• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Slow Cooker Gourmet

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Find a Recipe
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Recipes » Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Dinner Guide

    Published: Nov 25, 2019 · Modified: Jan 16, 2020 by Jennifer · This post may contain affiliate links

    Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Dinner Guide

    162 shares
    • Facebook56
    • Yummly

    Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for the 1st or 20th time, my Ultimate Guide to a Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Dinner will help you streamline cooking, reduce stress, and have a more relaxing Thanksgiving holiday!

    turkey stuffing and mashed potatoes on white plate

     

    Have you started planning your menu for Thanksgiving yet? It's coming in just a few days and I'm here to help those in need of a simple to make dinner. I'm all about using my slow cookers for holiday meals. Not only does it free up oven space, but it's also a really easy way to keep food warm as you go about preparing other parts of the meal.

    I'll share all of my favorites with you today along with some of my favorite tips for reducing the workload and letting you enjoy the day with your family.

    Thanksgiving Turkey

    As much as I love to try new foods, I won't get too crazy here. Most of us want a delicious turkey for Thanksgiving and I will share a few of my favorite ways to get turkey on the table.

    1. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast - For a smaller crowd, my slow cooker turkey breast is a great option! My friend Amanda taught me to make this and was gracious enough to allow me to share. This is a delicious recipe that is so very easy to make and will keep you from having to fire up the oven and deal with all the mess.

    Slow Cooker Turkey Breast with Gravy

    2. For a larger crowd, or if a more traditional turkey is your thing, be sure to check out my guide to cooking a turkey on my other website, Garnished Plate.

    roasted turkey with herbs and citrus

    3. This year, I'm going to spend this weekend before Thanksgiving testing out some new turkey recipes and I'm planning to use my Traeger grill to smoke a turkey. This recipe on their website looks delicious, but it remains to be seen what I'll end up with. If it's good, I'll be sure to share!

    And of course I have to mention that no turkey is complete without gravy. Both of my recipes above include instructions for making gravy!

    What you need to make a turkey:

    1. A slow cooker (to make a turkey breast or to keep your sliced turkey warm). This Ninja Multicooker even has a baking or roasting function that would fit a smaller turkey.
    2. A large turkey pan and oven bags if you bake it

    Mashed Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Skinny Mashed Potatoes

    Next up we must talk mashed potatoes. I love using my slow cooker or even my Instant Pot to make mashed potatoes. It takes away the stress of watching the pan, waiting for water to boil and getting the timing just right. Plus, you can mash them up right in the slow cooker and leave them on warm for dinner. Doubly easy!

    I have several mashed potato recipes here on the blog, so no matter what you are looking for, I'll bet I've got it covered.

    1. Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
    2. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
    3. Slow Cooker Skinny Mashed Potatoes
    4. Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes

    What you need to make mashed potatoes:

    1. A slow cooker or an Instant Pot
    2. A handheld potato masher or handheld mixer

    Traditional Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

    Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

    I find that side dish preferences vary from family to family, and sometimes even within our family from year to year.

    My husbands family used to always have chicken and noodles every Thanksgiving, where as my family tradition was cream cheese corn.

    No matter what you decide, I have a lot of side dishes that are easily made in the slow cooker.

    Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

    1. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
    2. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
    3. Slow Cooker Stuffing
    4. Slow Cooker Cheesy Corn Casserole
    5. Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto
    6. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Cheesecake

    What you need for slow cooker side dishes:

    1. A casserole slow cooker - perfect for green bean casserole or other bakes
    2. A mini casserole slow cooker - for smaller dishes and desserts
    3. A 5-6 quart slow cooker for stuffing or potatoes

    My top 10 tips for a less stressed Thanksgiving dinner:

    1. Determine when to thaw the turkey (24 hours per 5 pounds) - set a reminder so you don't forget
    2. Ask in-town guests to bring 1-3 side dishes to share
    3. Ask out of town guests to bring drinks, packaged desserts or rolls
    4. Plan the menu at least 2 weeks in advance and split your grocery list into non-perishables and perishables
    5. Shop for non-perishables 1 week in advance
    6. Shop for perishables the week of and go on Monday or Tuesday during the day if possible to avoid crowds. Better yet, order online for delivery.
    7. Review your menu and determine what can be made 2 days and 1 day in advance and what will need to be made the day of
    8. Set the time for dinner at a time that allows you to be able to cook without too much pressure or without having to get up at a crazy early hour if that's not your thing
    9. Pour a glass of your favorite wine and enjoy the process! Recruit help from your family!
    10. Get someone else to clean up the dishes! No shame in paper plates one day out of the year.

    Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Hacks

    Planning to use your slow cooker for Thanksgiving? Leave a comment here and let me know! I'd love to hear about your menu and your plan. And, better yet? Hop over to Instagram and post a pic of your prep, meal or kitchen on Thanksgiving Day and tag me #slowcookergourmet.

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Enjoy!!

    « Slow Cooker Stuffing {From a Box}
    Slow Cooker Turkey Pot Pie »
    162 shares
    • Facebook56
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Georgia says

      November 21, 2018 at 11:14 am

      I love your recipes and the slow cooker recipes take some of the stress from holiday feasts.

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 23, 2018 at 7:48 am

        Thank you so much Georgia!!

        Reply
    2. Reenie says

      November 20, 2018 at 8:59 pm

      Love your Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe. Will definitely be making it this year and skip the hassle of last minute potato madness. Also love the picture of your kitchen :0) Happy Cooking and Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 23, 2018 at 7:49 am

        Thank you so much, Reenie!!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Jennifer! I love creating fresh recipes that are quick and simple to make so that I can help you get dinner on the table without the fuss!

    More about me →

    Most Popular Recipes

    • How to make The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork! Everyone is sure to love this amazing slow cooker pulled pork.  The perfect blend of spices make it tender and bursting with flavor!
      The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
    • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili is delicious, simple and award winning! This is the go-to when you are tired of boring chili recipes!
      Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
    • Slow Cooker Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
      Slow Cooker Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
    • ladle in a slow cooker with butter chicken
      Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    As seen on...

    Simple Seasoning Blends

    Make these simple homemade seasoning blends using spices you probably have on hand! Use their amazing flavors in many of my delicious and easy recipes!

    • black tablespoon filled with taco seasoning on blue backdrop
      The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
    • 7 small bowls filled with spices
      Ranch Seasoning
    • tiny bowls filled with spices to make curry seasoning on a blue backdrop
      Curry Seasoning
    • homemade cajun seasoning in a jar
      Homemade Cajun Seasoning

    Hi, I'm Jennifer! I love creating fresh recipes that are quick and simple to make so that I can help you get dinner on the table without the fuss!

    More about me →

    Most Popular Recipes

    • How to make The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork! Everyone is sure to love this amazing slow cooker pulled pork.  The perfect blend of spices make it tender and bursting with flavor!
      The Best Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
    • Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili is delicious, simple and award winning! This is the go-to when you are tired of boring chili recipes!
      Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
    • Slow Cooker Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
      Slow Cooker Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta
    • ladle in a slow cooker with butter chicken
      Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

    As seen on...

    Simple Seasoning Blends

    Make these simple homemade seasoning blends using spices you probably have on hand! Use their amazing flavors in many of my delicious and easy recipes!

    • jar of homemade chili seasoning
      Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • tablespoon full of moroccan spice blend
      Moroccan Spice Blend
    • Homemade Seasoning Mixes
      Homemade Seasoning Blends

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Nutrition Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 My Gourmet Creations, LLC by Spark Media Concepts, LLC

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    162 shares
    • 56