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15 Thanksgiving Crockpot Side Dishes (Hands-Off Holiday Favorites)

ByFoodarshia

If you’ve ever hosted Thanksgiving, you know it feels like trying to run a full restaurant out of your home kitchen — except there’s no staff, the oven is constantly full, and someone always asks, “When’s dinner?” at the worst possible moment. And honestly? I used to think chaos was just part of the holiday… until I discovered the pure, sweet magic of using crockpot side dishes.

Crockpot sides free your oven, cook themselves, stay warm without burning, and somehow always taste richer and cozier. Ever wondered why slow-cooked food feels like it hugs your soul? IMO, it’s because the crockpot was designed for people who love delicious food but also love sanity. 🙂

So here are 15 Thanksgiving crockpot side dishes — fully expanded, deeply detailed, and absolutely holiday-worthy. Consider this your stress-free side dish menu.

1. Crockpot Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Why You’ll Love It

Mashed potatoes are the backbone of any Thanksgiving table. These cook themselves to buttery, garlicky perfection.

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered
  • 4–6 garlic cloves (depending on how garlicky you want it)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½–1 cup heavy cream (as needed)
  • Salt + black pepper

Instructions

  1. Add potatoes, garlic cloves, and broth to the crockpot.
  2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3–4.
  3. Mash directly in the crockpot using a masher.
  4. Add butter, sour cream, salt, pepper, and heavy cream until it reaches your perfect consistency.
  5. Switch crockpot to “KEEP WARM” until serving.

Tips

  • For ultra-creamy potatoes, use a hand mixer.
  • Add roasted garlic instead of raw for deeper sweetness.
  • Want extra richness? Add cream cheese.

2. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

Why You’ll Love It

Classic, creamy, comforting — and no oven needed.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 cup fried onions (plus extra for topping)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Add green beans, soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Stir well to coat everything.
  3. Cook on LOW 5–6 hours.
  4. Before serving, sprinkle fried onions on top.

Tips

  • Add sautéed mushrooms for extra umami.
  • Add cooked bacon for smoky flavor.
  • If too thin, stir in ¼ cup cream cheese.

3. Crockpot Candied Sweet Potatoes

Why You’ll Love It

Sweet, rich, buttery, almost dessert-like.

Ingredients

  • 4–5 large sweet potatoes, peeled + cubed
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Add sweet potatoes to the crockpot.
  2. Melt butter, brown sugar, syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla together.
  3. Pour over potatoes.
  4. Cook on LOW 6 hours.
  5. Stir gently to coat.

Tips

  • Add pecans in the last 30 minutes.
  • Add marshmallows on top and let them melt.

4. Crockpot Thanksgiving Stuffing

Why You’ll Love It

Soft, moist inside with crisp edges — stuffing perfection.

Ingredients

  • 1 loaf crusty bread, cubed + dried
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 tbsp sage
  • 1 tbsp parsley
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt + pepper
  • Optional: cooked sausage

Instructions

  1. Place bread cubes, onion, celery, and seasonings in the crockpot.
  2. Whisk broth and eggs.
  3. Pour over bread mixture.
  4. Gently toss to coat.
  5. Cook on LOW 5–6 hours.

Tips

  • Add cooked sausage for a hearty variation.
  • Add cranberries + pecans for a sweet-savory twist.
  • If you want crisp bits, leave the lid slightly ajar for the last hour.

5. Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Why You’ll Love It

Crazy creamy. Zero effort. Kids and adults devour it.

Ingredients

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Add uncooked pasta, milk, cream, butter, and seasonings.
  2. Cook on LOW 2 hours, stirring halfway.
  3. Stir in cheeses.
  4. Cook 15 more minutes.

Tips

  • Add smoked gouda for rich flavor.
  • Stir in crispy bacon.

6. Crockpot Cranberry Sauce

Why You’ll Love It

Fresh, tangy, sweet — no stovetop boiling required.

Ingredients

  • 1 bag fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar (or ¾ cup if you prefer tart)
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Add everything to the crockpot.
  2. Cook on LOW 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
  3. Mash to desired consistency.

Tips

  • Add cinnamon + cloves for a warm spice twist.
  • Use half orange juice, half water if you want it less citrusy.

7. Crockpot Creamed Corn

Why You’ll Love It

Sweet, buttery, silky — the ultimate side.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups corn (fresh or frozen)
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients.
  2. Cook on LOW 4–5 hours.
  3. Stir until creamy.

Tips

  • Add Parmesan for richness.
  • Add jalapeños for spice.

8. Crockpot Glazed Carrots

Why You’ll Love It

Sweet, tender, glossy — perfect with turkey.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs carrots, peeled + sliced
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Add carrots, butter, sugar, honey, cinnamon.
  2. Cook on LOW 5 hours.
  3. Toss before serving.

