Use your slow cooker(s) to make your holiday side dishes and watch your stress melt away. These 31 crockpot side dishes will be a lifeline for your next big celebration.
The stress of holiday cooking is REAL! Just thinking about juggling multiple pots and pans in an oven is nerve wracking. This holiday season, let your slow cooker take center stage. This unsung kitchen hero allows you to free up oven space while simultaneously creating show-stopping sides.
Jump to:
- 1. Stuffing/Dressing
- 2. Cranberry Pumpkin Seed Stuffing
- 3. Old Bay Mac & Cheese
- 4. Candied Sweet Potatoes
- 5. Sweet Corn Spoon Bread
- 6. Squash & Zucchini Parmesan
- 7. Mashed Potatoes
- 8. Quinoa
- 9. Quinoa Stuffing
- 10. Cheesy Creamed Corn
- 11. Green Bean Casserole (without canned soup)
- 12. Cranberry Sauce
- 13. Garlic Mushrooms
- 14. Whole Dijon Cauliflower
- 15. Acorn Squash
- 16. Mashed Cauliflower
- 17. Pumpkin Soup
- 18. Butternut Squash Soup
- 19. Rice
- 20. Carrot Soup
- 21. Baked Potatoes
- 22. Corn On The Cob
- 23. Mexican Street Corn
- 24. Vanilla Maple Carrots
- 25. Enchilada Meatballs
- 26. Mexican Quinoa
- 27. Honey Bourbon Meatballs
- 28. Polenta
- 29. Crustless Pizza
- 30. Cheesy Potatoes
- 31. Turkey Breast
1. Stuffing/Dressing
This easy slow-cooker recipe is a holiday classic. Crockpot stuffing is so simple to make, it can turn just about any family dinner into a celebration.
2. Cranberry Pumpkin Seed Stuffing
Every classic recipe deserves a modern day cousin. This take-off of the above recipe turns stuffing into a whole new dish filled with unique flavor and texture.
3. Old Bay Mac & Cheese
A flavorful version of the creamy comfort food that will quickly become a family favorite.
4. Candied Sweet Potatoes
This holiday meal must-have is a great way to add some festivity to any occasion. It is sweet and delicious - a perfect side dish!
5. Sweet Corn Spoon Bread
You are going to love this easy recipe. It is made using cornbread mix and canned corn. A simple crock pot treat that will disappear fast!
6. Squash & Zucchini Parmesan
This easy slow cooker recipe uses seasonal veggies and tons of parmesan cheese. What could be better?
7. Mashed Potatoes
Your slow cooker is the easy way to make this holiday classic. It is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it way to put a ton of creamy, fluffy, and delicious potatoes on your dinner table.
8. Quinoa
Quinoa is a great side dish for any holiday dinner. It is especially wonderful if you have gluten free or vegan visitors.
9. Quinoa Stuffing
The slow cooker version of this dish is just incredible. It is made with healthy, simple ingredients and the end result is just fantastic.
10. Cheesy Creamed Corn
This creamy corn and cheese recipe is out of this world! It is an easy side dish that is at home everywhere from a Thanksgiving feast to Easter brunch to a weeknight meal.
11. Green Bean Casserole (without canned soup)
Your slow cooker has a super power. It can take ordinary green beans and turn them into this extraordinary crockpot green bean casserole. A delicious and easy slow cooked recipe that you will want to make on repeat.
12. Cranberry Sauce
Nothing you buy in a jar or can could possibly compare to this incredible dish. All you need are some fresh cranberries, orange juice, sugar and spices. No Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner is complete without it!
13. Garlic Mushrooms
Slow cooker garlic and parmesan mushrooms are a show stopping recipe. It is as comfortable on your holiday table as it is on any weeknight menu. It is so yummy, it is always one of the first things to disappear!
14. Whole Dijon Cauliflower
This cauliflower recipe is a great addition to any holiday menu. It is truly one of the best things to come out of a slow cooker. Your entire family will devour this one!
15. Acorn Squash
This is one of those easy crockpot side dishes that would work best for a smaller crowd. It is delicious and nutritious and just plain "wow"! It can also be used as a main dish for your vegetarians.
16. Mashed Cauliflower
This perfect recipe couldn't be easier to make. The best part is how well it soaks up all of the yummy gravy from your main course.
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17. Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin soup is a dairy free, creamy, and healthy side dish that will disappear as fast as you can serve it.
18. Butternut Squash Soup
Slow cooking is my absolute favorite way to make all types of soup. This classic soup is no exception. It is creamy, delicious and filled with the flavors of fall.
19. Rice
While many don't think of rice as a classic holiday dish, using your slow cooker to make a TON of rice is a real time and space saver!
20. Carrot Soup
Slow cooker carrot soup is a incredible side dish that your guests will love to ladle right out of the crockpot. It is a classic for Easter or any other holiday.
21. Baked Potatoes
Yep! Using your slow cooker is the best way to serve up a ton of hot potatoes for holiday meals. Just place some sour cream, shredded cheese, and chives nearby for a perfect make-your-own stuffed potato bar!
22. Corn On The Cob
Don't forget the corn!! Using your crockpot to cook and keep corn on the cob warm is the ultimate holiday hack. PRO_TIP: break your ears in half before cooking. This will allow you to fit the maximum number of them into your slow cooker.
23. Mexican Street Corn
Plain corn not enticing enough? Whip up this elote seasoning to slather on your slow cooked corn!
24. Vanilla Maple Carrots
This is one of our favorite recipes! It is lightly sweet but heavily delicious! It is one of the easiest crockpot side dish recipes ever!
25. Enchilada Meatballs
Use frozen meatballs to make this super easy and amazing meatball recipe. This dish is a flavorful and different addition to any holiday spread.
26. Mexican Quinoa
This healthy recipe is simple to make. The flavors of all things Mexican mixed with healthy quinoa, veggies, and beans. A true slow cooker winner.
27. Honey Bourbon Meatballs
This is another super simple dish made with frozen meatballs. it's sweet and savory flavor will elevate any meal you add it to. It is great as a side dish or an appetizer.
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28. Polenta
This polenta dish, made with tons of fresh veggies, will knock your socks off. It is another great way to soak up gravy!
29. Crustless Pizza
This spoonable dish is all the best parts of the pizza without the crust. It is cheesy, saucy, beefy and perfect. One of the greatest of all holiday side dishes.
30. Cheesy Potatoes
Slow cooker cheese potatoes au gratin are everyone's favorite. Be prepared for a cheesy and satisfying dish - but don't expect leftovers!
31. Turkey Breast
I hear you - this isn't technically a side dish. But hear me out. If you are having a larger than anticipated crowd, using your slow cooker to whip up extra turkey is key. Especially when oven space is at a premium. It can be made with bone in or boneless turkey breast.
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