16 Crock Pot recipes for the ultimate Christmas dinner hack

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We’ve got 16 mouthwatering recipes that’ll prove once and for all that slow cooking is the ultimate yuletide hack. From succulent turkey, to easy sides, these recipes are here to save your sanity (and your oven space).

Crock pot with sweet potato casserole with pecans and marshmallows.
Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast on a plate with gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes and a roll.
Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This turkey breast makes its own gravy while cooking in the slow cooker, perfect for a smaller Christmas gathering. The hands-free cooking method keeps the meat moist and lets you focus on other holiday preparations.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes topped with a pat of butter is in front of a slow cooker and some wooden bowls.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These potatoes cook themselves while you handle other Christmas tasks. They’ll stay hot and ready in the slow cooker until dinner time – no last-minute prep needed.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Crock Pot Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The slow cooker transforms plain corn into a rich side dish that stays ready when you need it. It’s an easy addition to your Christmas spread that won’t take up valuable oven space.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Creamed Corn

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

Close-up of a baked potato dish topped with a layer of golden, sliced potatoes and garnished with a sprinkle of herbs.
Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These potato layers cook gently in cream until they’re perfectly soft. The slow cooker method frees up your oven on Christmas day while creating a rich side dish everyone wants seconds of.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Slow cooker with green bean casserole topped with fried onions.
Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Free up precious oven space by making this classic green bean dish in your slow cooker. The beans cook slowly with the sauce, creating the perfect Christmas side that stays hot until serving time.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

Crockpot Little Smokies

Crock pot little smokies on a spoon over the slow cooker.
Crockpot Little Smokies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These mini sausages need just 3 ingredients and your slow cooker to make a crowd-pleasing Christmas appetizer. They’ll stay hot throughout your holiday gathering, ready whenever guests want a bite.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Little Smokies

Slow Cooker Cheesy Hashbrowns

A slow cooker filled with a mixture of Hashbrown.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Hashbrowns. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These potato and cheese-packed hashbrowns cook themselves while you tackle other Christmas preparations. The slow cooker keeps them hot and ready to serve throughout your holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cheesy Hashbrowns

Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Crock pot with sweet potato casserole with pecans and marshmallows.
Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sweet potatoes cook slowly with brown sugar until soft, then get topped with marshmallows and pecans. This hands-off version saves oven space during Christmas dinner prep.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

Crockpot Cornbread Dressing with Bacon

Top view of crock pot cornbread dressing with bacon and parsley on top.
Crockpot Cornbread Dressing with Bacon. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bacon adds extra flavor to this dressing while it cooks slowly to the perfect texture. The slow cooker keeps it at the right temperature until Christmas dinner is served.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cornbread Dressing with Bacon

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli and carrots.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This creamy soup makes a perfect first course for Christmas dinner. The slow cooker keeps it hot and ready while you finish other holiday dishes.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing

A plate with chicken, carrots and gravy.
Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This complete meal cooks in one pot while you handle other Christmas preparations. The chicken stays moist while the stuffing soaks up all the flavors – great when you want multiple meat options for your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The pasta cooks right in a rich cheese sauce until it’s perfectly done. It’s a crowd-pleasing Christmas dinner addition that kids especially love.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Southern Green Beans

Green beans with sausage on a white plate.
Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Keto Cooking Wins.

Pork and bacon add rich flavor to these beans as they cook low and slow. They make a hearty Christmas side dish that gets better the longer it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Southern Green Beans

Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Top view of a large white ceramic bowl filled with cooked cubed potatoes topped with melted white cheese.
Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

These potatoes need minimal prep before the slow cooker takes over. They cook to the perfect texture while you focus on other Christmas dishes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Roasted Potatoes

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Slow cooker cranberry sauce with orange and cinnamon.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Fresh cranberries cook down with just a few ingredients into a perfect sauce for Christmas dinner. The slow cooker method lets you make this essential side dish without watching the stove.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

A crock of butternut soup.
Slow Cooker Butternut Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

This creamy soup makes a warming start to Christmas dinner. The slow cooker brings out the squash’s natural sweetness while you work on other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

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