Need a simple trick to make Thanksgiving dinner less stressful? Try preparing boxed stuffing in your slow cooker. No stove, no boiling—just fluffy stuffing ready when you are.
Whether your family prefers homemade stuffing or boxed mix, the slow cooker method is a genuine time-saver. If you already have dozens of dishes to coordinate and hours of cooking ahead, moving one small task off the stovetop can make a big difference. I tested this method to see if it works—and it does. It’s easy, reliable, and keeps your stove free for other dishes.
How to make boxed stuffing in a slow cooker
Use a small slow cooker (2–3 quart). Add the water and butter, heat until simmering, then stir in the boxed stuffing mix, cover, wait a few minutes, and fluff. The steps are straightforward and require minimal attention—perfect for a busy holiday kitchen.
Step-by-step method
- Place the measured water and butter into a small (2–3 quart) slow cooker.
- Cover and heat on high until the water reaches a gentle simmer—this typically takes 1–3 hours depending on your slow cooker.
- Once simmering, add the boxed stuffing mix, stir to combine, and cover immediately.
- Wait 5 minutes, then fluff the stuffing with a fork to separate the crumbs.
- If you’re not serving immediately, switch the slow cooker to the “keep warm” setting to maintain temperature until you’re ready to serve.
Why use the slow cooker for boxed stuffing?
- No need to turn on the stove or heat another burner.
- Less worry about timing; the slow cooker holds and warms gently.
- The slow cooker doubles as a serving dish, reducing extra dishes to wash.
- It keeps the stuffing warm and ready while you finish other courses.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Stuffing
Author: Jennifer Draper
This simple slow cooker adaptation works with any boxed stuffing mix and is perfect for busy holiday gatherings. It yields a fluffy, evenly hydrated stuffing without standing over a pot on the stove.
Details
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 2 hours (to bring water to a simmer)
- Servings: about 6
- Calories: 176 kcal per serving (approximate)
Equipment
- 2–3 quart slow cooker
Ingredients
- 6 oz boxed stuffing mix (any flavor)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 4 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Add the water and butter to the slow cooker.
- Cover and heat on high until the water starts to simmer (about 1–3 hours depending on your slow cooker).
- Stir in the stuffing mix, cover again, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and serve directly from the slow cooker, or switch to “keep warm” until ready to serve.
Notes
- You can still make the stuffing on the stove following the package directions if preferred.
- If you want to prepare ahead, the water and butter can stay in the slow cooker until you’re ready to add the mix.
- This recipe can be doubled or tripled—use a larger slow cooker if increasing quantities.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
- Calories: 176 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Fat: 9 g (Saturated fat: 5 g)
- Sodium: 468 mg
If you want more slow cooker tips for holiday meals, adapting small, hands-off recipes like this one can free your time and stovetop for the rest of your menu. The slow cooker stuffing method is fast, dependable, and keeps your kitchen running smoothly on the big day.
