12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (2024)

Good stuffing can make or break your holiday dinner, but so many of us leave it to the last minute before deciding what we’re doing. Here are 12 quick and easy stuffing recipes to get you out of a jam this Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Table Of Contents

  1. Oyster Dressing Grand-Mère
  2. Artichoke
  3. 12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas

Holiday dinners. We all look forward to them, starving ourselves all morning to make room for the turkey and all of those wonderful sides and desserts. And what about the stuffing? Probably one of the most underrated sides of the whole meal. The right stuffing could add just enough pizzazz to an otherwise average Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Here are a few delicious examples, if you’re looking to switch up your recipe this year.

Toasted Bread, Sage & Onion

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This easy stuffing recipe is proof that sides are best when kept simple. Made with just a handful of ingredients including toasted bread cubes, fresh sage, and diced onion, this easy vegan stuffing makes completing your holiday dinner a breeze, while satisfying even the strictest of diets.

Cranberry & Pear

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This is a sweet classic favorite, cranberry stuffing but with a twist. It has all of the usual ingredients such as celery, seasoning, pecans and of course cranberries. But with an added sweet touch, adding chopped pears to an already mouth-watering side.

This creates a sweet and savory stuffing perfect for all holiday dinners. This could be just what your missing for your perfect holiday dinner this year.

Check it out here

Caramelized Onion & Cornbread

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If you’re looking for a more savory twist to your favorite holiday side, this would be a perfect go to recipe. Adding soft, browned onions and sage to really give your stuffing the flavor it needs.

Such a simple recipe that will go great with that turkey and gravy this year. The smell alone will have everyone’s mouths watering!

Check it out here

Poblano Peppers, Cornbread & Pumpkin Seed

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This Southwestern-Style stuffing will add just the kick your holiday dinner needs. A unique blend of sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, and roasted Poblano will have your entire family begging for the recipe.

Add the perfect pizzazz to your holiday meal with this amazing, flavorful twist.

Oyster Dressing Grand-Mère

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Are you a sucker for the unusual? Want a stuffing recipe that’s not quite like the rest? Well look no further because this stuffing is the crazy recipe you’ve waited for your entire life for. Mixing things up with oysters, scallions, and cayenne pepper, this recipe will send your taste buds on an adventure.

Check it out here

Peach & Italian Bread

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From that cooking genius Martha Stewart comes another deliciously sweet surprise. She takes the traditional savory seasoned stuffing, and adds peaches and orange juice for a stuffing that is sure to bring everyone back. Nothing like that sweet and salty mix to put a smile on the whole families face, while adding the perfect taste to an already amazing dish.

Check it out here

Tortilla Chips & Chorizo

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Are you a nacho lover? Do you have an obsession with queso and tortillas? Crave an “out-there” stuffing recipe that you can eat any day of the year? Well look no further. This interesting stuffing is a nacho lovers dream. Using tortilla chips, chorizo, and queso fresco to bring in a new flavor to this holiday favorite.

It is definitely a conversation starter.

Check it out here

Cornbread, Wild Mushroom & Pecan

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This fantastic, mouth-watering recipe is by far a favorite in my household. It takes the traditional cornbread and pecan-based stuffing and adds the savory flavor of wild mushrooms and just a bit of white wine. This creates a slightly different texture adding the chewy mushrooms but the taste will blow you away.

If you want a fun, new recipe that will not disappoint, give this one a try!

Check it out here

Artichoke

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If you prefer a more simple recipe, but still want a savory, sweet stuffing to ‘wow’ the family with. This apple walnut stuffing is a perfect fit. It takes your basic boxed stuffing, adds some onions, apples, and celery (as well as the seasonings of course) and you have a quick, delicious stuffing everyone will love.

A quick fun recipe for that last minute go-to, or even just a simple one for all families to enjoy.

Check it out here

Whole Grain Bread & Leeks

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Do you prefer any healthier options on your stuffing recipe this year? Well, if you are trying to not completely ruin your diet and need a whole wheat version of that holiday favorite, look no further. This recipe is vegan friendly and dairy free. Not to mention super simple to make!

It calls for whole grain bread, leeks, celery, and olive oil, making it a perfect healthy option for all of you stuffing lovers who desire something diet friendly.

