Crock Pot Stuffing

Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Crock Pot Stuffing is a favorite Thanksgiving Recipe to save oven space. It saves time of having to cook a stuffed Turkey longer, and the mess of stuffing it while giving many of the same flavors and that soft texture you get from stuffing. It makes a delicious Thanksgiving side dish.

Whether you call it Stuffing or Dressing this Crockpot Stuffing will quickly become a family favorite recipe for the holidays. What's not to love about a classic Thanksgiving dish that frees up not only time but oven space?

A side shot of Crock Pot Stuffing in a white bowl.

I know it's after Thanksgiving but I received so many emails this year for my Crock Pot Stuffing, I decided it's better late then never.

We've actually enjoyed Crock Pot Stuffing a few times in the last month or two, with plans of posting the recipe, but we always seemed to run out of daylight before Colt could capture a finished photo.
Luckily the light was perfect on Thanksgiving, and he captured a few shots before the stuffing went to the table.

I started making stuffing in the crock pot on Thanksgiving 2 years ago following my car accident. I had a hard time rolling out of bed extra early that day, and a stuffed 30lb Turkey could have taken an extra 2 hours leaving dinner long over due. I had plenty of kitchen help between Colt and the kids, but they needed my direction. When you're living in chronic pain you start to prioritize what really matters in the day, and on that particular day I knew I needed the extra sleep, after a night of tossing and turning.

From past experience I knew cooking the excess stuffing in a casserole dish never created the moist flavorful stuffing that came from the Turkey, and required valuable oven space. It was dry, and no matter what I did it just wasn't my first choice, so I decided I would test out the slow cooker, to not only save oven space, but on time.

After 15 years of Stuffing the Turkey, my ways have been eternally changed. Not only does the Stuffing smell amazing, but you won't miss the flavor, with a few simple tricks. Slow Cooker Stuffing is moist and flavorful, with a lightly crispy edge similar to dressing. Crock Pot dressing is really the best of both worlds. Here's how to make Crock Pot Stuffing: 

A down shot of Sautéed Onions in a cast iron skillet.
In a large skillet melt 1/3 cup Butter and sauté 2 whole Medium Sized Diced Onions, until onions start to caramelize. 

(If you want to make Giblet Stuffing or Sausage Stuffing add ingredients to the onions.)

A down shot of sautéed garlic, celery, diced Granny Smith Apples, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Salt and Pepper with chicken stock and white wine in a cast iron pan.
Stir in:
  • 6 cloves Minced Garlic
  • 8 stalks Diced Celery
  • 2 whole Seeded and Diced Granny Smith Apples
  • 1/4 cup Minced Fresh Sage
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme Stems Removed
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Rosemary Stems Removed
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Parsley
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper. 
Cook until garlic and herbs become fragrant. Stir in 1 1/2 cups Dry White Wine like Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay, and bring to a simmer. Cook off the alcohol for about 5 minutes until the wine has reduced.

Sautéed Vegetables added to Bread Cubes with Chicken Stock being poured over the top in a crock pot.

Stir Vegetable/Wine mixture into 12 cups Dried 1/2" Bread Cubes  until well combined. (I usually use French Bread, but a combination of French Bread, Corn Bread, and Sourdough are delicious too.) Then slowly stir in between 2 1/2-3 cups Turkey or Chicken Stock  until bread is lightly moistened but not soggy. 

Taste stuffing and add Salt and Pepper if needed.

Crock Pot Stuffing in a black crock pot that has been buttered.
Butter bottom and sides of a 6 quart Slow Cooker and add stuffing mixture.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Baste stuffing with Turkey Drippings once they become dark or additional broth about 3-4 times as it cooks. If bread starts to become too brown around edges turn slow cooker to warm until ready to serve.

A down shot of Crock Pot Stuffing in a Black Crock Pot.
The secret to really good Crock Pot Stuffing is not over moistening the bread when adding it to the Slow Cooker so it steams as it cooks and the additional basting of juices to not only reach the perfect consistency, but the additional flavors of the Turkey. Serve stuffing out of the Slow Cooker or place in a pretty bowl.

This stuffing can also be used inside the Turkey just baste the opening with the stuffing as the bird cooks. Either way you can't go wrong.

