Crock Pot Stuffing With Apples {BEST EVER!} – Nicely Plated

From-scratch effort may 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. Benefit from your sluggish cooker and make this Crock Pot Stuffing with apples, cranberries, and pecans!

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 might be stated for Crockpot Mashed Potatoes), there’s a powerful 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 will likely be free for different endeavors on Thanksgiving and past.

And by “endeavors,” I imply whiskey pecan-topped Glazed Candy Potatoes, Home made Scalloped Potatoes, Wholesome Candy Potato Casserole, and Brussels Sprouts Casserole.

I suppose you may wish to squeeze the turkey within the oven too.

5 Star Evaluate

“EVERYONE raved!! I positively will convey this subsequent yr AND the following! It was really easy.”

— Sandy —

Crock Pot Stuffing – An Oven House Saver!

At any time when somebody tells me that they don’t take care of Thanksgiving stuffing, a destructive 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 a bit bit unhappy inside.

It additionally makes me wish 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 towards a top quality shortcut now and again, however boxed stuffing and real-deal, from-scratch stuffing couldn’t be extra totally different.

Any of the boxed stuffing mixes I’ve tried are laborious, dry, micro bread cubes which are doused in hen inventory, blended with a bland spice packet, and emerge from the oven in one in every of 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.

Home made bread stuffing, nonetheless? Now THAT is a totally totally different story!

Stuffing vs. Dressing

Technically, Thanksgiving stuffing is baked contained in the turkey (therefore the title “stuffing”), whereas dressing is baked in a separate pan.

Baking stuffing contained in the fowl is usually not really useful, 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 will not be going to be practically sufficient to feed the gang.
So, if you wish to be technical, this recipe must be referred to 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.

The right way to Make Crock Pot Stuffing

The great thing about home made stuffing is all the totally different, scrumptious methods you possibly can elevate its taste.

I’ve made a dozen totally different stuffing varieties through the years: Chestnut Stuffing, Crockpot Wild Rice Stuffing, Stuffing Muffins, and Cornbread Stuffing. I like every, however at this time’s crock pot stuffing is the mixture of substances I return to repeatedly.

The Substances

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 perfect bread for stuffing.
Pecans. I really like including pecans to this stuffing recipe. They add an exquisite nutty taste and crunch.

Substitution Tip!

Whereas pecans are my favourite for stuffing, each walnuts and almonds would even be tasty.

Celery. Crisp and contemporary.
Herbs. Recent sage and thyme add a comfortable, delicate earthiness that tastes like pure fall goodness.
Apple. For the perfect 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

If you happen to’d wish to take this crock pot stuffing with apples to the following stage, you possibly can flip this right into a crockpot stuffing with sausage (I take advantage of turkey or hen sausage) or sautéed mushrooms.

Simply remember to watch the capability of your crock pot. It’s possible you’ll 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.

Onions in skillet for crock pot stuffing

Sauté the onions and celery.

Vegetables for slow cooker stuffing in skillet

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). Prepare dinner on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Prime with contemporary parsley and ENJOY!

Tip!

I don’t suggest cooking this recipe on HIGH, as it could not prepare dinner all 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. It’s also possible to maintain 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 Ideas

You possibly can individually prep all of the stuffing elements (bread and nuts, greens, egg-and-broth combination), then retailer them individually, retaining 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 important.

Sluggish Cooker. A must have in each kitchen!
Baking Sheets. Getting the bread cubes good and toasty first is important, and these baking sheets are good 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.

Prepare dinner ModeStop your display screen from going darkish

1 loaf complete grain rustic bread or sourdough bread (16-18 ounce loaf), minimize 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 Woman (I left the peels on, however you possibly can peel should you want), medium diced
1 cup reduced-sugar dried cranberries
2 giant eggs evenly crushed
3 cups reduced-sodium turkey broth or hen broth
Recent parsley optionally available for serving

Frivolously 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.
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 the direction of the tip in order that they don’t burn. Take away from the oven and place instantly within the ready sluggish cooker.
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. Prepare 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.
Stir within the sage and thyme and let prepare dinner 1 extra minute. Add to the sluggish cooker with the bread cubes.
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 properly 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.
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. This can assist take in moisture. Cowl, letting the paper towel poke out the perimeters of the lid, and prepare dinner on low for 3 to 4 hours, till evenly crisp across the edges and set within the middle. 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, retaining 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 maintain 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 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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