Christmas Eve. It’s a wonderful, slightly chaotic day where you’re trying to manage wrapping the last few gifts, making sure Santa’s flight path is confirmed, and simultaneously setting the stage for the next day’s huge feast. You’re definitely feeling that frantic holiday magic, and the kitchen shouldn’t be one more source of stress. Do you really want to spend those precious, quiet hours hovering over a hot stove, juggling four different pots? Probably not.
This is exactly where your slow cooker—that unsung hero of the kitchen—comes in to save the day. It’s a game-changer. By leaning on the “set it and forget it” magic, you can serve up a truly spectacular, warm, and cozy meal without sacrificing your time or your sanity. This collection of Christmas Eve slow cooker recipes is designed to reclaim those precious hours. Think of it as your kitchen’s best assistant, working diligently while you watch a classic movie or finally put your feet up. Here are 10 comforting, delicious slow cooker recipes that, I promise, will make your Christmas Eve feel less like a sprint and more like the holiday dream you imagined.
Disclaimer: I used Gemini to make all the images in this post.
The Big Meal: Mains That Save the Day
When it comes to the centerpiece of the Christmas Eve dinner, you need something impressive but low-effort. You need a dish that cooks itself into absolute tenderness. This is where we focus on slow cooker Christmas eve recipes that provide maximum payoff for minimal effort.
1. The Effortless Holiday Ham
Many folks reserve ham for Christmas Day, but serving it on the Eve frees up your main oven when you need it most. Cooking a ham in a slow cooker is arguably the best way to do it because it stays so incredibly juicy. We’re talking about a sweet and savory glaze here—maybe brown sugar, pineapple juice, and a splash of honey. The meat practically melts, and the glaze thickens beautifully as it cooks.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| For the Ham: | 1. Prep the Pot: Line your 6-qt. slow cooker with a slow cooker liner for easy clean-up. |
| 7-8 lb. pre-cooked, spiral-cut ham | 2. Whip the Glaze: In a bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, pineapple juice, honey, and mustard until smooth. |
| For the Glaze: | 3. Glaze the Ham: Place the ham, cut-side down, into the slow cooker. Pour the glaze evenly over the top, making sure it gets into all those spirals. |
| 1 cup light brown sugar, packed | 4. The Magic Wait: Cover and cook on Low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the ham is heated through ($140^\circ\text{F}$). Baste the ham with the juices from the bottom of the pot every hour or so for maximum stickiness. |
| 1/2 cup pineapple juice | 5. Serve: Slice and serve the ham with the extra sauce from the bottom of the cooker—it’s pure gold! |
| 1/4 cup honey | |
| 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard |
2. Classic Beef Pot Roast
Is there anything more comforting on a chilly winter night than a classic pot roast? This dish just screams “cozy night in.” The long, slow cook time turns that tough cut of beef into something so tender you could slice it with a spoon. Plus, the aroma alone, wafting through your house as you decorate is a holiday bonus.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Core: | 1. Sear for Flavor (Optional but Worth It): Lightly coat the roast in salt and pepper. Sear it in a skillet with 1 Tbsp of oil for 2 minutes per side to lock in the flavor. Transfer to the slow cooker. |
| 3-4 lb. beef chuck roast, trimmed | 2. Add the Essentials: Pour the beef broth around the roast. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the top. |
| 1 packet (1 oz) dry onion soup mix | 3. Layer the Veggies: Place the potatoes, carrots, and celery around the edges of the pot. |
| 1 cup beef broth | 4. Set and Relax: Cover and cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours, or on High for 4 to 5 hours. The roast is done when it is falling apart tender. |
| The Veggies: | 5. Serve: Shred or slice the beef and serve with the incredible broth and tender vegetables. |
| 1 lb. small potatoes, halved | |
| 1 lb. baby carrots | |
| 2 stalks celery, cut into chunks |
3. White Chicken Chili
Perhaps you’re looking for a warm, unexpected twist? If you’re a little tired of heavy holiday fare, a creamy, hearty White Chicken Chili is a fantastic choice. It’s flavorful, filling, and perfect for serving buffet-style. People can load it up with their favorite toppings. It’s truly a hug in a bowl, and what is Christmas Eve if not a massive, edible hug?
