Delicious & Easy Slow Cooker Christmas Recipes for the Holidays • Everyday Cheapskate

The holidays are busy enough without spending all day in the kitchen. With these slow cooker Christmas recipes, you can simplify holiday prep and serve up delicious meals and treats with minimal effort. From savory sides to delightful drinks and snacks, your slow cooker can be the secret to a stress-free, budget-friendly Christmas celebration. Let it do the work while you enjoy the festivities!

Oh, the slow cooker—the unsung hero of the kitchen! If you ask me, it’s like that friend who always shows up with a casserole when you’re one stress-induced step away from a frozen pizza. Just a few reasons it earns the “budget-conscious household’s best friend” title:

Got a hunk of meat that feels like it could double as a doorstop? The slow cooker says, “Challenge accepted!” Toss in that tough cut, add a splash of broth, and by dinnertime, you’ll have something that’s practically falling apart in deliciousness. Expensive cuts? Who needs ‘em when your slow cooker can turn a $5 roast into a meal fit for royalty?

Ever buy veggies that seemed like a good idea at the time, only to find them wilting away in your crisper drawer? Rescue them with the slow cooker! It turns sad, forgotten produce into soups, stews, or the base of just about anything. Not only are you saving money, but you’re also avoiding the guilt of tossing out that once-aspiring bell pepper.

Why Your Slow Cooker is a Holiday Hero

A slow cooker is like having your own personal sous chef. You throw in the ingredients, hit the button, and you’re free to handle life’s other chaos. Plus, it’s an energy miser. No oven heating up the house or making your electric meter spin like a carnival ride. The slow cooker uses about as much electricity as your grandma’s favorite nightlight. Honestly, if you’re not already best friends with your slow cooker, it’s time to send it a friendship bracelet.

If you depend on your slow cooker to prepare dinner while you’re at the office, you know what a fabulous appliance it is. But it can do a lot more to help you than fix pot roast or umpteen different chicken recipes—especially during the busy holiday season that’s right around the corner!

Dipping Chocolate: A Simple Holiday Treat

Looking for a stress-free, crowd-pleasing treat this holiday season? Melt batches of chocolate or almond bark (white, milk, or dark) in a slow cooker on low heat, stirring occasionally to maintain a smooth consistency. Use it to dip an assortment of goodies like fruit, cookies, marshmallows, or big pretzels for a festive touch. This simple method keeps the chocolate at the perfect temperature for easy dipping, ideal for holiday parties or family fun.

For a thoughtful, homemade gift, dip large pretzels and package them in clear cellophane bags or festive containers. Add a personal touch with ribbons, raffia, or holiday-themed tags. You can even store the leftover chocolate in an airtight container for future use, ensuring you have a delicious treat ready anytime.

Create a Cozy Home with Slow Cooker Potpourri

Make your own liquid potpourri. The easiest way to do this: Turn your slow cooker on Low, fill the bottom with grape seed, canola, or safflower oil, and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Do not cover, and allow the fragrance to fill your home.

Or another option is this favorite recipe:

Slow Cooker Holiday Potpourri

1 orange (sliced)
1 apple (sliced)
3-4 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon whole allspice
1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary (optional, but it adds a lovely touch!)
2-3 cups water

Place all the ingredients into your slow cooker. Add enough water to cover about 2-3 inches, depending on the size of your slow cooker. Set your slow cooker to “Low” and leave the lid off. Monitor the water level throughout the day and add more as needed. Let it simmer and fill your home with the cozy, holiday scent.

You can reuse the same batch for a few days; store it in the fridge overnight and add fresh water the next day. Plus, this doubles as a fantastic natural air freshener without any harsh chemicals.

Feel free to mix and match ingredients too!

PRINT: Slow Cooker Holiday Potpourri Recipe

Fondue Fun: A Slow Cooker Party Favorite

Serve cheese fondue from your slow cooker, set on Low.

Easy Slow Cooker Cheese Fondue

1 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (or Emmental)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 garlic clove, halved
pinch of nutmeg (optional)
bread cubes, veggies, apples, or other dippers

Rub the inside of your slow cooker with the halved garlic clove. You can leave the garlic in the pot for a hint of flavor or discard it.

In a bowl, toss the shredded cheese with the cornstarch to coat it evenly (this helps thicken the fondue and prevents clumping).

