Slow Cooker Stuffing is the epitome of comfort food, especially during festive occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s a dish that brings warmth and nostalgia to the table, filling the air with aromatic herbs and spices as it slow cooks to perfection. This recipe, with its easy-to-follow instructions and mouthwatering ingredients, is sure to become a staple in your holiday menu rotation.
To embark on this culinary journey, gather your ingredients: 1 stick of butter, 2 cups of diced celery, 1 finely chopped onion, 1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning, 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried sage leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of dried leaf thyme, 2 eggs, 4 cups of chicken broth, and 12 cups of dried bread crumbs.
Now, let’s dive into the method. Begin by melting the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Once it’s melted, add the diced celery and chopped onion, sautéing them until they’re tender and fragrant. This process usually takes around 5 minutes, infusing the butter with the essence of the vegetables and creating a flavorful base for the stuffing.
Next, it’s time to introduce the aromatic spices that will elevate this dish to new heights. Sprinkle in the poultry seasoning, dried sage leaves, black pepper, salt, and dried thyme, stirring gently to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This step is crucial for building layers of flavor, so take your time to savor the aroma as it fills your kitchen.
In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them lightly to break them up. Then, pour in the chicken broth, whisking continuously to create a smooth and homogenous liquid. This mixture will serve as the binding agent for the stuffing, holding everything together in perfect harmony.
Now comes the fun part: combining the wet and dry ingredients to form the stuffing base. Add the sautéed vegetable mixture to the bowl of broth and eggs, stirring gently to incorporate everything together. Once the vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the liquid, it’s time to introduce the star of the show: the bread crumbs. Gradually add the dried bread crumbs to the bowl, folding them into the mixture until they’re fully coated and soaked with the flavorful broth.
With your stuffing mixture prepared, it’s time to transfer it to the slow cooker, where magic will happen over the course of several hours. Lightly grease the insert of your slow cooker to prevent any sticking, then spoon the stuffing mixture into it, spreading it out evenly to ensure even cooking.
Set your slow cooker to high heat and cover it with the lid, allowing the stuffing to cook for 45 minutes. This initial burst of heat will help jumpstart the cooking process, infusing the stuffing with warmth and flavor. After 45 minutes, reduce the heat to low and let the slow cooker work its magic for the next 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together and the bread crumbs to absorb all the delicious broth.
As the hours pass, your kitchen will be filled with the irresistible aroma of savory herbs and spices, tempting you with anticipation for the feast to come. Resist the urge to peek too often, as slow cooking is all about patience and allowing the flavors to develop slowly over time.
When the 6 hours are up, remove the lid from the slow cooker and behold the masterpiece that lies within: a golden-brown, perfectly cooked stuffing that’s brimming with flavor and ready to delight your taste buds. Serve it alongside your favorite holiday dishes, and watch as your guests eagerly dig in, savoring each mouthful of this delectable comfort food.
With its easy preparation and unbeatable flavor, Slow Cooker Stuffing is sure to become a beloved tradition in your household, bringing joy and warmth to every festive occasion. So gather your ingredients, fire up your slow cooker, and let the magic of this timeless recipe transform your holiday gatherings into memories that will last a lifetime.