Check it out here

Rosemary, Fig & Hazelnut

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Here is, yet another healthy twist to our favorite holiday side. If you prefer a more flavorful recipe that is still vegetarian friendly, you will love this stuffing. It adds rosemary, garlic, hazelnuts, and just a bit of Tawny port for a sophisticated and healthy holiday side.

Though a bit more work than some other healthy options, it is still a delicious and healthy alternative!

Check it out here

Ground Beef & Walnut

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Of course, there may be some who don’t even know how to start making a holiday stuffing. Perhaps, you are a first timer, making the family dinner on your own this year. Or, maybe you’ve never even heard or tried a holiday stuffing and you are eager for your first experience. Either way it is a delightful food to try and to cook.

The great thing about stuffing is it’s changeable. You can experiment with it. There are so many different things you can do with it, so many flavors. You can start simple with just the basics or you can add fruits and odd vegetables. Maybe even throw in some peppers or fun seasonings. It’s a fun and delicious side dish that has a recipe for every taste and occasion.

If you would like a common recipe and guide to get started you can check this one out here!

Check it out here

Challah Apple & Thyme

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This delicious stuffing is made with challah, unsalted butter, celery, onion, Granny Smith apples, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, chicken broth, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper. Make it part of your Thanksgiving menu.

Check it out here

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12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (2024)

FAQs

Should I put an 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).

How many bags of stuffing do I need for 12 people? ›

How much stuffing per person? A 14-ounce bag of stuffing makes about 11 servings; a 6-ounce box of stuffing mix makes 6 servings.

Is it better to make stuffing the night before? ›

The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes. "Making stuffing ahead saves time, allows stove and oven space for other things, and making it ahead gives time for the flavor to fully develop," Chef David Tiner, Director at Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge, tells Southern Living.

Is it better to stuff the turkey or make the stuffing on the side? ›

If you cook the stuffing outside the turkey, first of all, it's no longer "stuffing" — it's "dressing." Both it and the turkey will cook more reliably, and you can fill the inside of the turkey (loosely) with aromatics if you're going for that Thanksgiving-y turkey-cornucopia look.

Is homemade stuffing better than store bought? ›

While the instant stuffing was actually a closer contender than most of our testers anticipated, the homemade won hearts (and palates) for its subtle flavor and pleasing texture.

How many cups of stuffing do I need for 10 people? ›

In order to fill the cavity of the bird you are stuffing, you should make 3/4 cup of stuffing per person. You may not be able to fit all the stuffing into your turkey. If this is the case, then you can even make a casserole to fill up your guests!

What can I add to stuffing mix? ›

Something as effortless as a chopped onion can completely transform your stuffing mix. Red and Spanish/yellow onions have a sharper bite to them, while white onions are much milder. You could always use shallots for a sweeter, more subtle flavor. Learn more about the different types of onions and when to use them.

Is it better to make stuffing with fresh or dry bread? ›

Any attempts to make stuffing with soft, fresh baked bread will result in a bread soup with a soggy texture. Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing.

Is white or brown bread better for stuffing? ›

You can use any kind; store-bought white bread works well and would probably be my #1 suggestion for stuffing. You could also try using cut up dinner rolls, sourdough bread (actually this would be my personal first pick), challah, or anything else you want to experiment with.

Is air dry or oven dry bread better for stuffing? ›

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

What is Christmas stuffing made of? ›

Easy stuffing

Starting with dried sourdough bread, celery, onion, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, chicken broth and eggs. A whole stick of butter goes in the pan adding onions, herbs and garlic (sausage is optional). Eggs combine everything together before going in the oven on a baking dish.

Do you stuff a turkey with uncooked stuffing? ›

Fully cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood ingredients before adding to stuffing. Combine the ingredients and place them in your bird immediately before cooking. Don't stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. In addition to the turkey, the stuffing's center needs to reach 165 F.

How to make stuffing for turkey Gordon Ramsay? ›

Make the stuffing, melt butter in a large frying pan and gently sauté onion and garlic for five minutes until soft. Stir in the herbs for one minute then add breadcrumbs to absorb butter. Mix in zest, pine nuts and seasoning and cook over medium heat for about seven minutes until crumbs start to brown and crisp.

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

Why is my stuffing so moist? ›

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.

How do you keep stuffing moist when cooking? ›

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.

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