30 Slow Cooker Recipes for the Holiday Season (2024)

Home Holidays Christmas

Packed with holiday flavors – from cranberry to cinnamon, citrus to spice – we're sure these festive slow cooker recipes will have you jingling all the way.

Cranberry Stuffed Apples

Cinnamon, nutmeg and walnuts add a homey autumn flavor to these stuffed apples, while the slow cooker does most of the work. —Graciela Sandvigen, Rochester, New York

Gooey Old-Fashioned Steamed Molasses Bread

While I was growing up, the smell of this bread often greeted me as I walked in the door from school. I thought that everyone baked bread in a slow cooker. My grandmother, my mother and I—and now my daughters—all bake this. It’s comfort food at its best! —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Chandler, Arizona

Christmas Morning Oatmeal

When I first tried this dish, I was convinced I was eating yummy apple crisp for breakfast. I even cut down on the butter, but this hearty oatmeal remained moist and scrumptious, and so convenient when cooked overnight. —Monica Lord, Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Beef Osso Buco

Treat holiday guests to elegant comfort food at its best. Our osso buco beef boasts a thick, savory sauce complemented by the addition of gremolata, a chopped herb condiment made with lemon zest, garlic, and parsley. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Apple-Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Carrots seem so simple, but this recipe is something special. Sweet and buttery, it was a favorite my mother always used to serve around the holidays. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin

Moist Cranberry Pork Roast

I love to serve this tender, flavorful pork to guests. You don’t have to toil away in the kitchen to prepare it, yet it tastes like a gourmet meal. —Kimberley Scasny, Douglasville, Georgia

Hot Holiday Cider

This slightly tart apple cider is perfect for a holiday open house. It fills the room with a wonderful aroma. —Cindy Tobin, West Bend, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooker Boeuf Bourguignon

I’d wanted to make boeuf bourguignon (beef Burgundy) ever since I got one of Julia Child’s cookbooks, but I wanted to find a way to fix it in a slow cooker. My slow-cooker boeuf bourguignon is still rich, hearty and delicious, but there's no need to watch it on the stovetop or in the oven. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

Sweet Potato Stuffing

Mom likes to make sure there will be enough stuffing to satisfy our large family. For our holiday gatherings, she slow-cooks this tasty sweet potato dressing in addition to the traditional stuffing cooked inside the turkey. —Kelly Pollock, London, Ontario

Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears

Some of the many reasons I love this dessert recipe are: it's on the healthy side; it's easy to make; the recipe can be mostly prepared in advance of company arriving; and the presentation is lovely.—Jill Mant, Denver, Colorado

Gingerbread Pudding Cake

Super-moist cake gets all spiced up in this scrumptious slow-cooked dessert. If you want it a little sweeter, drizzle it with maple syrup. —Barbara Cook, Yuma, Arizona

Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Pudding

A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

When we have family gatherings, we give the slow cooker kitchen duty. This yummy chicken with pumpkin and apricots has the warm flavors of Morocco. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Mushroom Wild Rice

This is one of my favorite recipes from my mother. With only seven ingredients, it's quick to assemble in the morning before I leave for work. By the time I get home, mouthwatering aromas have filled the house. —Bob Malchow, Monon, Indiana

Pink Grapefruit Cheesecake

Cheesecake in a slow cooker? It's true! I experimented a few times to turn this iconic dessert into a slow-cooker classic. Give it a try. I promise you'll be absolutely amazed by the results! —Krista Lanphier Milwaukee, WI

Apple-Nut Bread Pudding

Traditional bread pudding gives way to autumn's influences in this comforting dessert. I add apples and pecans to this slow-cooked version, then top warm servings with ice cream. —Lori Fox, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Orange Spice Carrots

To get my son to eat veggies, I mix and match flavors and spices. My slow-cooker carrots with orange and cinnamon won him over. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

Mocha Mint Coffee

This doctored-up coffee benefits from hints of mint, cocoa and cinnamon. The marshmallows on top are a playful addition that brings out the youngster in anyone. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California

Maple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes

Topped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side is downright delicious. Even people who aren't into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New York

Contest-Winning Braised Short Ribs

I've been relying on this braised short ribs recipe ever since I bought my first slow cooker some 19 years ago. The fall-off-the-bone-tender entree is much appreciated on busy days. —Peggy Edwards, Heber City, Utah

Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Sour cream and cream cheese give richness to these smooth make-ahead potatoes. They are wonderful for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner since there's no last-minute mashing required. —Trudy Vincent, Valles Mines, Missouri

Hot Spiced Wine

My friends, family and I enjoy this spiced wine during cold-winter gatherings. This warm drink will be a special treat for anyone who enjoys dry red wines. —Noel Lickenfelt, Bolivar, Pennsylvania

Sweet and Tangy Beets

Fresh beets are delicious when combined with aromatic spices and a hint of orange. These have the ideal balance of sweet and sour flavors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chocolate Pudding Cake

This rich, chocolate pudding cake is one of my favorites. I like to serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Whenever I take it to parties, everybody wants the recipe. —Paige Arnette, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Warm Christmas Punch

Red Hot candies add rich color and spiciness to this festive punch, and the cranberry juice gives it a little tang. Our children always request it for December brunches. —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky

Lisa is a formerTaste of Home editor and passionate baker. During her tenure, she poured her love of all things sweet (and sometimes savory) into Bakeable, Taste of Home's baking club. Lisa also dedicated her career here to finding and testing the best ingredients, kitchen gear and home products for our Test Kitchen-Preferred program. At home, you'll find her working on embroidery and other crafts.