When oven space is a hot commodity, it’s time to call in Crockpot Wild Rice Stuffing! A hearty, savory stuffing made with wild rice, cranberries, mushrooms, and almonds for crunch, it’s a refreshing twist on the same old stuffing and can pair well with a wide variety of your favorite mains.

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This crockpot wild rice stuffing is especially helpful at Thanksgiving and Christmas, or really anytime you need a stellar dinner party side but don’t have space in your oven.
Further, this stuffing can be cooked in advance, making it a busy host(ess)’s BFF.
Unlike a bread and wild rice stuffing, this one is naturally gluten free (be sure to check your rice blend, as oddly not all of them are).
It’s also naturally dairy free and vegan (the creaminess of the stuffing comes from the starches in the rice).
If you have guests with different dietary restrictions, this recipe is an ideal choice to make sure everyone can enjoy a serving.
Every forkful delivers the euphoric feelings of carby indulgence that make Thanksgiving great *but* it won’t weigh you down nearly as much as classic bread-based stuffings. (Translation: more tummy space for Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes and Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup, Cranberries and Feta.)
It’s taste and texture is part rice pilaf, part classic stove top stuffing, and entirely scrumptious.

5 Star Review
“The smell of it alone was enough to make me salivate! And it was a HIT for our Thanksgiving dinner last night. Not only that, but it’s gorgeous to look at! It worked perfectly.”
— Sophie —
How to Make Crockpot Wild Rice Stuffing
The nutty wild rice and cranberries taste of everything autumn, the almonds add a pleasing crunch, and the mushrooms give the stuffing savoriness and depth. If the flavor alone doesn’t convince you, let the simplicity of the prep.
This is quite possibly the easiest Thanksgiving stuffing you will ever make!
The Ingredients
- Brown + Wild Rice Blend. Using a blend of brown and wild rice not only gives the stuffing a unique and delicious flavor, but it also makes it a gluten-free wild rice stuffing. You won’t miss the bread!
- Celery. A stuffing essential!
- Mushrooms. Wild rice mushroom stuffing is scrumptious. The mushrooms taste hearty and pair perfectly with the savory flavors in this recipe.
- Dried Cranberries. Plump jewels of sweet goodness.
- Fresh Sage + Thyme. Make sure to use fresh herbs here. They add a subtle earthiness and autumnal coziness that shouldn’t be missed.
- Slivered Almonds. Toasted almonds are my favorite final flourish. They’re nutty, crunchy, and instantly give the dish an elevated appearance. Toasted pecans would be scrumptious too.
The Directions
- Sauté the onions and celery. Add the mushrooms. Stir in salt and pepper.
- Stir the rice blend and vegetables together in a slow cooker. Add the broth. Cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. Turn off the slow cooker, then add the cranberries and herbs.
- Cover and let stand for a few minutes. Finish with the almonds, then ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Traditional Stuffing. While I would argue that “traditional” means something different to everyone, if you are looking for the most delicious way to make bread stuffing in the oven, try my Chestnut Stuffing. SO GOOD.
- Slow Cooker Stove Top Stuffing. And by “stove top” I mean the infamous box, which two of my friends swear are their families’ standard. While I don’t use a mix myself (I love making and eating Thanksgiving stuffing from scratch), my Crock Pot Stuffing recipe will give you a similar experience, with an amped-up flavor and superior texture.
- Crockpot Stuffing with Sausage. For those who can’t have their stuffing without it (and sausage stuffing is certainly delicious), begin this recipe by sautéing 1 pound of ground turkey or pork sausage in a skillet. Remove it with a slotted spoon, then use the same skillet to sauté the mushrooms, onions, and celery in Step 1. Transfer the cooked sausage to the slow cooker with the other ingredients and cook as directed. (Or try my Cornbread Stuffing with sausage instead.)

Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate stuffing in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Rewarm stuffing in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F.
- To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
The celery, mushrooms, and onions can be sautéed up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Add all the ingredients to the crock pot just before cooking.
You can also make this entire recipe one full day in advance. Rewarm it in the crockpot or covered in the oven with a splash of additional chicken or vegetable broth to keep it from drying out.
Pair this with
While on Thanksgiving you may choose to make this wild rice stuffing for duck or turkey, it can be served with many other dishes any night of the week.
Recommended Tools to Make Wild Rice Stuffing
- Slow Cooker. If you use a 3-quart slow cooker (as I did), it will be VERY full. Don’t panic—everything fits, you just need to stir gently.
- Skillet. A high-quality skillet is a must-have kitchen tool.
- Measuring Spoons. These are magnetic, making them easy to store.
Related Recipes
If you’re looking for other holiday side dishes, this dish is just one of the many healthy Thanksgiving sides on my site.
Crockpot Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 2 ribs celery finely sliced
- 16 ounces cremini baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 ½ cups uncooked brown and wild rice blend rinsed and drained
- 5 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- ⅔ cup reduced sugar dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- ½ cup slivered almonds toasted
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the onions and celery and let cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and lightly brown, about 8 minutes. Increase the heat to medium high, then add the mushrooms. Let cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms are soft and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a 3- or 4-quart slow cooker, stir together the wild rice blend and sautéed vegetables. Carefully pour in the chicken broth (if using a 3-quart slow cooker, it will be full nearly to the top). Gently stir, then cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours, until the rice is tender. Turn off the slow cooker, then stir in the cranberries, sage, and thyme.
- Taste and add additional salt and/or pepper as desired. Cover and let stand 10 minutes. Just before serving, sprinkle the toasted almonds over the top. Serve warm.
Notes
- TO MAKE AHEAD: The celery, mushrooms, and onions can be sautéed up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Add all the ingredients to the crock pot just before cooking.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate stuffing in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm stuffing in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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Have you tried this in an instant pot? How long should it cook for if using this instead of a crockpot?
Holly, I have not and I’m honestly not sure how/if it would work out so I’m afraid I can’t offer you advice there!
This looks so delicious. Do you have directions for stovetop? Thank you!!!
Hi Lori! I haven’t tried it myself, but I think you could adapt this to the stovetop. Use a large pot or dutch oven, and for cook time once you stir in the rice and chicken broth, I’d follow the cooking timing on your package of rice.
Made this for thanksgiving yesterday and it was amazing! Hard to believe it was rice-based :-) A crowd-pleaser for all. Thank you so very much!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Laura! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Heck, I may just add some lentils or something and make this a dinner main dish any time in the fall/winter. Looks absolutely delicious, hearty and healthy.
I hope you enjoy it, Catharine!
We did not care for this one. The rice did not stay firm in the slow cooker which made the dish very mushy. If you make this, keep a very close eye on the rice so you don’t overcook.
I’m sorry to hear the recipe wasn’t to your taste, Jamie. I know it’s disappointing to try a new recipe and not enjoy it, so I truly wish it would have been a hit for you.
One granddaughter WTH Celia and a great niece with a severe dairy allergy. This was a definite winner
Hi Linda! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
This is one of the most difficult recipes I have ever tried to read and I’ve wasted SO MUCH Time trying to read the recipe, find the ingredients and complete this. It’s been ridiculous.
Hi Janan! I’m so sorry to hear you are having trouble navigating the website. Did you see the “jump to recipe” button at the top of the page? This takes you right to the recipe! Hope this helps!
I made this for Thanksgiving yesterday. I used a wild rice blend from “Rice Select”. I did not use mushrooms – husband is allergic and I cut the recipe in half – there were only three of us. I should have looked at the water : rice ratio on the container because the stock/water in the recipe is way too much. It came out wonderful but a little softer than I would have preferred. I also cut the cooking time way down to two hours. A definite repeat but check your rice blends for the water : rice ratio – they are all different.
Hi Karen! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I agree I think the liquid ratio was too much when I cooked it on high
I’m considering making this for the holidays this year. Would you mind sharing what brown and wild rice brand you recommend for this recipe? I’ve tried to make similar recipes like this in the past and have had mixed results that I believe is related to quality of the rice I found/bought.
Thank you! Also, discovered you about a year ago and the family has loved almost every recipe I’ve made of yours :)
Hi Jenn! I’ve made it with Rice Selects Royal blend and Bob’s Red Mill’s Country Rice Blend. Both are yummy! Hope you enjoy it!
We had this with our Christmas goose. I was super nervous, as I’m use to making traditional stuffing. My husband had issues with bread so I thought I’d try something different. It turned out FANTASTIC, flavors complimented the goose perfectly. Thank you!
Hi Darby! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This sounds wonderful, and plan to make it for Thanksgiving dinner. Just wondering, would it work with fresh cranberries instead of dried.?
It should be ok. Enjoy Nancy!
I want to make this for Thanksgiving but I am concerned that many hours will produce a mushy rice. Can this be made on the stove? I saw one review that said it was a mushy mess and I worry about that happening. Any advice? You don’t give exact time on how long to keep it in slow cooker?
I think it sounds and looks delicious and I have vegetarian guest will enjoy another option.
Hi Michelle, if that’s a concern, I would recommend looking up a recipe for wild rice pilaf, then adjusting it to use some of the flavors and ingredients from this recipe.
I love the recipe. I was asking a question on the cook time. I don’t want the rice to over cook in the crock pot. I have never used a slow cooker for rice and am a bit nervous about it. Can this be made the day before and reheated for Thanksgiving day? Perhaps I try it out tomorrow Wednesday. I really would like to try this recipe and love the idea.
Sure, you can definitely make it the day before. If you reheat it in the slow cooker, you can add some chicken or vegetable broth if it starts to look dry. Give yourself some time though for it to heat slowly.
Can you use baby portobello mushrooms?
Yes, that’s exactly right!
Made this for Thanksgiving adding crumbled pork sausage and it was a huge hit! I am lamenting not having more of it so I’m thinking of cooking a half batch and making a meal of it. Have you tried cooking chicken breast in the crock pot with it?
Yay! So happy to hear Alli!