21 Best Stuffing Recipes to Put on Your Thanksgiving Menu
Everyone will want an extra scoop.
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Every family has their own Thanksgiving tradition about stuffing. Some like it soft and airy while others prefer it crispy and chewy. There are even those who refer to the classic Thanksgiving side dish as dressing versus stuffing! (That's a debate for another time.) What it all comes down to is making the stuffing recipe that's right for you. "Thanksgiving dressing (or stuffing, if you put it in the bird) is a wildly personal thing," says Ree Drummond. She often uses her late mother-in-law's recipe, which she calls "a real feast for the senses," and that's just the beginning of what you'll find here. Whether you're looking for Ree's classic Thanksgiving dressing or something wildly new, like a spicy stuffing with chorizo and poblanos, this list of stuffing recipes has something for everyone.
The most important ingredient of any stuffing is undoubtedly the bread. Some folks stick to cornbread for dense, Southern-style stuffings, while others will toss in multiple types of bread for a different texture. Think white sandwich bread, challah, French bread, ciabatta, and sourdough, just to name a few. Some of the recipes you'll find here even start with a box of stuffing mix from the grocery store, and others skip the bread altogether for rice! But beyond the bread, you'll find stuffings and dressings filled with all kinds of goodies in this recipe roundup. For a hearty spin, try one of the sausage stuffings, or lean into the sweeter side with cornbread dressing filled with dried fruits and nuts or the apple-cranberry stuffing. No matter if you stuff it inside your Thanksgiving turkey, or cook it in a casserole dish, a slow cooker, or even a muffin tin, any one of these deliciously different stuffing recipes will be a fan-favorite on this year's Thanksgiving menu.
Sausage Stuffing
This ultra savory stuffing will become everyone's new favorite at this year's Thanksgiving feast. Using a combination of white sandwich bread and French bread, along with browned sausage, gives it wonderful texture.
Get the Sausage Stuffing recipe.
Cornbread-Bacon Dressing with Mushrooms
Chock full of crisp bacon and sauteed mushrooms, this dressing is a wow-worthy. It uses cornbread for a classic Southern-inspired spin, along with ciabatta and French bread to give it a lighter texture.
Cornbread Dressing with Dried Fruits and Nuts
What has your Thanksgiving dressing been missing? It may just be dried fruit and nuts! This version has familiar flavors of the classic dish, but with sweet bursts from dried cherries, prunes, and apricots.
Get Ree's Cornbread Dressing with Dried Fruits and Nuts recipe.
Thanksgiving Dressing
Ree's favorite dressing recipe will change the way you think about dressing (or stuffing). "It isn't soggy at all," she says, "even after baking, it remains light and crumbly and beautifully textural."
Get Ree's Thanksgiving Dressing recipe.
Crock-Pot Stuffing
This is a classic savory stuffing recipe made with onions, celery, garlic and mushrooms, but what sets it apart is the fact that it won't take up any of your precious oven space. Just set it in the slow cooker and forget it until dinnertime.
Get the Crock-Pot Stuffing recipe.
Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Apples
Can't decide between savory and sweet? Why not do both? This recipe combines savory mix of sausage and herbs with the sweetness from caramelized onions and apples.
Get Ree's Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Apples recipe.
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Put boxed stuffing mix to good use with this hearty casserole that you can make any night of the week. It'll prove that stuffing isn't just for Thanksgiving!
Apple-Cranberry Stuffing
If the sweet flavors of fall are what you're after, look no further than this apple-cranberry stuffing. It's loaded with seasonal goodness.
Get the Apple-Cranberry Stuffing recipe.
Stuffing with Chorizo and Poblano
Chorizo is often heavily spiced so it'll give this stuffing a ton of flavor. For even more subtle spice, Ree adds poblano chile peppers to the mix.
Get Ree's Stuffing with Chorizo and Poblano recipe.
Leftover Stuffing Cakes
Reinvent your Thanksgiving leftovers with this hearty breakfast recipe. These cheesy stuffing cakes are so darn delicious topped with just a simple runny egg, but you could serve them with sausage patties or bacon to make it an even more filling morning meal.
Get the Leftover Stuffing Cakes recipe at Well Plated by Erin.
Oyster Cornbread Dressing
Oysters and Thanksgiving dressing may seem like an unusual pairing, but one taste and you'll become a believer of this retro dish. The oysters add just a touch of salt
Get the Oyster Cornbread Dressing recipe at Dinner Then Dessert.
Chestnut Stuffing
If you've never folded crunchy chestnuts into your holiday stuffing, you've been missing out. Filled with sweet prunes, mushrooms, and bacon, along with chestnuts, this recipe is a delicious departure from traditional stuffing.
Stuffing Muffins
These adorable stuffing muffins are loaded with cranberries, apples, sausage, and herbs. It's basically the perfect one-bite portion.
Wild Rice Stuffing
Not only will this stuffing satisfy both vegan and gluten free guests, but it doesn't compromise on flavor either! It's a great alternative if you want something other than your typical bread stuffing.
Farro, Butternut Squash, Sausage and Dried Cherry Stuffing
Along with seasonal squash and sweet-tart cherries, this stuffing is made with sausage and farro. The farro gives it a nutty, chewy texture that's great for balancing out the boxed stuffing.
Get the Farro, Butternut Squash, Sausage and Dried Cherry Stuffing recipe at Foodie Crush.
Sourdough Stuffing
The unique flavor and texture of sourdough bread makes this stuffing different from some of the others on the list. You can use fresh baked sourdough or stale sourdough, either way it'll get toasted in the oven.
Slow Cooker Pear and Sausage Stuffing
Although you'll often find apples in stuffing recipes, this one calls for pears instead! It's a fun twist that really nails the sweet and savory flavor.
Get the Slow Cooker Pear and Sausage Stuffing recipe at Pinch of Yum.
Wild Mushroom Stuffing
This recipe calls for a combination of shiitake, chanterelles, button, cremini mushrooms so you know it'll be full of all that earthy flavor and meaty texture. But even vegetarians can enjoy this hearty dish!
Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs
If you're looking for something completely out of the box, these meatballs are sure to be hit! They're made with cornbread stuffing, ground turkey, mushrooms, celery, and dried cranberries. It would be a fun addition to a Friendsgiving party!
Get the Turkey and Stuffing Meatballs recipe at Marisa Moore.
Butternut Squash and Wild Rice "Stuffing"
This twist on stuffing is made with wild rice instead. It's packed with color from the butternut squash and pomegranate seeds, plus it's easy to make ahead!
Get the Butternut Squash and Wild Rice "Stuffing" recipe at Cookie and Kate.
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