Okay, so you know how the holidays can feel like a marathon of cooking? Well, I’m here to introduce you to the ultimate shortcut: your slow cooker.
It’s my secret weapon for everything from rich, savory dinners to the coziest hot chocolate. This is how we’re doing Christmas this year. Easy and amazing.
1. Crockpot Breakfast Casserole
Source: Familyfreshmeals.com
It’s so easy to forget about breakfast when there are piles of presents to open. Thankfully, the slow cooker will be working its magic on this breakfast casserole.
You’ll want to get a big helping of hash browns and layer them in the Crockpot with bacon, cheese, and veggies. Then, you just pour an egg mixture over the top so it all binds together.
How perfect is that for a Christmas morning meal?
2. Slow Cooker Holiday Green Beans
Source: Themagicalslowcooker.com
Of course, any holiday main needs a good side dish. I can’t think of a better partner than these amazing green beans. Some green bean recipes can be a little boring, but this one is packed with flavor.
You slow cook these beans with salty bacon, earthy mushrooms, and bacon drippings until they are perfectly tender. Now that’s how you do a Christmas side dish!
3. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Rolls
Source: Dinnerthendessert.com
Here is another Christmas morning treat you will go absolutely wild for.
I love that you can prep them the day before and keep them in the fridge. Then, just cook them in the slow cooker while everyone is opening presents. It’s so simple!
4. Easy Crockpot Christmas Candy
Source: Thechunkychef.com
Making Christmas candy completely from scratch can be a major headache. Thank goodness this four-ingredient chocolate recipe makes it so easy.
All you will need is some peanuts, almond bark, sweet chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate, plus a couple of hours in the slow cooker. A few red and green sprinkles are a great final touch, too.
5. Slow Cooker Christmas Stuffing
Source: Aroundmyfamilytable.com
Are you still making stuffing from a box just because it’s simple? It’s time to put that box away and give this slow cooker stuffing a try. This recipe tastes amazing and is just as simple as the boxed version.
Plus, the ingredients are so versatile you can make it dairy-free and gluten-free for everyone to love. Whether it’s gluten-free or not, make sure you stick with the onion, celery, sage, and thyme.
6. Crock Pot French Toast
Source: Diethood.com
If cinnamon rolls aren’t your thing, how about some French toast? Just slice up some stale bread and cover it with cream cheese.
After that, you layer it in the pot, covering it with sliced bananas and a creamy custard mixture. I usually do this the night before and cook it in the morning.
Served with caramel, it is absolutely swoon-worthy.
7. Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie
Source: Spendwithpennies.com
I think a warm bowl of this pot pie makes for a totally amazing Christmas Eve meal!
The Crockpot cooks the delicious pot pie filling while you bake up the buttery, flaky biscuits. The result is a cozy, creamy bowl that will make every belly happy.
That way, no one is waking up in the middle of the night to sneak Santa’s cookies.
8. Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Source: Eatingonadime.com
I know that canned sauce is incredibly easy. But with this recipe, all you have to do is put everything into the pot and let it cook. If you have a smaller crockpot, that would be perfect.
You can also make it a day ahead so it can firm up in the fridge overnight.
9. Crockpot Mulled Wine
Source: Thegayglobetrotter.com
This Christmas mulled wine always makes the holiday feel a little more cheerful. It is full of warming Christmas spice and fruity notes everyone will adore.
And the smell? OMG, it’s just heavenly.
If you have never made it, the wine is definitely the star, so go for something full-bodied. I really like reds with berry flavors, but you should pick whatever you prefer. The honey, citrus, and cinnamon will help the flavors along.
10. Crispy Skin Slow Cooker Turkey
Source: Cafedelites.com
Turkey isn’t only for Thanksgiving; it’s perfect for Christmas, too! This game bird is so versatile, which makes it a fantastic entree to serve with all your favorite holiday sides.
When it comes to cooking it, though, I always recommend this recipe. This turkey is crispy and tender and anything but dry.
11. Crockpot Corn Casserole
Source: Spicysouthernkitchen.com
Give your Christmas dinner a Southern flair with this absolutely delectable recipe. It takes classic cornbread and transforms it into a cheesy, buttery casserole you can eat with a spoon.
Plus, it goes well with all your other sides. Mashed potatoes, green beans, glazed carrots, you name it.
12. Crockpot Broccoli Casserole
Source: Easybudgetrecipes.com
This Christmas Crockpot casserole is a total game-changer! It frees up so much space in the oven for your main dish. Plus, it gets everyone to happily eat their vegetables.
Speaking of veggies, you’ll dress the broccoli up with cheddar cheese and crunchy Ritz crackers.
13. Slow Cooker Short Ribs
Source: Kitchensanctuary.com
When it comes to holiday slow cooker recipes, these short ribs are true royalty.
They have to be cooked low and slow to get that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture. They are so much more delicious than turkey! And not to mention so hearty.
14. Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Source: Damndelicious.net
If you’re feeling like giving mashed potatoes a rest, you should try scalloped instead. The crockpot does all the cooking for you, which makes this cheesy and creamy dish so easy.
