13 Easy Potluck Side Dishes You Can Make in the Slow Cooker

The holiday season is here and if you need to save some oven space, these are the recipes for you! All of these side dish recipes can be made right in the slow cooker, which is convenient for so many reasons. We have everything from potatoes to soups to applesauce for a variety of savory and sweet options.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

A pile of homemade mashed potatoes with butter and chives. — Photo Credit: Wholefully.

With these easy crockpot mashed potatoes, you get creamy, flavorful potatoes with barely any effort at all. Serve them with a variety of meals, from baked chicken breast to salmon and everything in between. Top with a pat of butter and fresh chives right before serving!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes.

Slow Cooker Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole

Small bowls of broccoli and cauliflower casserole. — Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

Easy, cheesy, yet hearty, this slow cooker broccoli and cauliflower casserole is a tasty side for countless meals or a satisfying meatless entrée. From a simple weeknight dinner to your holiday table, this recipe often uses on-hand ingredients and no condensed canned soups.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole.

Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Potatoes

A slow cooker filled with Lipton onion potato slices. — Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

Make these slow cooker Lipton onion potatoes for a show-stopper side dish! Arrange thinly sliced potatoes and top with savory Lipton onion soup mix and a touch of oil. This delicious dish recipe is easy, yummy, and pairs well with just about anything!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lipton Onion Potatoes.

Butternut Squash Soup

This butternut squash soup is a creamy, nourishing side dish that compliments any meal. Crafted from simple, wholesome ingredients, this naturally vegetarian and gluten-free soup offers a cozy and delicious way to enjoy fall flavors.

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup.

Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

This easy and cheesy crockpot dish works well as a side for a holiday meal, like roast turkey or baked ham. With layers of cheesy, creamy flavors, it compliments any main course. It is also so simple that you can make this for a side to any weeknight dinner.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes.

Polenta

Polenta is so easy to make, especially with this slow cooker polenta version which has only 5 minutes of prep time and cooks slowly to creamy perfection. Serve this with steak, kabobs, grilled fish, or whatever you are in the mood for. With hints of parmesan, butter, and garlic, this will be a favorite side with your family.

Get the Recipe: Polenta.

Cowboy Beans

A crock pot filled with beans and ground beef, with a spoon. — Photo Credit: Crayons and Cravings.

These slow-cooker cowboy beans are a hearty, flavorful side dish packed with ground beef, bacon, and beans in a rich, savory-sweet sauce. An easy dump-and-go recipe, it’s perfect for potlucks, game day, or any time you need a crowd-pleasing dish with minimal prep!

Get the Recipe: Cowboy Beans.

Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Potatoes

Small purple and white potatoes with herbs. — Photo Credit: Dizzy Busy and Hungry.

These herb potatoes are cooked perfectly in the slow cooker. They are the perfect side dish for holiday dinners and all year round. Pair them with a variety of main courses from chicken to steak or ham and turkey.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Potatoes.

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

A bowl of creamy Mac and cheese with a fork. — Photo Credit: I Heart Naptime.

Yes, you can even make mac and cheese in the slow cooker! This will quickly become a family favorite. Serve this on the side of baked chicken, steak, or anything you feel would be complemented by cheesy macaroni.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese.

Refried Pinto Beans

Skip the can of refried beans and let your slow cooker turn pinto beans into the smoothest refried beans. Make this to pair with tacos or enchiladas as a side, or add a scoop to a tortilla and wrap it into the best homemade bean burrito.

Get the Recipe: Refried Pinto Beans.

Slow Cooker Applesauce

A bowl of homemade applesauce with whole apples on the side. — Photo Credit: Strength and Sunshine.

Make some homemade applesauce after a day at the orchard for the best side dish you’ll enjoy all season. A dish of applesauce pairs well with pork chops, chicken breast, a grilled steak, or something as simple as a sandwich. After you start making applesauce at home, you won’t reach for a premade jar again!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Applesauce.

Jalapeno Popper Creamed Corn

A bowl of creamed corn with bacon and jalapeno rings. — Photo Credit: xoxo Bella.

This slow cooker side dish brings two favorites together to make the best accompaniment to a variety of meals. This spin on creamed corn spices things up a little by adding plenty of cheese and jalapeno rings. You will love this as a weeknight addition to dinner or with a holiday meal.

Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Creamed Corn.

Cheesy Ranch Bacon Potatoes

Potato quarters on a plate with plenty of cheese. — Photo Credit: xoxo Bella.

Let your slow cooker make the best side. This potato dish is loaded with favorite flavors like bacon, cheese, and ranch seasoning. While this dish is intended to be a side dish, these taters are so tasty that you might want to make a meal of them.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ranch Bacon Potatoes.