If you're from the South, you know food is one of the most important parts of a family get-together, especially Thanksgiving. However, many of the traditional Southern favorites, like collard greens, grits and soup can take hours to prepare in the oven. Save the oven space for your turkey and cut hours off your Thanksgiving meal prep time by making these Southern side dishes in your slow cooker!
These cheesy grits with sausage, balsamic roasted carrots and stuffing taste just like the kind your mama made, but in half the time. Save yourself the hassle this year and still impress your snooty Southern mother-in-law!
Cheesy grits with sausage
Recipe serves about 3.
Recipe adapted from Oxmoor House
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked grits
- 1 can (14 ounces) of chicken broth
- 1 cup light cream
- 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- Dash of salt
- 1/4 pound chicken sausage, sliced
- 1-1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- Cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Mix the grits, chicken broth, light cream, cream of mushroom soup, salt, butter and hot sauce together in the slow cooker. Add the chicken sausage.
- Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, or until thick. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese and serve warm.
Balsamic glazed carrots
Serves about 5.
Recipe adapted from Southern Living
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds carrots, quartered
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Dash of salt and pepper
Directions:
- Place the carrots, onion and cranberries into the banister of a crock-pot. Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and salt and pepper. Pour the marinade over the vegetables. Cover and cook on high for 3 - 4 hours, or until the vegetables are soft.
Slow cooker stuffing
Serves about 8.
Recipe adapted from All Recipes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 3 cloves garlic
- 6 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 6 cups stuffing mix
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- Dash of salt
- 2-1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 egg, beaten
- Walnuts for garnish
Directions:
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, carrots, mushrooms and garlic. Cook until soft.
- Spoon the mixture over the stuffing mix in a large mixing bowl. Add the seasoning, broth, egg and salt. Pour the mixture into the banister of a slow cooker and heat for 5 hours on low, or until soft.
More Southern-inspired recipes
Sweet potato pie — A Southern favorite
Old-fashioned Southern banana pudding
Southern comfort recipes: Macaroni and cheese
