Thanksgiving standards like turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy aside, it’s really the stuffing recipe that sets the mood for your meal. Are you a traditionalist with a simple bread stuffing? Do you like it with sausage or fruit? Seafood or veggies? Is it gluten-free or gluten-full? Try one of these ultimate stuffing recipes for your holiday celebration.
Before we get to the good stuff (pun intended), let’s talk about stuffing the turkey. Is it a must-do? Or a definite, don’t?
To stuff or not to stuff the turkey
To me, the question is personal, depending on what you’re used to. My grandmother always stuffed her turkey and any leftovers made it into a casserole dish.
The stuffing from the cavity of the bird was always moist, but it didn’t have those crispy, craggy edges that you get in a baked casserole. (Strike one).
Then there’s the whole “food-safety issue“. Hello — bacteria that will live in stuffing if it doesn’t reach 165° F. (Strike two – we don’t want food poisoning four hours post-dinner).
A stuffed turkey takes longer to cook than an unstuffed one. Seriously? Yep. (Strike three.)
In case you can’t tell, I’m a stuffing casserole devotee, but you should do what your family likes best — just make sure it’s cooked completely, please!
Let’s get to some of the best Thanksgiving stuffing recipes to make your holiday shine!
I’ve partnered with my fellow recipe developers and professional taste testers to compile this list for you, and it includes everything from traditional favorites to “where did they come up with that” modern twists.
We’ve got whole grain and grain-free options, vegan and vegetarian, carnivore to pescatarian and everything in between. Find your stuffing style here.
Classic Stuffing Combinations
These familiar favorites are traditional for a reason. It's just not the holidays without them.
1
Baked Apple Cranberry Stuffing
Photo Credit:peasandcrayons.com
This delicious baked apple cranberry stuffing is the best of both worlds! It features sweet apples and cranberries kissed with cinnamon then baked into a warm Thanksgiving stuffing with all the fix-ins.
2
Sausage Apple Stuffing with Leeks and Butternut Squash
Sausage and apple is a traditional stuffing combination, but this one is kicked up with cubes of butternut squash, fresh herbs and tart, chewy dried cranberries. One reader loved this combination so much, she makes it all fall and winter long.
3
Easy Apple Walnut Sausage Stuffing
Photo Credit:thekitchengirl.com
Apple Sausage Walnut Stuffing is a scrumptious Thanksgiving dressing recipe with sausage, apples, onions, croutons, walnut, and sage topping. It's savory, sweet, and easy to make!
4
Shortcut Sausage Stuffing With Cranberries
Photo Credit:foodyschmoodyblog.com
Savory sage seasoned sausage is balanced out perfectly with tart-sweet dried cranberries. No one needs to know that this shortcut stuffing recipe started with a packaged mix!
5
Mushroom & Herb Bread Stuffing recipe
Photo Credit:thedeliciousspoon.com
Mushrooms and herbs add a delicious earthy flavour to this easy bread stuffing recipe that can be made in the oven or stuffed into a big ole turkey.
6
Autumn Vegetable Stuffing Recipe
Photo Credit:saltandbaker.com
This Autumn Vegetable Stuffing recipe has your favorite fall and winter veggies: Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, red onion, and then a helping of sausage!
7
Healthy Vegetable Thanksgiving Stuffing
Photo Credit:asimplepalate.com
This vegetable stuffing is the most fragrant, moist, herbed stuffing with buttery sautéed vegetables and sweet pomegranate seeds over top. A delicious Thanksgiving side dish that the whole family will love!
8
Sausage Stuffing
Photo Credit:www.dinneratthezoo.com
This sausage stuffing is a savory blend of Italian sausage, bread, vegetables and herbs, all baked to golden brown perfection.
9
Fenugreek Fennel Apple Stuffing with sausage
Fenugreek is a maple-y scented spice that will make your whole house smell sweet. The flavor accentuates the anise flavor of the fennel and the tartness of the apple in this old fashioned stuffing recipe. Tasters couldn't get enough of this one.
10
Sausage Cranberry Apple Stuffing Muffins
Photo Credit:www.runningtothekitchen.com
These stuffing muffins are filled with sweet Italian sausage, apples, cranberries, sage and pine nuts for a fun alternative to traditional stuffing!
