Description
Slow cooker herb dressing delivers classic Thanksgiving comfort with minimal kitchen effort. Herbs, bread cubes, and aromatics meld into a savory side dish you’ll crave at holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf (about 12 cups) bread, cubed (French, sourdough, or cornbread)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2.5–3 cups (590–710 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
- 0.5 cup (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsps poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Bread Preparation: Transform stale bread into crisp cubes by air-drying overnight or quickly toasting in the oven at 300F (150C) until perfectly crunchy.
- Vegetable Sauté: Caramelize onions, celery, and garlic in butter over medium heat until translucent and fragrant, releasing their aromatic essence, about 5-7 minutes.
- Flavor Infusion: Combine toasted bread cubes with sautéed vegetables, integrating poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper to create a harmonious flavor foundation.
- Moisture and Binding: Gradually fold in broth and beaten eggs, ensuring even moisture distribution and structural cohesion without creating soggy patches.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Thoroughly grease the slow cooker’s interior, transfer the seasoned mixture, and spread evenly to promote consistent cooking.
- Cooking Process: Cover and simmer on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, pausing midway to gently redistribute ingredients and ensure even heating.
- Final Touches: Evaluate moisture content, adding extra broth if needed, and delicately fluff the dressing with a fork to achieve a light, airy texture.
- Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, creating a vibrant and aromatic side dish that perfectly complements main courses.
Notes
- Prevent Bread Sogginess: Use day-old or stale bread cubes to absorb moisture without turning mushy, ensuring a perfect texture with crisp edges and soft interior.
- Master Moisture Balance: Add broth gradually and stir gently to distribute liquid evenly, preventing dry spots or overly wet patches in the dressing.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast bread cubes and sauté vegetables before mixing to develop rich, caramelized undertones that elevate the overall taste profile.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap traditional bread with gluten-free alternatives, use vegetable broth for vegetarian version, or add herbs like rosemary for a personalized touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg