From-scratch effort may really feel at its most worthwhile on the holidays, however that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t search for straightforward methods to simplify your cooking. Benefit from your gradual 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 gradual cooker extra low upkeep than conventional stuffing cooked within the oven (the identical will be mentioned for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes), there’s a robust argument that it truly 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 gradual cooker means your coveted oven area will probably 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 may need to squeeze the turkey within the oven too.
5 Star Evaluation
“EVERYONE raved!! I positively will carry this subsequent 12 months AND the subsequent! It was really easy.”
— Sandy —
Crock Pot Stuffing – An Oven House Saver!
Each time somebody tells me that they don’t take care of Thanksgiving stuffing, a damaging pronouncement I’ve heard with shocking frequency contemplating that the recipe’s major ingredient can be one of many world’s hottest meals (bread), it makes me somewhat 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 top quality shortcut from time to time, 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 arduous, dry, micro bread cubes which can 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 best allotted elsewhere.
Do-it-yourself bread stuffing, nevertheless? Now THAT is a very 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 chook is usually not really helpful, because the turkey tends to dry out earlier than the stuffing reaches a secure 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 will not be going to be practically sufficient to feed the gang.
- So, if you need to be technical, this recipe needs to be known as “crock pot dressing” not “crock pot stuffing”. The 2 phrases are used fairly interchangeably, nevertheless. 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’ll be able to elevate its taste.
I’ve made a dozen completely different stuffing varieties through the years: Chestnut Stuffing, Crockpot Wild Rice Stuffing, Stuffing Muffins, and Cornbread Stuffing. I am keen on every, however at the moment’s crock pot stuffing is the mix of elements I return to many times.
The Components
- 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 like including pecans to this stuffing recipe. They add an exquisite nutty taste and crunch.
- Celery. Crisp and recent.
- Herbs. Contemporary sage and thyme add a comfy, refined earthiness that tastes like pure fall goodness.
- Apple. For the best texture, select a crisp apple like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Girl.
- Dried Cranberries. I like the contact of chewy sweetness that dried cranberries add to the stuffing.
Recipe Upgrades
In case you’d wish to take this crock pot stuffing with apples to the subsequent degree, you’ll be able to flip this right into a crockpot stuffing with sausage (I take advantage of turkey or hen sausage) or sautéed mushrooms.
Simply you should definitely 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 gradual cooker.
- Sauté the onions and celery.
- Stir within the herbs, then pour the combination into the gradual cooker.
- Stir within the apple and cranberries. Whisk collectively the eggs and broth, then fold the combination into the gradual cooker.
- Lay a towel over the gradual cooker, then cowl with the lid (stuffing needs to be cooked lined). Cook dinner on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. High with recent parsley and ENJOY!
Tip!
I don’t advocate cooking this recipe on HIGH, as it could not prepare dinner right through earlier than the sides start to burn.
Storage Ideas
- 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. You may as well hold stuffing heat in a gradual 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 Ideas
You’ll be able to individually prep all of the stuffing parts (bread and nuts, greens, egg-and-broth combination), then retailer them individually, conserving 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 be a scrumptious mixture. Or serve this stuffing with a hearty vegetarian major.
- Gradual Cooker. Essential in each kitchen!
- Baking Sheets. Getting the bread cubes good and toasty first is vital, and these baking sheets are excellent for the job.
- Non-stick Skillet. No extra stuck-on bits of meals with this skillet.
Greatest ever Crockpot Stuffing with apples and herbs! The gradual 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 giant stalks celery diced
- ¼ cup finely chopped recent sage leaves
- 6 sprigs thyme leaves stripped off (discard the robust stems)
- 1 crisp apple comparable to Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Girl (I left the peels on, however you’ll be able to peel in case you choose), medium diced
- 1 cup reduced-sugar dried cranberries
- 2 giant eggs flippantly overwhelmed
- 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 gradual 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 giant, 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 gradual 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 sizzling 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 comfortable 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 gradual cooker with the bread cubes.
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Add the diced apple and cranberries to the gradual 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 gradual cooker so that you’ve got 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 flippantly crisp across the edges and set within the middle. If desired, sprinkle with recent parsley. Serve heat.
- TO MAKE AHEAD: You’ll be able to individually prep all of the stuffing parts (bread and nuts, greens, egg-and-broth combination), then retailer them individually, conserving 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. You may as well hold stuffing heat in a gradual 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 advocate cooking this recipe on excessive, as it could not prepare dinner right through earlier than the sides 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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Extra Flavorful Thanksgiving Sides
In case you’re in search of different vacation aspect dishes, this dish is simply one of many many wholesome Thanksgiving sides on my web site.
