7 Tips for Using Your Slow Cooker at Thanksgiving

1. Thaw turkey completely before adding it to the slow cooker.

2. Get a head start by preheating your slow cooker.

3. Add only a tiny bit of alcohol.

4. Use a baking dish in the slow cooker to scale down a recipe.

5. Make slow cooker recipes pop with fresh herbs or something acidic.

6. Keep big-batch drinks warm.

7. Divide your slow cooker in half to heat two things at once.

Essential Thanksgiving Slow Cooker Recipes

The Turkey (and Beyond)

• How To Make Tender, Juicy Turkey Breast in the Slow Cooker: Your slow cooker is just the right size for a turkey breast, and the results are the most delicious you've ever tasted. Rubbed with a rich herb butter, this lean cut cooks up tender and juicy. A quick flash under the broiler is all it takes to crisp the skin.
• Slow Cooker Smoky BBQ Turkey Breast: If your goal this Thanksgiving is to step away from the traditional turkey and sides for a simple meal with a bold, flavor-packed twist, you're going to want to pull out your slow cooker and your favorite BBQ sauce.
• How To Make Honey-Glazed Ham in the Slow Cooker: Whether you're not a fan of turkey or you want to expand your Thanksgiving spread, honey-glazed ham is a great addition. And since most holiday hams come fully baked, all you have to do is load it into the slow cooker in the morning to have it ready in time for dinner.

The Side Dishes

• How To Make Thanksgiving Stuffing in a Slow Cooker: When space on the stovetop is tight, turn to your slow cooker to get this Thanksgiving essential on the table. Made in the slow cooker, this classic onion and sage stuffing has plenty of those irresistible crisp, toasty edges with a center that's soft and tender.
• How To Make Mashed Potatoes in the Slow Cooker: When the slow cooker is involved, an ultra-comforting batch of mashed potatoes does not get any easier. It helps every step of the way, from simmering the potatoes until they're tender to keeping the mash warm before dinner.
• Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce: While cranberry sauce isn't tricky or too time-consuming to prepare, I love making it in the slow cooker because it takes one thing off my to-do list, and for that I am grateful. It's a dump-and-go recipe that couldn't be easier to make.
• Slow Cooker Corn Pudding: Here is how to use your slow cooker to bring a side of corn to the table that everyone will love. This version of corn pudding is creamy, soft, and tender. It's also a lighter option among a sea of heavier sides.
• How To Make Creamed Corn in the Slow Cooker: There are two things I love about making this classic dish in the slow cooker for Thanksgiving. Not only does it free up a burner on the stovetop, but the longer cook time also means those sweet kernels have more time to simmer in their buttery bath.
• Slow Cooker Maple-Glazed Squash: Sweet and savory glazed winter squash might be the new side your holiday table needs. You can use almost any kind of winter squash for this recipe, although a round squash like kabocha is easiest to work with, since you don't have to remove the skin and the pieces fit nicely in the flat bottom of the cooker.
• How To Cook Collard Greens in the Slow Cooker: Last year I learned for the first time just what a lovely addition smoky braised collard greens make to a Thanksgiving spread. Now, they're a regular addition to my traditional menu. These sturdy greens benefit from the gentle low, slow cooking the slow cooker is apt at providing.

Appetizers and Drinks

• Slow Cooker Spinach-Artichoke Dip: Warm spinach-artichoke dip is always a party favorite, and when the slow cooker is involved it's a stir-and-heat affair that comes together in a snap.
• Thanksgiving Chex Mix: For a festive spin on the classic party mix, this version has some warming spices, pumpkin seeds, and sweet cranberries.
• Slow Cooker Spiked Mulled Cider: Warm spiced cider is right at home in any Thanksgiving spread. Make it family friendly or spike it with your choice of bourbon, brandy, or dark rum.