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Base: | 1. Dump and Cook: Place the chicken breasts, beans, diced onion, broth, and spices (cumin, oregano, chili powder) into the slow cooker. |
| 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 2. The Long Simmer: Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours. |
| 2 (15 oz) cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed | 3. Shred It: When the chicken is cooked through, use two forks to easily shred it inside the pot. |
| 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies, undrained | 4. Make it Creamy: Stir in the cream cheese and corn. Continue to cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cream cheese is fully melted and the chili is creamy and thick. |
| 1 large onion, diced | 5. Toppings Station: Serve hot with your favorite toppings like avocado, cilantro, and tortilla strips. |
| 4 cups chicken broth | |
| 1 tsp ground cumin | |
| The Finisher: | |
| 4 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes | |
| 1 cup frozen corn |
Starters and Sides: Keeping the Party Warm
You can’t have a proper holiday spread without those essential appetizers and sides, and keeping them warm is a separate challenge. Using a second, smaller slow cooker for dips and sides is the pro move here, ensuring your full array of slow cooker recipes for Christmas eve stays hot and fresh.
4. Saucy Grape Jelly Meatballs
Yes, you heard that right: grape jelly. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried this legendary, ridiculously easy appetizer. The combination of grape jelly, chili sauce, and frozen meatballs creates a perfect sweet-and-sour-tangy coating that everybody loves. They cook fast, stay perfectly warm on the “Keep Warm” setting, and you won’t believe how quickly they disappear. This is one of the easiest slow cooker Christmas eve recipes to pull off.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Core: | 1. Whisk the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the grape jelly and the chili sauce until they are fully combined. |
| 1 (12 oz) jar grape jelly | 2. Add the Balls: Place the frozen meatballs directly into the slow cooker. |
| 1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce (like Heinz) | 3. Coat: Pour the jelly/chili sauce mixture over the meatballs. Stir gently to coat them evenly. |
| 1 (32 oz) bag frozen pre-cooked meatballs | 4. Heat and Hold: Cover and cook on Low for 2 to 3 hours, or on High for 1 to 2 hours, stirring halfway, until the meatballs are hot all the way through. |
| 5. Keep Warm: Switch to the Keep Warm setting for serving. Serve with toothpicks. |
5. Creamy Spinach Artichoke Dip
Forget the cold dips! A warm, cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip is always a winner. It’s rich, savory, and when served hot from the slow cooker, it feels especially luxurious. The best part is that once the cheese is melted and gooey, it holds that beautiful temperature for hours.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Gooey Bits: | 1. Combine the Creamy Base: In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise until well combined. |
| 8 oz cream cheese, softened | 2. Fold in the Fillings: Stir in the Parmesan, mozzarella, drained spinach, and chopped artichoke hearts. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. |
| 1/2 cup sour cream | 3. Cook: Transfer the mixture to a small slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 2 to 3 hours, or until the dip is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is fully melted. Stir well before serving. |
| 1/4 cup mayonnaise | 4. Serve Hot: Switch to the Keep Warm setting and serve with pita chips, crackers, or bread. |
| 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese | |
| The Veggies: | |
| 1 (10 oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry | |
| 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped |
6. Decadent Scalloped Potatoes
Oven space is gold on Christmas. Don’t waste it on potatoes. When you make them in the slow cooker, they get incredibly tender and absorb all that creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s a richer side, perfect for Christmas Eve. This is a must-try from the list of slow cooker recipes for Christmas eve.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Layers: | 1. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour, then slowly whisk in the milk and cream. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the cheddar and Gruyère until melted. Season heavily with salt and pepper. |
| 3 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced | 2. Layer the Potatoes: Grease your slow cooker. Place one-third of the sliced potatoes on the bottom. Pour one-third of the cheese sauce over the potatoes. Repeat the layering process twice more. |
| The Sauce: | 3. The Long Steam: Cover and cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours, or on High for 2.5 to 3 hours. The potatoes are done when they are fork-tender. |
| 4 Tbsp butter | |
| 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour | |
| 1 cup whole milk | |
| 1 cup heavy cream | |
| 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese | |
| 1/2 cup shredded Gruyère cheese |
7. Cheesy Creamed Greens
You need some green on the table, but let’s make it a decadent green. It’s a rich side dish that feels fancy and holiday-appropriate, yet it’s as easy as tossing ingredients together and walking away. It’s a great companion to the main Christmas eve slow cooker recipes in your lineup.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Greens: | 1. Combine Everything: Add the very dry spinach (this is crucial!), heavy cream, Parmesan, cream cheese, garlic powder, and nutmeg to the slow cooker. |
| 2 (10 oz) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry | 2. Melt and Mix: Cover and cook on Low for 1 to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and bubbling. |
| The Creaminess: | 3. Serve Hot: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep on the Keep Warm setting. |
| 1 cup heavy cream | |
| 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese | |
| 4 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes | |
| 1/4 tsp garlic powder | |
| Pinch of ground nutmeg |
Cozy Endings: Desserts and Drinks
The slow cooker isn’t just for savory dishes; it’s a phenomenal dessert station, too. It handles liquids and delicate recipes with a gentle heat that prevents burning.