Sadly, the only thing it doesn’t do is all the potato peeling. So I say you should put on some holiday music and bribe your helpers with some crockpot hot chocolate.
15. Slow Cooker Baked Apples
Source: Themagicalslowcooker.com
Baked apples are seriously the best! Do you want to know why? It’s because they are technically a dessert, but it’s completely acceptable to eat them for breakfast, too.
They are fruity, sweet, and have a delicious crunch. Serve them up with some Greek yogurt or ice cream, and you are in for a real treat!
16. Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
Source: Dinneratthezoo.com
It is incredible how the perfect spice combination can dress up carrots to create a truly exceptional holiday dish. For this recipe, you’ll need to use cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and parsley.
This mix creates such a divine glaze that makes carrots an amazing side for any Christmas dinner.
17. Slow Cooker Beef Burgundy
Source: Wholesomelicious.com
Are you looking for a really special Christmas entree to serve your family? Then you can stop looking because this savory recipe is it. This elegant dish is just overflowing with merriness!
Sirloin steak and thick-cut bacon are cooked slowly in a robust Burgundy wine and beef broth. There is also a handful of dried herbs and chopped veggies to season it all up.
18. Homemade Slow Cooker Eggnog
Source: Glutenfreeonashoestring.com
We just can’t have a list of Christmas crockpot recipes without eggnog! Even Scrooge himself can’t say no to this holiday classic.
It’s so sweet and creamy with just a hint of spice. Oh, and it’s spiked with a bit of rum.
While your slow cooker will do most of the work, you will want to give the eggnog a stir once in a while, so be sure to keep an eye on it.
19. Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Source: Showmetheyummy.com
Mashed potatoes are another classic holiday side dish that everyone just adores. One of my absolute favorite ways to make them is with this recipe.
The Crockpot gives the potatoes a ton of time to soak up all that buttery, cheesy goodness. This means they come out fluffy and rich every single time.
And speaking of rich, this recipe uses butter, parmesan, sour cream, and cream cheese. It might not be skinny jean approved, but it’s the holiday season!
20. Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Source: Thecountrycook.net
No matter which one of my family members is hosting Christmas, you can bet that there will always be hot chocolate in the Crockpot.
I always like to keep out a bowl of mini candy canes, cinnamon spice, and marshmallows next to it. That way, everyone can fix up their own perfect mug.
It’s tough to be a Grinch when you have a rich, warm cup of this hot cocoa.
21. Crockpot Sweet Potatoes
Source: Foodfaithfitness.com
Do you need to cook some sweet potatoes, but you have no more room in your oven? Just make them in the Crockpot!
The slow cooker turns these sweet potatoes into fork-tender perfection. This will take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, depending on if you use the low or high setting.
Just make sure you pierce each potato with a fork so they can cook all the way through to the center.
22. Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
Source: Natashaskitchen.com
The slow cooker can create the most juicy and succulent beef brisket that is perfect for Christmas dinner. This perfectly tender brisket comes together with mushrooms and caramelized onions for a truly rich meal.
For serving, you can pair it with a side of green beans and some mashed potatoes. It’s also incredible on a toasty bun.
23. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Source: Asouthernsoul.com
Every single Christmas party needs to have chips and dip. And what is more iconic than spin-dip? If you’ve never tried it, spinach and artichoke dip is pretty self-explanatory.
It is salty, cheesy, and a total dream to eat. Here’s a pro-tip: add a layer of cheese on top and cook it for 15 minutes with no lid on before you serve it.
24. Slow Cooker Christmas Chicken in Milk With Orange, Cinnamon, and Savory
Source: Simplebites.net
With a recipe like this, putting together a fancy Christmas dinner doesn’t have to be a huge production.
You will take a whole chicken and sear it in butter until it develops a beautiful crispy coating. Toss in some garlic and cinnamon for seasoning, and then transfer it all to the slow cooker.
After that, you’ll top the chicken with orange zest and milk. The chicken will need about 4 hours to cook, so you’ll want to plan ahead.
25. Slow Cooker Chocolate Pudding Cake
Source: Savorynothings.com
Christmas greetings are always best when they are delivered in the form of a chocolate pudding cake!
This dessert is so rich in chocolate and is very similar to a chocolate lava cake. Except its gooey texture is a bit more like pudding.
This will take a few hours to make, but don’t you worry. Everyone will be saving plenty of room for dessert.
26. Crockpot Gingerbread Pudding Cake
Source: Biggerbolderbaking.com
If you are feeling tired of baking holiday cookies, let the Crockpot handle Christmas dessert instead. This is a wonderfully festive dish that is sweet and has a great balance of spice.
This recipe is so gooey and luscious, nobody will be turning down dessert.
27. Crockpot Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Source: Number-2-pencil.com
Ham might not be a super simple holiday dinner, but it is the classic Christmas dish. Unfortunately, it usually requires a ton of hands-on work. But not anymore!
This recipe only needs 15 minutes of prep time. Can you even believe it?