CROCKPOT STUFFING

CrockPot Stuffing image

I was looking for an alternative to putting the stuffing inside the turkey (since hubby longed for that in-the-bird taste) and found something via the internet that became the foundation for this recipe. It was definitely a hit - my husband thought it was just like stuffing from inside the turkey. It's become my favorite stuffing recipe. Plus there's an added benefit - it doesn't require oven space!

Provided by Hope Wasylenki @MizWasy

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

4 slice(s) thick cut bacon, diced
2 stick(s) celery, sliced or diced
1 cup(s) carrot, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 package(s) (14 oz) herb-seasoned stuffing cubes
1 package(s) (7 oz) cornbread stuffing crumbs - or 1 recipe cornbread
2 teaspoon(s) sage, dried
4 - 5 cup(s) broth/stock (match flavor to your meal - or use vegetable stock) divided
2 - eggs
- non-stick cooking spray

Steps:

In a large skillet, cook bacon to render fat and get slightly crispy. Add in celery, carrot and onion, cook until softened.
Place stuffing mixes into a large bowl. Add bacon, onion, celery mixture along with sage. Toss together.
Measure 1 1/2 cups broth into a measuring cup, add eggs and blend fairly well. Pour over stuffing mixture and toss ingredients with a rubber spatula/scraper/spoonula.
Continue adding the rest of the broth/stock to the stuffing as you stir. Keep in mind you want it to be fairly moist/damp but not soupy. You may not use all of the stock or you may need more - it depends on how dry the stuffing mixes are.
Using a 5 qt or larger slow cooker, spray liner with nonstick spray. Pour stuffing into liner and smooth the top. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour then turn to low and cook an additional 2 - 4 hours (it will hold for much longer, though, if necessary).
Other Notes: In a pinch? You can substitute the following for the stuffing mixes: 1 box Stove Top Savory Herb flavor, 1 box Stove Top Cornbread flavor and 1 box of another Stove Top flavor (chicken, pork, turkey). This can be made vegetarian - you can add cranberries and diced apple (add apple when cooking onion/celery). Also, it can be made into oyster dressing by adding oysters when tossing mixture together. You can also substitute 1 pound sausage for the bacon, if desired. It adapts well to any number of meals: chicken, turkey, pork chops or pork loin, game hens - it is an easy side for those times when you need your oven for other things.