From-scratch effort may really feel at its most worthwhile on the holidays, however that doesn’t imply you may’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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Straightforward 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 could be mentioned for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes), there’s a robust argument that it truly tastes higher.
Crock pot stuffing stays extra moist within the heart and has extra floor space for the delightfully crispy, golden edges.
Plus, outsourcing the stuffing to the sluggish cooker means your coveted oven area can 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 convey this subsequent 12 months AND the following! 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 unfavourable pronouncement I’ve heard with stunning frequency contemplating that the recipe’s major ingredient can be one of many world’s hottest meals (bread), it makes me just a little 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 instances 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 laborious, dry, micro bread cubes which might be doused in hen inventory, combined 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, 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 chicken 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 just isn’t going to be practically 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, nevertheless. I grew up saying “stuffing,” and the behavior caught.
The best way to Make Crock Pot Stuffing
The great thing about home made stuffing is all the completely different, scrumptious methods you may 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 like every, however immediately’s crock pot stuffing is the mix of elements I return to time and again.
The Elements
- Bread. Excessive-quality artisan bread could make all of the distinction in a home made stuffing recipe. Entire grain rustic bread or sourdough bread is the most effective bread for stuffing.
- Pecans. I like including pecans to this stuffing recipe. They add an exquisite nutty taste and crunch.
- Celery. Crisp and contemporary.
- Herbs. Contemporary sage and thyme add a comfortable, delicate 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
Should you’d prefer to take this crock pot stuffing with apples to the following degree, you may flip this right into a crockpot stuffing with sausage (I exploit turkey or hen sausage) or sautéed mushrooms.
Simply make sure you watch the capability of your crock pot. You might 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 lined). Prepare dinner on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. High with contemporary parsley and ENJOY!
Tip!
I don’t advocate cooking this recipe on HIGH, as it might not prepare dinner all over earlier than the sides 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. You may as well hold 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 be a scrumptious mixture. Or serve this stuffing with a hearty vegetarian fundamental.
- Sluggish Cooker. Vital in each kitchen!
- Baking Sheets. Getting the bread cubes good and toasty first is crucial, 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 sluggish cooker retains the stuffing heat, frees up the oven and is nice for a crowd.
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- 1 loaf entire grain rustic bread or sourdough bread (16-18 ounce loaf), reduce 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 contemporary sage leaves
- 6 sprigs thyme leaves stripped off (discard the robust stems)
- 1 crisp apple reminiscent of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Girl (I left the peels on, however you may peel when you favor), medium diced
- 1 cup reduced-sugar dried cranberries
- 2 giant eggs evenly overwhelmed
- 3 cups reduced-sodium turkey broth or hen broth
- Contemporary parsley elective for serving
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Calmly 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 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 further minutes. Watch the nuts very fastidiously in direction of the tip 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 sizzling and the butter is melted, add the onions, salt, and pepper. Prepare 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 further minutes.
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Stir within the sage and thyme and let prepare dinner 1 further 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 effectively 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 got overhang on all sides. It will assist soak 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 evenly crisp across the edges and set within the heart. If desired, sprinkle with contemporary 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. You may as well hold 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 advocate cooking this recipe on excessive, as it might not prepare dinner all over 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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