8. Dreamy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
If you’re hosting a crew, making individual cups of hot cocoa is a pain. Instead, fill your biggest slow cooker with high-quality chocolate and cream. It turns into the most luxurious, thick hot chocolate imaginable. It stays warm and ready, perfect for ladling into mugs.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Base: | 1. The Chocolate Melt: Pour the milk and heavy cream into the slow cooker. Add the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips. |
| 8 cups whole milk | 2. Stir and Heat: Cover and cook on Low for 2 to 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. |
| 2 cups heavy cream | 3. Flavor Finish: Stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts. Taste and adjust the peppermint—a little goes a long way! |
| 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk | 4. Ladle and Top: Switch to the Keep Warm setting. Set out crushed candy canes and marshmallows for customizing. |
| 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips | |
| The Flavor: | |
| 1 tsp vanilla extract | |
| 1/2 to 1 tsp peppermint extract |
9. Warm Gingerbread Pudding
Skip the elaborate baked pie. This is a wonderfully rustic, warm, and cozy dessert. A gingerbread pudding steamed gently in the slow cooker becomes moist and intensely flavorful—think of all that molasses, ginger, and cinnamon filling your kitchen.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Pudding: | 1. Mix Batter: Combine wet and dry ingredients in separate bowls, then blend just until combined. |
| 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour | 2. Prep for Steam: Generously grease a 6-cup oven-safe mold. Pour batter into the mold and cover it tightly with foil. |
| 1 tsp ground ginger | 3. Steam: Place the mold inside the slow cooker. Pour 1 cup of boiling water into the slow cooker around the mold. Cover the slow cooker and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or until a toothpick comes out clean. |
| 1/2 cup dark molasses | 4. Serve: Unmold and serve warm with a drizzle of vanilla sauce or whipped cream. |
| 1 tsp ground cinnamon | |
| 1 tsp baking soda | |
| 1/2 tsp ground cloves | |
| 1/2 tsp salt | |
| 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened) | |
| 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar | |
| 1 large egg | |
| 1 tsp vanilla extract | |
| 1/2 cup whole milk |
10. Simple Chocolate Fudge
Believe it or not, you can make perfect, smooth fudge in your slow cooker. It’s a genius hack. You can melt your chocolate, condensed milk, and any flavorings right in the pot. It’s a fantastic recipe for getting the kids involved.
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| The Fudge: | 1. Prep the Pan: Line an $8 \times 8$ inch baking pan with parchment paper. |
| 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk | 2. Melt: Combine the condensed milk and chocolate chips in a 4-qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 1 hour. Do not stir during this time. |
| 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips | 3. Mix and Finish: Turn the slow cooker off. Stir the mixture vigorously until it is perfectly smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla extract. |
| 1 tsp vanilla extract | 4. Cool: Pour the fudge into the prepared pan. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until firm. Cut into squares. |
Honorable Mention: Slow Cooker Spiced Cider
We’ve covered the mains and the sweets, but what about a little something extra festive? A big batch of spiced holiday cider or is always welcome. It fills your entire house with the most beautiful, authentic Christmas scent, and it keeps everyone warm from the inside out. Don’t forget to check out more amazing Christmas eve slow cooker recipes for drinks and snacks!
| Ingredients | Instructions |
| 1 gallon apple cider | 1. Toss It In: Pour the cider into the slow cooker. Add the orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. |
| 1 orange, sliced | 2. Infuse: Cover and cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours, or on the Keep Warm setting for 6+ hours. The longer it goes, the more intense the spice flavor. |
| 4 cinnamon sticks | 3. Ladle: Remove the orange and spices before serving. Serve warm in mugs. |
| 1 Tbsp whole cloves | |
| 2-3 whole star anise |
See? No need to stress. You’ve got this. By delegating those long cook times to your trusty appliance, you can actually enjoy the evening and, you know, maybe focus on whether those reindeer hoof prints are convincing enough. You might even find yourself wondering why you ever bothered using the oven for Christmas Eve in the first place.
Which of these slow cooker superheroes are you adding to your holiday menu this year? Let me know in the comments below! I’m always curious to hear what other families rely on to make their Christmas Eve feel a little bit easier.
Sources
- https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/meals-menus/g41790738/christmas-crock-pot-recipes/
- https://www.southernliving.com/slow-cooker-christmas-recipes-8754453
- https://www.kimscravings.com/slow-cooker-ham/
- https://www.thecookierookie.com/slow-cooker-peppermint-hot-chocolate/
- https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/slow-cooker-christmas-recipes
