Thanksgiving is a time for togetherness, gratitude, and of course, delicious food! But let's be honest, spending hours in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying themselves isn't ideal. That's where the magic of the slow cooker comes in! These Thanksgiving crock pot recipes will allow you to enjoy the festivities and have a fantastic meal, all without the kitchen stress. Get ready to impress your guests with these easy, healthy, and incredibly flavorful dishes. These are perfect for quick dinner ideas or even a full Thanksgiving spread!
Creamy Crock Pot Turkey Breast
This recipe delivers a juicy, flavorful turkey breast with minimal effort, making it a star of your Thanksgiving homemade cooking.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 pound boneless, skinless turkey breast
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, sage, thyme, and garlic powder.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cranberry sauce, Dijon mustard, and olive oil.
- Place the turkey breast in your slow cooker. Pour the cranberry-mustard mixture over the turkey.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Cooking Tips:
- For extra flavor, add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme to the slow cooker.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, remove the turkey from the slow cooker and whisk together 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Stir this mixture into the cooking liquid and cook for another 15-20 minutes on low.
- This turkey breast is delicious served with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.
Sweet Potato Casserole (Crock-Pot Style!)
This classic Thanksgiving side dish gets a slow-cooker makeover, resulting in perfectly tender sweet potatoes with a delicious pecan crumble topping.
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- For the topping:
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions:
- Place the cubed sweet potatoes in your slow cooker.
- In a bowl, combine the brown sugar, melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour this mixture over the sweet potatoes.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the sweet potatoes are tender.
- While the sweet potatoes are cooking, prepare the topping: combine the chopped pecans, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter in a bowl.
- Once the sweet potatoes are cooked, stir them gently. Sprinkle the pecan topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.
- Cook on high for another 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Variations:
- Add a pinch of salt to the sweet potatoes for enhanced flavor.
- Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- Substitute marshmallows for the pecan topping for a classic sweet potato casserole twist.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving, Creamy Crock Pot Turkey Breast):
- Calories: 250-300
- Protein: 30-35g
- Fat: 10-15g
- Carbohydrates: 10-15g
These delicious and easy Thanksgiving crock pot recipes are sure to become your new holiday favorites. Enjoy the time with your loved ones, knowing that a fantastic meal is effortlessly taking shape! Happy Thanksgiving!