Making a full Thanksgiving spread is no joke, and your oven already has enough on its plate without you trying to squeeze in three more sides at 400 degrees. I live for anything that makes the big day feel less like a juggling act and more like actual fun. So I rounded up 24 of my favorite Crockpot saves. They're all ridiculously good and ready to do the heavy lifting while you focus on the bird.

1. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Here's the thing about ovens: some dishes want it blazing hot and some absolutely do not. These sweet potatoes would probably burn to a crisp if you tried to roast them with everything else. So I say let the Crockpot handle it. A few hours later, you'll have something so sweet and tender, everyone will be hovering around the pot.

Go to Recipe →

2. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

I love corn every which way, but there is something truly special about a decadent creamed corn on a holiday table. This one leans all the way into the indulgence with cream cheese, milk, butter, and a touch of sugar. Let's just say this dish is not exactly for anyone counting calories, and I am perfectly okay with that.

Go to Recipe →

3. Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Butter

I love sending my guests home with a little something special during the holidays. This apple butter is a fantastic homemade gift. A beautiful jar of slow-cooked apples and cranberries? Yes, please. Just let the fruit simmer in the Crockpot with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and vanilla, then blend it smooth with an immersion blender.

Go to Recipe →

4. Slow Cooker Crustless Brown Sugar Pumpkin Pie

For anyone who wants all the pumpkin pie flavor without the extra carbs, this one's for you. Going crustless means you get every bit of that fantastic filling without anything extra. You can use your favorite pumpkin pie filling recipe and simply pour it into a lined Crockpot. Serve it with vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of cinnamon-spiced caramel.

Go to Recipe →

5. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pecan Pudding Cake

If you love a warm, fudgy cake with a slightly dense texture, this pumpkin pecan pudding cake is about to become your new favorite. You'll make the batter, add it to the Crockpot, and gently pour a brown sugar simple syrup right over the top. It bakes up like a self-saucing dessert, with the brown sugar sinking in to create a sweet sauce at the bottom of the pot.

Go to Recipe →

6. Slow Cooker Apple Cider

This recipe is a total win-win. You get a batch of warm, spicy, fall-perfect apple cider, plus your whole house will smell absolutely amazing. Store-bought cider can sometimes lean a little too sweet for my taste. Making your own lets you control every bit of sugar and spice, and if you want a grown-up version, a splash of whiskey is a very good idea.

Go to Recipe →

7. Crockpot Stuffing

There is nothing sadder than pulling a gorgeous pan of stuffing out of the oven only to find it dried out and crumbly. Not today! This version promises a moist, flavorful bite every single time. Soak everything just like you would a bread pudding, even overnight if you can swing it, and let that gentle Crockpot heat keep the whole thing perfectly tender.

Go to Recipe →

8. Crockpot Poached Pears

Poached pears look like something from a fancy restaurant, but they are secretly so easy. You can keep them whole, plate them with sauce and ice cream, and watch your guests whip out their phones for photos. Just don't tell anyone that the whole thing starts with tossing some pears in the Crockpot with sugar and spice.

Go to Recipe →

9. No Boil Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

What is even the point of turkey dinner without a giant scoop of mashed potatoes on the side? Whether you like them chunky and rustic or silky and smooth, this one's got you. It uses broth instead of plain water, so the flavor goes all the way through. If you're dreaming of something super pureed, grab an immersion blender and buzz them right in the pot with a splash of milk or cream.

Go to Recipe →

10. Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

Full disclosure: I try not to make these too often because I have zero self-control around them. They're creamy, rich, and so insanely good that I could eat the entire pot by myself. This version uses a mix of regular and sweet potatoes, all tucked into a thyme and parmesan cheese sauce that is pure comfort.

Go to Recipe →

11. Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are on my table at least once a week, usually roasted with garlic and bacon. But when company's coming, this Crockpot version is my go-to. Beyond a quick little balsamic reduction, you just toss the sprouts in and let them cook. They come out sweet and tangy with the most wonderful crunch from those pine nuts.

Go to Recipe →

12. Crockpot Pecan Pie

I honestly did not think this would work. I even made a backup pie, fully expecting a delicious disaster in my slow cooker. Boy, was I wrong! It might not win any beauty contests, those edges aren't crimped, but that crust comes out tender and perfectly cooked every time.

