This slow cooker stuffing recipe is a delightful twist on the traditional holiday dish. Instead of slaving over a hot stove, this recipe allows you to prepare and forget, letting the slow cooker do all the work. The result is a moist and flavorful stuffing with the classic taste you love.
All the ingredients for this recipe are typically found in most households, especially around the holiday season. However, if you do need to make a trip to the supermarket, pay special attention to picking up poultry seasoning and dried sage. These two ingredients, along with stale bread, are key to achieving the perfect slow cooker stuffing.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Stuffing
Butter: Used for sautéing the onion and celery, and for adding a rich, creamy flavor to the stuffing.
Yellow onion: Adds a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the other savory ingredients.
Celery: Provides a crisp texture and fresh taste.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the flavors of the ingredients.
Chicken broth: Moistens the bread and adds a savory flavor.
Poultry seasoning: A blend of herbs, including thyme, sage, and marjoram, that enhances the taste of the stuffing.
Dried sage: Adds a warm, earthy flavor that is essential for traditional stuffing.
Eggs: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the stuffing.
Stale bread: The key ingredient in stuffing. Stale bread absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients without becoming too soggy.
One reader, Garland Cecil says:
This slow cooker stuffing recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are rich and the texture is perfect. It's so convenient to prepare and the aroma while it cooks is heavenly. It's a must-try for anyone who loves a delicious, hassle-free stuffing.
Techniques Required for Slow Cooker Stuffing
How to prepare the slow cooker: Ensure the slow cooker is clean and in good working condition before use.
How to cut the bread: Cut the stale bread into cubes of approximately 1-inch size for the stuffing.
How to sauté the vegetables: Cook the onion and celery in the butter until they are softened and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.
How to mix the egg mixture: Whisk together the eggs, chicken broth, poultry seasoning, and sage until well combined.
How to combine the ingredients: Toss the bread cubes with the egg mixture until they are evenly coated before placing them in the slow cooker.
How To Make Slow Cooker Stuffing
It’s common to serve stuffings for Thanksgiving. Make your Thanksgiving dinner memorable by making this aromatic slow cooker stuffing.
Serves:
Ingredients
- ½cupbutter
- 1yellow onion(chopped)
- 2cupscelery(chopped)
- 2tspkosher salt
- ½tspcoarse ground black pepper
- 4cupschicken broth
- 1tsppoultry seasoning
- 1tspdried Sage
- 2largeeggs(beaten)
- 12cupsstale breadchopped
Instructions
-
In a large pot add the butter, onion, celery, salt, and pepper and cook on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes before turning off the heat.
-
Adding in the broth, poultry seasoning, sage, and eggs, whisking together until combined and no extra liquid is sitting in the bottom of the slow cooker.
-
Add the bread to the slow cooker and pour over the egg mixture, tossing together until well combined.
-
Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours then remove the lid and cook for 30 minutes on high.
Nutrition
- Calories: 1801.21kcal
- Fat: 187.50g
- Saturated Fat: 117.49g
- Trans Fat: 7.46g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 48.78g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 8.00g
- Carbohydrates: 28.32g
- Fiber: 2.28g
- Sugar: 4.67g
- Protein: 9.46g
- Cholesterol: 521.45mg
- Sodium: 699.65mg
- Calcium: 148.07mg
- Potassium: 297.77mg
- Iron: 2.33mg
- Vitamin A: 1571.47µg
- Vitamin C: 1.49mg
Helpful Technique for Perfecting Slow Cooker Stuffing
To ensure your stuffing stays moist and flavorful, it's important to use stale bread rather than fresh. Stale bread has a lower moisture content, allowing it to absorb the flavorful broth and seasonings without becoming soggy. If you only have fresh bread available, you can quickly stale it by spreading the slices out on a baking sheet and baking at a low temperature until it dries out.
Time-Saving Tips for Slow Cooker Stuffing
Prep ahead: Chop the onions and celery the night before and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to save time on the day of cooking.
Use pre-cut bread: Save time by using pre-cut or pre-packaged stale bread cubes instead of cutting and drying the bread yourself.
