19 Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing Recipes to Elevate Your Holiday Table
When it comes to holiday meals, stuffing is a timeless favorite that brings warmth and comfort to the table. But what if you could make your stuffing effortlessly, with perfect herb-infused flavor and minimal fuss? Enter herbed slow cooker stuffing—an easy, hands-off approach that lets the slow cooker do the work while filling your kitchen with irresistible aromas.
In this article, you’ll discover 19 herbed slow cooker stuffing recipes that are delicious, versatile, and sure to impress your guests. From classic sage and thyme blends to unique twists with cranberries, sausage, or mushrooms, these recipes offer something for every palate.
Why Choose Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing?
Slow cookers are a game-changer in the kitchen, especially for holiday cooking. Here’s why herbed slow cooker stuffing is the perfect choice:
- Hands-Free Cooking: Let the slow cooker do the work while you focus on other dishes or relax.
- Consistent Moisture: Slow cooking keeps stuffing moist without drying it out.
- Enhanced Flavors: Herbs have time to meld deeply into the bread and other ingredients.
- Easy to Customize: Add your favorite herbs, nuts, meats, or veggies to personalize.
Key Herbs for Flavorful Stuffing
Herbs play a central role in stuffing, giving it that classic savory taste. Common herbs used in these recipes include:
- Sage – The quintessential stuffing herb, earthy and slightly peppery.
- Thyme – Adds a subtle floral and lemony note.
- Rosemary – Woody and fragrant, perfect for hearty stuffing.
- Parsley – Fresh and brightens the mix.
- Oregano – Adds a Mediterranean depth.
- Marjoram – Mild and sweet, complements other herbs.
- Bay Leaves – Infuse slow-cooked dishes with complex aroma (usually removed before serving).
19 Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing Recipes
Below are detailed recipes for 19 herbed slow cooker stuffing variations, each with unique ingredients to inspire your next holiday meal.
1. Classic Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups cubed stale bread
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Melt butter in a skillet, sauté celery and onions until soft.
- In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, sautéed veggies, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Pour in chicken broth and stir gently.
- Transfer mixture to a greased slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring halfway through.
- Serve warm.
2. Garlic and Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup diced onions
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Follow the classic recipe, adding garlic with the onions and celery. Use fresh herbs for a more vibrant taste.
3. Sausage and Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Brown sausage in a skillet, drain excess fat. Combine all ingredients and cook on low for 4 hours.
4. Mushroom and Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Sauté mushrooms and onions in butter, mix with bread and herbs, then slow cook.
5. Cranberry Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Combine cranberries with the classic recipe for a sweet-tart twist.
6. Cornbread and Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 6 cups cornbread cubes
- 4 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Mix cornbread and regular bread cubes, then follow classic cooking steps.
7. Apple and Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup diced apple (tart varieties like Granny Smith)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Add apples for a sweet crunch; sauté with celery and onion before slow cooking.
8. Bacon and Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 6 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Cook bacon until crisp, crumble, and mix into the stuffing before cooking.
9. Vegan Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes (use vegan bread)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup vegan butter or olive oil
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Sauté veggies in vegan butter, mix, and slow cook for a plant-based delight.
10. Pecan and Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Fold toasted pecans into the stuffing before cooking for a nutty crunch.
11. Herb and Cheese Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Stir in cheese at the end of cooking for a melty, savory touch.
12. Herbed Wild Rice Slow Cooker Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 5 cups bread cubes
- 3 cups cooked wild rice
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Mix wild rice with bread cubes and herbs, then slow cook for added texture and flavor.
13. Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing with Carrots and Peas
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Sauté carrots and onions, add peas and mix with bread and herbs before cooking.
14. Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing with Orange Zest
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- Zest of one orange
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Add orange zest for a subtle citrus note.
15. Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup diced apple
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Brown sausage, sauté apple and celery, mix and slow cook.
16. Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing with Cranberries and Pecans
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup toasted pecans
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Combine cranberries and pecans with the bread mixture and cook slowly.
17. Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing with Mushrooms and Leeks
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup chopped leeks
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp rosemary
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Sauté mushrooms and leeks in butter, mix, and slow cook.
18. Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing with Chestnuts
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup cooked chestnuts, chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Fold chestnuts into the bread mixture before cooking.
19. Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing with Butternut Squash
Ingredients:
- 10 cups bread cubes
- 1 cup diced roasted butternut squash
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Roast squash, combine with bread and herbs, slow cook until flavors meld.
Tips for the Best Herbed Slow Cooker Stuffing
- Use Day-Old Bread: Slightly stale bread absorbs broth better without getting mushy.
- Adjust Moisture: Add broth gradually to get the desired moistness.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir gently to keep texture light.
- Add Fresh Herbs Last: For brighter flavor, sprinkle some fresh herbs on top before serving.
- Cook Low and Slow: Low heat helps meld flavors without drying the stuffing.
Final Thoughts
Herbed slow cooker stuffing is the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Whether you prefer traditional recipes or love experimenting with additions like sausage, fruit, nuts, or vegetables, the slow cooker method guarantees a moist, delicious stuffing every time.
Try one of these 19 herbed slow cooker stuffing recipes this holiday season or anytime you crave a warm, flavorful side dish that’s sure to please family and guests alike.
