The Ultimate Easy Crock Pot Stuffing Recipe for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Feast
As November rolls in, the air fills with anticipation for one of the most cherished holidays of the year: Thanksgiving. It’s a time for family, gratitude, and, of course, an abundance of delicious food. While the turkey often takes center stage, it’s the beloved side dishes that truly complete the feast. And what could be more quintessential than a perfectly prepared stuffing? This year, let’s take the stress out of holiday cooking with an incredible Crock Pot Stuffing Recipe that promises to be a standout on your Thanksgiving dinner table.
Life can be incredibly hectic, and the weeks leading up to the holidays often feel like a whirlwind. Just this week, it feels like time has completely slipped away! My younger son’s football season wrapped up, and I mistakenly thought that the extra time not spent at practices and games would lead to a more relaxed schedule. Oh, how wrong I was! Instead, other commitments have swiftly filled those slots, leaving me feeling just as busy, if not more so. The demands of daily life, school, and extracurriculars can be overwhelming, making the thought of preparing a grand holiday meal seem daunting.
On a brighter note, my oldest son’s Pop Warner team is absolutely crushing it! This past Halloween weekend, they triumphantly played in the Los Angeles County Championship game in Westlake Village. And guess what? They emerged victorious! If you follow me on social media, you might have caught my celebratory Instagram post detailing their amazing win. It was a monumental achievement and truly incredible to witness their dedication pay off. While we don’t have a game this upcoming weekend, they’re gearing up for the Regional semi-finals in Riverside the following week. Imagine the excitement if they continue their winning streak and make it to the finals in Florida! These moments, while adding to the busy schedule, are also the precious memories we cherish.
But let’s circle back to the topic of busy schedules, especially as we approach Thanksgiving. While I generally enjoy staying active and productive, I find it frustrating when life becomes so overscheduled that you miss out on the simple joys and important connections. That’s why I’m truly looking forward to Thanksgiving – a time to gather with family, slow down, and relax from the constant craziness of everyday life. One of my favorite strategies for making the holiday less stressful and more enjoyable is to leverage the power of my trusty crock pot.
Utilizing the slow cooker for side dishes like this incredible stuffing is an absolute game-changer. It frees up precious oven space, which is invaluable when you’re baking a large turkey, preparing delicious crescent rolls (my personal favorite!), and juggling other oven-baked delights. The beauty of this approach is that you can prepare your stuffing hours before dinnertime, set it to cook, and essentially forget about it until it’s time to serve. This hands-off cooking method means you can focus on other aspects of your holiday meal, spend quality time with guests, or simply take a moment to breathe.
This Crock Pot Stuffing isn’t just convenient; it’s genuinely delicious. It’s generously “stuffed” (pun absolutely intended!) with an exquisite blend of spices and savory flavors that make it truly stand out from more bland, run-of-the-mill stuffing recipes. From the moment the aroma fills your kitchen, you’ll know you’re in for a treat. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a deep, rich taste and a wonderfully moist texture that’s difficult to achieve in a traditional oven. I can honestly say I’ve never tasted such a flavorful and satisfying stuffing in all my life. It’s truly a testament to the magic of slow cooking, transforming simple ingredients into a remarkable side dish.
While stuffing is undeniably a Thanksgiving star, it doesn’t need to be limited to just one holiday a year! This versatile dish is fantastic any day of the week. Serve it alongside succulent pork chops, a perfectly roasted chicken, or even as a hearty vegetarian meal on its own. This is an incredibly easy recipe that your dinner guests, whether at Thanksgiving or a weeknight dinner, will absolutely devour and ask for seconds!
Why Choose a Slow Cooker for Your Stuffing?
There are several compelling reasons why cooking your stuffing in a crock pot is an excellent choice, especially during the busy holiday season:
- Oven Space Saver: This is perhaps the biggest benefit during Thanksgiving. Ovens are in high demand for turkeys, casseroles, and pies. The slow cooker allows you to prepare a key side dish without monopolizing valuable oven real estate.
- Set-It-and-Forget-It Convenience: Simply assemble your ingredients, load them into the crock pot, and let it do all the work. You don’t have to constantly monitor it, stir it, or worry about burning.
- Moisture Retention: Slow cookers create a moist, steamy environment, which is perfect for stuffing. It helps prevent the stuffing from drying out, resulting in a wonderfully tender and flavorful dish every time.