Seafood Stuffings
Yes, you can add seafood to stuffing, though they usually go by the moniker "dressings". These are definitely crowd-pleasers.
11
Here's a Cajun favorite straight from the bayou! Classic sausage and oyster dressing is spicy, meaty, briny and irresistible. The blend of Cajun spices will make your tastebuds tingle. You can use fresh shucked oysters or buy them already shucked from your fishmonger.
12
Mid-Atlantic Seafood Dressing
Photo Credit:goodiegodmother.com
Bring a little coastal flavor to your holiday table with this seafood stuffing!
13
Cajun Style Oyster Dressing Recipe
Photo Credit:www.wenthere8this.com
Packed with sweet cornbread, bites of savory, smoky andouille sausage, spicy Cajun style seasoning, butter, and of course, juicy succulent fresh oysters, this Oyster Dressing Recipe is the perfect cornbread stuffing to wow your guests.
14
Seafood Stuffing Casserole
Photo Credit:www.mightymrs.com
This is my grandma’s recipe for seafood stuffing, a special treat we enjoyed on Thanksgiving!
Wild Rice Stuffings (and other grains)
You don't have to use bread as the binder in your Thanksgiving stuffing. These tasty casseroles use rice and other grains for a flavorful and nutrient rich substitute.
15
Wild Rice Pilaf with Cranberries and Apples
Photo Credit:www.hauteandhealthyliving.com
This wild rice stuffing is a definite crowd pleaser and must-have dish at any holiday get together! Packed with apples and cranberries, it’s bursting with flavour and makes the perfect healthy side dish for any feast!
16
Vegetarian Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe
Photo Credit:www.therusticfoodie.com
This Wild Rice Stuffing recipe is baked with fennel and savory herbs. It's made from scratch and perfect as a Thanksgiving side dish!
17
Farro Pilaf
This easy stovetop stuffing is made with nutty, chewy farro and enhanced with mushrooms, apple and butternut squash. Great for Thanksgiving, but this easy side dish is also great with a rotisserie chicken on a random Tuesday.
18
Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe
Photo Credit:foolproofliving.com
Flavored with apples, dried cranberries, sage, and pecans, it can be served as a true stuffing, a dressing, or baked as a casserole.
19
Thanksgiving Stuffing with Cranberries, Kale, Pecans, and Wild Rice
Photo Credit:www.threeolivesbranch.com
This Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is loaded with fun flavors and lots of great texture from the rice, dried cranberries, and water chestnuts.
Low Carb
If you're trying to stick to your good habits, these tasty stuffings won't leave you wanting.
21
Gluten Free Stuffing Recipe
Photo Credit:leelalicious.com
This yummy stuffing made with wild rice, mushrooms, and veggies is both gluten free and vegan.
22
Low Carb Thanksgiving Stuffing
Photo Credit:whitekitchenredwine.com
Easy low carb stuffing made with almond flour, Craisins, and a bit of turkey sausage! All topped with toasty pecans.
Vegetarian & Vegan
No meat? No problem! These amazing stuffings are meat-free and flavor-FULL!
23
Vegan Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Photo Credit:www.lavenderandmacarons.com
Celebrate Thanksgiving with this savory Vegan Cornbread Dressing. Store-bought or homemade cornbread is baked with cranberries, pine nuts and flavorful herbs. So easy to make and really delicious!
24
Vegan Mushroom Stuffing
Photo Credit:www.veggieinspired.com
This Vegan Mushroom Stuffing is a definite must for your Thanksgiving table! Traditional bread stuffing with mushrooms, celery, and lots of herbs, and completely plant-based.
25
Vegan Stove Top Stuffing
Photo Credit:thishealthykitchen.com
No roast to stuff? No problem! This EASY stove top stuffing comes together in about 30 minutes and features a mirepoix of delicious veggies with toasted pecans and perfectly spiced with sage, thyme and rosemary.
26
Vegetarian stuffing muffins w/apples & cherries
Photo Credit:www.rhubarbarians.com
Vegetarian stuffing muffins with apples and cherries recipe! These easy to make stuffing cups will give you a crispy, edge bite of your favorite holiday side dish in every bite.
27
Savory Vegetarian Cornbread Stuffing
Photo Credit:theliveinkitchen.com
This cornbread stuffing is suitable for vegetarians and is easy to make vegan or gluten free. It’s packed with savory flavors that will stand out on your Thanksgiving table!