Go to Recipe →

13. Crockpot Pumpkin Soup (5 Ingredients!)

Soup is such a lovely way to ease into a big holiday meal, especially when there's a chill in the air. This one keeps things beautifully simple with just five ingredients: pumpkin, russet potatoes, onion, vegetable broth, and cream. Once everything is tender, grab your immersion blender and buzz it smooth, then whisk in that cream for a velvety finish.

Go to Recipe →

14. Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots

Brown sugar glazed carrots are the kind of side dish that makes people hover by the serving spoon, hoping for the last bite. The brown sugar gives you that deep caramel sweetness, and the butter makes the whole thing feel silky and rich. A sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg adds the coziest little warmth, pushing them right over the top.

Go to Recipe →

15. Red Cabbage and Apples

Red cabbage and apples are the perfect partner for a pork roast. Not everyone at my table is a turkey person, so I often add a smaller roast to the mix. The fresh, tangy flavor of this dish makes the pork sing, and that gorgeous red color brightens up the whole spread. You can easily play with the sweet and sour balance here. My family likes it quite tangy, but a little extra sugar is always an option.

Go to Recipe →

16. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

When you have vegetarian friends joining the table, having a few extra special sides is such a thoughtful move. This casserole will absolutely help fill their plates in the most delicious way. You only need six ingredients and about ten minutes of easy prep to get the whole thing going.

Go to Recipe →

17. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Butternut Squash

I reach for butternut squash all the time. It has that same beautiful color and sweet flavor as pumpkin or sweet potatoes, but I find it holds its shape a little better. This recipe cooks the squash low and slow with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and yes, plenty of butter. It is cozy, sweet, and completely perfect for the holiday table.

Go to Recipe →

18. Easy Slow Cooker Apple Crisp with Oatmeal

Apple crisp is always a safe bet for Thanksgiving. It's warm, filling, and has that wonderful texture that apple pie sometimes misses. To keep the topping from getting soggy, line the lid with paper towels to catch any condensation. And if you want it extra crispy, pop it under the broiler for a few minutes after it's done.

Go to Recipe →

19. Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls

Using your Crockpot for dinner rolls is honestly kind of brilliant. You can set it to warm to give that dough a little nudge while it proofs. Then just switch it to high and let them bake without moving a thing. A quick heads up: line the pot and give the paper a little spray so those rolls don't stick.

Go to Recipe →

20. Slow Cooker Beef Gravy

If roast beef is on your menu, please tell me you're making gravy from the drippings. It is the single best way to capture all that rich flavor and make every bite taste incredible. The real magic here is that it comes together in about 30 minutes, which gives your meat plenty of time to rest before you carve it up.

Go to Recipe →

21. The Best Crockpot Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Have you ever stood over a bubbling pot of cranberry sauce thinking, wait, did I remember to stir it? Because the second you turn around, it threatens to scorch. This slow cooker version is the answer to that tiny kitchen panic. You literally just let it do its thing and forget about it. Just remember to give those cranberries a good mash right before you serve it all up.

Go to Recipe →

22. Slow Cooker Apple Cake

I love pie. I will be making pie. But I also love a little variety on the dessert table, because my Thanksgiving dessert plate usually looks like a tasting menu. This cake is dense, moist, and absolutely loaded with apples. When you're mixing it up, the batter might look a little scant, but trust the process on this one.

Go to Recipe →

23. Slow Cooker Green Beans Recipe

I have a little collection of Crockpots in different sizes, and honestly, the small ones are my absolute favorites. They let me make a bunch of sides all at once without stealing a single inch of oven space! This green bean recipe is ideal for those petite pots. You get plenty of savory depth from the onion, garlic, and stock, and I like to finish it off with a little pat of butter for extra richness.

Go to Recipe →

24. Mom's Crockpot Broccoli Casserole

This clever little casserole checks every box for me: tender broccoli, buttery crackers, and barely any cleanup. You'll stir the broccoli together with a creamy soup, I used chicken, and a generous amount of cheese. Then comes the best part: a layer of crushed crackers on top that softens as it cooks and gives the whole thing a buttery, irresistible finish.

Go to Recipe →