SLOW COOKER STUFFING RECIPE (2024)

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This Slow Cooker Stuffing recipe takes my Mom’s favourite classic stuffing recipe into an easy holiday side dish that frees up oven space. You’ll want to make this crockpot stuffing recipe for every thanksgiving dinner or Christmas season.

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I love cooking huge meals primarily for the yummy side dishes.

Delicious holiday side dishes like Green Bean Casserole, mashed potatoes, Oven Roasted Red Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, and Honey Glazed Carrots.

Together they all give the comfort in a meal alongside turkey or a Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham.

I made this crockpot stuffing for thanksgiving day this year, and it was a huge hit.

Stuffing recipes like Chicken Stuffing Bake and Mashed Potato Stuffing Cakes are very much enjoyed in this home.

Sometimes my favorite part of the thanksgiving meal is leftovers and the great meals you can make later.

Sometimes I used Boxed Stuffing Recipes, yet not when ingredients and the special occasion allows.

Then, I break out my Mom’s stuffing recipe from her metal recipe box.

It’s been my go-to for so many years.

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Sometimes though, when I get super crazy on the side dishes, valuable oven space doesn’t allow for yet another dish.

This is why I made stuffing in the slow cooker this year. And it turned out amazingly well. I also make our Air Fryer Turkey Breast for the same reason.

The result is flavourful delicious stuffing that is moist {but not soggy}.

It also has those nice crisp pieces along the edge.

You know, those parts that everyone races for first. This is the best stuffing recipe ever!

So the outside pieces are similar to the stuffing you bake in the casserole dish, and the inside parts are much like the stuffing from inside the bird.

Once combined in a blend of the perfect fresh herbs? Perfection!

Why Cook Stuffing in a Slow Cooker?

I made crockpot stuffing because I usually stuff the bird, and then have a separate dish baking in the oven.

Yet, there’s all that recent advise about not stuffing a turkey, and I didn’t have the oven space to spare to make my Southern Cornbread Dressing.

The prime real estate is the oven during a holiday meal like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

This means it would be super helpful if my stuffing were made elsewhere.

This is where our favourite convenient small appliance comes in.

Once again the slow cooker saved the day.

Plus, I could make this ahead of time and concentrate on other tasks all day, allowing the crockpot to work the magic all on its own.

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This recipe is my Mom’s traditional bread stuffing recipe, and my favorite stuffing recipe.

I only changed the cooking method only = crockpot stuffing.

It’s a recipe near and dear to my heart, so I hope you enjoy this traditional stuffing recipes as much as we do.

Ingredients Required:

butter, black pepper, salt, poultry seasoning, onion, celery, mushrooms, cubed dried bread (both white bread and brown bread if possible), thyme, rosemary, parsley, chicken broth and eggs.

How to Make Stuffing in the Slow Cooker

It starts with stovetop cooking in a large skillet over medium heat.

You’ll want to soften the celery and saute onion in a bath of butter. It doesn’t take much time at all.

Then once the mixture has cooled; you mix with the dried bread cubes, seasoning, and the beaten eggs in a large bowl.

This is the part where the ‘cooled mixture’ is important as you don’t want to cook the eggs when they are combined.

Now, the amount of chicken stock you’ll add is an estimate only.

The actual amount you’ll want is dependant on the type of bread you’re using and how dry it is.

You want enough to moisten the bread mixture, but not make it soggy.

Which is why it’s added in bits, and re-assessed during slow cooking.

Through the day I sample the stuffing, to see if more spices or broth is needed.

You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.

But, if you find you did add too much, stir in more dried bread crumbs and that may salvage the recipe, but you will still have some parts still soggy.

So taste-test this slow cooker thanksgiving stuffing many times and adjust as needed.

This is my favourite excuse, because it’s delicious and ties me over well until dinner time.

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Tips for Making Slow Cooker Stuffing

  • As I said, do not over do it on the broth. Add little by little and remember that you can always add more at any time if needed.
  • Preferences are strong when it comes to stuffing. So feel free to make it your own and add sausage, more or less onion or mushrooms etc.
  • Cook time in the slow cooker is the best. You have high and low options, plus you can keep warm all day long and it’ll be fine.
  • I use a store bought bag of brown and white bread mix as I like the differing textures. You could dry your own for homemade dried bread for stuffing if you wish as well

I’m glad my kitchen was so organized chaos this year because it allowed me to transform my Mothers traditional recipe into an easy adaptation that fits with modern life.

This crock pot dressing recipe has freed me so much time and energy during the holiday season and especially for thanksgiving dinner.

CrockPot Stuffing will be a regular for our holiday meals such as thanksgiving and Christmas.

It’s easy and convenient – and a staple to any holiday meal and one of our best recipes.

Plus, it is so much better than the boxed stuff.

Don’t get me wrong though, they do come in handy.

Bookmark my Recipes Using Stuffing post. You might have leftovers from this recipe, so I’m here to help put them to good {yummy} use!

What pairs with Slow Cooker Stuffing?

This is a lovely side for so many meals. I suggest turkey of course. We have a delicious Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast recipe here on the blog. There’s also an Air Fryer Turkey and Homemade Turkey Gravy too.

Other meat options include Rosemary Garlic Pork Roast and Pineapple Glazed Ham.

It’s a perfect thanksgiving side dish for Smoked Turkey and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta.

