22 Downright Delicious Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes (2024)

We can all agree: No Thanksgiving meal is complete without stuffing. Although we love the down-home-style sausage-and-bread version our grandma’s been cookin’ up for decades, we’re looking to switch things up this year. Think chorizo cornbread stuffing, pancetta and sage stuffin’ muffins and chestnut-leek stuffing. We’re drooling just thinking about these non-traditional options. Don’t worry, we’ve included some classics, too.

1. Challah-Apple Stuffing: Make sure you cut that challah generously and use Granny Smith apples for some acidity. This is about to be everything, promise. (via Buzzfeed)

2. Quinoa, Apple and Sweet Potato Stuffing: Quinoa, sweet potato, apples and hazelnuts are the main components of this unforgettable stuffing recipe. Wait a minute… is that a little maple syrup we’re tasting, too? (via Family Fresh Cooking)

3. Classic Sage Dressing: Holy wow. This gorgeous serving of stuffing is made with rustic white bread and tons of fresh chopped sage. (via The Kitchn)

4. Thanksgiving Stuffing Poppers (Gluten-Free, Vegan): Yeah, we went there. Your guests will gobble these chickpea stuffing poppers and cranberry-jalapeño dipping sauce right up. (via Beard + Bonnet)

5. Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing: This recipe is pretty straightforward. To really personalize it, make your own dry breadcrumbs. (via Tastes of Lizzy T’s)

7. Gluten-Free Stuffing: This recipe includes instructions on how to make delicious gluten-free bread for a totally scrumptious stuffing sans gluten. (via Yammie’s Gluten Freedom)

8. Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing: Chorizo and cornbread sound like a match made in heaven to us. Try making cornbread from scratch, and we bet this stuffing will turn out even tastier (if that’s possible). (via Damn Delicious)

9. Pancetta and Sage Stuffing Muffins: Yes, it’s true. Pancetta and sage are going steady in these oh-so-tasty stuffing muffins. (via A Cozy Kitchen)

10. Dairy-Free Herbed Stuffing: This dairy- and gluten-free herb stuffing is guilty of excessive tastiness. Wanna know the flavor-boosting culprits? Sultry sage, tantalizing thyme and luscious leeks. (via Jeanette’s Healthy Living)

11. Paleo Sweet Potato-Cranberry Stuffing: We don’t even miss the bread thanks to all that yummy sweet potato and sausage. (via Fed and Fit)

12. Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts Stuffing: If you hate Brussels sprouts now, you won’t after trying this fabulous butternut squash– and apple-stuffed recipe. (via Food52)

13. Great-Grandma’s Famous Stuffing: What’s so famous about this stuffing, you ask? We’ll give you a hint, it starts with a b and ends with tter. (via The Baker Chick)

14. Slow Cooker Sausage and Apple Stuffing: Cover and cook this sweet-savory stuffing for two to three hours. It’s definitely worth the wait. (via Sweet Treats + More)

15. Cranberry and Sage Stuffing Muffins: More muffins! But this time, we’re bringing you a vegetarian option made with veggie stock and cranberries. (via Cooking Stoned)

16. Chestnut, Leek and Apple Stuffing: This bright and beautiful stuffing dish has roasted chestnuts in it. ‘Tis the season, right? (via The Parsley Thief)

17. Herbed Bread Stuffing: When in doubt, just do all bread. Mmm… carbs. (via Blissfully Delicious)

18. Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing: Take it down South with this sinful buttermilk cornbread dressing. Don’t expect any leftovers. (via The Kitchn)

19. Artichoke Stuffing: We’ve never thought of adding artichokes to our stuffing. Now that we know it’s a thing, we can’t wait to try it. (via Budget Bytes)

20. Gluten-Free Quinoa Stuffing: Here’s another quinoa stuffing recipe to add to the list. This one’s made with coconut oil, pecans and Italian parsley. (via In Sonnet’s Kitchen)

21. Sausage, Fennel and Brioche Stuffing: We already used challah, so why not brioche? The more buttery the better. (via Bon Appétit)

22. Sourdough Sage Stuffin’ Muffin: And finally, the sourdough stuffin’ muffin, complete with sage, apples, rosemary and cranberries. Vegan has never tasted so good. (via Brit + Co)

Which recipe will grace your Thanksgiving table this year? Let us know below!

