Simple Crock-Pot Recipe Ideas For Thanksgiving

Preparing a big meal for any holiday means big responsibility and, sometimes, a big mess. Between the prep work and the clean up, cooking for friends and family — although a wonderful experience — can be a huge headache. That's why this year, you should try some Thanksgiving Crock-Pot ideas that are help take the hassle out of the holiday.

When it comes to cookware, Crock-Pots are about as versatile and easy as it gets. Capable of creating everything from savory soups to delicious desserts to full-blown meals all in one pot, slow-cookers make cooking easier and a whole lot less messy — two things every chef can appreciate on a day as hectic as Thanksgiving. Whether you're making a million side dishes, preparing different desserts, or concocting the perfect holiday cocktail, your Crock-Pot can help you get everything on your cooking to-do list done simply, quickly, and as easily as setting it and forgetting it.

Save space on your stove top and open up your oven by trying one of these 15 Thanksgiving Crock-Pot ideas designed to make your holiday simpler and less stressful, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time relaxing with loved ones this holiday.

1. Cranberry Orange Meatballs

Looking for a simple seasonal app that everyone will love? Look no further than Mom On Time Out's cranberry orange meatballs. Made with sweet orange marmalade and cranberry sauce, this easy recipe is bursting with all the holiday flavors you want at your Thanksgiving feast.

2. Plum Applesauce

A Thanksgiving meal is only as good as its sides, so any feast featuring Fo Reals Life's easy plum applesauce is bound be be out of this world. Served warm, this unique sweet and tart dish will compliment all the fall flavors of your traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

3. Spiced Cranberry Chutney

Move over, canned cranberry, because there's a new dish in town: Mom On Time Out's spiced cranberry chutney. Refreshingly tart and perfectly seasonal, this simple slow-cooker recipe will become one of your holiday staples.

4. Perfect Potatoes

There are a million ways to prep potatoes, but Fo Reals Life recipe says it all in the title: they're perfect. Tender, flavorful, and, most importantly, super easy to make, this Crock-Pot dish will make prepping your Thanksgiving side dishes a breeze.

5. Mashed Potatoes

Prefer your potatoes mashed? Have no fear, The Kitchn's Crock-Pot recipe can help you create a creamy, delicious dish without worry about taking up too much space on the stove.

6. Sweet Potato Stuffing

Just like potatoes, there are a million ways to make stuffing for Thanksgiving — but you can't go wrong with Whitney Bond's sweet potato version. Easy to make in the slow cooker, it's loaded with all of fall's best flavors: sweet potato, garlic, sage, and celery.

7. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Every Thanksgiving spread has to have with it plenty of vegetable dishes to balance out all of the starchy sides. Include in yours Damn Delicious's balsamic brussels sprouts, a fresh and flavorful veggie dish that will have people going back to the crock pot for seconds.

8. Five-Ingredient Creamed Corn

When it comes to Thanksgiving recipes, less is more — especially when you're responsible for cooking a dozen different dishes. Foodie Crush's five-ingredient creamed corn recipe understands that, and offers you a delicious side dish with both minimal effort and minimal ingredients involved.

9. Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes

It isn't Thanksgiving without some sweet potatoes, but man, are those little guys a pain to cook! Luckily, Fo Reals Life has perfected a slow-cooker method that produces perfect results every time, so you can serve sweet potatoes straight out of the Crock-Pot or turn them into the classic casserole just like that.

10. Citrus And Herb Turkey

When I said crock-pots can cook anything, I did mean anything, including the main Thanksgiving event. With Mom On Time Out's citrus and herb turkey, you don't have to worry about basting or burning your bird. All you have to worry about is enjoying a deliciously moist meal with your loved ones.

11. Mulled Cider

With so much delicious food on the table, you're going to need an equally delicious drink to wash it all down with. That's where The Kitchn's mulled cider recipe comes in. Warm and aromatic, this perfect beverage will fill your home (and your belly) with the flavors of fall.

12. Pumpkin French Toast

Want to do something a little different this Thanksgiving? Have a holiday brunch with Damn Delicious's pumpkin french toast, an easy to make and even easier to eat Crock-Pot recipe that stands out from all the rest.

13. Pumpkin Pie Cake

Is it really the holidays without a pumpkin pie? Switch things up this year by passing on the normal version and trying Mom On Time Out's pumpkin pie cake, a moist, spicy alternative to the traditional dish.

14. Slow-Cooker Apple Crisp

If there is anything more delicious and nostalgic than warm apples on the holidays, I'm yet to find it. Brighten up your thanksgiving with the mouthwatering flavors of The Kitchn's slow-cooker apple crisp, a sweet and gooey dessert everyone will love.

15. Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirled Brownies

Because you can never have too much pumpkin at Thanksgiving, consider adding Whitney Bond's pumpkin cheesecake swirled brownies to your dessert spread this year. An easy, mess-free dish that is served up warm out of the Crock-Pot, these seasonal chocolate treats just might become a new tradition.

Images: Fo Reals Life (3); The Kitchn (3); Mom On Timeout (5); Whitney Bond (2); Foodie Crush