Add the wine and lemon juice to the slow cooker.

Turn the slow cooker to low heat. Once the wine is warm (after about 10-15 minutes), slowly stir in the cheese mixture, a handful at a time. Stir constantly to ensure a smooth, even melt.

Keep the fondue on Low, stirring occasionally, until it’s fully melted and smooth (this will take about 30 minutes to an hour). Add a pinch of nutmeg for a little extra warmth in the flavor.

Serve warm with your choice of bread cubes, veggies (like steamed broccoli or carrots), apple slices, or even cooked sausages for dipping. Yum!

PRINT: Easy Slow Cooker Cheese Fondue Recipe

Baked Potatoes: Easy and Hands-off Cooking

Running low on oven space or just want a stress-free side dish? Try baking potatoes in your slow cooker. Simply wrap each potato in foil and set your slow cooker to High. After about three hours, you’ll have perfectly tender baked potatoes, all without heating up your kitchen. This method not only saves precious oven space during busy cooking times like holidays, but it also keeps the potatoes warm until you’re ready to serve. Top them with sour cream, chives, cheese, or your favorite toppings for a crowd-pleasing side. Pro tip: add a sprinkle of salt to the foil for extra flavor as they cook!

MORE: Creamy Baked Potato Soup

Perfect Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes for Christmas

You can actually make mashed potatoes in your slow cooker, start to finish, and allow them to hold for hours until you’re ready to eat.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

5 pounds Yukon gold potatoes or red potatoes, diced with peel
1 cup water
1 cup butter, cut into chunks
1 tablespoon salt, more to taste
1 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder (optional)
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/3 cups milk, warmed

Place the potatoes, water, and butter in a slow cooker. Add salt, garlic powder (if using), and pepper. Toss to distribute evenly. Cover and cook on High for 4 hours. Do not drain the liquid. Mash the potatoes with a masher or electric beater, adding the desired amount of warm milk to achieve a creamy consistency. Keep warm on Low or Keep Warm until serving. Mashed potatoes will hold for several hours using this method.

PRINT: Perfect Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Wassail and Mulled Cider: Warm Holiday Beverages

Use your slow cooker to make these hot beverages and keep them hot during a party. Place all ingredients in the slow cooker. Mix well. Cover, set the slow cooker to low, and allow it to simmer all day. Don’t boil. Serve hot. An unbelievable fragrance will fill the air while your guests enjoy a wonderful holiday beverage.

Pro Tip: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time! You can pre-measure and refrigerate everything the night before, so all you have to do is toss it in the slow cooker in the morning.

Wassail

This traditional holiday drink has a rich blend of citrus, spices, and apple cider, giving it that classic cozy holiday flavor. It’s perfect for sipping on a cold evening or serving at holiday parties.

2 quarts apple cider
2 cups orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
12 whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks, whole
1 pinch ground ginger
1 pinch ground nutmeg

Place all ingredients in the slow cooker, mix well, and cover. Cook on Low for at least 4 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it becomes! Serve hot.

PRINT: Slow Cooker Wassail Recipe

Mulled Cider

For a slightly fruitier, tropical twist, try this mulled cider recipe with pineapple juice. It adds a unique flavor that’s both refreshing and comforting—perfect for impressing your guests!

1-gallon apple cider
1-quart orange juice
1-quart pineapple juice, unsweetened
1 cup lemon juice, fresh
1 cup sugar
24 whole cloves
4 sticks cinnamon, left whole

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker and set on Low. Stir well and allow it to simmer for 4-6 hours. Be sure to give it a taste as it simmers, adding more sugar if you’d like it sweeter.

PRINT: Slow Cooker Mulled Cider Recipe

Slow Cooker Chex Mix: A Classic Party Snack

This classic combination of cereal, nuts, butter, and seasonings cooks in your slow cooker so you don’t have to watch it or stir while it’s baking.

Slow Cooker Chex Mix

3 cups thin pretzel sticks
4 cups Wheat Chex cereal
4 cups Cheerios cereal
1 (12-ounce) jar salted peanuts
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Combine all ingredients in a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker and stir gently until well mixed and the cereal, pretzels, and peanuts are coated with the butter, cheese, and seasonings. Cover and cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring twice during cooking. Remove the lid during the last half hour of cooking to allow the mix to dry.