Last Updated on December 27, 2024 by Kimberly Stroh

My Husband’s favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is the stuffing. Whether you call it dressing or stuffing, it’s a classic Thanksgiving side dish that everyone enjoys. Instead of stuffing your turkey, try this Slow Cooker Apple Sausage Stuffing recipe. It comes out full of flavor with diced apples, chopped pecans and sausage. This stuffing recipe won’t be dry, like an oven version would be, and there’s no danger like stuffing a turkey. It can’t get any easier than this!

This recipe came about when I was running out of oven space on Thanksgiving. I also don’t like to cook everything last minute. The more side dishes that I can make ahead of time, the better. So I decided pulling out the slow cooker was the best option. You can transfer the Slow Cooker Apple Sausage stuffing to a bowl or just serve directly, so it stays nice and warm.

Slow Cooker Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe For Thanksgiving

If you’re familiar with slow cooker recipes, you probably know that everything comes out moist and tender. The cooking process is excellent for stuffing because you aren’t drying it out – like a traditional oven method. This Apple Sausage Stuffing makes a HUGE portion and we always have leftovers. So make sure you’re using a larger slow cooker – I love my Cuisinart 8-Quart Slow Cooker.

What To Serve With Your Apple Sausage Stuffing

This is a traditional American Thanksgiving side dish recipe. I like to serve it alongside my Cranberry Sauce recipe, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Southern Squash Casserole recipe and Creamed Corn. I’m all about adding as much color to my Thanksgiving table as possible with my side dishes. I don’t want everything green.

Prep Your Slow Cooker Apple Sausage Stuffing And Forget About It

One of the most difficult parts of cooking Thanksgiving dinner is the timing of everything. For novice cooks, it can be a daunting task. Timing, combined with tight oven space, and you’ve got a stressful situation. The slow cooker allows you to forget about it. You’ll prep everything on the stovetop, mix the ingredients together in a bowl, and then you’ll just drop it into your slow cooker. If you’re doing a holiday buffet table, just keep the stuffing in your slow cooker and it will stay warm. Or you can transfer it to your “fancy holiday china” (as my Mom would say).

How To Store Thanksgiving Stuffing Leftovers

Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. When you’re reheating, you can use the slow cooker on a low setting again and add some more chicken stock. You can also reheat from the microwave. Stuffing will be good for 1 week in your refrigerator. Our family loves to make turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce, stuffing, turkey and mayonnaise.

Slow Cooker Apple Sausage Stuffing Ingredients:

• Bulk Pork Sausage
• Celery Ribs
• Onion
• Herb-Seasoned Stuffing Cubes (Pepperidge Farm)
• Chicken Stock
• Medium Tart Apple (Granny Smith)
• Chopped Pecans
• Unsalted Butter
• Rubbed Sage
• Pepper & Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Recipe Variations

This is one of my most popular Thanksgiving recipes and readers have emailed me over the years about the recipe variations they’ve tried. One of the most popular recipe variations is to add a 1/2 cup of dried cranberries. Another options is to exchange the pecans for chopped walnuts. Both nuts are great options and I prefer the pecans, but it’s personal preference.

How To Make Slow Cooker Apple Sausage Stuffing

In a large nonstick skillet, cook the sausage, celery and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink.

Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients.

Transfer to a 5-quart slow cooker that’s coated with non-stick cooking spray. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through and the apple is tender, stirring once.

You can add extra chicken stock as needed. Serve immediately.