15 Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes That Will Make You Forget About Turkey (2024)

FAQs

What can you put in a turkey cavity instead of stuffing? ›

Besides stuffing, you can put aromatic ingredients like onions, garlic, herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or sage), citrus slices (lemon or orange), and vegetables (carrots, celery) inside your turkey to add flavor during roasting.

The United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) recommends cooking the stuffing out side of the bird. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165 F, possibly resulting in foodborne illness. Some people feel that stuffing has a better taste and is moister when prepared in the turkey.

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

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.

Combining orange and rosemary will give your bird a tanginess and zest that it may otherwise not have. As the turkey cooks, the juices from the orange will marinate through the meat of your turkey. Since its stuffed in the cavity, the orange should permeate to the breast and thighs of your turkey.

Apples. Consider quartering an apple or two for stuffing your turkey. The flavor will remind you of fall, but apples will also provide the turkey with a little extra moisture during the cooking process (you can still brine the turkey, of course).

Give stuffing a head start by heating it up before placing inside the turkey. Like the turkey, stuffing needs to reach the 165 degree mark. If the bird is done before the stuffing, remove stuffing from the cavities and continue to cook in a baking dish.

Not only do we think cooking the dressing separately makes for a tastier side dish, but we also believe the turkey turns out better without it in the cavity. We know the name "stuffing" implies that it's stuffed in the turkey, but it's not necessary and can be somewhat dangerous to do.

Mayo adds moisture throughout the cooking process, keeping the meat moist so there's no need to brine it beforehand.

What to stuff a turkey with for flavor? ›

Never pass up the opportunity to add flavor to turkey by stuffing the cavity with a simple aromatics mix. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all.

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.

USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing. Why? Remember, stuffing can harbor bacteria, and though bacteria grow slower in the refrigerator they can cause problems because stuffing is a good medium for bacteria growth, therefore a higher risk food in terms of cooking safely.

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.

Never pass up the opportunity to add flavor to turkey by stuffing the cavity with a simple aromatics mix. Fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage along with a half lemon go a long way to add flavor, and stuffing it into the bird takes almost no time at all.

No stuffing: don't stuff the turkey, because it's a food safety issue – in order for stuffing to reach a safe internal temperature, the breast will almost certainly be dried out. Stuffing cooked outside of the turkey is also much lower in fat and calories so you can eat MORE.