Crockpots and slow cookers are amazing kitchen tools for cooking large cuts of meat, stews, and spaghetti sauces. But what about making side dishes in there?
The answer is yes! Crockpots make side dishes an easy fix and forget about them. They’ll cook all day while you’re at work and be ready for dinner.
Why spend frantic time trying to cook your side dish alongside your dinner and worrying about timing? Instead, try these 17 easy crockpot side dishes.
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17 Easy Crockpot Side Dishes
Here you’ll find a list of the 17 best easy crockpot side dishes. Click on the links to find recipes to try at home.
1. Crockpot Mac & Cheese
When all you have to do is put all the ingredients in a bowl and leave it for a few hours, who could say no?
Mac & cheese goes great with beef, pork, and fish meals, as well as many vegetarian meals. This recipe is for a creamier mac & cheese.
2. Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish. These versatile potatoes can be served at a casual dinner, or at your favorite Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner.
Gravy is usually served with mashed potatoes, so be aware this side dish does require a second step after they are finished cooking in the crockpot.
3. Scalloped Potatoes
Potatoes are the ultimate versatile vegetable. You can make mashed, scalloped, fried, or smashed, tots. And it’s all delicious and typically fast and easy to make.
Scalloped potatoes are great with beef, pork, chicken, or fish dinners. The cheesy potatoes add a soft texture and a different flavor to the meal.
4. Broccoli Casserole
You can make broccoli casserole as plain or as cheesy and creamy as you like. For this recipe, we preferred to maximize creaminess and cheesiness.
Broccoli casserole can be served as a side dish or a main dish if you combine it with other ingredients. It is easy to make and inexpensive.
5. Glazed Carrots
Glazed carrots can be a casual side dish with your favorite meatloaf dinner, or you can serve them at a holiday dinner with glazed ham or turkey.
The brown sugar glaze of the carrots adds a sweet flavor to the meal, satisfying that sweet tooth while still remaining a healthy and delicious side dish.
6. Italian Mushrooms
You can make these Italian mushrooms as a side dish or an appetizer. They are very easy to make with just three ingredients: mushrooms, butter, and seasoning.
Don’t be intimidated by the time it takes to cook. Crockpots are meant to be a fix it and forget it, and you won’t be sorry when they’re done!
7. Cornbread
Did you ever think it was possible to make cornbread in the crockpot? Is there anything a crockpot can’t cook? We’ll have to get back to you on that.
Crockpot cornbread is an easy side dish that goes great with any meat-based meal or salad. Its sweet flavor combines well with rich meat dinners.
8. Creamed Spinach
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Like coleslaw and cottage cheese, creamed spinach is a light and creamy side dish that can be served with almost any meal you have planned.
With parmesan cheese, garlic, and spices, this creamed spinach is sure to be a hit. If you’re in a hurry, you can also make this recipe on the stovetop.
9. Bean Medley
Looking for a side dish with a little more protein? Try this bean medley recipe! It’s a hearty and healthy side dish that’s perfect for the winter months.
With beans, celery, onions, and peppers, this medley spans the entire vegetable family. It takes a little longer to prepare but is worth the time.
10. Corn on The Cob
If you’re looking for a new way to cook corn besides boiling it over the stove, this is the recipe for you. This recipe uses just four ingredients.
It may take a little longer to cook, but the corn comes out juicy and tender. Cleanup is a cinch since the corn is wrapped in aluminum foil.
11. German Potato Salad
Potatoes, bacon, and tangy vinegar dressing; hungry yet? Unlike American potato salad, German potato salad is served warm and has a sweet flavor to it.
Russet and Yukon Gold are the best potatoes to use for this recipe. It takes about 5 hours to cook, but the preparation is fairly simple.
12. Stuffing
The perfect companion to holiday turkey dinner. Cooking a Thanksgiving Day meal can be stressful, time-consuming, and overwhelming. Crockpots can help ease the stress.
Make your stuffing in a crockpot instead, and you can focus on all the other side dishes and of course the turkey! Find the recipe here.
13. Rice
Rice is versatile enough to go with almost any dinner. You can serve it as a side dish, or put your main dish over rice.
Rice, water (or broth), salt, and butter are all you need for this delicious recipe. You can adjust the amount of rice as well for larger families.
14. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a classic side dish to any holiday dinner. While you’re preparing the main course, why not use a crockpot for the side dishes?
You can use fresh green beans or canned, but it’s not recommended to use frozen green beans unless you thaw them first. Otherwise, your casserole may turn watery.
15. Baked Beans
Baked beans go great with any outdoor grilling or barbeque-type foods. Hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, potato salad, lemonade. They’re definitely a summertime favorite!
This recipe adds brown sugar and bacon to give your baked beans some flare. You can use any regular can of baked beans, and most people have their favorites.
16. Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is a rich and creamy side dish that goes with many classic dinners such as meatloaf, roast, and other large cuts of meat.
Making it in the crockpot is simple. The ingredient list in this recipe is short and sweet, making this side dish a breeze to make.
17. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts can be made in a variety of ways, including the crockpot. You can make them with simple salt, a balsamic dressing, or coat them in parmesan.
These are best served with your typical meat and potatoes meal. This recipe makes them with parmesan and garlic to give your sprouts a delicious coating and flavor.
Wrap Up
Slow cookers are just awesome. Once you have the ingredients prepared, just drop them in your crockpot, and it’s hands-off except for a few stirs.
These crockpot side dish recipes give you an easy alternative to some of the most classic side dishes, and let you focus on the main course instead of worrying about sides.
17 Easy Crockpot Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Crockpot Mac & Cheese
- Mashed Potatoes
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Broccoli Casserole
- Glazed Carrots
- Italian Mushrooms
- Cornbread
- Creamed Spinach
- Bean Medley
- Corn on The Cob
- German Potato Salad
- Stuffing
- Rice
- Green Bean Casserole
- Baked Beans
- Creamed Corn
- Brussels Sprouts
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe from the list above.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prepare and enjoy in 30 minutes or less!