Set a timer: Use a timer to remind yourself to check the stuffing, allowing you to focus on other tasks while it cooks in the slow cooker.
Double the recipe: Make a larger batch and freeze the extra stuffing for future use, saving time on meal prep in the future.
Organize ingredients: Before starting, gather all the ingredients and utensils needed for the recipe to streamline the cooking process.
Substitute Ingredients For Slow Cooker Stuffing Recipe
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can provide a similar richness and flavor to the dish, while also being a healthier alternative to butter.
yellow onion - Substitute with white onion: White onions have a slightly milder flavor compared to yellow onions, but they can still provide the necessary aromatic base for the stuffing.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel can offer a similar crunch and subtle anise flavor to the dish, adding a unique twist to the stuffing.
kosher salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a 1:1 replacement for kosher salt, providing the same level of salinity to the dish.
coarse ground black pepper - Substitute with ground white pepper: White pepper can provide a milder, slightly earthy flavor compared to black pepper, while still adding a pleasant spiciness to the stuffing.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used as a suitable alternative to chicken broth, providing a flavorful base for the stuffing.
poultry seasoning - Substitute with sage, thyme, and rosemary mix: A combination of these herbs can mimic the flavors of poultry seasoning and enhance the overall taste of the stuffing.
dried sage - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme can offer a similar earthy and slightly minty flavor to the dish, complementing the other ingredients in the stuffing.
large eggs - Substitute with flax eggs (for vegan option): Flax eggs can serve as a vegan-friendly alternative, providing binding properties similar to regular eggs.
stale bread - Substitute with cornbread: Cornbread can be used to add a slightly sweet and crumbly texture to the stuffing, offering a delicious variation.
Presenting Your Slow Cooker Stuffing
Elevate the plating: When presenting the slow cooker stuffing, ensure that the plating is elegant and refined. Use a large serving dish and arrange the stuffing in a neat and visually appealing manner.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Add a touch of freshness and color to the dish by garnishing with fresh parsley or chives. This will not only enhance the visual appeal but also add a pop of flavor.
Incorporate texture: Consider adding a crunchy element to the presentation, such as toasted breadcrumbs or crispy fried onions. This will provide a delightful contrast to the soft texture of the stuffing.
Serve with a complementary sauce: Drizzle a small amount of homemade gravy or cranberry sauce around the edges of the plating to add a touch of sophistication and elevate the overall flavor profile.
Use quality serving utensils: Opt for elegant serving spoons or tongs to serve the stuffing. The right utensils can enhance the dining experience and showcase attention to detail.
Essential Tools for Making Slow Cooker Stuffing
- Large pot: A large, sturdy pot is essential for sautéing the butter, onion, and celery at the beginning of the recipe.
- Whisk: A whisk is needed to combine the broth, poultry seasoning, sage, and eggs thoroughly before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Slow cooker: The slow cooker is the main equipment for this recipe, as it will be used to cook the stuffing slowly and evenly over several hours.
- Spatula: A spatula will be useful for tossing the bread and egg mixture together in the slow cooker, ensuring that everything is well combined.
- Cutting board: A cutting board will be needed for chopping the onion and celery at the beginning of the recipe.
- Knife: A knife is essential for chopping the onion and celery on the cutting board.
- Measuring cups and spoons: These are necessary for accurately measuring the butter, chicken broth, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and sage.
- Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl will be useful for tossing the bread with the egg mixture before transferring it to the slow cooker.
Storing and Freezing Slow Cooker Stuffing
Here are the detailed instructions for storing and freezing slow cooker stuffing:
- Let the stuffing cool completely before storing. This will prevent condensation from forming and making the stuffing soggy.
- Transfer the cooled stuffing to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Press out as much air as possible before sealing to maintain freshness.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy reference.
- Store the stuffing in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or oven until heated through before serving.
- To freeze the stuffing, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents, then place it in the freezer.
- Frozen stuffing can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheat the thawed stuffing in the microwave or oven until heated through, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Add a little chicken broth or water if the stuffing seems dry.
