The holidays are a time for togetherness, laughter, and of course, delicious food! Hosting or attending a Christmas potluck can be a breeze with these easy and impressive slow cooker recipes. Forget spending hours in the kitchen – these recipes let you enjoy the festivities while your slow cooker works its magic, creating heartwarming and flavorful dishes perfect for sharing. Let's dive into some festive and easy slow cooker recipes that are sure to be a hit at your Christmas gathering.
Cranberry-Glazed Ham with Honey-Mustard Glaze
This show-stopping ham is surprisingly simple to make in your slow cooker, leaving you with tender, juicy meat and a sweet and savory glaze that everyone will love. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any Christmas potluck, making it one of the best recipes for holiday entertaining.
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
Yields: 8-10 servings
Ingredients:
- 4-5 lb bone-in ham, spiral-sliced
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions:
- Place the ham in the slow cooker.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, honey, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, cloves, and cinnamon.
- Pour the glaze evenly over the ham.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until the ham is heated through and the glaze is bubbly.
- Let the ham rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tip: For extra flavor, score the ham before glazing.
Creamy Sausage and White Bean Slow Cooker Chili
This hearty and flavorful chili is perfect for a chilly Christmas evening. The combination of sausage, white beans, and spices creates a rich and satisfying dish that's sure to warm you from the inside out. It's a quick dinner idea that's also a healthy meal option.
Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high
Yields: 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Brown the sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Transfer the sausage to the slow cooker.
- Add the onion and garlic to the slow cooker and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, cannellini beans, chicken broth, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, or until heated through and the flavors have melded.
Tip: Add a splash of heavy cream at the end for extra richness. This is one of those delicious dishes that tastes even better the next day!
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble (Slow Cooker Version)
This classic holiday side dish gets a slow-cooker makeover, resulting in a creamy and comforting casserole with a crunchy pecan topping. It’s a healthy meal option, perfect for those looking for lighter sides alongside richer Christmas fare.
Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 3-4 hours on low
Yields: 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions:
- Combine the sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and nutmeg in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- While the sweet potatoes are cooking, prepare the pecan crumble: combine the chopped pecans, flour, brown sugar, and melted butter in a small bowl.
- Mash the cooked sweet potatoes with a potato masher or fork.
- Stir in the pecan crumble.
- Serve warm.
Tip: For a richer flavor, use maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
These easy recipes are sure to impress your guests and allow you to enjoy the Christmas festivities to the fullest. Happy cooking, and Merry Christmas!