Holiday Cooking Plan: Turkey and Side Dishes with Crock Pot
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Preparing a complete Thanksgiving meal using a slow cooker can save time and manage oven space. Here's a practical approach to creating a delicious Thanksgiving feast with the help of your slow cooker.
The Main Event: Turkey (or Turkey Breast) in the Slow Cooker
While a full slow cooker turkey recipe was not found, you can opt for a manageable option such as turkey breast. Season the turkey breast, place it in the slow cooker with broth and herbs, and cook until tender. Alternatively, roast a turkey breast in the oven if you prefer.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Peel and cube potatoes, put them in the slow cooker with butter and chicken broth, and cook on high for 3-4 hours until soft. Then mash with sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper directly in the slow cooker for creamy mashed potatoes, saving stovetop space.
Slow Cooker Sides
Many Thanksgiving side dishes can be made in the slow cooker or prepared separately for convenience. While no specific slow cooker stuffing or green bean casserole recipes were found, consider recipes for slow cooker beef tips or sweet and sour chicken as inspirations for slow-cooker entrée approaches. Traditional Thanksgiving sides like stuffing or cranberry sauce are often made on the stovetop or oven.
Additional Tips
To simplify your holiday, prepare the mashed potatoes and a protein like beef tips or poultry in the slow cooker, and use quick stovetop or oven methods for vegetables and cranberry sauces. Consider cranberry pear sauce or stuffing muffins as quick side additions from sheet pan recipes.
A Sample Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Menu
| Dish | Slow Cooker Use | |-------------------------|------------------------------------| | Turkey Breast | Slow cooker with herbs & broth | | Mashed Potatoes | Slow cooker creamy mashed potatoes | | Green Beans or Brussels | Oven or stovetop, or quick sauté | | Cranberry Sauce | Stovetop or no-cook with fruit |
For recipes tailored to slow cookers specifically for Thanksgiving, consider adapting your favorite dishes by slow cooking the main protein and sides with appropriate liquids and seasoning.
Happy slow cooking, and enjoy your Thanksgiving!
[1] Well Plated by Erin: Slow Cooker Stuffing with Apples, Cranberries, and Pecans [2] A Cedar Spoon: Crock Pot Stuffing recipe [3] melissassouthernstylekitchen.com: Slow Cooker Sweet Corn Bread recipe [4] The Magical Slow Cooker Recipes: Slow Cooker Whole Turkey recipe [5] Damn Delicious: Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts recipe [6] The Gunny Sack: Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole recipe [7] Glue Sticks and Gumdrops: Crock Pot Apple Cobbler recipe [8] The Simple Parent I Easy Recipes for Busy Families: Crock Pot Corn Casserole recipe [9] Yellow Bliss Road: Easy Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes [10] Plain Chicken: Slow Cooker Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes recipe [11] Recipes that Crock!: Free Crock Pot Dinner Rolls [12] Show Me the Yummy: Honey Butter Thyme Crockpot Glazed Carrots [13] Using a slow cooker for Thanksgiving recipes can save time and manage oven space. [14] Closet Cooking: Slow Cooker Pecan Pie recipe [15] Small Town Woman: Slow Cooker Turkey Breast recipe [16] SaveKristine's Kitchen: Healthy Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole recipe [17] Family Fresh Meals: Slow Cooker Crustless Brown Sugar Pumpkin Pie recipe [18] A Crock Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe is available but not specified.
- For a convenient and creamy twist on traditional mashed potatoes, cook the potatoes with butter and chicken broth in a slow cooker, then mash with sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper directly in the cooker.
- Incorporate homemade comfort food into your lifestyle with a slow cooker Sweet Potato Casserole recipe, offering a healthier option for Thanksgiving sides.
- To fully utilize your slow cooker in your food-and-drink and home-and-garden endeavors, experiment with adapting recipes like Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts or Slow Cooker Pecan Pie to serve a unique and homemade Thanksgiving feast.
