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These set-it-and-forget-it crockpot side dishes won’t heat the kitchen and can be made the morning of for a less stressful evening.

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Collage of crockpot side dish recipes.

Sides Made Easier!

Dinner preparation often comes with the huge hurdle of oven space scarcity and constant stovetop monitoring. The solution is your trusty slow cooker!

Crock Pots are not just for main dishes! We love to use them for Soup and especially for sides (especially for holidays when you’re already running around crazy and making 5 other things).

Today, we rounded up our favorite crockpot recipes for sides! From green beans to mac and cheese, you can make a variety of side dishes in the slow cooker.

Tip: Pin this roundup for crock pot sides dishes for all your holidays, potlucks, or family gatherings.


Our Top 10 Crockpot Side Dishes

From rich, cheesy potatoes to perfectly seasoned vegetables, these are our top “dump, set, and forget” favorites. They’re seriously life savers on holidays!

1 Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this crock pot mac and cheese is so simple, cheesy, and delicious!
4.99 from 287 votes
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2 Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

Cheesy Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Crockpot cheesy potatoes are the perfect, easy side dish for your next meal or holiday gathering. Just dump, cook, and enjoy!!
5 from 371 votes
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3 How to Cook Rice in a Crock Pot

How to Cook Rice in a Crock Pot
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
No need for a rice cooker, simply follow these steps for how to cook rice in a crock pot. It's the easiest method!
5 from 14 votes
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4 Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Creamy, cheesy crockpot mashed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to any meal. They are SO easy to make – especially for busy holidays!
5 from 19 votes
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5 Crockpot Green Beans Recipe

Crockpot Green Beans Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Just a few ingredients make the yummiest green beans ever! Simple Crockpot Green Beans is one of our go-to side dishes for any meal!
4.93 from 13 votes
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6 Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole Recipe

Slow Cooker Hash Brown Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Enjoy this easy slow cooker hash brown casserole – simply set it and forget it to create a wonderfully cheesy and creamy classic side dish!
4.95 from 51 votes
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7 Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Bowl of crock pot creamed corn.
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Dinner wouldn't be complete without rich, flavorful crock pot creamed corn! It's creamy, buttery, and preps in minutes – a holiday favorite!
5 from 19 votes
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8 Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Crispy, creamy crockpot green bean casserole is beyond easy and just as tasty as the original oven-baked classic!
5 from 20 votes
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9 Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe

Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Creamy crock pot scalloped potatoes are a great side to any meal. You only need a few ingredients and the slow cooker!
5 from 186 votes
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10 Crockpot Spanish Rice Recipe

Crockpot Spanish Rice Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Crockpot Spanish Rice is full of delicious Mexican spices. This savory side tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant!
5 from 111 votes
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More Crock Pot Sides

Scroll down now to discover even more delicious, easy, hands-free side dishes!

11 Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
The crock pot takes all the guess work out of baked potatoes. Simply prep and wrap your potatoes, throw them in the crock pot, and they come out perfectly ready to be topped with all your favorite fixings!
4.89 from 17 votes
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12 Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe

Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Total Time: 12 hours
Nutrient-rich pinto beans are cooked to perfection. These make a great meal or a tasty side dish to any of your Mexican dishes.
5 from 45 votes
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13 Baked Beans Recipe

Baked Beans Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Easy Homemade Baked Beans is a must-have at all of our BBQ's. Everyone who tries it agrees it's the best baked beans recipe!
4.98 from 41 votes
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14 Crockpot Meatballs

Crockpot Meatballs
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Our favorite sweet and savory crockpot meatballs are prepped in only 5 minutes for the perfect no-fuss party appetizer!
5 from 215 votes
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15 Crockpot BBQ Meatballs

Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Our sweet & savory crockpot bbq meatballs recipe are a hit at every party and only require 5 minutes of prep.
5 from 10 votes
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10+ Easy Crockpot Side Dishes

These set-it-and-forget-it crockpot side dishes won't heat the kitchen and can be made the morning of for a less stressful evening.
Servings: 8
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 15 minutes

Video

Ingredients 

  • 3 pounds russet potatoes
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions 

  • Peel and chop the potatoes into one inch pieces.
  • Add the potatoes and garlic to a slow cooker and pour the chicken broth over the top. Add the bay leaf and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  • Drain the potatoes, reserving the cooking liquid. Mash the potatoes with the milk and butter until mostly smooth. Add cooking liquid as needed to achieve desired consistency.
  • Stir in the sour cream, salt, pepper, and cheese. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

MAKE AHEAD Yes, keep them in the refrigerator, and when ready to serve, simply reheat them in the crockpot on the “warm” setting until heated through. You may need to add a splash of milk or broth to restore the creamy consistency.
STORE these potatoes in an air-tight container, in the fridge, for up to 5 days.
FREEZE. These mashed potatoes can be frozen, because they have some fat (butter and sour cream), which helps them keep that creamy consistency. Store in an airtight container in the freezer.
Thaw. Let the potatoes thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 803mg, Potassium: 867mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 400IU, Vitamin C: 18.2mg, Calcium: 175mg, Iron: 1.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. Sue says:

    I didn’t know so may things could be made in crock pot. I’ve made the baked beans several times and they are always a hit.

  2. Natasha says:

    These side dishes are perfect for our turkey this Thanksgiving. I’ve always loved your recipes and this one is always a hit!

  3. Diane V says:

    Exactly what I was looking for, I am so happy I found this! Thank you!

  4. jess says:

    this has become a game changer for the holidays and planning thanksgiving dinner or even christmas dinner! the assortment of side dishes makes for easy work

  5. Joy says:

    We make your crock pot mac & cheese all the time!! Love crock pot recipes!! They are super easy & always taste great!

  6. Olivia says:

    The variety of side dishes on this site are amazing. They all look so good and simple. Can hardly wait to try them.