World's WORST Stuffing Recipe (2024)

Looking for a homemade Stuffing Recipe that is moist, packed with flavor, and beautiful on your holiday table? Then you have come to the right place! But maybe you are wondering how it got the name “World’s WORST Stuffing”? Read on my friend.

World's WORST Stuffing Recipe (1)

World’s Worst Stuffing Recipe

So you actually came here looking for a GOOD stuffing recipe, right? Well, you are in the right place. This stuffing recipe is one that has been perfected over many years of trial, error, and feedback from family and friends.

It all started many years ago when I hosted my very first Thanksgiving. I had never done it before, had no clue what to do, and relied heavily upon pre-packaged options, like stuffing. I prepared the stuffing just as the bag told me and served it to a table full of hungry family members, all who were expecting homemade. The look on their faces was priceless when they tried it… they were less than impressed. (To be fair, it was dry and bland.) One of my cousins blurted out, “this stuffing is the WORST!”. I didn’t know what to do, so I laughed. We all did! And then we all devised a plan as to how to make the world’s BEST stuffing. Everyone offered what they loved most about stuffing… the moisture, the cranberries, the bacon, the celery, the flavor, the type of bread… we discussed every detail. Even down to what pan to make it in. And THAT is how this recipe was born.

The next year when the family arrived they joked, “are we going to have the worst stuffing this year?” But after trying the new homemade recipe, everyone agreed. It was the BEST!

I still get requests for my “world’s worst stuffing” and am happy to oblige!

World's WORST Stuffing Recipe (2)

Stuffing Recipe

So technically the recipe below is a dressing because I did not specify that it has to be stuffed into the turkey. (Although we do love it that way!) A stuffing recipe goes into the bird, a dressing recipe gets cooked in a pan. However, I am from the midwest and we call it stuffing no matter where you cook it.

I like to use yellow, white, or sweet onions in this recipe. You don’t need any extra color as the cranberries provide a beautiful pop of deep red and you don’t need the extra sweetness a red onion can provide.

My favorite thing about this recipe is how moist it is. I have had (and made!!) dry stuffing and there is nothing worse then crunching down on bread that lacks flavor. You will not have that problem with this recipe.

Another thing of note, this is a big recipe. Stuffing is the favorite side dish of 3 of my 5 children so I always make enough for leftovers!

World's WORST Stuffing Recipe (3)

Skillet Stuffing

I love what cooking this recipe in a skillet does. All that amazing flavor from the bacon and onions and seasonings gets cooked to perfection when using a cast iron skillet. Other than in the bird itself, it’s the only way I prepare stuffing now. Once you try your stuffing in a skillet, you will be hooked too!

How to Reheat Stuffing

Remove stuffing from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. Then, warm it in a 350°F oven, covered, for about 30 minutes. If the stuffing looks too dry, add chicken stock, leftover turkey drippings, or gravy. I have also added a couple of tablespoons of butter to my skillet, let melt, then added the stuffing and cooked for about 10 minutes stirring frequently.

I do not put stuffing in the microwave, I just don’t particularly enjoy the texture of the heated stuffing. It’s all soft and sort of melts in your mouth.

World's WORST Stuffing Recipe (4)

Looking for more Holiday Menu Recipes?

Herb Butter Roasted Turkey

Green Bean Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls

Pumpkin Pie

Pecan Pie

CaramelApple Pie

World's WORST Stuffing Recipe (5)

5 from 5 votes

World's WORST Stuffing Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

It's actually the best, as you will soon find out!

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Ingredients

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick or 113g) salted butter
  • 2 medium onions, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 3 cups)
  • 6 stalks celery with leaves, cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 2 1/2 cups)
  • 4 slices thick cut bacon, cut into small chunks
  • 2 loaves (9-inch each) of french bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage, crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 4 cups warm chicken stock

Instructions

  • In 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, add butter and cook until melted.Add bacon to skillet and cook 5-10 minutes until bacon is cooked through and starting to get crispy. (There should be a lot of liquid in the pan.)

  • Stir in onion and celery, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally for about 5-10 minutes. You want onions to be translucent.