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Samantha Andreacchi

A Bay Area native, Sam currently lives in Philadelphia and is loving the city of brotherly love. If she isn’t working, trying a new restaurant or window shopping on Walnut Street, she’s probably at home binging on Pinterest, making a mess in the kitchen (aka cooking) or trying to read three books at once.

22 Downright Delicious Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Should I put egg in my stuffing? ›

The most important ingredient of stuffing may be the binder, which keeps all the other elements in place. For a fluffy texture, use eggs. Stock is the most-used binder. Less conventional possibilities include fruit juice (such as apple or orange) and alcohol (wine or liqueur).

Is it OK to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

No matter where you fall, getting a head start on what can be prepared before the big day is essential. One question that always crops up: Can you make stuffing ahead of time? The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

Can you prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate? ›

If you don't plan on stuffing the bird, but preparing the dressing as a side dish, you can prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time as long as you freeze the stuffing immediately after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing.

Can you mess up stuffing? ›

Baking It Inside Your Bird

I know it's classic, but it could be screwing up your dinner. Baking stuffing inside the turkey could result in soggy stuffing, or even an overcooked turkey, because for the stuffing to get to 165 degrees (the temperature needed to cook it), the turkey will get to 180-190, which is too high.

How soggy should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Can you use week old bread for stuffing? ›

In fact, using stale bread and fresh bread will both leave you with equal amounts of mush. The longstanding tip to use old, stale bread for the perfect stuffing is actually a myth. Letting bread go stale doesn't actually dry it out. After sitting out on your counter, bread goes through the process of retrogradation.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

Because stuffing is an excellent medium for bacterial growth, it's important to handle it safely and cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer. Here are some common ques- tions consumers ask. Stuffing should not be prepared ahead.

Does stove top stuffing taste good? ›

The verdict: It's often said that we eat with our eyes first, and Stove Top's Traditional Sage stuffing was far and away the most visually appealing. Tasters appreciated that there was a a decent crunch in each bite, but we were most impressed by its seasoning.

How long can uncooked stuffing stay in the refrigerator? ›

Do not refrigerate uncooked stuffing. If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.

Can I bake stuffing day before and reheat? ›

Yes! You can absolutely make stuffing ahead of time. It's a great way to get a jumpstart on Thanksgiving cooking and it frees up much-needed oven space. This stuffing can be made up to three days in advance.

Is Italian or French bread better for stuffing? ›

What is the best bread to use for stuffing? Pick a bread, any bread! The best part about stuffing is that there are so many types of bread based on your families preferences. You can use cornbread, Italian bread, French bread, white sandwich bread, challah, or even sourdough.

Does bread have to be toasted for stuffing? ›

Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing. Either dry out your bread starting a few days before you plan to make the stuffing by letting it sit out or, if you don't have the extra time, cut the bread into cubes, and then toast over a low heat in the oven until dry.

Is it better to toast or dry bread for stuffing? ›

The Best Bread for Stuffing Is Oven-Dried | Epicurious.

How do you keep stuffing from getting mushy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

What can I use instead of egg to bind stuffing? ›

Some common egg substitutes include:
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

How do you keep stuffing moist? ›

Typically, baking the stuffing inside the bird helps keep the mixture moist. “I prefer stuffing (in the bird) to dressing (outside of the bird) because all those delicious drippings that come off the turkey gets absorbed right into the stuffing,” Bamford says.

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Classic stuffing made with bread cubes, seasonings, and held together with chicken stock and eggs. A holiday staple!

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