More Thanksgiving Sides:

  • Cranberry Fluff Salad
  • Baking Powder Biscuits
  • Green Bean Casserole
  • Easy Cranberry Jelly
  • Pepper Jelly Cranberry Glazed Ham
  • Homemade Turkey Gravy
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Slow Cooker Stuffing

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes

This Slow Cooker Stuffing recipe takes my Mom's favourite classic stuffing recipe into an easy holiday meal side dish that frees up oven space.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 4 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 1 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups celery, diced
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms, diced
  • 8 cups cubed dried bread
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp rosemary
  • 2 tsp parsley
  • 3-4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 eggs, slightly beaten

Instructions

1. In a pan on the stove, heat the butter and add in the onions, celery and mushrooms until softened. Add in the pepper, salt and poultry seasoning and cook for 1 more minute.

2. Allow the mixture to cool. Then place the bread cubes in a large bowl and add the cooled mixture, along with the thyme, rosemary and parsley. Gently mix to combine.

3. Gently stir the eggs into the chicken broth and add in thel iquid 1/2 cup at a time and gently toss to combine. You might not need all the liquid now, but reserve for later if needed. Remember, add only enough to moisten, but not soak.

4. Add mixture into greased slow cooker, and either cook on high for 30 minutes or on low for 3 hours. Check stuffing a few times, and taste. Add more seasoning or broth as needed.

5. It's done when hot throughout, it doesn't take long. Yet you can keep it on warm all day if needed.

6. Enjoy!

Notes

  • - Remember, chicken broth should be added in small amounts and only if needed. This is before and during slow cooking. If too soggy, add more bread cubes and gently mix, yet it's best to avoid too much broth and thus, sogginess.
  • - Alter vegetables to suit preferences such as more mushrooms, less onion, adding cooked sausage etc.
  • - I use a store bought bag of brown and white bread mix as I like the differing textures. You could use your own homemade dried bread if you wish as well
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 255Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 1527mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 7g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

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Created by Tammi Roy

Tammi Roy is the founder of My Organized Chaos, a Canadian food and lifestyle blog. She lives in Alberta, Canada and is the mom of three beautiful teenage girls. Tammi’s passions are her family, creating and sharing delicious recipes, travelling and photography.Learn more about Tammi.

SLOW COOKER STUFFING RECIPE (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if stuffing has enough liquid? ›

We recommend adding stock a little at a time--1/2 cup to 1 cup, depending on how much stuffing you're making--and waiting for the bread to absorb the liquid before adding more. Once the bread is moist but not sitting in a pool of stock, it's ready.

Is it better to make stuffing the day before? ›

The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes. "Making stuffing ahead saves time, allows stove and oven space for other things, and making it ahead gives time for the flavor to fully develop," Chef David Tiner, Director at Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge, tells Southern Living.

Should you put an egg in stuffing? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency. Seasonings: This turkey dressing recipe is seasoned with salt, pepper, rubbed sage, and garlic powder.

How do you keep stuffing moist when cooking? ›

Typically, baking the stuffing inside the bird helps keep the mixture moist. “I prefer stuffing (in the bird) to dressing (outside of the bird) because all those delicious drippings that come off the turkey gets absorbed right into the stuffing,” Bamford says.

How do you know when stuffing is done cooking? ›

Fully cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood ingredients before adding to stuffing. Combine the ingredients and place them in your bird immediately before cooking. Don't stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. In addition to the turkey, the stuffing's center needs to reach 165 F.

What happens if you put too much water in stuffing? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Can you prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate? ›

If you don't plan on stuffing the bird, but preparing the dressing as a side dish, you can prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time as long as you freeze the stuffing immediately after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

Because stuffing is an excellent medium for bacterial growth, it's important to handle it safely and cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer. Here are some common ques- tions consumers ask. Stuffing should not be prepared ahead.

Can you use week old bread for stuffing? ›

In fact, using stale bread and fresh bread will both leave you with equal amounts of mush. The longstanding tip to use old, stale bread for the perfect stuffing is actually a myth. Letting bread go stale doesn't actually dry it out. After sitting out on your counter, bread goes through the process of retrogradation.

Can you mess up stuffing? ›

Your Bread Is Too Fresh

There's nothing better than soft, fresh bread—except for when it comes to stuffing. If you want your stuffing to hold up and not end up a soupy, soggy mess, make sure your bread is dried out or staled for a few days.

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Classic stuffing made with bread cubes, seasonings, and held together with chicken stock and eggs. A holiday staple!

Why is my stuffing so moist? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

What do Southerners call stuffing? ›

But for the Thanksgiving side dish in the South, the term dressing was adopted in place of stuffing, which was viewed as a crude term, during the Victorian era. Although dressing and stuffing are interchangeable terms, the signature ingredient of this Thanksgiving side dish in the South is cornbread.

Why does stuffing go bad so fast? ›

People have a habit of leaving the food out on the buffet table long after the meal is finished. If turkey, stuffing, or gravy is left out at room temperature (40 to 140°F) for over 2 hours it may no longer be safe to eat. Bacteria prospers at this temperature, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.

How long can stuffing sit before cooking? ›

This is a delicious make-ahead stuffing recipe that can be made up to 3 days before you need it. Just mix the stuffing ingredients together and store in the fridge, freeing up time and reducing stress on Thanksgiving Day, when you're dealing with all the other prep!

How wet should my stuffing be? ›

Stuffing should be moist, not dry, because heat destroys bacteria more rapidly in a moist environment. Once the bird is stuffed, it should be placed immediately in an oven set no lower than 325°F. Check out the cooking chart for recommended cooking times for stuffed turkey of various sizes.

How much water do you put in stuffing? ›

  1. Empty the stuffing dry mix into a mixing bowl.
  2. Add 15g melted butter for every 150g of stuffing mix (optional)
  3. Add 250g of water and mix thouroughly.
  4. Add pork mince or sausage meat and knead until evenly mixed together.
  5. Allow stuffing to firm up (approx 15 mins)

Why is my stuffing liquidy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

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