28
Vegan Cornbread Dressing
Photo Credit:dailydish.co.uk
This delicious vegan cornbread stuffing is full of hazelnuts and cranberries . The perfect addition to your festive menu.
Cornbread Stuffing
If you've never tried cornbread stuffing, you're in for a treat! Mix it with all your holiday favorites for truly outstanding stuffing casseroles.
29
Green Chile Cornbread Stuffing Casserole
This Southwestern inspired stuffing is a sweet, savory and smoky favorite. Day old cornbread makes up the the bread portion of the stuffing. Smoky spicy hatch chiles with and browned sausage make this homestyle casserole a favorite with the whole family.
30
Mexican Cornbread Stuffing Recipe
Photo Credit:www.wenthere8this.com
This Mexican Cornbread Stuffing Recipe is made with sweet cornbread, roasted poblano peppers, melted cheeses, and of course, that deliciously smoky, spicy pork chorizo.
31
Cornbread Sage and Onion Stuffing
Photo Credit:culinaryginger.com
Cornbread, sage & onion stuffing takes minutes to prepare. Make a day ahead and it's always good for leftovers.
32
Cornbread Pudding, Easy and Delicious!
Photo Credit:pinchandswirl.com
Start a new tradition this Thanksgiving with Cornbread Pudding instead of your run of the mill stuffing. You’ll combine cubes of leftover cornbread with green onions, fresh herbs, cheese and a mixture of eggs and milk then bake until bubbly and lightly browned on the outside, delicate and custardy in the center.
Unusual Stuffing Combinations:
These recipes definitely zig, where the others zag! Take your tastebuds in a completely different direction!
33
Herbed Apple and Pumpernickel Stuffing
Photo Credit:theforkedspoon.com
Easy Herbed Apple and Pumpernickel Stuffing Recipe – Pumpernickel and Sourdough bread come together in this hearty, healthy and completely vegetarian version of everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving side dish, stuffing!
34
Savory Bread Pudding Stuffing
Photo Credit:cambreabakes.com
Get ready for the holidays with this super easy vegetarian savory bread pudding stuffing, made with a creamy mushroom sauce and fluffy potato bread, all soaked in a cream and egg custard.
35
Rutabaga, date and bacon stuffing
Photo Credit:www.carolinescooking.com
This tasty rutabaga, date and bacon stuffing is not your average dry, bread-heavy affair. It has a lovely mix of sweet and savory flavors, is juicy and rich, and the perfect accompaniment to a festive dinner.
36
Sourdough Sun-dried Tomato Artichoke Stuffing
Photo Credit:www.pinchmeimeating.com
Sourdough sun-dried tomato artichoke stuffing with parmesan is a unique Mediterranean -inspired take on a holiday staple! This recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser this Thanksgiving!
37
Pavochon with Mofongo Stuffing
Photo Credit:senseandedibility.com
Mofongo Stuffing is a popular way to prepare the holiday turkey in Puerto Rico. Make yours separately or with a flavorful Pavochón:
Instant Pot & Slow Cooker Options
Free up your oven for other dishes on Thanksgiving and employ your Instant Pot or Slow Cooker for the stuffing!
38
Instant Pot Sausage Stuffing
Photo Credit:www.cleaneatingkitchen.com
If your oven has no room on Thanksgiving Day, use your Instant Pot to make this Instant Pot Sausage Stuffing! With lots of flavorful vegetables, spicy sausage, and a gluten-free option, this is a recipe that everyone loves.
39
Crock Pot Stuffing Recipe
Photo Credit:www.yummyhealthyeasy.com
This Crock Pot Stuffing is so delicious. It’s stuffed (haha, pun intended!) with great spices and flavors so it really stands out from those other blah stuffing recipes. Plus it’s cooked in the slow cooker, so you can put it in hours before dinnertime and not even think about it until you have to serve it up with turkey!
40
Slow Cooker Vegetable Stuffing with Sourdough
Photo Credit:itsavegworldafterall.com
Making stuffing in the slow cooker is a fun twist on a classic that also frees up coveted oven space! This version is veggie-loaded, featuring the classic carrots, celery, and onion but also kale and mushrooms, along with torn, day-old sourdough bread.
