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.

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (1)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (2)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (3)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (4)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (5)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (6)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (7)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (8)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (9)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (10)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (11)

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

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

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (13)

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

12 Best Stuffing Recipes for Your Thanksgiving and Christmas (14)

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

Add to Pinterest

5 from 1 vote

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

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.

What is the best bread to use for stuffing? ›

Breads such as sour dough, French bread or Italian loaves are for the best bread for stuffing. Their soft-but-sturdy interiors are the perfect texture for stuffing. The pieces retain their shape without crumbling.

What does eggs do in stuffing? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

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.

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.

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!

Why add eggs to turkey stuffing? ›

Eggs add richness to the stuffing, and makes it cohere better. I'd use two eggs per pound of bread. I'm a no egg person - and I still stuff the bird (but also do a batch out of the bird).

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.

What is Christmas stuffing made of? ›

There are many different types of stuffing and thousands of different stuffing recipes, with the most popular being pork, sage and onion - which is made with sausagemeat. Chestnut stuffing (made with chopped chestnuts and herbs and spices) is also very popular, as is apple stuffing, and even oyster stuffing.

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

While you can use almost any bread — cornbread, bagels, or even frozen waffles — to make stuffing, it needs to be dried or “staled” first.

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 it better to make stuffing with fresh or stale bread? ›

dry!" The reason for this is that stale or dry bread will hold up better after cooking and keep its texture even after adding your broth or liquid. If you use soft, fresh bread, you'll ultimately wind up with a soggy, mushy stuffing.

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

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.

Why add eggs to turkey stuffing reddit? ›

Some say it makes for fluffy texture but others say it increases density.

How do you make stuffing moist after cooking? ›

Add Butter and Broth Before Reheating

Often upon refrigeration, the stuffing will soak up any excess moisture and will appear drier than when originally served. Depending on the amount of stuffing you plan to reheat, drizzle a few tablespoons or up to 1/4 cup of chicken or turkey broth into the stuffing to moisten it.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 6496

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.