Slow Cooker Stuffing

62 Comments By Jesseca on October 4, 2024

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This Slow Cooker Stuffing is a total game changer for Thanksgiving! Not only does it free up precious oven space on the big day, but it’s also based on a family recipe we’ve been making for years. With just 9 simple ingredients, the slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you with perfectly seasoned, fluffy stuffing—no oven required!

If you’re in full holiday mode and looking for more ways to make your Thanksgiving stress-free, check out my full list of holiday recipes. Pair this stuffing with a Slow Cooker Turkey Breast for a simple, no-fuss meal. And if you’re craving more classic flavors, I’ve got a traditional stuffing recipe too! Don’t forget to finish things off with a Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pie for the ultimate slow cooker Thanksgiving feast!

close up image showing the inside of a crockpot with stuffing inside, some being spooned out with a large white spoon.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to make: Just 9 simple ingredients, no complicated steps.
Set it and forget it: The slow cooker does all the hard work for you!
Oven space saver: No need to use the oven, perfect for freeing up space for other holiday dishes.

“I found this stuffing recipe a while back and it has been a hit every year! I will never use another stuffing recipe. It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever made for Thanksgiving. “

If there’s one recipe you need to add to your holiday lineup, it’s this CrockPot Stuffing. It’s not just easy—it’s the single most popular holiday recipe on my entire site! With just 9 ingredients and the magic of a slow cooker, you can have perfectly fluffy, seasoned stuffing without even touching the oven. Toss everything in, set it, and forget it while you focus on all the other Thanksgiving chaos (or sneak in a little time for yourself, no judgment here).

And can we talk about the oven space? You know how it’s always the biggest battle on Thanksgiving. With this stuffing, the slow cooker does the heavy lifting, freeing up your oven for turkey, pies, or whatever else you’ve got going. It’s the ultimate holiday hack, and trust me, once you try it, you won’t go back to the old way of making stuffing!

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top down image showing a cutting board that is a wood color with a bowl of bread cubes, cup of chicken browth, bowl of chopped onion and one of celery, and a bowl with herbs and seasonings with a teal napkin

Ingredients You Need

This crock pot stuffing recipe is simple but packed with flavor! Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and a few tips to help you get the best results:

Plain Cubed Bread: I like to use Pepperidge Farm cubed bread—it’s already dried, which helps it hold up during the long slow cooking process. Regular bread cubes work great too, just make sure they’re not too soft.
Onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and flavor base for the stuffing. Make sure to chop it finely so it cooks evenly.
Celery: Provides a nice crunch and classic stuffing flavor. Try to cut the celery into small, even pieces to distribute it throughout the stuffing.
Seasonings: A perfect blend of parsley, sage, thyme, marjoram, salt, and pepper. These are the classic herbs that give stuffing its signature taste, so don’t skimp!
Chicken Broth: Keeps everything moist and adds depth of flavor. Use a low-sodium version so you can control the salt level.

With these ingredients, you’ll have a flavorful and perfectly textured slow cooker dressing that’s sure to be a hit at your holiday table!

Using Fresh Bread for Stuffing

If you’re using fresh bread for this Slow Cooker Stuffing recipe, don’t worry—it’s totally doable with a few adjustments! Fresh bread has more moisture than dried, which can make your stuffing soggier if you’re not careful. Here’s how to prep fresh bread for the best results:

Dry it out: To mimic the texture of cubed, dried bread, cut your fresh bread into cubes and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 250°F for about 20-30 minutes, tossing occasionally, until they’re dry and slightly crisp. This will help them soak up all that delicious broth and seasoning without turning mushy.
Adjust the broth: Fresh bread might not need as much broth, so keep an eye on the consistency. Start with a little less liquid and add more as needed to keep your stuffing perfectly moist without being too soggy.

Drying out your bread ensures it can stand up to the slow cooking process while still giving you that delicious stuffing texture!

