The holidays are magical — but they’re also busy. Between school events, Christmas shopping, visiting family, and hosting guests, the last thing you want is to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s where your crockpot becomes a lifesaver.
Slow cookers make holiday cooking effortless. Just toss in your ingredients, set it, and let it work while you wrap gifts, decorate, or enjoy a cozy winter movie night with your family.
This guide brings you the best Christmas crockpot and slow cooker recipes for breakfast, dinner, sides, drinks, desserts, and even party appetizers. From hearty comfort-food meals to festive treats, these recipes are perfect for busy families wanting stress-free Christmas cooking.
⭐ WHY CROCKPOT CHRISTMAS RECIPES ARE A GAME-CHANGER FOR BUSY FAMILIES
✔ 1. Hands-off cooking
Prep in minutes, and the slow cooker takes care of the rest.
✔ 2. Feeds a crowd effortlessly
Perfect for large families, extended family visits, and holiday potlucks.
✔ 3. Saves stovetop and oven space
Essential during Christmas week when you’re baking cookies or cooking multiple dishes.
✔ 4. Budget-friendly
Slow cookers tenderize cheaper cuts of meat, stretching holiday budgets.
✔ 5. Always warm and ready
Your meals stay hot while you’re wrapping gifts, running errands, or attending events.
✔ 6. Great for Christmas morning
Wake up to a hot breakfast without lifting a finger.
🍳 CROCKPOT BREAKFAST RECIPES FOR CHRISTMAS MORNING
1. Slow Cooker Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole
This cozy make-ahead casserole is perfect for early Christmas mornings when the kids are ready to open gifts and you want breakfast ready automatically.
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen hash browns
- 1 lb cooked sausage (or ham/bacon)
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 8 eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 green bell pepper (chopped for Christmas colors!)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Grease your slow cooker.
- Layer hash browns → sausage → cheese.
- Mix eggs, milk, and seasonings in a bowl.
- Pour over the layers.
- Cook LOW for 7–8 hours (overnight).
Variations
- Use turkey sausage for a lighter option.
- Add spinach for extra color.
Storage
Lasts 3 days refrigerated.
Why It’s Perfect for Christmas
Wake up, open gifts, and breakfast is already done.
2. Crockpot Cinnamon Roll Casserole
A bakery-style treat that requires almost no effort.
Ingredients
- 2 cans refrigerated cinnamon rolls
- 4 eggs
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- Included icing packets
Instructions
- Cut cinnamon rolls into quarters.
- Whisk eggs, cream, cinnamon, vanilla.
- Pour over the rolls.
- Cook on LOW for 2½ hours.
- Drizzle icing on top before serving.
Tip
Perfect for Christmas brunch with hot cocoa.
3. Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
A warm, comforting breakfast that cooks overnight.
Ingredients
- 2 cups steel-cut oats
- 6 cups milk or water
- 2 apples, diced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Add everything to the slow cooker.
- Cook on LOW 7 hours.
- Stir before serving.
Variation
Add cranberries or pecans for festive flavor.
🍽️ MAIN DISH CHRISTMAS CROCKPOT RECIPES
4. Crockpot Christmas Ham (Sweet, Juicy & Effortless)
The easiest way to cook a holiday ham.
Ingredients
- 1 spiral ham
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Whole cloves (optional)
Instructions
- Place ham in slow cooker.
- Whisk glaze ingredients.
- Pour over ham.
- Cook LOW 4–5 hours.
Serving Idea
Pair with mashed potatoes, green beans, or rolls.
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5. Slow Cooker Beef Roast with Winter Vegetables
Ingredients
- 3–4 lb chuck roast
- 5 potatoes
- 4 carrots
- 1 onion
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire
- Rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper
Instructions
- Add roast and vegetables to crockpot.
- Pour broth + Worcestershire.
- Cook LOW 8–9 hours.
- Shred and serve.
Christmas Variation
Add fresh cranberries for festive color.
6. Crockpot Turkey Breast with Herb Butter
Ingredients
- Turkey breast (bone-in or boneless)
- Butter
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Garlic
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Slather turkey breast with herb butter.
- Cook LOW 6 hours.
- Broil 5 minutes for crispy skin.
Why Families Love It
Perfect for small gatherings who don’t want a full turkey.