  • Transfer to alarge bowl (the bigger the better) and add bread cubes, parsley, celery salt, sage, rosemary, thyme, cranberries, salt, and pepper.

  • Stir in 3 1/2 cups warm chicken stock.

  • If using to stuff turkey: Use immediately to fill cavities of turkey.

  • If baking entire recipe as side dish: Preheat oven to 350°F.

  • Transfer all ingredients back to original skillet. Drizzle with an additional 1/2 cup hot stock. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes.

  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 302kcal

Course: Side Dish

Keyword: Dressing, Stuffing, thanksgiving

Servings: 12

Calories: 302

Author: Amanda Rettke

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Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.

Categorized in: Drinks

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Meet Amanda Rettke

Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.

World's WORST Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Typically high in fat, carbs and salt, stuffing can be made fresh or purchased chilled, frozen or dehydrated. Traditionally, a stuffing would use the giblets of the bird with the addition of sausage meat, a source of starch, such as bread, with some aromatics such as onion, herbs and spices.

What does egg do for stuffing? ›

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

Why is my stuffing always 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 was stuffing originally made of? ›

The earliest documentary evidence is the Roman cookbook, Apicius De Re Coquinaria, which contains recipes for stuffed chicken, dormouse, hare, and pig. Most of the stuffings described consist of vegetables, herbs and spices, nuts, and spelt (a cereal), and frequently contain chopped liver, brains, and other organ meat.

Why you shouldn't eat stuffing? ›

Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165 degrees that could then cause food poisoning.

Is stove top stuffing really bad for you? ›

Like many convenience foods, Stove Top stuffing has gotten a bad rap in recent years, especially from people who have *opinions* about what is healthy to eat. It's got too much sodium, there are weird ingredients that you can't pronounce, and it's just better to make your own stuffing. But “better” is subjective.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

Vegetable broth – To moisten the bread. Eggs – They add richness and moisture, helping to create the stuffing's irresistible gooey center. And sea salt and fresh black pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

What happens if you don't put eggs in stuffing? ›

According to Tastes of Lizzy T, eggs are included in stuffing because they act as a binder that helps the dish keep its shape. However, you can still make great stuffing without them.

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.

Should I cover my stuffing while cooking? ›

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until crispy. Uncover the stuffing and continue baking until the top is crispy and golden-brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

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.

Is it better to make stuffing the day 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.

What is stuffing called when it's not in the turkey? ›

Stuffing and dressing are commonly used as different names for the same thing—a dish consisting of bits of bread (or other starchy things) and various seasonings. The dish can be made by stuffing it (hence the name) inside a turkey or other bird that will be roasted, or by baking or cooking it separately.

What is British stuffing made of? ›

Stuffing consists of a mixture of savoury ingredients such as breadcrumbs, herbs, fruit, nuts, sausagemeat and onion which are bound together with egg or liquid to form a semi-solid mixture. It is usually cooked with roast meat such as chicken, pork or lamb and is served as an accompaniment to the sliced, cooked meat.

Why is Thanksgiving stuffing so good? ›

Juices from the turkey soaked into the stuffing, infusing it with fat and flavor. "You've got those juices, and those juices taste great,” Smith said.

What is stuffing and is it healthy? ›

Stuffing is essentially bread, salt, and butter, so it probably comes as no surprise that it isn't the healthiest food served on Thanksgiving. But you can cut its sodium and saturated fat, and pump up its nutritional profile.

What chemicals are in stuffing? ›

Kraft Heinz's Stove Top Stuffing Mix contains other ingredients we would never use at home to make stuffing including Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Caramel Color, Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate which are flavor enhancers, Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT).

Why is stuffing so high in calories? ›

Stuffing. Besides being primarily a source of starchy carbohydrates, “stuffing is a vehicle for fatty inclusions such as sausage and butter,” Ayoob warns. That's partly why one cup of stuffing contains roughly 400 calories, 20 grams of fat, and nearly 1,000 milligrams of sodium.

Is stuffing inflammatory? ›

A lot of stuffing is made of white bread and lots of butter. This combination of a simple carbohydrate and a lot of fat can most definitely create an inflammatory response that leads to chronic pain.

References

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