25 Crockpot Christmas Recipes to Feed a Crowd

Hosting Christmas this year? These 25 crockpot Christmas recipes feed a crowd with almost no stress, from cranberry turkey breast and brisket to creamy sides, warm dips, hot chocolate and easy desserts.

Holiday cooking is a lot easier when the slow cooker does half the work. While the crockpots handle the main, the sides and the drinks, your oven stays free and you actually get to enjoy your guests.

For more holiday party ideas, check out these Christmas appetizers for your party.

This list covers mains, sides, appetizers, drinks and desserts, so you can plan a whole Christmas menu around a few crockpots.

Feeding a big group? These crockpot party food ideas are great too.

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CROCKPOT CHRISTMAS RECIPES FOR A CROWD

🍗 Crockpot Christmas Mains

Hearty centerpieces that cook while you get ready.

1. Crockpot Cranberry Turkey Breast

A juicy bone-in turkey breast slow cooked with cranberry sauce and onion soup mix. It’s the easiest holiday main when the oven is already full.

Check it with a thermometer. It’s done at 165°F, and every crockpot runs a little different.

Ingredients:

• 6 to 7 lb bone-in turkey breast
• 1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Rub the turkey with butter, salt and pepper and place it in a 7-quart crockpot.
2. Mix the cranberry sauce, soup mix and orange juice and spoon over the top.
3. Cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours until it reaches 165°F.
4. Rest 15 minutes, slice and spoon the cranberry juices over.

2. Crockpot Tuscan Garlic Chicken (32g Protein)

Chicken thighs in a creamy garlic sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Serve it over pasta or mashed potatoes for a cozy holiday dinner.

Stir the spinach in at the end so it stays bright green.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs boneless chicken thighs
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• 3 cups baby spinach

Instructions:

1. Add the chicken, garlic, broth and Italian seasoning to the crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW 5 to 6 hours.
3. Stir in the cream cheese, parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes until melted.
4. Add the spinach and cook 10 more minutes.

3. Crockpot Beef Brisket with Onion Gravy

Tender beef brisket cooked on a bed of onions that melt into a rich, slightly sweet gravy. It slices beautifully for a crowd.

Slice against the grain for the most tender pieces.

Ingredients:

• 4 lb beef brisket
• 3 onions, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

1. Season the brisket with salt and pepper and sear on both sides.
2. Layer the onions and garlic in the crockpot and set the brisket on top.
3. Mix the broth, vinegar, sugar and Worcestershire and pour over.
4. Cook on LOW 9 to 10 hours.
5. Slice the beef, then thicken the juices with cornstarch for gravy.

4. Crockpot Honey Garlic Beef with Potatoes

Chunks of beef, baby potatoes and carrots in a sticky honey garlic sauce. A complete one-pot dinner that feeds everyone.

Put the potatoes on the bottom so they cook evenly in the juices.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs beef chuck, cubed
• 2 lbs baby potatoes
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Add the potatoes and carrots to the crockpot.
2. Top with the beef.
3. Whisk the honey, soy sauce, garlic and broth and pour over.
4. Cook on LOW 8 hours, then thicken the sauce with cornstarch mixed with water.

5. Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing with Green Beans (30g Protein)

Chicken, stuffing and green beans cook together in a creamy sauce. It tastes like a holiday dinner in one pot.

Add the stuffing on top so it soaks up the sauce without getting mushy.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs boneless chicken breasts
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 box (6 oz) stuffing mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 cups green beans

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken in the crockpot and cover with the soup and sour cream.
2. Add the green beans around the sides.
3. Mix the stuffing with butter and broth and spread on top.
4. Cook on LOW 6 hours.

6. Crockpot Cranberry Jalapeño Swedish Meatballs

All-beef meatballs in a creamy Swedish sauce with a sweet cranberry and jalapeño twist. Great as a main or an appetizer.

Check the meatball bag says all-beef.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs frozen all-beef meatballs
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 jalapeño, finely diced
• 1/4 tsp allspice

Instructions:

1. Add the meatballs to the crockpot.
2. Whisk the soup, broth, cranberry sauce, jalapeño and allspice and pour over.
3. Cook on LOW 4 hours.
4. Stir in the sour cream and cook 15 more minutes.

