25 Christmas Crockpot Recipes for Easy Holidays

Christmas crockpot recipes are the reason my holiday cooking feels so much calmer.

When the oven is full and the stove is crowded, the slow cooker quietly handles the sides, snacks, drinks, and even dessert, so I can actually enjoy the day with my family.

I love how many things a slow cooker can do at Christmas, from a juicy ham or turkey breast to creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing, and a big pot of hot chocolate for everyone.

Here are 25 easy Christmas crockpot recipes, from pot roast and pulled pork to appetizers, sweet treats, and cozy drinks.

Some are perfect for a big Christmas dinner, and others are great for parties, cookie swaps, and busy December nights.

Set it, forget it, and spend more time with the people you love!

#1 Slow Cooker Pot Roast

A pot roast is the kind of cozy main dish that feels right at home on a Christmas table. The beef is seared first, then slow cooked with vegetables until it’s fall-apart tender, and the long, slow cooking fills the whole house with a wonderful smell.

It cooks for about 8 hours on low, so it’s easy to start in the morning. Everything cooks in one pot, with plenty of juices left over to make gravy.

Why I love it: A complete holiday dinner in one pot.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

#2 Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a must at Christmas dinner, and making them in the slow cooker frees up your stove and oven for everything else. They finish rich and creamy, with plenty of butter and cream.

Switch the slow cooker to warm and they stay hot until you’re ready to serve, which takes a lot of stress out of a big meal.

Why I love it: Creamy potatoes that keep warm while you finish dinner.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

#3 Honey Glazed Crockpot Chex Mix

This honey glazed Chex mix is a sweet and salty snack made right in the slow cooker. A buttery honey glaze coats the crunchy mix and hardens as it cools.

It makes a big batch, so it’s great for a holiday party. Set the slow cooker to warm so guests can enjoy it warm, or serve it cold.

Why I love it: A big batch of sweet and salty crunch for a crowd.

Get the recipe: Honey Glazed Crockpot Chex Mix

#4 Crockpot Spiral Ham

A spiral ham is the easiest way to feed a crowd at Christmas. It cooks in the slow cooker in a sweet and tangy glaze, and since it’s already sliced, serving is a breeze.

It takes only 5 minutes of prep and frees up your oven, and the leftovers are great for soups, breakfast dishes, and sandwiches.

Why I love it: A juicy holiday ham without taking up oven space.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Spiral Ham

#5 Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing

This sausage stuffing is savory and comforting, with all the herb flavors you expect from a classic holiday side.

Cooking it in the slow cooker keeps it moist and saves precious oven space on a busy day, and it only needs about an hour and a half.

Why I love it: Classic stuffing flavor, made in the slow cooker.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing

#6 Crockpot Candy Clusters

These crockpot candy clusters are a no-fuss holiday treat. Peanuts and chocolate melt together in the slow cooker, and you simply scoop them into clusters.

The recipe makes about 80 pieces, so it’s great for cookie trays, neighbor gifts, and parties.

Why I love it: An easy sweet treat that needs no oven.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Candy Clusters

#7 Crockpot Sweet Potatoes

This crockpot sweet potato casserole is creamy and sweet, with a crunchy pecan topping and a few marshmallows for the classic holiday finish.

The sweet potatoes bake right in the slow cooker, which keeps your oven free for other dishes, and you can mash the potato mixture up to 2 days ahead.

Why I love it: A classic holiday side that’s mostly hands-off.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Sweet Potatoes

#8 Slow Cooker Poached Pears in Mulled Wine

These pears simmer in spiced red wine until they’re tender and infused with mulled wine flavor, and the whole house smells like Christmas.

Serve them warm with vanilla ice cream or chocolate sauce. As a bonus, the spiced poaching liquid turns into mulled wine you can sip.

Why I love it: Dessert and a warm drink from the same pot.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Poached Pears

#9 Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Carrots

Baby carrots cook until tender in a buttery maple glaze, which makes them a side dish even picky eaters enjoy.

They only need six ingredients, and they’re a great make-ahead holiday side for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.

Why I love it: Sweet, glazed carrots that need no stove time.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Carrots

#10 Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Creamy mac and cheese is always a hit at holiday gatherings. This slow cooker version has a smooth, cheesy sauce and a buttery toasted panko topping.

It keeps your oven free, but it isn’t a make-ahead dish: the pasta is partly boiled first and needs a little stirring while it cooks. Try it once before the big day so you know how your slow cooker behaves.

Why I love it: Creamy, cheesy comfort with a crunchy panko topping.

Get the recipe: Creamy Crockpot Mac and Cheese

#11 Crockpot Stuffing Recipe

This easy slow cooker stuffing gives you a classic holiday side without using the oven. It turns out tender and savory, with all the herb flavors you expect.

It’s perfect when your oven is already full of turkey, ham, and casseroles, and it can be made ahead and frozen for up to 8 weeks.

Why I love it: Holiday stuffing that frees up your oven.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Stuffing Recipe

#12 Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe

Crockpot hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and perfect for chilly December nights. It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, and the slow cooker keeps it warm for a crowd.

Stir it every 30 minutes or so while it heats, then switch to warm. Set out marshmallows, whipped cream, and candy canes so everyone can top their own mug.

Why I love it: A cozy drink that serves a crowd.

Get the recipe: Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe

#13 Slow Cooker Rosemary-Cranberry Mulled Cider

This mulled cider is tart, spiced, and festive, with cranberries and fresh rosemary, and it makes the whole house smell wonderful.

