The 13 Best Christmas Crock Pot Dishes

Let your slow cooker make the holiday meal

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
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Updated on 11/14/19
Slow cooker cranberry orange relish

The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

Christmas dinner doesn't have to mean spending hours over a hot oven—not when you have a slow cooker to help you prepare the meal! These Christmas crockpot recipes are a great way to reduce the amount of time you spend in the kitchen during the holidays while still delivering an impressive meal.

We've included a number of fabulous options here for each course of your Christmas dinner, including starters, side dishes, mains, and desserts that will make your holiday table shine.

You can use multiple slow cookers borrowed from friends or family to pull off your crockpot Christmas meal. Or, you may wish to make some of the courses ahead of time and refrigerate them, then reheat in the oven when you're ready to serve.

  • 01 of 08

    Crock Pot Split Pea Soup

    Crock pot split pea soup

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Split pea soup is pure comfort food and for many, a favorite way to start the Christmas meal. This easy, affordable, stick-to-your-ribs soup is surprisingly easy to make at home. All you need is a slow cooker, a ham bone or ham hocks, peas, and a few vegetables.

  • 02 of 08

    Crock Pot Oyster Stew

    Crock pot oyster stew

    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic 

    Oyster stew is a traditional Christmas Eve recipe. This special-occasion bowl easily comes together in a crockpot, so you can wrap gifts, trim the Christmas tree, or just sit and relax while the slow cooker works its magic.

  • 03 of 08

    Simple Crock Pot Turkey Breast and Dressing

    Simple crock pot turkey with dressing

    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic 

    Yes, you can make delicious turkey and stuffing in your slow cooker! This perfect for Christmas (and Thanksgiving) all-in-one turkey and dressing meal requires only four ingredients, making it one of the simplest holiday recipes ever. Boneless turkey breast and prepared bread or cornbread stuffing mix are combined with chicken broth, a bit of butter, and optional gravy, to create a one-pot entree.

  • 04 of 08

    Slow Cooker Chicken or Turkey Pie

    Slow cooker chicken or turkey pie

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck 

    Chicken or turkey pie makes a beautiful addition to your holiday dinner table. This homey recipe uses a slow cooker to prepare the filling for a traditional savory pie. Then, you bake the filling in a store-bought refrigerated pie crust for an impressive looking entree.

    Continue to 5 of 8 below
  • 05 of 08

    Crock Pot Turkey Thighs With White Wine and Garlic

    Crock pot turkey with garlic

    The Spruce 

    Add this simple, yet tasty turkey with white wine and garlic to your list of crockpot favorites for the holidays and beyond. White wine, garlic, and fresh parsley help turn succulent thighs into an elegant entree.

  • 06 of 08

    Slow Cooker Parmesan Ricotta Polenta

    Cooked polenta with butter and parmesan cheese in aluminum
    Parmesan-Ricotta Polenta.

    Violeta Pasat / Getty Images

    Polenta makes a wonderful accompaniment to saucy braised meats, such as slow cooker brisket or braised pork. In this luxurious-feeling recipe, creamy ricotta cheese adds richness without a lot of fat, while Parmesan cheese gives it depth and complexity.

  • 07 of 08

    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes With Ham

    Slow cooker scalloped potatoes with ham

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Savory scalloped potatoes are a fantastic side dish for turkey or brisket. These creamy, cheesy spuds are prepared in the slow cooker with mushrooms and ham, which makes them especially convenient when you've got other dishes taking up space in your oven.

  • 08 of 08

    Crock Pot Broccoli Casserole

    Crock pot broccoli casserole

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Cheesy broccoli casserole makes a great side dish for your Christmas table. Combine broccoli, condensed cream soup, cheese, and a buttery cracker crumb topping right into your slow cooker and let it do all the work.