Tips

  • Add nutmeg for warmth.
  • Add orange zest for brightness.

9. Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole

Why You’ll Love It

Creamy sweet potatoes with crunchy topping — iconic.

Ingredients

  • 4 mashed sweet potatoes
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup cream
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • For topping: pecans + brown sugar + butter

Instructions

  1. Mix sweet potatoes, butter, cream, sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Add to crockpot.
  3. Add topping mixture on top.
  4. Cook on LOW 3–4 hours.

Tips

  • Add marshmallows after cooking.
  • Add maple syrup for depth.

10. Crockpot Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Why You’ll Love It

Low-carb and incredibly delicious.

Ingredients

  • 2 heads cauliflower, chopped
  • ½ cup cream
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese
  • 4 strips bacon, chopped
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • Salt + pepper

Instructions

  1. Add cauliflower + cream.
  2. Cook LOW 4 hours.
  3. Mash until smooth.
  4. Stir in cheese, bacon, butter.

Tips

  • Add chives.
  • Add roasted garlic.

11. Crockpot Cornbread Casserole

Why You’ll Love It

Soft, fluffy, warm — the perfect comfort side.

Ingredients

  • 1 box cornbread mix
  • 1 can creamed corn
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients.
  2. Add to crockpot.
  3. Cook LOW 3–4 hours.

Tips

  • Add jalapeños.
  • Add cheese.

12. Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Why You’ll Love It

Cheesy, melty, satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cups cheddar
  • ½ cup cream
  • ½ cup cream cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Add broccoli, cream, cream cheese.
  2. Cook LOW 4–5 hours.
  3. Stir in cheese.

Tips

  • Add bacon.
  • Add Monterey Jack for variety.

13. Crockpot Herb Butter Dinner Rolls

Why You’ll Love It

Warm, fluffy, buttery rolls that stay soft for hours? Yes, please. They’re the perfect thing to round out the Thanksgiving table — and you barely touch them.

Ingredients

  • 12 frozen dinner rolls (Rhodes-style)
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Place frozen rolls in a greased crockpot (leave space between them to rise).
  2. Mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, seasoning, and salt.
  3. Brush generously over each roll.
  4. Cover with a clean kitchen towel under the lid (helps reduce condensation).
  5. Cook on LOW 2–2.5 hours, until fluffy and fully cooked.
  6. Brush with additional butter mixture.

Tips

  • Sprinkle Parmesan on top for a cheesy finish.
  • If rolls brown too quickly, switch to “KEEP WARM” mode.
  • Add rosemary for a more festive aroma.

14. Crockpot Cheesy Brussels Sprouts

Why You’ll Love It

Brussels sprouts get a bad reputation, usually because someone boiled them into sadness. But when you slow-cook them with cream, cheese, and seasoning? They turn into cozy, rich perfection.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Brussels sprouts, halved
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • ½ cup Parmesan
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt + pepper
  • Optional: 4 slices bacon, cooked + crumbled

Instructions

  1. Add Brussels sprouts, cream, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Stir well to coat.
  3. Cook on LOW 4–5 hours.
  4. Add cheddar + Parmesan.
  5. Cook an additional 20–30 minutes.
  6. Stir in bacon before serving.

Tips

  • Add a squeeze of lemon for brightness.
  • Swap cheddar for Gruyère for a gourmet touch.
  • If sprouts release too much liquid, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes.

15. Crockpot Pumpkin Risotto

Why You’ll Love It

Risotto without stirring??? This is basically the reason slow cookers were invented. The pumpkin makes it seasonal and velvety — perfect for Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups arborio rice
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or ½ cup for lighter version)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 tsp sage
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • Salt + pepper
  • Optional: crispy sage or toasted walnuts

Instructions

  1. Add arborio rice, pumpkin puree, broth, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  2. Stir everything together.
  3. Cook on LOW 3–4 hours, stirring once halfway.
  4. When rice is tender, stir in heavy cream and Parmesan.
  5. Let sit 5–10 minutes on “KEEP WARM” to thicken.
  6. Garnish with crispy sage or toasted nuts.

Tips

  • Use less cream for a firmer risotto.
  • Add nutmeg for a warm holiday flavor.
  • Serve with roasted turkey or ham.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving doesn’t need to feel like a hectic cooking marathon — especially when your slow cooker is capable of handling half the side dishes for you. These 15 Thanksgiving crockpot side dishes keep the food warm, the oven free, and your stress level blissfully low. Plus, each dish comes out rich, flavorful, and holiday-ready without constant fussing.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, handling a potluck, or simply trying to keep your kitchen chaos-free, these slow-cooked favorites bring ease and comfort to your holiday table. Try a few this year and watch how much smoother Thanksgiving feels. And hey — never underestimate the power of a crockpot to save your holiday (and your sanity). 🙂

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