe!
7. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Rich, creamy, and absolutely addictive.
Mix frozen corn with cream cheese, butter, heavy cream, and a little sugar in your crockpot. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. The corn gets perfectly tender and the sauce is like velvet.
You can use fresh corn cut off the cob if you’re feeling ambitious, but frozen works just as well. A pinch of paprika on top makes it look extra fancy.
This creamed corn is restaurant-quality good!
8. Crockpot Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
Even Brussels sprouts haters will love these!
Halve fresh Brussels sprouts and toss them with diced bacon, maple syrup, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until they’re tender and caramelized. The bacon gets crispy and the sprouts get sweet and nutty.
Thick-cut bacon works best here because it holds up better during the long cooking time. Oscar Mayer center cut bacon is perfect for this.
These Brussels sprouts will disappear from the table faster than you can believe!
9. Slow Cooker Candied Yams
Sweet, sticky, and absolutely irresistible.
Layer sliced yams with butter, brown sugar, mini marshmallows, and a splash of vanilla in your crockpot. Cook on low for 4-5 hours until the yams are fork-tender and the topping is bubbly and golden.
Jet-Puffed mini marshmallows are perfect for this, and you can add pecans if you want some crunch. The slow cooking makes the yams incredibly creamy.
These candied yams taste like dessert but count as a vegetable!
10. Crockpot Herb Butter Potatoes
Buttery, herby perfection that goes with everything.
Cut baby potatoes in half and toss them with melted butter, fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until they’re tender and golden. They get crispy on the cut sides and stay fluffy inside.
Little Potato Company’s baby potatoes are perfect for this, and you can find them at most grocery stores. Fresh herbs make all the difference here.
11. Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Stuffing
A sweet twist on the classic that’s perfect for fall.
Make regular stuffing but add diced apples, dried cranberries, and extra cinnamon. The apples get soft and sweet while the cranberries add little bursts of tartness. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring once.
Honeycrisp apples work great because they hold their shape, and Craisins add the perfect amount of sweetness. This stuffing tastes like autumn in a bowl.
Your guests will be so impressed by this creative twist!
12. Crockpot Cheesy Broccoli Rice
Comfort food that actually has vegetables in it!
Mix cooked rice with frozen broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheese, and a little milk in your crockpot. Cook on low for 2-3 hours until everything is hot and bubbly. The cheese gets all melty and delicious.
Uncle Ben’s ready rice makes this super easy, and sharp cheddar cheese gives it the best flavor. Kids love this one because it tastes like mac and cheese with sneaky vegetables.
This side dish is creamy comfort food at its best!
13. Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Root Vegetables
Fancy-looking vegetables that are actually super easy.
Chop up carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes and toss them with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and fresh thyme. Cook on low for 4-5 hours until they’re caramelized and tender. The vegetables get all glossy and beautiful.
You can find pre-cut root vegetables in the produce section if you want to save time. The balsamic glaze makes them taste gourmet.
These vegetables look like they came from an expensive restaurant!
14. Crockpot Creamy Mashed Cauliflower
A lighter alternative that’s just as satisfying as mashed potatoes.
Steam cauliflower florets until tender, then mash them with cream cheese, butter, and garlic powder in your crockpot. Keep them warm on low for up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. They stay perfectly creamy and smooth.
Philadelphia cream cheese makes them extra rich, and you can add chives or bacon bits for extra flavor. Even potato lovers will be impressed.
This cauliflower mash is creamy, dreamy, and guilt-free!
15. Slow Cooker Maple Butter Acorn Squash
Sweet, nutty, and absolutely gorgeous on the table.
Halve acorn squash and scoop out the seeds, then fill the centers with butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until the squash is fork-tender. The natural sugars caramelize beautifully.
Pure maple syrup makes all the difference here – don’t use the fake stuff. You can add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
This squash is like nature’s dessert served as a side dish!
16. Crockpot Loaded Mashed Potatoes
All your favorite potato toppings mixed right in.
Make creamy mashed potatoes with butter, sour cream, and cream cheese, then fold in bacon bits, chives, and shredded cheese. Keep them warm in your crockpot on low for hours. They stay fluffy and don’t get gluey.
Real bacon bits taste so much better than the fake ones, and sharp cheddar cheese adds the perfect bite. These potatoes are like a loaded baked potato in mashed form.
Everyone will want the recipe for these incredible potatoes!
17. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Apples
Sweet, spiced, and perfect alongside savory dishes.
Slice apples and toss them with cinnamon, brown sugar, butter, and a splash of apple juice in your crockpot. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until they’re tender but not mushy. They smell absolutely amazing while they cook.
Granny Smith apples hold their shape best, but you can use any baking apple you like. A pinch of nutmeg makes them extra special.
These cinnamon apples taste like fall in every single bite!
18. Crockpot Sage and Onion Bread Stuffing
Classic flavors that never go out of style.
Cube day-old bread and mix it with sautéed onions, celery, chicken broth, beaten eggs, and lots of fresh sage. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until it’s set but still moist. The sage makes it taste so traditional and comforting.
Pepperidge Farm stuffing cubes work great if you don’t want to make your own bread cubes. Fresh sage is worth seeking out for this one.
This stuffing tastes exactly like Thanksgiving should taste!