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American
Yield: 12
Author: Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Crock Pot Stuffing

Crock Pot Stuffing

Crock Pot Stuffing recipe has fresh herbs and wine. Making it a must for Thanksgiving and Christmas from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch.
Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 6 HourTotal time: 6 H & 20 M

Ingredients

  • 14 cups French Bread, Corn Bread, Or Sourdough Bread Cut Into 1/2" Cubes, Or 12 cups Dried Bread Cubes
  • 1/3 cup Butter Plus Additional For Greasing Slow Cooker
  • 2 whole Medium Sized Onions, Diced
  • 6 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 8 stalks Celery, Diced
  • 2 whole Apples, Seeded And Cored ( I prefer a tart firm apple like Granny Smith.)(Optional)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Sage, Minced and Stems Removed
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme, Stems Removed
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Rosemary, Chopped and Stems Removed
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, Chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups Dry White Wine or Turkey Stock
  • 2 1/2-3 cups Turkey Or Chicken Stock

Instructions

Dry The Bread Cubes
  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and turn oven off. Add bread cubes in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Stir bread cubes every so often and reheat oven as needed until bread is totally dry. Store bread cubes covered in a large bowl or container covered until ready to use. Bread Cubes can be dried a week ahead of time.
  2. Don't forget the bread cubes are in the oven! It helps to place a note over the thermostat with a reminder to remove before starting.
Crock Pot Stuffing
  1. Grease a 6qt Slow Cooker well with butter. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet melt butter and add onion. Cook until onion starts to caramelize. Add garlic, celery, apples, sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook until garlic and herbs become fragrant about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Stir in white wine and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes until wine has reduced.
  4. Toss cooked vegetable mixture with dried bread crumbs until evenly coated. Stir in enough stock to moisten bread crumbs being careful not to add too much. Bread should be lightly moistened but not soggy. Taste stuffing and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Place stuffing in greased slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. Baste stuffing with turkey drippings or additional broth 3-4 times as it cooks.
  6. If bread starts to become too brown turn slow cooker to warm until ready to use.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

208.61

Fat

6.69 g

Sat. Fat

3.63 g

Carbs

27.29 g

Fiber

2.53 g

Net carbs

24.73 g

Sugar

6.91 g

Protein

5.57 g

Sodium

527.53 mg

Cholesterol

15.06 mg

Calories are estimated.

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Crock Pot Stuffing recipe is packed with flavor from fresh herbs and wine. Making it a must for Thanksgiving from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch.

Side shot of Crock Pot Stuffing recipe in a white bowl with white text at the top of photo Crock Pot Stuffing.

35 comments

  1. This is the only way I've made stuffing. Love the crock-pot, and it frees up the oven!!

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  2. Do I use my lid on the slow cooker? I actually hate my slow cooker because everything I try to cook gets so soggy. And I don't like soggy stuffing for sure.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Liz, Yes use the lid. It is softer stuffing like if you cook it in the turkey. You can always bake it, if you prefer baked stuffing. Also a little lighter on basting it with drippings will help. Happy Thanksgiving, Serena

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  3. Hi, Can you tell me whether and how stuffing can be made the day before? Is it one of those those things that gets better after setting over night in the 'fridge, or does it have to be served immediately? If I can do it the day before, how to I heat through without drying? Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, You could make it ahead of time. I would probably just use the crock pot to reheat it, and baste it with additional liquid if needed to prevent it from drying out. Thanks, Serena

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  4. Why the apples? I am hesitant to use them

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    Replies
    1. I like the flavor contrast with the herbs. If you aren't big on apples you can skip them.

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  5. Hi! I'm making this for thanksgiving but I need more than 12 servings! Can I just double the recipe and then how would the cooking time adjust?

    Thanks!
    Marisa

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    Replies
    1. Hi Marisa, Yes you can double it. I would leave the cook time alone if your cooking it on low. Hi might need an extra 1/2-1 hour. You could always give yourself extra time and then leave it on warm once its cooked. Thanks, Serena

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  6. Hi! I am making this for the first time, love the idea of crock pot. Can I use poultry seasoning in place of fresh herbs and if so how much? Thank You....Happy Thanksgiving

    Cathy

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    Replies
    1. Hi Cathy, You can. It will probably be 3+ tablespoons. I would start with 2 tablespoons and taste it.It won't taste as good as cooked but it will give you an idea how much you want to use. Dried herbs are a little different then fresh. Thanks, Serena

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  7. To make the night before would you mix it all. Refrigerate. Then cook in am? Or wait and mix and cook in am. I cooked veggies etc already but haven’t mixed bread in. Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Laura! I would probably mix the bread in that morning if you have time. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Serena

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  8. Hi Serena, I want to make this but would rather bake in the oven to get that crisp on the top layer. Is there any changes I should make to the recipe?

