Best Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Stuffing
Best slow cooker Thanksgiving stuffing recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Full of Italian herbs, butter, veggies, dried cranberries, seasoned bread cubes. No more soggy stuffing!
There are high expectations for this super popular side dish on Thanksgiving to accompany the Slow Cooker Turkey Breast, and often times not a lot of oven or stove room for it. This recipe solves the “lack of places to cook things” problem through the use of the crockpot! If you prefer another version then try this Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing or this Slow Cooker Cornbread Stuffing or Dressing or even this Slow Cooker Vegetarian Stuffing (Mushroom Stuffing).
How To Make Best Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe From Scratch?
- Saute veggies– This includes celery, onions, carrots, garlic.
- Transfer mixture– To crockpot.
- Add other ingredients- This includes bread cubes, poultry seasoning, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, dried cranberries, eggs, broth.
- Cover- And cook.
What Is The Difference Between Dressing And Stuffing?
These days, the two terms are used interchangeably, but back in the day, it was stuffed inside the turkey, and dressing was made and served on the side. This is not done anymore, due to cooking food safety issues.
What Is Traditional Stuffing Made Of?
Traditionally, it is made of stale bread, broth, onions, celery, eggs, butter, and seasoning.
What Bread Do You Use To Make Homemade Stuffing?
Use French bread or Italian bread. However, it must be dry, stale bread. If you don’t have any stale bread, cut the fresh bread into cubes. Then, spread out the cubes on a baking tray, and bake at 400 degrees F for 7 to 10 minutes or until dried out. If you use fresh bread, it will absorb a lot of the liquid/ broth and become very soggy.
Why Are Eggs Added To Stuffing? Is Stuffing Better With Or Without Eggs?
Eggs act as a “binding agent” so that the bread cubes stick together a little bit and you get all the flavors in one bite, and it isn’t too crumbly.
How To Fix Soggy Stuffing?
Simply, add more bread crumbs to soak up the excess liquid. However, avoiding this mishap in the first place, would be best. Do so by adding less broth to begin with, and only add a small amount at a time if more is needed. Please note that you will have to add some more spices then too.
How To Fix Dry Stuffing?
Add more broth, until you reach desired consistency. Remember, it does take some time for the liquid to be absorbed into the dried bread cubes. DON’T RUSH! Wait for a few minutes before adding more broth, or else you may end up with the opposite problem of soggy mess.
Variations For Thanksgiving Dressing
Add sausage– Add mild or hot Italian sausage, or even maple sausage for more flavor and added heartiness.
Add other vegetables– Such as diced green peppers, corn, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, or even diced sweet potatoes.
Add toasted pecans or walnuts at the end– This adds a nice crunchy texture, and so much flavor. Add them at the end so they don’t become soft.
Try other herbs or even fresh herbs– Such as sage, rosemary, thyme, parsley, fennel, or even a dash of nutmeg.
Add apples– Finely chop your favorite variety of apple, and add it for sweetness.
Add pears– Add finely chopped pears for additional sweetness.
Add mushrooms– For even more depth of flavor. Be sure to saute them first until golden brown.
Vegetarian stuffing– Use vegetable broth and vegan butter.
Add other dried fruit– Such as raisins, yellow raisins, cherries, or even dried apricots.
Seafood stuffing– Add cooked crab, lobster, or even shrimp.
Add bacon– For a salty and crunchy addition.
Gluten-free version– Use gluten-free bread and follow the same recipe.
Tips And Techniques
Use low-sodium broth and butter– Because this prevents the dish from becoming too salty.
Highly recommend using seasoned bread crumbs– They have so much flavor, and saves a step of you having to add all that flavor.
If using plain bread crumbs, add more Italian herbs– Otherwise, the end result will be very bland.
Use a multifunctional slow cooker– This allows you to saute the vegetables in the crockpot and you won’t have to make another pot or pan dirty.
What size crockpot to use? I recommend using a 6 quart or larger crockpot.
Grease the slow cooker first– Because this prevents the bread from sticking and burning on the bottom of the crockpot.
Adjust the amount of seasoning– Based on your personal preference.
Start with adding 3 cups of broth– You may not even need to use the whole quantity. This helps prevent it from becoming too soggy.
If you prefer a “wet stuffing”- Add more broth.
Storage
Refrigerate– In a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Freeze– In a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. However, it tastes the best when served fresh.
Reheat– In the microwave.
More Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Slow Cooker Turkey Gravy From Drippings
- Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
- Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
- Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
- Slow Cooker Twice Baked Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Creamy Brussels Sprouts
Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Stuffing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Butter, Unsalted
- 1 cup Celery, Diced
- 1 cup Onions, Finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Carrots, Peeled, Finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic , Finely minced
- 2 packets Dried seasoned bread cubes, 12 oz. each
- 1 tsp Poultry seasoning
- 1-2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt, To taste
- Pepper, To taste
- 1/2 cup Dried cranberries
- 2 Eggs, Large
- 3-4 cups Broth, Chicken or vegetable, Low sodium
Instructions
- Add butter in a nonstick pot or pan over medium-high heat.
- When it's fully melted, add celery, onions, carrots, garlic and saute for a few minutes until veggies are partially softened.
- Note: Use a multifunctional slow cooker that allows you to saute the vegetables the in the slow cooker. This way, you won’t have to make another pot or pan dirty.
- Transfer this mixture to a large greased crockpot (6 quart or larger).
- Add the dried seasoned bread cubes.
- Sprinkle poultry seasoning, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, dried cranberries.
- Mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and broth. I recommend starting with only 3 cups broth. You may not even need to use the whole quantity.
- Pour this mixture over the bread cubes and veggies.
- Mix until combined. The bread cubes should feel slightly moist. They should not be soaking wet.
- Cover and cook on Low heat for about 3 hours or until bread cubes are soft and everything is warmed through/ cooked through.
- Check to see if the bread is moist to your liking and mix in more broth, if necessary. Cover and cook for another 30 minutes on Low heat. You may have to do this if you prefer a "wet stuffing." Enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Tastes best when served immediately but leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave.
