If the holiday season has you hurried and harried, turn to these easy set-and-forget dishes that rely on the magic of your slow cooker. With ideas for appetizers, beverages, main dishes and desserts, Christmas meal prep has never been so easy!
24 Easy Christmas Recipes You Can Make In Your Slow Cooker
1/24
Slow-Cooker Green Beans
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I spent hours in search of sides for a cooking demo to present to women from my church. These easy green beans became my star attraction. —Alice White, Willow Spring, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 143 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein.
2/24
Stuffing from the Slow Cooker
Total Time
3 hours 30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re looking for Christmas dinner ideas this year, add this simple slow-cooked stuffing to your menu to ease entertaining. The recipe comes in handy when you run out of oven space at large family gatherings. I use this Crockpot dressing recipe often. —Donald Seiler, Macon, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 178 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 635mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
3/24
Contest-Winning Braised Short Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
7 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been relying on this braised short ribs recipe ever since I bought my first slow cooker some 19 years ago. The fall-off-the-bone-tender entree is much appreciated on busy days. —Peggy Edwards, Heber City, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 281 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 547mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
4/24
Simple Vegetarian Slow-Cooked Beans
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I have a hungry family to feed, these tasty beans with spinach, tomatoes and carrots are a go-to dish. This veggie delight is frequently on our menu. —Jennifer Reid, Farmington, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 229 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 672mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 13g fiber), 12g protein.
5/24
Slow-Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Total Time
3 hours 25 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family's taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 505 calories, 36g fat (20g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 530mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein.
6/24
Slow-Cooker Spiced Mixed Nuts
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
What slow cookers do for soups and stews, they’ll do for mixed nuts, too. The scent of spices is delightful, and the nuts are delicious. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1/3 cup: 261 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 26mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
7/24
Vanilla Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To me, there is nothing better than a simple, elegant cheesecake where the vanilla takes center stage. And when I'm feeling decadent, I'll add the rich chocolate ganache topping. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 551 calories, 37g fat (21g saturated fat), 159mg cholesterol, 424mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
8/24
Peanut Clusters
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
There are a few recipes I absolutely have to pull out every Christmas, and this is one of them. The chocolate covered peanuts are so tasty.
9/24
Black-Eyed Peas
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I find that pork is the secret to a good black-eyed peas recipe. A double dose of ham for flavor and slow, gentle cooking creates this perfect side dish. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 359 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 788mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 14g fiber), 20g protein.
10/24
Mulled Wine
Total Time
45 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This mulled wine is soothing and satisfying with a delightful blend of spices warmed to perfection. Refrigerating the wine mixture overnight allows the flavors to blend, so don't omit this essential step. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 379 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (41g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
11/24
Meatballs and Gravy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Christmas was the time when our family forgot about the food budget and splurged on one special meal. I can still envision Grandmother making dozens of these little meatballs! The spices gives them a taste that makes them authentically Norwegian.
Nutrition Facts:
3 each: 302 calories, 18g fat (9g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 712mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.
12/24
Slow-Cooker Cran-Apple Chutney
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
My clan isn’t crazy for cranberries, but they can’t get enough of this delicious chutney. I recommend it for Thanksgiving as it tastes amazing paired with turkey, but it's also good on its own. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 103 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 0 protein.
13/24
Beef Roast with Cranberry Gravy
Total Time
7 hours 40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I can easily get this robust recipe ready in the morning and let it cook all day so that it's ready for dinner when I get home at night. The hearty beef dish is also good for the weekends when we want to spend time outdoors or on day trips.—Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounces cooked beef with 1/3 cup sauce: 501 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 147mg cholesterol, 896mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 45g protein.
14/24
Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears
Total Time
4 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Some of the many reasons I love this dessert recipe are: it's on the healthy side; it's easy to make; the recipe can be mostly prepared in advance of company arriving; and the presentation is lovely.—Jill Mant, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without whipped cream and blackberries): 295 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 8mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.
15/24
Warm Broccoli Cheese Dip
Total Time
2 hours 45 min
Servings
5.50 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
When my family gathers for a party, someone serves this flavorful, creamy dip. Everyone loves its zip from the jalapeno pepper and the crunch of the broccoli. —Barbara Maiol, Conyers, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 47 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 277mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
16/24
Maple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Topped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side is downright delicious. Even people who aren't into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New York
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 298 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein.
17/24
Maryland Crab Soup
Total Time
6 hours 35 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Try this hearty soup that incorporates the best of vegetable soup and flavorful crab. I break whole crabs and claws into pieces and drop them into the soup to cook, then serve it with saltine crackers and a cold beer. —Freelove Knott, Palm Bay, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 202 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 1111mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 7g fiber), 15g protein.
18/24
Cornish Hens with Potatoes
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This special slow-cooked dinner is delicious. I serve it with green beans and French bread. —Deborah Randall, Abbeville, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 995 calories, 67g fat (18g saturated fat), 369mg cholesterol, 367mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 66g protein.
19/24
Slow-Cooker Crab & Green Onion Dip
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy dip reminds me of my dad, who took us crabbing as kids. Our fingers were always tired after those excursions, but eating the fresh crab was worth it. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 167 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 324mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.
20/24
Crunchy Candy Clusters
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
about 6-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cereal and marshmallow clusters are so simple that I make them for the holidays each year, as my family looks forward to them. —Faye O'Bryan, Owensboro, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 112 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
21/24
Gingerbread Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The rich molasses and spice flavor of this old-time dessert is complemented with a buttery caramel sauce.—Joy Sparks, Muskegon, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 497 calories, 17g fat (11g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 353mg sodium, 83g carbohydrate (51g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
22/24
Slow Cooker Cheesy Corn
Total Time
3 hours 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family really likes this creamy, cheesy side dish—and it's so easy to make. Even those who usually don't eat much corn often ask for a second helping. —Mary Ann Truitt, Wichita, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 265 calories, 16g fat (9g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 227mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
23/24
Warm Christmas Punch
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Red Hot candies add rich color and spiciness to this festive punch, and the cranberry juice gives it a little tang. Our children always request it for December brunches. —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 161 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
24/24
Slow-Cooked Stuffed Apples
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This irresistible dessert is slow-cooker easy. Warm and comforting, the tender apples are filled with chewy pecans and yummy caramel topping. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 256 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 50mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 6g fiber), 1g protein.
