Crock-Pot Stuffing

Save oven space on the holidays with this easy Crock-Pot Stuffing recipe. This hands off method is a real timesaver and creates the most delicious bread stuffing!

Stuffing can be a touchy subject for folks. For some it’s got to have sausage, for others it must have cornbread, and some people even put the yucky innards from the turkey in there. Sorry, if I’ve offended any giblet lovers out there. I grew up eating my Mom’s traditional bread stuffing that she made each and every Thanksgiving. It is still my favorite and it’s what I make for my family. I have modified her recipe over time, mixing up the spices a little, but the biggest change is the method.

Why Should I Cook Stuffing in a Slow Cooker?

I came across the idea to cook the stuffing in a slow cooker on Allrecipes and I’ve done it that way ever since. It’s genius. When I was a kid, my Mom always stuffed the bird and put what was left in a casserole dish and baked it separately. Now that we are advised not to stuff the bird, you end up with a large casserole dish of stuffing taking up oven space on a day when you have no oven space to spare. Instead, start the stuffing hours ahead of time in your slow cooker on your kitchen counter, freeing up the oven for all your other dishes. This allows you to monitor the taste and consistency throughout the cooking time and make adjustments as needed to get the perfect result. And, you can make a ton of it so you are sure to have leftovers.

The Best Bread for Crock-Pot Stuffing

You’ll need two loaves of bread. I like to use a soft sandwich bread, either buttermilk or potato, whatever’s on sale. I also like to add in a loaf of sweet french bread. We aren’t making a sourdough stuffing here although you really can use any type of bread that does it for you. Keep in mind that I feed a mob so if you’ve got less people, you can scale this in half.

How to Make Crock-Pot Stuffing

Slice the loaf of french bread and then tear the slices up, into bite size pieces and spread them on a rimmed baking sheet. Now tear up the sliced sandwich bread and spread it on a second baking sheet. Discard the end pieces or save them for another purpose. Put the baking sheets in a 250 degree oven for about 20-30 minutes. Reach in (carefully!) and give the bread a stir now and then and remove from the oven when lightly toasted. You can start in on the veggies while the bread is toasting.

Dice up a couple of yellow onions, an entire bunch of celery, and one carrot. I like to add the carrot for color.

Melt two sticks of butter in a large skillet, yes, there’s butter involved. It’s okay, it doesn’t count on Thanksgiving.

Add your veggies and turn the heat up. Cook and stir for about 10 minutes or so.

Add the fresh parsley and minced garlic and cook and stir for another minute or two.

If you are adding mushrooms, this is where you would add them. I LOVE this Crock-Pot Bread Stuffing with fresh mushrooms but it’s an optional ingredient.

Here’s the part where your house will start to smell amazing. Add the seasoning and cook and stir for another couple of minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.

Transfer the toasted bread to a roasting pan or very large bowl. Since the turkey roasting pan is out anyway, we’ll use it now before the turkey gets it’s turn. Pour the cooked veggies over the top and stir well to combine.

Time to add a couple of lightly beaten eggs and now – here’s the important part. The key……the golden rule. You will add chicken broth, but only just enough to moisten the bread, about 1 to 1-1/2 cups. How much you need to add will depend on the type of bread you use and how dry it is. Reserve the rest of the chicken broth to add in throughout the day, if needed. You may not need to use the entire amount. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out.

Now transfer the stuffing mixture to your Crock-Pot. Set it on low, cover it and you’re done – for now. It will be full to the brim, but the mixture will cook down.

Check on the Crock-Pot Stuffing now and then. Add in chicken broth a bit at a time if you feel it needs it. I find it perfect with the amount of seasoning called for, but you can taste and adjust seasonings if needed. This is a valid excuse to taste it several times throughout the day.

After 4 to 6 hours, it will be ready to serve. Just take the lid off and you’re ready to go. If you prefer a crunchy topping, transfer your removable Crock Pot dish to your oven and broil for a couple of minutes till nicely toasted and brown. Without the browning, it is more like stuffing from the bird, which is how I like it.

Thanksgiving Menu

Check out all of my Thanksgiving Recipes including my Dry Brine Turkey and Easy Turkey Gravy – both excellent choices to serve with this Crock Pot Stuffing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This bread stuffing can also be made ahead and baked in the oven. For complete make-ahead/oven bake instructions, see the recipe card below.