The slow cooker and the Instant Pot are the two best friends a Thanksgiving cook can have — they take the main course off your hands and free the oven for everything else. Every recipe below is a slow cooker or Instant Pot high-protein Thanksgiving recipe from spoonnspice.com, with 32–55g protein per serving (estimates). Set one in the morning, and dinner is ready when you are.
1. Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Turkey Breast with Greek Yogurt Gravy — 55g Protein
Juicy, hands-off turkey breast with a Greek yogurt gravy — set it in the slow cooker and it is ready when dinner is. Serves 6.
Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Turkey Breast with Greek Yogurt Gravy
2. Slow Cooker Cranberry Balsamic Pot Roast — 38g Protein
Beef pot roast slow-cooked with cranberry and balsamic until it falls apart — set it in the morning and dinner is ready when you are. Serves 6.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Balsamic Pot Roast
3. Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs for Thanksgiving Dinner — 40g Protein
Fall-off-the-bone beef short ribs in a fraction of the usual time — the Instant Pot does the slow cooking while the oven stays free. Serves 4.
Instant Pot Beef Short Ribs for Thanksgiving Dinner
4. Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks with Root Vegetables Holiday Dinner — 42g Protein
Lamb shanks braised low and slow with root vegetables until the meat slides off the bone — a holiday dinner that cooks itself. Serves 4.
Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks with Root Vegetables Holiday Dinner
5. Thanksgiving Beef Stew with Butternut Squash High Protein — 36g Protein
Beef chuck slow-simmered with butternut squash, carrots and thyme in a rich broth — mostly hands-off, and even better the next day. Serves 4.
Thanksgiving Beef Stew with Butternut Squash High Protein
6. Pumpkin Chili with Lean Ground Beef High Protein — 32g Protein
Pumpkin chili with lean ground beef — a one-pot fall dinner that tastes like October and is ready in 55 minutes. Serves 4.
Pumpkin Chili with Lean Ground Beef High Protein
How to choose your slow cooker or Instant Pot main
- The most protein: the slow cooker turkey breast with Greek yogurt gravy, at 55g per serving (estimate).
- Set it in the morning: the slow cooker pot roast or the slow cooker lamb shanks — both cook all day.
- Short on time: the Instant Pot short ribs or the pumpkin chili — the pressure cooker does in an hour what the oven does in three.
- Make-ahead: the beef stew and the pumpkin chili both taste better the next day.
FAQ
Is slow cooker turkey breast good for Thanksgiving?
Yes — it is one of the best ways to cook a turkey breast for a small gathering. It stays juicy, it frees the oven for sides, and the Greek yogurt gravy is made from the cooking juices.
Which slow cooker recipe has the most protein?
The slow cooker turkey breast with Greek yogurt gravy, at 55g protein per serving (estimate). The slow cooker lamb shanks follow at 42g per serving (estimate).
Can I make these recipes the day before?
The beef stew and the pumpkin chili are made for it — refrigerate overnight and reheat gently. The pot roast and lamb shanks reheat well too; the turkey breast is best served fresh from the slow cooker.
Do I need a slow cooker and an Instant Pot?
No — one is enough. The slow cooker recipes here can be adapted to a low oven, and the Instant Pot short ribs work in a slow cooker on high for 4–5 hours. Pick the pot you own and cook with it.
More high-protein recipes to try
- 9 High Protein Beef and Lamb Recipes for the Thanksgiving Table
- 10 High Protein Beef Comfort Food Recipes for Fall
- High Protein Thanksgiving Beef Tenderloin with Garlic Herb Crust
Conclusion
Thanksgiving dinner does not have to mean standing over the stove all day. These six slow cooker and Instant Pot high-protein recipes — 32–55g protein per serving — let the pot do the work while you enjoy the day. Pick one, set it in the morning, and let dinner take care of itself.