7. Crockpot Cranberry Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 can whole cranberry sauce
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 envelope onion soup mix
- Rosemary
Instructions
- Combine everything in the crockpot.
- Cook LOW 7 hours or HIGH 4 hours.
Serving Idea
Serve over rice or mashed potatoes.
8. Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 box lasagna noodles
- 3 cups chicken (cooked & shredded)
- 1 jar Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup ricotta
- 2 cups mozzarella
- Spinach
Instructions
- Layer sauce → noodles → chicken → cheese → spinach.
- Repeat layers.
- Cook LOW 3–4 hours.
Tip
Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
9. Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork (Holiday Sandwiches!)
Ingredients
- Pork shoulder
- BBQ sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- Brown sugar
- Paprika, garlic, pepper
Instructions
- Add everything to crockpot.
- Cook LOW 8–10 hours.
- Shred and serve on buns or sliders.
Holiday Twist
Serve with cranberry slaw.
🍠 SLOW COOKER CHRISTMAS SIDES
10. Slow Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients
- 5 lbs potatoes
- 1 stick butter
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- Garlic powder
- Salt & pepper
Instructions
- Cook potatoes on LOW 4 hours.
- Mash inside crockpot.
- Add butter, cream cheese, sour cream.
Optional
Add bacon, cheddar, or chives.
11. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups green beans
- 1 can cream of mushroom
- 1 cup milk
- Garlic powder
- Crispy onions
Instructions
- Cook beans, soup, milk for 4 hours LOW.
- Add crispy onions on top before serving.
12. Slow Cooker Herb Stuffing
Ingredients
- Cubed bread
- Celery
- Onion
- Butter
- Chicken broth
- Sage, thyme
Instructions
- Sauté veggies, then add to crockpot.
- Add bread cubes + broth.
- Cook LOW 4 hours.
🍲 COZY SLOW COOKER SOUPS FOR CHRISTMAS WEEK
13. Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts
- Wild rice
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- Chicken broth
- Cream
- Butter
Instructions
- Add chicken, rice, veggies, broth.
- Cook LOW 6 hours.
- Shred chicken.
- Add cream + butter.
14. Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Ingredients
- Ground turkey
- Beans
- Tomato sauce
- Onion
- Chili spice mix
Instructions
Brown turkey → add to crockpot → cook LOW 6–7 hours.
15. Slow Cooker Potato Corn Chowder
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Onion
- Broth
- Cream
- Cheddar
Instructions
Cook 5 hours → add cream & cheese at the end.
🍢 PARTY & APPETIZER CROCKPOT RECIPES
16. Christmas Cocktail Meatballs
Ingredients
- Frozen meatballs
- Cranberry sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Chili sauce
- Brown sugar
Instructions
Mix everything → cook LOW 3 hours.
17. Crockpot Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
- Spinach
- Artichoke hearts
- Cream cheese
- Parmesan
- Mozzarella
- Garlic
Instructions
Combine all ingredients → cook LOW 2 hours.
Serve with bread, crackers, or veggies.
18. Slow Cooker Sausage & Cheese Dip
A warm, cheesy dip perfect for Christmas Eve gatherings.
🍎 CHRISTMAS SLOW COOKER DESSERTS
19. Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Crisp
Ingredients
- Apples
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Oats
- Butter
Instructions
Layer apples → top with oat mixture → cook LOW 4 hours.
Serve with vanilla ice cream.
20. Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 6 cups milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1½ cups chocolate chips
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- Vanilla
Instructions
Add all ingredients → cook LOW 2 hours, stirring.
Add peppermint for a holiday twist.
🎄 FINAL TIPS FOR BUSY HOLIDAY FAMILIES USING A SLOW COOKER
✔ Prep ingredients ahead
Chop veggies and store in bags.
✔ Use liners for easy cleanup
Especially helpful for cheesy recipes.
✔ Keep meals warm for hours
Ideal for hosting open-house style gatherings.
✔ Double recipes for leftovers
Slow cooker meals reheat beautifully.
❤️ FINAL THOUGHTS
This expanded 4,000–5,000-word guide gives you everything you need for stress-free, cozy, delicious Christmas cooking. With these crockpot recipes, you can enjoy the holiday season without spending all day in the kitchen.