How To Reheat Leftover Slow Cooker Stuffing
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftover stuffing to an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of baking to crisp up the top.
For a quicker method, reheat the stuffing in the microwave. Place a portion of the stuffing in a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated to your desired temperature.
If you have a bit more time, reheat the stuffing in a skillet on the stovetop. Melt a small amount of butter in the skillet over medium heat. Add the stuffing and stir occasionally, allowing it to heat through and develop a slight crisp on the bottom. This method takes about 5-10 minutes.
For a unique twist, transform your leftover stuffing into stuffing cakes. Mix the stuffing with a beaten egg and form it into patties. Fry the patties in a skillet with a bit of butter or oil until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Serve as a side dish or as a base for poached eggs and hollandaise sauce for a delicious brunch option.
If you have a waffle iron, try making stuffing waffles. Preheat the waffle iron and grease it lightly with cooking spray. Spoon the leftover stuffing onto the waffle iron, close it, and cook until crispy and heated through. These stuffing waffles make a great base for leftover turkey sandwiches or can be served as a unique side dish.
Interesting Fact About Slow Cooker Stuffing
Slow cooker stuffing is a convenient and delicious way to prepare this classic side dish. It allows the flavors to meld together slowly, resulting in a moist and flavorful stuffing. This method also frees up oven space during busy holiday cooking.
Is Making Slow Cooker Stuffing Cost-Effective?
This slow cooker stuffing recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as butter, onion, celery, and stale bread, are affordable and commonly found in most kitchens. The use of chicken broth and eggs adds nutritional value without significantly increasing the cost. The total cost for a household of 4 people is approximately $10-$15, making it a budget-friendly option. Overall, I would rate this recipe a solid 8 for its affordability and delicious outcome.
Is Slow Cooker Stuffing Healthy or Unhealthy?
This slow cooker stuffing recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main culprits are:
- High butter content, which adds significant amounts of saturated fat
- Generous use of chicken broth, likely high in sodium
- Bread as the primary ingredient, providing mostly simple carbohydrates
- Lack of nutrient-dense ingredients like vegetables or whole grains
However, with a few tweaks, this comforting dish can be made more nutritious without sacrificing flavor.
To boost the health factor of this stuffing recipe, consider the following modifications:
- Reduce the butter by half and replace it with heart-healthy olive oil
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to cut down on excess salt
- Incorporate whole grain bread or a mix of whole grain and white bread for added fiber and nutrients
- Increase the proportion of vegetables like onion, celery, and even add others such as carrots, mushrooms, or kale for extra vitamins and minerals
- Experiment with adding nuts or seeds, such as pecans or pumpkin seeds, for a dose of healthy fats and protein
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried for more potent flavor and antioxidants
By implementing these changes, you can create a stuffing that not only tastes great but also provides a more balanced nutritional profile. Remember, small adjustments can make a big difference in the overall healthiness of a dish without compromising on the comfort factor we all crave.
Editor's Opinion on This Slow Cooker Stuffing Recipe
The slow cooker stuffing recipe you provided is a classic and comforting dish. The combination of butter, onion, celery, and seasonings creates a flavorful base, while the use of chicken broth adds depth to the dish. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a delicious and moist stuffing. However, I would recommend adding some additional herbs or ingredients to enhance the complexity of the dish, such as fresh parsley, thyme, or sautéed mushrooms. Overall, it's a great recipe that can be customized to suit individual preferences.
Enhance Your Slow Cooker Stuffing Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Slow Cooker Stuffing Recipe:
This slow cooker stuffing recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, crafted by a seasoned chef with a passion for traditional flavors. The use of butter and chicken broth ensures a rich and savory taste, while the addition of poultry seasoning and sage brings depth and warmth to the dish. The method of slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together, creating a harmonious blend that will elevate any holiday feast. With stale bread as the base, this recipe promises a perfect texture that's both tender and flavorful. Trust in this recipe for a memorable and delicious stuffing experience.
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