15 Ways To Use Your Slow Cooker This Christmas That Will Make Cooking For A Crowd Much Easier!
For me, Christmas is without doubt the best time of year when it comes to food!
I love nothing more than having family and friends round celebrating with lots of festive food and drink.
But when you are catering for a crowd you may just find that you don’t have enough cooking room for all the dishes you want to make.
This is when my trusty old slow cooker comes into its own. Having one (or even several!) slow cookers on the go can free up valuable cooker space and make cooking for a large group so much easier.
Here are 15 delicious recipes that you can make in your slow cooker this Christmas.
Christmas Eve Slow Cooker Recipes
If you’ve got family or friends staying from Christmas Eve then make your life a little easier by cooking a big meal in the slow cooker.
You can do all the prep in the morning then head out and enjoy the festivities before coming home to a delicious meal all cooked and ready to serve up.
My favourite Slow Cooker Christmas Eve recipes are:
No chopping, no frying, bung all the ingredients in the slow cooker and leave it to do it’s thing. This is literally the easiest casserole recipe you’ll ever make!
Fancy beef instead? Try this easy recipe for Beef Casserole all cooked together in the slow cooker. Delicious and so warming, perfect for a simple but tasty Christmas Eve meal.
A super simple and delicious Beef and Broccoli recipe. This is so easy to make, simply chuck all the ingredients into the slow cooker or crockpot and leave it to cook all day.
A super easy slow cooker ragu recipe. Makes a great family meal that everyone will enjoy!
Christmas Party Slow Cooker Drinks
If you are hosting a Christmas Party then why not use your slow cooker to keep some delicious drinks warm. It will save you heating then up individually.
Use this recipe to make your own homemade mulled wine syrup. Then simply pop it into the slow cooker with some red wine on low until it is just warmed through. Switch to the “keep warm” setting. You can keep topping it up too!
Slow Cooker Mint Hot Chocolate
Similar to the mulled wine, you can use this recipe for a delicious mint hot chocolate in a large batch in the slow cooker. Add all the ingredients and cook on low until everything is mixed together and the milk is hot but not boiling. Switch to the “keep warm” setting.
Christmas Day Slow Cooker Starter Recipes
On Christmas Day itself there are loads of recipes that you can make in the slow cooker including starters, mains and sides.
They will free up space in your main cooker but also free up your time as they require minimal supervision!
Slow Cooker Cream of Potato Soup
This recipe can easily be adapted to make in the slow cooker. Once you’ve fried the onions transfer them to the slow cooker with the potatoes and stock and cook on low for approx 3 hours before blitzing. Add the cream and butter at the very end.
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Once you’ve fried the veggies and spices add them to the slow cooker with the butternut squash, coconut milk and stock and cook on low for approx 3 hours before blitzing.
Christmas Day Slow Cooker Side Dish Recipes
We all know that it wouldn’t be Christmas without traditional brussels sprouts but did you know that you can cook them in the slow cooker? They can even be cooked from frozen!
If you would prefer a less traditional side dish this Christmas then why not try my Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese recipe. So easy to make and perfect for feeding a large crowd.
Christmas Day Slow Cooker Main Recipes
This is my most popular Christmas recipe every year. Making your ham in the slow cooker frees up your oven for the turkey and roast potatoes. It also makes a deliciously tender and juicy ham which you can then pop into the oven for the last 20 minutes with a glaze on top.
If you prefer beef on Christmas Day then this delicious recipe slow cooks beef brisket in a tasty red wine stock.
Boxing Day Slow Cooker Recipes
Once Christmas Day is done and dusted you’ll probably never want to see a cooker every again! If you are still entertaining guests then make your life a little easier and make one of these “dump and run” recipes.
A curry is sure to go down a treat with a crowd on Boxing Day and this slow cooker recipe makes the most tender lamb.
These fajitas make a light and refreshing change from all that heavy Christmas food. You can even use leftover turkey instead of chicken.
Slow Cooker Meatball Gnocchi Soup
Impress your guests with a delicious warming soup that’s so easy to make but so hearty aswell. Perfect to come home to after a long Boxing Day walk.
Slow Cooker Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce
If you’re totally sick of turkey and sprouts by Boxing Day then try this Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce instead. It’s so easy to make, simply chuck all the ingredients into the slow cooker and you’ll have a delicious rich sauce ready to mix with freshly cooked pasta.
If you have any more ideas for recipes that you can make in your slow cooker this Christmas then please do share them in the comment below!
If you enjoyed this article, then you might also like:
Christmas Planning Made Easy with Aldi – How To Get Christmas Planning & Shopping All Wrapped Up In 10 Days
Ultimate Christmas Party Food Ideas! – The ultimate list of sweet and savoury Christmas party food ideas, all of which can be made ahead ready to serve up when your guests arrive!
Healthier Christmas Recipes – Our Healthier Christmas Recipes are packed full of festive flavor and with a healthier twist on some classic recipes, you can enjoy them without feeling like you’ve fallen into a post food coma!
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