From-scratch effort would possibly really feel at its most worthwhile on the holidays, however that doesn’t imply you possibly can’t search for simple methods to simplify your cooking. Make the most of your sluggish cooker and make this Crock Pot Stuffing with apples, cranberries, and pecans!
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Simple Crock Pot Stuffing Recipe
Not solely is stuffing made in a sluggish cooker extra low upkeep than conventional stuffing cooked within the oven (the identical may be stated for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes), there’s a robust argument that it really tastes higher.
Crock pot stuffing stays extra moist within the middle and has extra floor space for the delightfully crispy, golden edges.
Plus, outsourcing the stuffing to the sluggish cooker means your coveted oven house shall be free for different endeavors on Thanksgiving and past.
And by “endeavors,” I imply whiskey pecan-topped Glazed Candy Potatoes, Do-it-yourself Scalloped Potatoes, Wholesome Candy Potato Casserole, and Brussels Sprouts Casserole.
I suppose you would possibly need to squeeze the turkey within the oven too.
5 Star Assessment
“EVERYONE raved!! I undoubtedly will deliver this subsequent 12 months AND the subsequent! It was really easy.”
— Sandy —
Crock Pot Stuffing – An Oven Area Saver!
Every time somebody tells me that they don’t take care of Thanksgiving stuffing, a detrimental pronouncement I’ve heard with shocking frequency contemplating that the recipe’s major ingredient can also be one of many world’s hottest meals (bread), it makes me a little bit bit unhappy inside.
It additionally makes me need to demand in a tone that conveys shock-bordering-on-horror “HOW DO YOU NOT LIKE STUFFING???”
I do have a aptitude for the dramatic.
9 occasions out of 10, anybody I’ve met who doesn’t like stuffing has solely skilled the boxed stuff.
I’ve nothing in opposition to a high quality shortcut every so often, however boxed stuffing and real-deal, from-scratch stuffing couldn’t be extra completely different.
Any of the boxed stuffing mixes I’ve tried are onerous, dry, micro bread cubes which might be doused in hen inventory, blended with a bland spice packet, and emerge from the oven in one among two states: bone dry or unappetizingly soggy (and you’ll’t repair soggy stuffing).
No, thanks. My restricted Thanksgiving abdomen actual property is healthier allotted elsewhere.
Do-it-yourself bread stuffing, nonetheless? Now THAT is a totally completely different story!
Stuffing vs. Dressing
Technically, Thanksgiving stuffing is baked contained in the turkey (therefore the identify “stuffing”), whereas dressing is baked in a separate pan.
- Baking stuffing contained in the fowl is mostly not really helpful, because the turkey tends to dry out earlier than the stuffing reaches a protected temperature to eat…and since if your loved ones is something like mine, the tiny little bit of stuffing that matches contained in the turkey is just not going to be almost sufficient to feed the gang.
- So, if you need to be technical, this recipe must be known as “crock pot dressing” not “crock pot stuffing”. The 2 phrases are used fairly interchangeably, nonetheless. I grew up saying “stuffing,” and the behavior caught.
Easy methods to Make Crock Pot Stuffing
The great thing about do-it-yourself stuffing is the entire completely different, scrumptious methods you possibly can elevate its taste.
I’ve made a dozen completely different stuffing varieties over time: Chestnut Stuffing, Crockpot Wild Rice Stuffing, Stuffing Muffins, and Cornbread Stuffing. I like every, however right this moment’s crock pot stuffing is the mixture of elements I return to time and again.
The Substances
- Bread. Excessive-quality artisan bread could make all of the distinction in a do-it-yourself stuffing recipe. Complete grain rustic bread or sourdough bread is the very best bread for stuffing.
- Pecans. I really like including pecans to this stuffing recipe. They add a beautiful nutty taste and crunch.
- Celery. Crisp and recent.
- Herbs. Contemporary sage and thyme add a comfy, delicate earthiness that tastes like pure fall goodness.
- Apple. For the best texture, select a crisp apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Woman.
- Dried Cranberries. I really like the contact of chewy sweetness that dried cranberries add to the stuffing.
Recipe Upgrades
For those who’d prefer to take this crock pot stuffing with apples to the subsequent degree, you possibly can flip this right into a crockpot stuffing with sausage (I exploit turkey or hen sausage) or sautéed mushrooms.
Simply remember to watch the capability of your crock pot. You could want to chop down on the opposite mix-ins a bit to make sure it doesn’t overflow.
The Instructions
- Toast the bread cubes within the oven at 350 levels F for 12 minutes.
- Add the nuts and proceed toasting. Switch to the sluggish cooker.
- Sauté the onions and celery.
- Stir within the herbs, then pour the combination into the sluggish cooker.
