16 Slow-Cooker Sides for an Easier Thanksgiving

By

Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

Updated on November 8, 2022

Slow-Cooker Brussels Sprouts with Lemon

To make your holiday cooking a little easier, try our crock pot Thanksgiving sides. From Brussels Sprouts with Lemon to Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Sausage Apple Stuffing, you'll be amazed at the versatility of your slow cooker. These are the best Thanksgiving side dishes you can set and forget.

01 of 16

Classic Slow-Cooker Stuffing

Save space in your oven and use your slow cooker to whip up this easy, classic stuffing. Hearty whole-grain bread gets toasted in the oven for only 10 minutes (and you can toast the cubes ahead of time!) while your slow cooker does the rest.

02 of 16

Slow-Cooker Cheesy Potatoes

Slow-Cooker Cheesy Potatoes

What's not to love about this easy dump-and-go slow cooker recipe? It has potatoes and ooey-gooey cheese, all combined with a can of condensed cream of chicken soup! Whip up this kid-friendly side dish anytime you have a crowd to feed.

03 of 16

Slow-Cooker Potato Soup

Be sure to use waxy potatoes, such as red or Yukon Gold, in this crockpot potato soup recipe. The result will be creamier than if you use starchy varieties like russets. Load your bowl up like a classic baked potato or see Tip (below) for more ways to mix it up.

04 of 16

Slow-Cooker Carrot-Leek Bisque

Slow-Cooker Carrot-Leek Bisque

Creamy and delicate slow-cooker carrot soup is a welcome appetizer. The addition of millet—a whole grain similar to quinoa—adds body to the soup as well as protein and fiber. Garnish with additional black pepper, if desired.

05 of 16

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Onions

Thanks to fresh green beans, an easy homemade cream sauce and crispy onion topping, this green bean casserole recipe is healthier and more delicious than traditional recipes that use canned soup, beans and onions. Plus, the slow cooker saves you time cooking at the stove. Make sure to use fresh green beans, as frozen green beans will become mushy.

06 of 16

Slow-Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes

This simple slow-cooker mashed potatoes recipe skips tedious peeling and boiling and helps save precious stovetop space by letting the slow cooker do the work. It's a great timesaving set-it-and-forget-it side dish recipe to round out any hearty meal. Buttermilk makes the mashed potatoes creamy while garlic and shallots add flavor.

07 of 16

Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms

This healthy stuffed mushroom appetizer is a nice balance of soft mushrooms, creamy filling and crunchy topping. This combination tastes downright decadent, but it's actually good for you. Be sure to get all of the moisture out of the chopped mushrooms before moving on to the next step; if not, the filling will be soggy and make the mushroom caps watery.

08 of 16

Barley-Squash Gratin

Barley is an excellent source of fiber, and in this slow-cooker recipe it's paired with nutrient-dense spinach and butternut squash. Topped with shredded Parmesan cheese, this side dish will be happy sharing a plate with whatever else you're serving.

09 of 16

Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup with Sherry

This comforting and creamy slow-cooker soup is loaded with earthy, umami flavor from the mushrooms and soy sauce. Puréeing only some of the slow-cooker mushroom soup gives the dish complex texture and eye appeal. Garnish with additional black pepper and chopped fresh thyme, if desired.

10 of 16

Slow-Cooker Quinoa Salad with Arugula & Feta

Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Quinoa with Arugula

Chock-full of quinoa, chickpeas and vegetables, this salad is a meal in itself. The roasted red peppers, lemon, olives and feta add texture and flavor. If you want to provide a meat option, serve with grilled chicken.

11 of 16

Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp

Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp

Let your Crock-Pot do the work for this easy slow-cooker apple crisp. It tastes just like a classic apple crisp, with the apple combination adding a sweet and tart balance in each bite. It's sure to become a new fall favorite.

12 of 16

Slow-Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Slow-Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup — Dera Burreson

Skip the roasting in this butternut squash soup recipe and let your slow cooker do the work instead. Just load up all the ingredients into the crock pot, set it and forget it for an easy, healthy dinner or packable lunches.

13 of 16

Slow-Cooker Cheesy Rice with Broccoli

This dish is sure to be a kid favorite that adults will crave, too. Broccoli and cheese is a classic pairing for a reason, and when served with rice and umami-rich mushrooms, the combo is even more comforting. Garnish with shaved Parmesan and additional kosher salt and black pepper, if desired.

14 of 16

Slow-Cooked Sweet and Sour Cabbage

The combination of cloves, cabbage and cider vinegar gives this slow-cooker cabbage recipe its sweet-and-sour flavor. Don't skip the apples-the hit of natural sweetness is worth the time it takes to core and chop them.

15 of 16

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

The genius hack in this recipe: topping sweet potatoes with marshmallows while they're still piping hot from the slow cooker yields a baked marshmallow topping that's typical with baked sweet potato casseroles.

16 of 16

Slow-Cooker Honey Whole-Wheat Rolls

Slow-Cooker Honey Whole-Wheat Rolls — Victor Protasio

The slow cooker yields super-tender, pillowy whole-wheat rolls. If you prefer them crustier, arrange the finished rolls on a baking sheet, brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if desired. Broil, watching carefully, until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

Related Articles

a baking dish with potatoes and cheese

41 Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes You Can Make Ahead for an Effortless Holiday

Melting Sweet Potatoes with Mini Marshmallows

27 Nut-Free Sides You'll Want to Add to Your Thanksgiving Spread

roasted honeynut squash on plate

27 Heart-Healthy Thanksgiving Sides That Will Steal the Show

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole

25 Delicious Low-Carb Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Quince Glaze

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Quince Glaze

Corn Pudding with Bacon & Rosemary

Corn Pudding with Bacon & Rosemary

a photo of Ina Garten

Ina Garten Shared Her Favorite Thanksgiving Sides, Including 3-Ingredient Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for Two

Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for Two

Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

19 Potato Sides You’ll Want to Make Every Thanksgiving

Crispy Loaded Mashed Potato Balls

Crispy Loaded Mashed Potato Balls

Parmesan Mushroom Casserole

13 Casserole Side Dishes with Three Steps or Less

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

Apple-Cranberry Stuffing

Apple-Cranberry Stuffing

Wild Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Wild Rice-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Potatoes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Sweet Potatoes