Cooking for Thanksgiving with a Crock Pot: Recipes To Try Out
Make your Thanksgiving celebration easier and more convenient with a slow cooker-friendly feast. Here's a simple guide to prepare a complete slow cooker Thanksgiving meal, allowing you to enjoy juicy turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and delicious sides without the need for a fully occupied oven.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
Start with a tender and flavourful turkey breast cooked in the slow cooker. Season as desired, and cook on low for several hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety and optimal moisture [3].
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Peel and cut Yukon gold potatoes into cubes. Place butter and chicken broth in the slow cooker, add potatoes, garlic, and dill, then cook on high for 3-4 hours until potatoes are soft. Mash them inside the slow cooker with sour cream, milk, and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chives [1].
Slow Cooker Corn Casserole (Corn Pudding)
Combine canned corn, cream-style corn, sugar, beaten egg, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, melted butter, and cornbread mix in the slow cooker. Cook for about 2.5 hours until set and lightly browned on top [5].
Optional Slow Cooker Soup (e.g., Butternut Squash Soup)
Simmer frozen squash with broth and seasonings, then blend until smooth and finish with cream and maple syrup if you like a creamy, sweet soup starter or side [2].
Additional Side Dishes
For a more diverse menu, consider the following options:
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce: A tangy and sweet accompaniment to your meal [4].
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole: A healthier alternative to traditional casseroles [6].
- Slow Cooker Sweet Corn Bread: A delicious side to complement your Thanksgiving dishes [7].
- Slow Cooker Crustless Brown Sugar Pumpkin Pie: A unique twist on a classic dessert [8].
- Slow Cooker Pecan Pie: A traditional dessert to end your meal on a sweet note [9].
- Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler: A comforting dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth [10].
- Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole: A classic side dish with a slow cooker twist [11].
With multiple slow cookers or by staggering cooking times, you can have all these dishes ready simultaneously, freeing up your oven and reducing hands-on preparation time. Adjust seasoning and cooking time based on your slow cooker capacity and preferences.
This approach lets you serve a classic Thanksgiving meal with minimal oven use and relatively hands-off cooking [1][3][5]. Enjoy your stress-free Thanksgiving meal!
References:
[1] A Cedar Spoon - Slow Cooker Stuffing Recipe
[2] Show Me the Yummy - Honey Butter Thyme Crockpot Glazed Carrots Recipe
[3] Small Town Woman - Slow Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe
[4] Recipes that Crock! - Free up your oven with Crock Pot Dinner Rolls
[5] Plain Chicken - Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
[6] Kristine's Kitchen - Healthy Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
[7] melissassouthernstylekitchen.com - Slow Cooker Sweet Corn Bread Recipe
[8] Family Fresh Meals - Slow Cooker Crustless Brown Sugar Pumpkin Pie Recipe
[9] Closet Cooking - Slow Cooker Pecan Pie Recipe
[10] The Simple Parent I Easy Recipes for Busy Families - Crock Pot Corn Casserole Recipe
[11] Glue Sticks and Gumdrops - Crock Pot Apple Cobbler Recipe
[12] The Gunny Sack - Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole Recipe
[13] Damn Delicious - Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Recipe
[14] The Magical Slow Cooker Recipes - Slow Cooker Whole Turkey Recipe (optional)
[15] Well Plated by Erin - Slow Cooker Stuffing with Apples, Cranberries, and Pecans Recipe (optional)
Slow cooker-oriented cooking allows for a lifestyle that blends food-and-drink and home-and-garden, as it offers a convenient, hands-off approach to preparing comfort food like slow cooker turkey breast, mashed potatoes, and corn casserole, all without fully occupying the oven. For an expanded range of sides, consider slow cooker options like cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, corn bread, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, apple cobbler, and green bean casserole. By utilizing multiple slow cookers or managing cooking times efficiently, you can effortlessly serve a diverse slow cooker Thanksgiving meal.