Top down image showing the inside of a black crockpot with cubed bread pieces, diced celery, diced onion, and seasoning sitting on a wooden table top

How To Make Slow Cooker Stuffing

Making crock pot Stuffing is incredibly easy and perfect for freeing up oven space on busy holiday cooking days. With just a few steps, you’ll have a flavorful side dish ready to go, all without the fuss of traditional methods.

Add ingredients: Place the cubed bread, chopped onion, celery, seasonings, and chicken broth into your slow cooker.
Stir: Give everything a good stir to ensure the ingredients are evenly mixed and the bread is well-coated with broth.
Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Check halfway through: At the halfway point, remove the lid, stir the stuffing, and add more liquid if needed to keep it moist.

And that’s it! Delicious, easy stuffing in the slow cooker – without the oven.

Helpful Recipe Tips

Try using a slow cooker liner (affiliate) to help with clean up.
Check on your stuffing stuffing periodically. Stir and add liquid as needed to avoid overcooking.
We have found that a 6 qt. slow cooker (affiliate) works best for this recipe.
We love this with a helping of Turkey Gravy on top!

Top down image showing uncooked stuffing sitting in a slow cooker

Top down image showing cooked stuffing sitting in a slow cooker

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

This Slow Cooker Stuffing is perfect for making ahead of time and stores beautifully!

Make-Ahead: You can prepare all the ingredients the day before. Simply mix everything together and place it in the slow cooker insert. Cover it and store it in the refrigerator overnight. When you’re ready to cook, pop the insert back into the slow cooker, and you’re good to go!
Storage: Leftover stuffing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Freezing: To freeze, let the stuffing cool completely, then store it in an airtight, freezer-safe container or bag. It will last in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat before serving.

Make-ahead and storage options make this dish even more convenient for busy holiday cooking!

Expert Tips:

Use Dried Bread: Drier bread works best for stuffing, as it soaks up the broth without becoming too mushy. If using fresh bread, dry it out in the oven at 250°F for 20-30 minutes.

Add Liquid Slowly: Start with the recommended amount of chicken broth and check halfway through. If it looks too dry, add more broth ¼ cup at a time. This ensures your stuffing stays moist but not soggy.

Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the cooking time! Slow cookers vary, so check at the 3-hour mark. You want the stuffing to be tender but not falling apart.

Stir Halfway: Stirring halfway through helps distribute moisture and ensures even cooking, so don’t skip this step!

Customize the Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to suit your family’s taste. If you love more sage or thyme, go ahead and add a little extra!

Crispy Top Option: If you prefer a crispy top, transfer the stuffing to an oven-safe dish and broil it for a few minutes after slow cooking to get that perfect golden finish.

Recipe FAQs

How stale should the bread be for stuffing?

For stuffing, the bread should be completely dry and slightly stale. It needs to be dry enough to absorb the broth and seasonings without turning mushy. Ideally, you want to use bread that’s been left out for a day or two. If you’re short on time, you can speed up the process by toasting the bread cubes in the oven at 250°F for 20-30 minutes until they’re crisp and dry.

How long do I cook stuffing in the crock pot?

Stuffing typically cooks on high for 3-4 hours in the slow cooker. Be sure to check and stir halfway through to ensure even cooking and moisture distribution.

Do I need to cook the vegetables before adding them to the slow cooker for stuffing?

No, you don’t need to pre-cook the vegetables. They will soften as they cook in the slow cooker with the stuffing. Just make sure to chop them into small, even pieces for even cooking.

Can you add meat to stuffing?

Yes, you can add cooked sausage, bacon, or even ground beef to stuffing for extra flavor and heartiness. Just be sure to cook the meat fully before adding it to the slow cooker.

How do I keep the stuffing hot without overcooking it and making it dry?

Once the stuffing is cooked, you can keep it warm in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting. To prevent it from drying out, add a little extra broth if needed and stir occasionally to maintain moisture.

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