Stuffing is one of those timeless dishes that brings people around the table, no matter the season. Making it in a slow cooker yields a moist, perfectly tender result—plus, it frees up precious oven space for the rest of your feast. This Cozy Garden Herb Slow Cooker Stuffing is bursting with savory flavor from aromatic vegetables, hearty bread, and fragrant herbs. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
- 10 cups cubed bread (day-old or lightly toasted)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 2 carrots, diced (optional for extra sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
- 1½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Begin by lightly greasing the inside of your slow cooker pot with butter or cooking spray to ensure an easy cleanup. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the onion, celery, and carrots, stirring frequently until they’re soft and fragrant. This step helps bring out their natural sweetness and ensures they won’t be crunchy in the final dish.
Next, transfer the sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker. Add the cubed bread, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Gently fold everything together to distribute the seasonings evenly. Slowly pour in the broth, mixing until the bread is just moistened—be careful not to over-saturate.
Cover your slow cooker and set it to low heat. Let the stuffing cook for about three and a half to four hours, stirring halfway through to keep the texture even. You’ll know it’s done when the bread is cooked through, and the edges are slightly golden for a hint of crispness.
The result is a fragrant, comforting side that’s perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy Sunday dinner. It’s also a great make-ahead option if you’re juggling multiple dishes, and it’s easily adapted for vegetarian or gluten-free diets by swapping the broth and bread. Serve it warm and watch how quickly it disappears!
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
