Make-Ahead Stuffing

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This is a delicious make-ahead stuffing recipe that can be made up to 3 days before you need it. Just mix the stuffing ingredients together and store in the fridge, freeing up time and reducing stress on Thanksgiving Day, when you're dealing with all the other prep!

a low angle close up view looking over the corner of a white casserole dish into a spoonful of make ahead stuffing being lifted out.
3
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Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
16

Try make-ahead stuffing this Thanksgiving to save time and oven space. Who doesn't love a low-maintenance side dish?

Can You Make Stuffing Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can absolutely make stuffing ahead of time. It's a great way to get a jumpstart on Thanksgiving cooking and it frees up much-needed oven space. This stuffing can be made up to three days in advance.

Make-Ahead Stuffing Ingredients

Here's what you'll need for this make-ahead stuffing:

· Butter: This make-ahead stuffing starts with a cup of butter.
· Vegetables: Onions and celery are cooked in butter until fragrant and tender.
· Bread crumbs: Use store-bought bread crumbs or make your own at home.
· Seasonings: This stuffing is seasoned with salt, poultry seasoning, ground black pepper, dried thyme, and dried sage.
· Broth: Turkey or chicken broth keeps this make-ahead stuffing nice and moist.

How to Make Stuffing Ahead of Time

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this make-ahead stuffing:

Cook the vegetables in butter, then add the bread crumbs and seasonings. Stir in the broth to moisten. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

How to Store Make-Ahead Stuffing

When the stuffing has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.

How to Use Make-Ahead Stuffing

If you're stuffing your turkey, simply place this stuffing in the cavity of your bird and cook according to your recipe.

If you're using this stuffing as a side dish, bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes.

More Make-Ahead Inspiration

Hungry for more mouthwatering make-ahead inspiration? We've got you covered. Get ahead on your holiday cooking with these recipe collections:

· 15 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Desserts to Save Your Sanity
· 9 Classic Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Casseroles
· 10 Easy Make-Ahead Appetizers To Save You Time This Thanksgiving

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"I used sourdough bread crumbs," says Emily Kahler Rehberg. "The only thing I added different from the recipe was about a cup of chopped fresh mushrooms. I have had a TON of compliments."

"It was great as a make-ahead dressing," according to LOISTOO. "Since my holiday meals are a pretty big production, I made this dressing 3 days in advance, which was wonderful."

"This recipe was a cinch to put together at the last minute," raves PumpkinPie. "I used challah (egg bread), but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. This was a simple recipe but with all of the traditional flavor I was looking for."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter

  • 2 cups chopped onion

  • 2 cups chopped celery

  • 16 cups dry bread crumbs

  • 1 tablespoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning

  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

  • ½ teaspoon dried sage

  • 2 cups chicken broth, or as needed

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Overhead of stuffing ingredients in bowls and dishes.

    Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty

  2. Melt butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.

    Butter being melted in a deep skillet.

    Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty

  3. Add onion and celery; cook and stir until tender, about 10 minutes.

    Onion, celery, and butter cooking in a deep skillet.

    Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty

  4. Stir in bread crumbs, salt, poultry seasoning, pepper, thyme, and sage until well mixed.

    Bread crumbs, salt, poultry seasoning, pepper, thyme, and sage added to a skillet for cooking.

    Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty

  5. Stir in enough chicken broth to moisten.

    Chicken broth being pored over stuffing cooking in a skillet.

    Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty

  6. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Spoon into large resealable bags and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

    Cooked stuffing being spooned into a large resealable bag.

    Allrecipes/Victoria Jempty

To Bake:

Place stuffing in the cavity of your turkey and cook according to the recipe you're following, baking any extra in a casserole dish alongside.

To bake all stuffing outside of the turkey, bake in greased casserole dishes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

540 Calories
17g Fat
80g Carbs
15g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 16
Calories 540
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17g 22%
Saturated Fat 9g 43%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 1321mg 57%
Total Carbohydrate 80g 29%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 15g 30%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 215mg 17%
Iron 5mg 30%
Potassium 286mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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