Easy Oven-Free Crockpot Thanksgiving Stuffing
A moist, flavorful, and stress-free Thanksgiving side dish made in a slow cooker. This oven-free stuffing uses day-old bread, savory herbs, and broth to create a comforting texture without the hassle of oven space.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 3-4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf day-old white or sourdough bread, cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, diced
- 3 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh sage, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, leaves stripped
- 4–5 cups chicken or vegetable broth, warmed
- 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Optional: 1/2 lb cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
- Optional: 1/2 cup dried cranberries or pecans
Instructions
- Prep the bread: Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and spread on a baking sheet to dry overnight, or toast at 300°F for 10 minutes to remove moisture.
- Sauté vegetables: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and celery, cooking for 5-7 minutes until soft. Stir in sage and thyme during the last minute.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the dried bread cubes with the sautéed onion, celery, and herb mixture until evenly coated.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour warm broth over the bread mixture. Add whisked eggs, salt, and pepper. Gently fold everything together until the mixture resembles a thick, soupy salad with no dry pockets.
- Cook: Transfer the mixture to a greased 4-6 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours. Do not cook on HIGH.
- Check doneness: The stuffing is done when a knife inserted into the center comes out clean and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest and serve: Let the stuffing sit in the turned-off slow cooker for 10-15 minutes to set. Stir gently before serving.
Notes
Use day-old or toasted bread to prevent mushiness. Sautéing the onions and celery is crucial for flavor depth. If using fresh bread, toast it first. For vegan version, use vegetable broth, olive oil/vegan butter, and a flax egg. For gluten-free, use GF bread but note it may absorb more liquid.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Thanksgiving stuffing, crockpot stuffing, slow cooker side dish, oven-free recipe, holiday dinner, easy stuffing, moist stuffing