9 Things to Add to Stuffing Mix to Make It Taste Homemade (2024)

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Updated: May 04, 2023

    Looking to dress up your dressing? Here's what to add to stuffing mix for Thanksgiving—or any other family dinner.

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    Sausage Crumbles

    Use sausage to amp up your stuffing’s flavor. If pork isn’t your thing, you could use beef, tofu or chicken sausage instead. This chicken apple sausage would be a glorious addition to any Thanksgiving stuffing.

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    Fruit

    Fruit, especially dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, figs and apricots can seriously improve a dreary box of stuffing. That bit of sweetness plays beautifully with other flavors on the table. I’ve found that fresh fruits like apples and pears are stellar as well.

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    Toasted Nuts

    Nuts are a delicious, simple way to add some crunch to your Turkey Day fare. In fact, lightly toasted nuts add a layer of texture not only to stuffing, but the Thanksgiving spread as a whole. Our top picks? Pecans, walnuts, almonds and pistachios.

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    Brown Butter

    If you (or someone at your Thanksgiving table) is allergic to nuts, but loves a rich, nutty flavor, look no further than brown butter. A touch sweet, a tad savory, brown butter is easy to make and wonderfully delicious. It’s definitely something to add to recipes on a regular basis.

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    Chopped Bacon

    It’s a universal truth that bacon makes everything taste better. Adding some chopped bacon (or pancetta) to your stuffing mix is a surefire way to improve its flavor. Cook the bacon before mixing it into the stuffing.

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    Mushrooms

    Another great way to add a mouthwatering savory element to stuffing is by adding mushrooms. They’re vegetarian-friendly, which is perfect if you need a veggie option for your guests. Looking for more ideas? Learn how to make vegan stuffing.

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    Sauteed Onion

    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.

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    Dried Spices

    Keep things easy with a dash of paprika or a sprinkle of cayenne. Or, totally change your stuffing mix with a spice blend like Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, poultry seasoning, adobo or Lawry’s.

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    Grated Cheese

    A little grated cheese can make even the most standard boxed stuffing mix taste outstanding. A good cheddar or Parmesan brings a bit of sharpness, but there are loads of great-tasting milder versions. Gouda, mozzarella and provolone are some of our top picks. Just make sure to shred the cheese yourself.

    Originally Published: November 23, 2020

    Author

    Camille Berry

    Born into a family of restaurateurs, Camille went on to work in the food and beverage industry and then became a certified sommelier. After years of working as a sommelier and wine director, she swapped her wine key for a keyboard and now spends her days freelancing for sites like Taste of Home, Food & Wine and Prevention.

    9 Things to Add to Stuffing Mix to Make It Taste Homemade (10)

    9 Things to Add to Stuffing Mix to Make It Taste Homemade (2024)

    FAQs

    What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

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

    Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

    It's all about personal preference. If you want a sturdier dressing, eggs can help do that. I don't use eggs in this recipe, though, because I like a lighter, more crumbly texture in my dressing.

    What can you use as a binder instead of eggs in stuffing? ›

    16 egg substitutes
    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. Fruit puree will help bind a recipe in a similar way to applesauce. ...
    4. Avocado. ...
    5. Gelatin. ...
    6. Xanthan gum. ...
    7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
    8. Margarine.
    Mar 30, 2021

    Why put mayo in eggs? ›

    The mayo helps to stabilize the mixture and incorporate more egg into the eggs, making them fluffy. Plus, the extra fat can also make them silkier, and more rich.

    Why can't you make stuffing ahead of time? ›

    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.

    How to make stuffing 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.

    Is stuffing better moist or dry? ›

    You want your stuffing moist but not soggy and certainly not dry. The bread in the stuffing absorbs moisture, but if it's dry (as it should be, see above), it takes some time for the liquid to settle in. I suggest adding a little at a time, say 1 cup of broth for every 4 cups of dry mix.

    What is a substitute for butter in stuffing? ›

    Coconut oil, olive oil, safflower oil, and coconut butter are some of the most used butter alternatives. Depending on temperature, coconut oil can be both a solid and a liquid.

    Is chicken broth or chicken stock better for stuffing? ›

    Store-bought low-sodium chicken broth will absolutely do, but if you want to know how to make stuffing really shine, it's all about using homemade stock. Want even more flavor?

    What can I use instead of broth in stuffing? ›

    If you need a chicken broth substitute, you can use the same amount of white wine or a combination of water with 1 tablespoon of olive oil or melted butter. For beef broth, combine water with 1 tablespoon soy sauce.

    How can I moisten stuffing without broth? ›

    If you want to veer away from broth, there are some other liquids you can also use to bring back moisture. Food Network suggests adding turkey drippings or a splash of cream, whereas Rachael Ray recommends drizzling melted butter and chicken stock over dry stuffing.

    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.

    Why is my dressing gummy? ›

    If your dressing doesn't turn out right, don't fret. You can usually fix it. If you find your stuffing is too dry, add additional warmed broth to it, stir well, and return to the oven, checking periodically. If the stuffing is overly wet and too gummy, cook it uncovered for a bit longer, checking periodically.

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