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    Replies
    1. Hi! You might just need a little extra liquid when you assemble it or give it a few squirts of the your turkey drippings. The oven is more drying then the Crock Pot. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Serena

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  9. Could I leave out the wine? Maybe use more stock? I am loving the idea of having more oven space :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Katie! You sure could. If you use stock instead you will want to reduce the salt since stock is saltier then wine. Merry Christmas, Serena

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  10. I made your delicious crock pot stuffing yesterday for Canadian Thanksgiving and it was a total hit! Your recipe will definitely be on our Christmas dinner table too. Thanks so much for the recipe 😋

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  11. This stuffing is delicious! I can't wait to serve it for Thanksgiving this year. Thanks so much for the recipe!

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  12. I made this last year for Thanksgiving and just came back to find it so I can make it again! It was delicious and so nice to free up space in my oven. The whole family raved!

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  13. We like to have a mini thanksgiving dinner sometimes, so I made this recipe this week. It's delicious. The apples add a nice sweetness. I used veggie broth to make it vegetarian. Came out perfectly.

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  14. I made this and the addition of apples makes this come alive! It's a great tasting recipe and I love that you can leave it to cook in the crock pot. Thanks!

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  15. Hi Serena
    Wondering if this can be made ahead and frozen?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Are you thinking of freezing it prior to cooking or after? I haven't tried it but I would assume it would freeze ok. Thanks, Serena

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  16. Hi Serena,

    I’m excited to try this recipe for my family next week for Christmas dinner. I will be purchasing my chicken stock not making it from scratch so should I choose low sodium or just regular broth? Also should the butter be regular or salt free? I want to make sure it’s not over salted from the start! Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Rita, I use regular Salted Butter but Low Sodium Broth. I hope that helps. Merry Christmas, Serena

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  17. Thank you Serena, I appreciate your advice. One more quick question. My mom always added an egg to her stuffing to bind it together. Do you find that this recipe keeps everything "together" okay without the egg? Merry Christmas to you as well!

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    Replies
    1. It's not super binded together but it is scoop-able. You could always add an egg if you prefer a firmer stuffing.

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  18. Can this recipe be cut in half? Would the cook time be the same? I’m only making dinner for 3 people, so I don’t need as much stuffing.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, You can cut it in half. If you have a smaller crock pot I would use that so it doesn't over cook with using the lower end of the time and yes it will probably be the higher end of half for the cook time in a larger crock pot. The smaller crock pot will probably take near the same time. I always feed a small army so I haven't halved it but I would probably incorporate some extra time and then turn it to warm once it's done just to ensure there is enough time. Thanks, Serena

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  19. Hi Serena! I’m using my crockpot for the ham today and wondering if I can just cook this in the oven? If so what degree and how much time does it need?

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    Replies
    1. Hi! It's been soooo long since I've cooked stuffing in the oven but I would grease the pan well with butter and cover tightly with foil. I'm going with 350 F degrees for 35-40 minutes until heated through and apples are done. You can remove the foil if you like the crispier edge of baked stuffing. If you have more time and oven space you could even do 325 F for about an hour and baste it a few times if you like really soft stuffing. It's been so long I'm pulling from some dusty cob webs deep in my brain..lol... So keep an eye on it! I used to have a recipe card with my times for the oven but we've moved a few years back and somethings are still stored in the garage! Happy Thanksgiving, Serena

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  20. Could I use a 12oz box of Mrs. Cubbison's Cornbread Stuffing instead of homemade bread crumbs? Could you also make this recipe by placing some turkey thighs in the bottom of the crock pot first and then adding the stuffing mixture (as it appears in your recipe) on top ? I need some extra dark meat in addition to the whole bird in the oven. I also thought this might give the stuffing that "baked in the turkey" flavor. Or perhaps stuff some of the mixture under the skin of the thighs and then cook in crock pot? How would that effect the amount of liquid I'd need and/or time to cook? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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    Replies
    1. You could definitely do the Mrs. Cubbisons Stuffing for the bread. I've never cooked Turkey Thighs in the crock pot so that ones going to take some experimenting. I'm going to guess they are going to put out a lot of liquid and would cut back on the liquid in the stuffing adding more as needed after it starts cooking. I think hardest part will be figuring out cook time and I really have no idea how long it will take since I haven't tried it. Happy Thanksgiving!

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