🥔 Crockpot Christmas Sides

Classic holiday sides that free up the oven.

7. Christmas Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Creamy mashed potatoes made right in the slow cooker so your stovetop stays free for gravy.

Keep them on WARM and stir in a splash of milk every hour.

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup butter
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt and pepper
• Chives

Instructions:

1. Add the potatoes, garlic and broth to the crockpot.
2. Cook on HIGH 4 hours until very tender.
3. Mash with butter, cream cheese and milk.
4. Season and top with chives.

8. Crockpot Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows

Buttery mashed sweet potatoes topped with toasty marshmallows. The holiday side kids always go for first.

Add the marshmallows in the last 30 minutes so they puff but don’t melt away.

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups mini marshmallows

Instructions:

1. Add the sweet potatoes to a greased crockpot.
2. Cook on HIGH 4 hours until soft.
3. Mash with butter, sugar, spices and milk.
4. Top with marshmallows and cook 30 minutes covered.

9. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

Creamy green beans topped with crispy fried onions. The classic Christmas side, made without using the oven.

Add half the fried onions at the end so the top stays crunchy.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs frozen cut green beans
• 2 cans (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 cups fried onions

Instructions:

1. Mix the soup, milk and garlic powder in the crockpot.
2. Stir in the green beans, cheese and half the onions.
3. Cook on LOW 4 hours.
4. Top with remaining onions before serving.

10. Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole

Cheesy, creamy hashbrown casserole like the famous restaurant version. It feeds a crowd and holds well on warm.

Thaw the hashbrowns first so they cook evenly.

Ingredients:

• 30 oz frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 onion, diced
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix everything in a greased crockpot, saving some cheese.
2. Top with the rest of the cheese.
3. Cook on LOW 4 to 5 hours.
4. Keep on WARM to serve.

11. Crockpot Creamed Corn

Sweet corn in a rich cream cheese and butter sauce. It’s simple, creamy and always gets scraped clean.

Stir once halfway so the cream cheese melts evenly.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs frozen corn
• 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Add the corn to the crockpot.
2. Top with cream cheese, butter, milk and sugar.
3. Cook on LOW 4 hours, stirring halfway.
4. Season and serve.

12. Crockpot Honey Maple Glazed Carrots

Tender carrots in a buttery honey and maple glaze. A bright, colorful side for the holiday table.

Use baby carrots to skip the peeling.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs baby carrots
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Parsley

Instructions:

1. Add the carrots to the crockpot.
2. Melt the butter with honey, maple and cinnamon and pour over.
3. Cook on LOW 6 hours or HIGH 3 hours.
4. Toss and top with parsley.

13. Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Extra creamy mac and cheese that stays soft for hours. Every Christmas buffet needs one.

Use freshly shredded cheese so it melts smoothly.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked
• 4 cups shredded cheddar
• 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 4 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Add the macaroni and butter to the crockpot.
2. Stir in the cheese and milks.
3. Cook on LOW 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Season and serve.

14. Crockpot Stuffing

Herby, buttery stuffing with crispy edges, made in the slow cooker to save oven space.

Use day-old bread cubes so the stuffing doesn’t turn mushy.

Ingredients:

• 12 cups dried bread cubes
• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups diced celery
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1 tsp sage
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 2 eggs

Instructions:

1. Cook the celery and onion in butter until soft.
2. Toss with the bread and seasonings.
3. Whisk the broth and eggs and pour over.
4. Cook in a greased crockpot on LOW 4 hours.

🧀 Crockpot Holiday Dips and Appetizers

Warm, cheesy dips for guests to snack on.

15. Slow Cooker Crab Dip

Warm, cheesy crab dip with a little Old Bay. It feels fancy for Christmas but takes 5 minutes to prep.

Serve with crackers, toasted baguette and celery sticks.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz lump crab meat
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup parmesan
• 1 tsp Old Bay
• 2 green onions

Instructions:

1. Mix everything except the crab in the crockpot.
2. Fold in the crab gently.
3. Cook on LOW 2 hours, stirring once.
4. Keep on WARM and serve.

16. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip

Creamy, cheesy and always popular. Set it out with chips and bread and let guests help themselves.

