This crockpot stuffing is packed with traditional flavors of sage and rosemary, crispy around the edges, and will make your Thanksgiving so much easier this year!
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Nothing says Thanksgiving more than stuffing. It’s my favorite side dish, and we never ever have enough! My mom makes it traditionally in the bird, which is why I like having additional stuffing on hand.
Pair this stuffing with crockpot cranberry sauce or mashed potatoes to make it easy this Thanksgiving! Or try my easy traditional homemade stuffing recipe without turkey for more ideas.
I found this old-fashioned stuffing recipe that uses the crockpot and decided to give it a try to make it easier to make on Thanksgiving. I altered the recipe a few ways and did a few tests to get it just right so you can have success as well!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavors: The combination of sage, rosemary, and parsley gives this stuffing the classic, comforting flavors that everyone loves.
- Family Favorite: This recipe has been a hit with my family for years. It’s a must-have at our holiday gatherings.
- Time-Saver: Using a slow cooker not only infuses the stuffing with amazing flavor, but it also frees up oven space and saves time.
- Moist and Fluffy: The slow cooking process ensures that the stuffing comes out perfectly moist and fluffy, with a golden-brown crust on top. It’s the best of both worlds!
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Key Ingredients
- Bread Cubes: These will form the base of the stuffing, soaking up all the delicious flavors as they cook.
- Celery: Adds a nice, subtle crunch to the stuffing and a hint of fresh, almost sweet flavor.
- Onion: When cooked, it adds a sweet, almost buttery flavor that compliments the savory notes of the other ingredients.
- Carrot: Finely chopped carrots will add a hint of sweetness and a pop of color to the stuffing.
- Butter: Used to sauté the vegetables, it adds a rich, buttery flavor to the dish.
- Chicken Broth: This will be absorbed by the bread, giving the stuffing a savory, meaty flavor and a moist texture.
- Ground Sage, Dried Rosemary, Dried Parsley: These herbs will add a savory, earthy flavor to the stuffing, with a hint of pine from the rosemary.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, making the stuffing more savory.
- Eggs: They will bind all the ingredients together, giving the stuffing a light, fluffy texture.
Equipment
- 4-Quart Slow Cooker – You’ll need this to combine the sauté vegetables, bread cubes, and other ingredients and to cook the stuffing slowly.
- Skillet – This is essential for sautéeing the celery, onion, and carrots with butter before adding them to the slow cooker.
How to Make Crockpot Stuffing
Preparation
Start by finely chopping your vegetables and gather all your seasonings. This will make the process of making crockpot stuffing even smoother!
Step 1 – Sauté the Vegetables
In a pan, sauté the celery, onion, and carrots with butter. Cook them until the onions are see-through. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2 – Combine Vegetables and Bread in the Slow Cooker
Put the bread cubes in your 4 quart slow cooker. Add the sauté mix and the rest of the butter. Stir to combine.
Step 3 – Add the Herbs and Chicken Broth
In a separate bowl, mix the sage, rosemary, and salt with the chicken broth. Once combined, pour about half of this mixture over the bread cubes in the slow cooker. Gently fold it in. Add more chicken broth until the bread cubes are just a little moist.
Step 4 – Fold in the Eggs
In the bowl with the remaining chicken broth, add the beaten eggs. Gently fold this mixture into the bread and broth in the slow cooker.
Step 5 – Slow Cook the Stuffing
Set your slow cooker to low and cook the stuffing for 3 hours. This will help all the flavors to meld together and the bread to become soft, but not mushy.
Step 6 – Serve
After 3 hours, your stuffing is ready. Serve it warm as a delicious side dish for your favorite meal.
Expert Tip
To make the best crockpot stuffing, it’s essential to add the chicken broth gradually. Start by adding about half of the chicken broth to the bread cubes and gently fold it in to avoid breaking them apart. Then, continue adding more broth until the bread cubes are just slightly moist. This step is crucial because the amount of moisture needed can vary depending on the brand of bread cubes you use, and you want to achieve the perfect texture for your stuffing.
Recipe Variations
- Different Bread: Try using different types of bread for your stuffing. A hearty, crusty bread will give you a firmer, more textured stuffing, while a softer bread will result in a more traditional, softer stuffing.
- Add Some Nuts: For a bit of crunch and extra flavor, add a cup of chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, to the stuffing mixture.
- Extra Herbs: Feel free to add more herbs to your stuffing if you like a stronger, more savory flavor. Thyme, oregano, and marjoram all work well in this recipe.
What to Serve With
- This crockpot stuffing is the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. Serve it alongside roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce for a complete holiday feast. The savory flavors of the stuffing pair beautifully with the other traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
- If you’re hosting a Sunday roast, this crockpot stuffing is a must-try. It goes well with roast chicken, beef, or lamb. Add some roasted vegetables and a drizzle of gravy, and you have a hearty and delicious meal that the whole family will love.
Recipe FAQs
For this recipe, I found that the best bread cubes were the ones made by my grocery store. They seemed to have the best texture. However, a brand name of plain bread cubes should work just fine.
It’s essential to slowly add the chicken broth. Don’t add it all at once. Depending on the brand of your bread cubes, you will add a little more or a little less. You’re looking for the bread cubes to be moist but not soggy after a gentle stir. You do not want any liquid sitting on the bottom of the slow cooker.
If your stuffing is too dry, you can carefully add a little more chicken broth. Make sure to gently fold it in to avoid making the bread cubes too soggy. Then, let it sit for a few minutes to allow the broth to be absorbed before serving.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying it, you can store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Simply let the stuffing cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Unfortunately, I don’t recommend freezing this crockpot stuffing. Because of the texture change and the flavors becoming muted, the stuffing doesn’t freeze and reheat well.
More Thanksgiving Side Dishes You’ll Love
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This crockpot stuffing recipe yields enough to serve a crowd, about 12 servings.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to serve more than 12 people, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure to use a larger crockpot to accommodate the increased quantity. Follow the rest of the instructions as directed.
Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients
- 12 Cups bread cubes plain
- 1 stalk celery finely chopped
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- 1/2 Cup butter divided
- 3 Cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs beaten
Instructions
- Saute celery, onion, and carrots in 2 tablespoons of butter until onions are translucent. Add the rest of the butter to melt fully. Combine with bread cubes in a 4-quart slow cooker.
- Add the sage, rosemary and salt to the chicken broth and stir. Pour about half over the bread cubes and fold in gently. Add more chicken broth until the bread cubes are just a little moist. Gently fold in the beaten eggs.
- Slow cook on low for 3 hours. Serve warm.