- Consistent Temperature: The gentle, even heat of a slow cooker ensures that your stuffing cooks thoroughly and consistently, leading to perfectly tender vegetables and fully absorbed flavors.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the ingredients in advance, store them, and then simply pop everything into the slow cooker on the day of your event, reducing last-minute stress.
- Easy Transport: If you’re bringing stuffing to a potluck or family gathering, the slow cooker keeps it warm and ready to serve, making transportation a breeze.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Stuffing
- Use Day-Old Bread: Stale or day-old bread is crucial! Fresh bread tends to get soggy. If you don’t have day-old bread, you can lightly toast fresh bread cubes in the oven at a low temperature for about 10-15 minutes to dry them out.
- Don’t Over-moisten: While you want your stuffing to be moist, you don’t want it to be swimming in liquid. The slow cooker creates a lot of steam, so start with the recommended amount of broth and add more only if the bread still seems very dry after tossing. It should be coated but not soggy.
- Sauté Your Veggies: Don’t skip the step of sautéing the mushrooms, celery, and onions. This brings out their flavor and softens them slightly before they go into the slow cooker, contributing to a richer, more developed taste in the final dish.
- Customize Your Flavors: While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to add your favorite stuffing elements. Cooked sausage, chopped apples, dried cranberries, or toasted pecans can elevate the flavor profile. Just be sure to pre-cook any meats before adding them to the stuffing mixture.
- Check for Doneness: Stuffing is ready when the bread is tender and the vegetables are soft. The edges might get slightly crispy, which is a delicious bonus! If you prefer a crispier top, you can transfer the cooked stuffing to a baking dish and broil it for a few minutes before serving.
- Grease Your Crock Pot: Always grease the insert of your slow cooker to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
Crock Pot Stuffing Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 8-oz pkg. sliced mushrooms
- 4 celery ribs chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 13 cups day-old bread cubed (about 2 loaves of french bread)
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried sage
- 1 tsp. poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1 14.5-oz can chicken broth + more if needed
Instructions
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In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Sauté mushrooms, celery, onion and parsley until softened, covering with lid for few minutes to help soften the mushrooms.
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In a large mixing bowl, toss bread cubes, salt, sage, poultry seasoning, thyme and pepper until all coated.
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Pour slightly cooled mushroom mixture into bread cubes.
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In a medium sized bowl, combine eggs and broth with a whisk and pour over bread mixture. Toss to coat bread evenly. If bread is dry, add a little bit more broth at a time until bread is coated, but not sopping wet! The mixture will have moisture in the crock pot while it cooks.
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Pour into greased slow cooker and cook on low 5 hours or until bread is tender, but set and not soupy and all vegetables are tender.
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Dish up and enjoy!
Notes
More Thanksgiving Side Dish Inspiration
While this Crock Pot Stuffing is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, no Thanksgiving meal is complete without a variety of delicious side dishes to complement it. If you’re looking to expand your holiday menu, or simply want to explore other convenient and flavorful options, here are a few more fantastic recipes that pair beautifully with your turkey and stuffing:
Bacon Brussels Sprouts
These Bacon Brussels Sprouts offer a delightful blend of smoky and savory flavors with a hint of earthy goodness. Roasting them with crispy bacon transforms humble Brussels sprouts into a side dish that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy. They’re elegant enough for your holiday spread yet simple enough for any weeknight meal.
Creamy Potatoes au Gratin
For those who crave a rich and comforting potato dish, these Potatoes au Gratin are an absolute must-try. Layers of thinly sliced potatoes baked in a luscious, homemade cheese sauce, often with a delicate layer of sautéed onions, create an irresistible side. It’s the ultimate cheesy indulgence for any holiday gathering, especially Thanksgiving.
Sweet and Simple Glazed Carrots
Add a touch of vibrant color and sweetness to your plate with these Easy Glazed Carrots. With just a few simple ingredients, you can transform ordinary carrots into a dazzling side dish that everyone will adore. Their subtle sweetness provides a wonderful contrast to the savory elements of your holiday meal.
This Thanksgiving, let the spirit of gratitude and delicious food fill your home, without the added pressure of an overcrowded oven. By opting for this easy Crock Pot Stuffing recipe, you’re not just making a side dish; you’re making a smart choice that frees up your time and ensures a perfectly moist, flavorful, and unforgettable addition to your holiday spread. Enjoy the simplicity, savor the flavors, and create lasting memories with your loved ones!