Squeeze the spinach really dry so the dip stays thick.

Ingredients:

• 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, chopped
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella
• 1/2 cup parmesan
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 cloves garlic

Instructions:

1. Add everything to the crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW 2 hours.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. Keep on WARM.

17. Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Creamy and spicy, this dip is the first thing to disappear at any holiday party.

Serve with celery, carrots and tortilla chips.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1 1/2 cups cheddar

Instructions:

1. Add everything to the crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW 2 to 3 hours.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. Keep on WARM.

☕ Crockpot Drinks and Desserts

Cozy drinks and sweet treats to finish the night.

18. Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy hot chocolate with a cool peppermint finish. Set out candy canes and whipped cream for a cocoa bar.

Whisk well before serving since the chocolate settles.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups whole milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• Crushed candy canes and whipped cream

Instructions:

1. Add the milk, cream, condensed milk and chocolate chips to the crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW 2 hours, whisking every 30 minutes.
3. Stir in the peppermint extract.
4. Ladle into mugs and top.

19. Crockpot Hot Apple Cider

Warm spiced cider that fills the house with the smell of Christmas and serves itself all evening.

Tie the spices in cheesecloth so they’re easy to remove.

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon apple cider
• 1 orange, sliced
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 tsp allspice berries
• 2 tbsp brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Add everything to the crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW 3 to 4 hours.
3. Remove the spices.
4. Keep on WARM and ladle into mugs.

20. Crockpot Gingerbread Cake

A soft, moist gingerbread cake baked right in the slow cooker. Serve it warm with whipped cream.

Lay paper towels under the lid to stop condensation dripping onto the cake.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 cup hot water

Instructions:

1. Line the crockpot with parchment.
2. Mix the dry ingredients.
3. Whisk the butter, sugar, molasses, egg and water and combine.
4. Pour in and cook on HIGH 2 to 2 1/2 hours with paper towels under the lid.

21. Crockpot Bread Pudding

Soft, custardy bread pudding with cinnamon and raisins. Five minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest.

Brioche or challah gives the richest texture.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups cubed brioche or French bread
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup raisins

Instructions:

1. Place the bread and raisins in a greased crockpot.
2. Whisk the eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.
3. Pour over and press the bread down.
4. Cook on LOW 3 hours until set.

22. Crockpot Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

Cherry pie filling and crushed pineapple under a buttery cake topping. Four ingredients and so easy.

Don’t stir. The layers are what make it work.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Spread the pineapple and cherry filling in the crockpot.
2. Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the top.
3. Drizzle with melted butter.
4. Cook on HIGH 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

23. Slow Cooker Chocolate Cherry Lava Cake

Rich chocolate cake with gooey cherry sauce underneath. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

It should look slightly underdone in the center. That’s the lava.

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix plus ingredients
• 1 can (21 oz) cherry pie filling
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• Vanilla ice cream

Instructions:

1. Spread the cherry filling in a greased crockpot.
2. Prepare the cake batter and pour over.
3. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
4. Cook on HIGH 2 1/2 hours and serve warm.

24. Crockpot Christmas Candy

Chocolate peanut clusters made in the slow cooker. A huge batch perfect for gift tins.

Don’t stir until the 2 hours are up.

Ingredients:

• 16 oz salted peanuts
• 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 24 oz white almond bark
• Christmas sprinkles

Instructions:

1. Layer the peanuts, chocolate chips and almond bark in the crockpot.
2. Cook on LOW 2 hours.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. Drop onto parchment and add sprinkles.

25. Crockpot Caramel Pecan Turtles

Chocolate, caramel and pecan turtle candies made easy in the slow cooker. They look bakery-made.

Toast the pecans first for a deeper flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups pecan halves, toasted
• 1 bag (11 oz) caramels
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• 12 oz chocolate chips
• Flaky salt

Instructions:

1. Melt the caramels and cream in the crockpot on LOW for 1 hour.
2. Stir in the pecans and drop spoonfuls on parchment.
3. Melt the chocolate and spoon over each one.
4. Sprinkle with salt and let set.

Pick a main, two sides, a dip and a dessert, and your whole Christmas menu is handled by the crockpots.