16 Holiday Main Courses You Can Make Right in Your Slow Cooker

The holidays are upon us, which means so many opportunities to gather around the table with large or small groups of family and loved ones. That’s great if you love to eat, but not always so great if you’re the one tasked with the cooking. Enter: holiday main courses you can make in the slow cooker.

Instead of stressing out over stewed beef or roasted turkey, let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. The slow cook feature works by applying moderate heat over a long period of time, which helps meat get tender without drying out. Plus, you can set it and forget it. Win-win, right?

If you’re not sure what kind of slow cooker holiday main course to serve this year, the list below is here to guide you.

Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken

Did you know you could roast a chicken in the slow-cooker? Give your oven a break, and give it a try!

Get the recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.

Slow Roasted Lamb

This recipe instructs you to cook the lamb in the oven but you could easily use your slow cooker instead. Cook it on low until the internal temperature reaches 160°F or 175°F medium doneness. 

Get the recipe from Leite’s Culinaria. 

Brown Sugar-Maple Ham

This sweet ham is totally foolproof, and the perfect mix of sweet and salty.

Get the recipe from Dinner at the Zoo.

Roast Beef

Kind of a cross between roast beef and beef stew, this saucy main is begging to be served with perfect mashed potatoes.

Get the recipe from Creations by Kara.

Turkey Breast

Don’t need to feed a huge crowd? Skip the whole turkey, and instead opt just for the breast.

Get the recipe from Small Town Woman.

Honey-Glazed Ham

You really can’t go wrong with a honey-glazed ham. The guaranteed leftovers are just a bonus.

Get the recipe from Together as a Family.

Kalua Pig

What’s Kalua pig, you ask? Essentially it’s pulled pork flavored with nothing but bacon fat. 

Get the recipe from Nom Nom Paleo. 

Short Ribs

Short ribs are a surefire win at your holiday table, no matter what you serve them with.

Get the recipe from The Stay at Home Chef.

Vegan African Peanut Stew

Whether you have a table full of vegetarians or just one, this hearty African peanut stew will make them feel special. 

Get the recipe from Sweet Peas and Saffron.

Pot Roast

Want to do something special for a small group? This pot roast is a whole meal in one slow cooker.

Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.

Beef Bourguignon

If it’s good enough for Julia Child, it’s good enough for your holiday table.

Get the recipe from The Recipe Critic.

Bacon Garlic Pork Loin

Pork loin can get dry in the oven. Wrap it with bacon and throw it in the slow cooker, and it’ll stay moist as can be.

Get the recipe from Dinner then Dessert.

Whole Turkey

If you didn’t get enough turkey in November, you can whip up another in December without even turning on your oven.

Get the recipe from The Cookie Writer.

Lamb Shanks in Red Wine Sauce

Lamb shanks can be pricey, but they’re worth the splurge this time of year.

Get the recipe from Recipe Tin Eats.

Barbecue Beef Brisket

This tender, not-too-saucy barbecue beef brisked is great alongside all of your favorite holiday sides.

Get the recipe from Simply Scratch.

Pork Shanks

Pork shanks are a great idea if you want braised pork for a crowd, and they pair well with any kind of polenta, rice, or mash.

Get the recipe from Meatified.

Source: Read Full Article