It’s naturally non-alcoholic, but you can add a splash of rum for the grown-ups. Keep it on warm and serve it in mugs with extra rosemary and cranberries.

Why I love it: A festive drink that scents the whole house.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Rosemary-Cranberry Mulled Cider

#14 Cranberry Meatballs

Cranberry meatballs are a sweet and tangy holiday appetizer that always disappears quickly. They come together with just five simple ingredients.

Just add everything to the slow cooker and stir. Keep them warm with toothpicks nearby, or spoon them over mashed potatoes or rice for an easy dinner.

Why I love it: A sweet-and-tangy appetizer that feeds a crowd.

Get the recipe: Cranberry Meatballs

#15 Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate

This peppermint hot chocolate is creamy, chocolatey, and full of cool candy cane flavor, and it needs only 5 minutes of prep.

It’s perfect for holiday potlucks and movie nights, and you can set the slow cooker to warm and let everyone serve themselves.

Why I love it: Christmas in a mug.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Peppermint Hot Chocolate

#16 Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Slow cooker creamed corn turns plain canned corn into a rich, creamy side dish.

It needs only about 2 minutes of prep and can stay on warm for hours, which makes it perfect for a buffet. It’s comforting next to ham, turkey, or pot roast.

Why I love it: Creamy comfort with very little prep.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

#17 Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler

This slow cooker apple cobbler is mostly tender, cinnamon-spiced apples with a thin, buttery crumble on top, so it’s perfect for apple lovers.

Let it cool for about 30 minutes so the topping sets, then serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream after Christmas dinner.

Why I love it: A warm apple dessert with no oven needed.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Cobbler

#18 Crockpot Cabbage 

This crockpot cabbage cooks with a little ham until it’s soft and tender, Southern-style.

It’s a hands-off side that pairs well with ham or pot roast and adds a little green to the holiday plate.

Why I love it: A simple, affordable side that needs very little attention.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Cabbage 

#19 Crockpot Collard Greens

These collard greens simmer in the slow cooker with smoked ham hocks until they’re tender and full of smoky flavor, a traditional Southern side for holiday tables.

Once everything is in the pot, they cook mostly hands-off for about 4½ hours on high, which keeps your stove free for the rest of the meal.

Why I love it: A traditional green side with hardly any effort.

Get the recipe: Crockpot collard greens

#20 Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork

This pulled pork is slow cooked until fork-tender, then tossed with a sweet and tangy cranberry BBQ sauce for a festive twist.

It cooks for about 10 hours on low, so start it the night before or early in the morning. Serve it on rolls for a casual holiday party, or with cornbread and smashed potatoes.

Why I love it: Festive BBQ flavor that feeds a crowd.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork

#21 Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge Recipe

This gingerbread fudge is rich, creamy, and full of warm holiday spices, and it’s made right in the slow cooker.

It cooks for about 2 hours, then chills until firm. Cut it into squares for cookie trays and gifts, and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Why I love it: A cozy gingerbread treat that makes a great gift.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Gingerbread Fudge Recipe

#22 Slow Cooker Bison Roast

Bison roast is a lean, flavorful alternative to beef, and the slow cooker keeps it tender and juicy. It cooks on a bed of hearty vegetables, so dinner comes together in one pot.

It’s a nice option for Christmas dinner when you want something a little different. Searing the roast first adds lots of flavor, and it cooks for about 6 hours on high or 8 to 10 hours on low.

Why I love it: A tender roast with a twist.

Get the recipe: slow cooker bison roast

#23 Slow Cooker Warm Apple Cinnamon Spiced Wine

This warm spiced wine has the cozy flavors of classic mulled wine, plus fresh apple, apple cider, and a splash of spiced rum. It simmers in the slow cooker, and your whole house will smell amazing.

It cooks for an hour on high, then switches to warm so guests can serve themselves in mugs. If you’re making it ahead, add the rum about 30 minutes before serving.

Why I love it: A cozy, self-serve drink for chilly evenings.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Warm Apple Cinnamon Spiced Wine

#24 Cranberry Little Smokies

Cranberry little smokies are sweet, tangy, and easy, a classic holiday party appetizer made with just three ingredients.

They cook on low for about 2 hours. Keep them warm in the slow cooker with toothpicks nearby.

Why I love it: A party favorite that’s gone in minutes.

Get the recipe: Cranberry Little Smokies

#25 Crockpot Turkey Breast

Turkey breast in the slow cooker is a great choice when you’re feeding a smaller group or want to keep your oven free. It’s seasoned with a simple herb rub and cooks on a bed of vegetables.

It cooks on low for about 3 hours for a 2-pound breast, until it reaches 165°F. You can broil the skin at the end to make it crispy.

Why I love it: Juicy turkey without tying up your oven.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Turkey Breast

Christmas Crockpot Recipes: Tips & FAQ

Can I make these recipes ahead?

Many slow cooker recipes, like the pot roast, ham, and pulled pork, can be cooked ahead and reheated. Check each recipe for storage tips.

How do I keep food warm for a party?

Once the food is cooked, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting and serve straight from the pot, with a serving spoon nearby.

Can I cook a whole menu in slow cookers?

Yes. Use one slow cooker for the main dish and others for sides, drinks, or dessert, so your oven and stove stay free on Christmas Day.