- Stir within the apple and cranberries. Whisk collectively the eggs and broth, then fold the combination into the sluggish cooker.
- Lay a towel over the sluggish cooker, then cowl with the lid (stuffing must be cooked coated). Cook dinner on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. High with recent parsley and ENJOY!
Tip!
I don’t suggest cooking this recipe on HIGH, as it could not prepare dinner all through earlier than the perimeters start to burn.
Storage Suggestions
- To Retailer. Refrigerate stuffing in an hermetic storage container for as much as 4 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F. It’s also possible to preserve stuffing heat in a sluggish cooker on the “heat” setting.
- To Freeze. Freeze stuffing in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Make Forward Suggestions
You possibly can individually prep all of the stuffing elements (bread and nuts, greens, egg-and-broth combination), then retailer them individually, maintaining the bread and nuts at room temperature and the remaining within the fridge. Mix simply earlier than cooking.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Stuffing
Along with turkey, crockpot stuffing and hen or pork can also be a scrumptious mixture. Or serve this stuffing with a hearty vegetarian foremost.
- Sluggish Cooker. Vital in each kitchen!
- Baking Sheets. Getting the bread cubes good and toasty first is important, and these baking sheets are excellent for the job.
- Non-stick Skillet. No extra stuck-on bits of meals with this skillet.
Finest ever Crockpot Stuffing with apples and herbs! The sluggish cooker retains the stuffing heat, frees up the oven and is nice for a crowd.
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Stop your display from going darkish
- 1 loaf entire grain rustic bread or sourdough bread (16-18 ounce loaf), lower into 1-inch cubes (about 10 cups)
- 1 cup roughly chopped pecans walnuts, or almonds (pecans are my favourite for stuffing)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 medium yellow onions diced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 massive stalks celery diced
- ¼ cup finely chopped recent sage leaves
- 6 sprigs thyme leaves stripped off (discard the robust stems)
- 1 crisp apple reminiscent of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Woman (I left the peels on, however you possibly can peel when you want), medium diced
- 1 cup reduced-sugar dried cranberries
- 2 massive eggs frivolously crushed
- 3 cups reduced-sodium turkey broth or hen broth
- Contemporary parsley non-compulsory for serving
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Flippantly coat a 6- or 7-quart sluggish cooker with nonstick spray. Place oven racks within the higher and decrease thirds of your oven and preheat your oven to 350 levels F. Unfold the bread cubes in a single layer on two massive, rimmed baking sheets.
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Bake for 12 minutes, then stir the bread cubes and sprinkle the nuts excessive. Proceed baking till the nuts are toasted and crisp and the bread cubes are dry, about 5 to eight extra minutes. Watch the nuts very fastidiously in direction of the top in order that they don’t burn. Take away from the oven and place instantly within the ready sluggish cooker.
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In the meantime, warmth the olive oil and butter in a big nonstick skillet over medium. As soon as the oil is scorching and the butter is melted, add the onions, salt, and pepper. Cook dinner till the onions start to melt, about 5 minutes. Add the celery and proceed cooking till the celery is mushy and the onions are golden, about 5 to eight extra minutes.
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Stir within the sage and thyme and let prepare dinner 1 extra minute. Add to the sluggish cooker with the bread cubes.
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Add the diced apple and cranberries to the sluggish cooker, then with a big spoon, very gently stir to evenly distribute. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and broth till nicely mixed. Pour over the bread-cube combination, then fold gently to mix. Let the combination sit a couple of minutes, then fold once more in order that the bread is evenly moistened.
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Lay a clear kitchen towel or a double layer of paper towels excessive of the sluggish cooker so that you’ve overhang on all sides. This may assist take up moisture. Cowl, letting the paper towel poke out the edges of the lid, and prepare dinner on low for 3 to 4 hours, till frivolously crisp across the edges and set within the middle. If desired, sprinkle with recent parsley. Serve heat.
- TO MAKE AHEAD: You possibly can individually prep all of the stuffing elements (bread and nuts, greens, egg-and-broth combination), then retailer them individually, maintaining the bread/nuts at room temperature and the remaining within the fridge. Mix simply earlier than cooking.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate stuffing in an hermetic storage container for as much as 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F. It’s also possible to preserve stuffing heat in a sluggish cooker on the “heat” setting.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze stuffing in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
- I don’t suggest cooking this recipe on excessive, as it could not prepare dinner all through earlier than the perimeters start to burn.
Serving: 1(of 12), about 1 heaping cupEnergy: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 7gFats: 11gSaturated Fats: 2gLdl cholesterol: 34mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5g
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For those who’re searching for different vacation aspect dishes, this dish is simply one of many many wholesome Thanksgiving sides on my web site.
