Here are some of my favorite Thanksgiving Recipes to make ahead and use the slow cooker for.
With the larger bird, I opted to do two dishes in my slow cookers. Including reheating mashed potatoes, and crockpot stuffing.
My Thanksgiving Menu
Here are some awesome recipes for saving time (yes, please!), preparing in advance, and making fresh, delicious, menu items for Thanksgiving.
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Thanksgiving Planner Free Printables
Appetizers
Ham & Cream Cheese Rolls – These are quick and easy to make ahead. Spread cream cheese on a slice of ham. Roll the ham around a green onion. Once rolled, secure with four or five tooth picks. Slice with a knife.
Olives & Pickles – We always have olives and pickles out at Thanksgiving. This is a tradition on my husband’s side. Super easy, just arrange them in a bowl or tray.
Deviled Eggs – She Wears Many Hats has a Perfect Deviled Egg Recipe. My recipe is pretty similar to this, however, I make it to taste. On advice from an aunt, I will now add a little horseradish. These are savory deviled eggs, not sweet ones. If your family likes sweet deviled eggs, use Miracle Whip and sweet dill relish instead of mayonnaise, dill and horseradish.
Main Course
Turkey – My husband likes to do the turkey. He will brine it, and season it and bake it in the oven.
Slow Cooker Stuffing[Dressing] by the Kitchen is My Playground – The items in this can be prepped ahead of time, and cooked in the slow cooker on Thanksgiving.
Sweet Potato Casserole by Chef in Training- A sweet dish, with pecans and brown sugar, and raving reviews. This is one of two dishes I will place in the oven after the Turkey comes out.
Broiled Frozen Corn – So easy and so fast. After the sweet potatoes are done, I will throw frozen corn, drizzled with olive oil, and seasoned with salt and pepper in the oven for about five minutes on broil.
Slow Cooker Mash Potatoes – These I make my own way, but What’s Cooking America, has a great recipe. What’s Cooking America, recommends placing cooked potatoes on low for 3 hours and stirring once or twice.
Perfect Turkey Gravy by Center Cut Cook – A simple gravy recipe with just four ingredients that can be made while the turkey is resting and the sweet potatoes are baking in the oven.
Dessert
Grandma Ople’s Apple Pie – In October, as part of my October Bucket List, I made this apple pie. I had no idea it would be so delicious. I followed the recipe exactly. It was perfect.
The Great Pumpkin Pie Recipe by Sally’s Baking Addiction – Sally makes this pumpkin pie look beautiful. She gives instructions on how to make it in advance.
What’s on your Thanksgiving Menu?
Decorations
Still wanting to squeeze more fall out of the month, I put together some Autumn themed flower center pieces. I used deep red carnations and yellow/orange roses. One pre-made bouquet was also put in an orange vase. The burnt oranges, reds, and yellows are perfect to celebrate the final days, before we go full blown Christmas. Some of the vases I had, but you can get them from thrift stores for a few bucks a piece.
Happy Thanksgiving!
