Cooking for Christmas can be almost as stressful as cooking for Thanksgiving. Although the holiday doesn't put quite as much focus on food, you're obviously still expected to serve something delicious and comforting for (probably) a group of people. But between shopping, wrapping presents, and just generally getting yourself together after a long work week, when are you supposed to have time to dedicate hours to cooking? That's exactly why Crock-Pot holiday recipes are a total game-changer. They give you more time to get everything else done while they cook for hours on their own. Bonus: they make everything smell amazing.
Whether you need to make a main course, side dish, dessert, or even Christmas breakfast, you have lots of slow cooker options. For some of these recipes, you can even start your prep the night before so that in the morning, all you have to do is throw everything together and then wait for the magic to happen. Honestly, it almost makes you think about what anyone ever did before Crock-Pots! Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy yourself with these delicious and convenient Crock-Pot recipes.
1. Easy Crock-Pot Chex Mix
Chex Mix might not seem like the most festive snack you've ever heard of, but this recipe from Half-Baked Harvest is comforting, smells amazing, and will definitely be a crowd pleaser. Serve it as an appetizer or dessert.
2. Bacon-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin And Balsamic Glaze
Looking to make a main course that's also a showstopper? Try this bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin from A Spicy Perspective, which gets tender and juicy without being overcooked in the crockpot. Add green beans and potatoes, and you've got a perfect holiday meal.
3. Hot Cheesy Roasted Brussels Sprout Dip
Mixed with melted cheese and lots of herbs and spices, brussels sprouts turn into an indulgent dish everyone will love. This appetizer from Close Cooking is perfect when cooked in a slow cooker for hours.
4. Three Cheese Mashed Potatoes
In charge of making a side dish? Try this ridiculously delicious mashed potato recipe from Half-Baked Harvest. Cheddar, Parmesan, and gruyere make this cheesy dish absolute perfection.
5. Crock-Pot Tomato Sauce
If you want to do something a little bit more simple, you can't go wrong with a basic tomato sauce and some pasta. Sauce is pretty easy to make on its own, but this Crock-Pot tomato sauce recipe from How Sweet It Is just makes things easier.
6. Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken And Potatoes
Chicken and potatoes is a pretty basic dish that works perfectly for the holidays - because everyone likes it. This garlic butter chicken recipe from A Spicy Perspective is even easier because it's made in a Crock-Pot for hours. It will leave your place smelling amazing, and it will taste great too!
7. Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate
You can't get much more festive than peppermint hot chocolate! This rich drink from Jelly Toast cooks for four hours in a Crock-Pot, ensuring it will be ultra creamy, chocolate-y goodness just in time for dessert.
8. Slow Cooker Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Making breakfast on Christmas morning is a great tradition, but it's also time-consuming and difficult when there are a million other things going on (like present opening, of course). The beauty of this breakfast casserole from House Of Yumm is that it can be made in your slow cooker overnight, so that you can literally wake up to breakfast.
9. Crock-Pot Roast Beef And Gravy
Make a Christmas classic like roast beef, but keep it super simple with this Crock-Pot recipe from A Pretty Life In The Suburbs. You can focus on cooking side dishes (or, you know, a glass of wine) while this cooks.
10. Stuffed Chicken Breast With Spinach, Roasted Red Peppers, Parmesan, And Goat Cheese
Because this chicken from How Sweet It Is has to be cut, stuffed, and then cooked on the stovetop before being put in the slow cooker, it's not exactly the easiest recipe in this list. But the combination of flavors, and the end result of a juicy chicken is worth it.
11. Slow Cooker Garlic Braised Brisket
This brisket recipe from Pass The Sushi cooks in the Crock-Pot for up to nine hours, which means you can start it early in the morning, and then not worry about your main course until much later on. The long hours of cooking turns the meat into a deliciously tender and flavorful meal.
12. Steak And Guinness Stew With Irish White Cheddar Cauliflower Mash
I've personally never had stew for Christmas dinner before, but hey — maybe you have, or maybe you want to try it. It doesn't sound like a bad idea! This steak and Guinness stew from Closet Cooking is a comforting dish anyone will love.
13. Slow Cooker Eggnog French Toast Monkey Bread
If you've never had monkey bread, you're missing out. This monkey bread recipe from Pass The Sushi features holiday favorite eggnog, and can be used as a dessert or a very sweet breakfast.
14. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef Tenderloin
Doesn't this beef tenderloin recipe from A Spicy Perspective just look like it was meant for the holidays? Impress everyone with a dinner that isn't as tough as it looks, thanks to the slow cooker.
15. Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken
Pomegranate seeds, pearl onions, and sprigs of rosemary keep this flavorful balsamic chicken dish from Foodie Crush looking like a holiday classic. Let it cook for a few hours before enjoying!
16. Goat Cheese Fondue
Need a good appetizer? This goat cheese fondue from Pass The Sushi is simple, comforting, and impressive. Just toast some pieces of bread, and you're good to go!
17. Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
Is it just me, or is there something about a whole baked chicken that reminds one of Christmas? This dish from Foodie Crush, made with carrots and potatoes, will definitely make everyone at your table happy.
18. Loaded Hash Browns
Turkey sausage, potatoes, peppers, and more make these slow cooker hash browns from Pass The Sushi a great breakfast option for Christmas morning. Let it cook overnight and wake up to something delicious that requires no other work.
