Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes

Whether it's baked in the turkey or in a casserole dish, these Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes perfect for your holiday celebration.

From classic herb-infused bread stuffing to creative variations like sausage and apple stuffing, you'll find the perfect side dish recipe to prepare for your holiday celebration.

Check out the other easy recipes for Thanksgiving to complete your holiday celebration!

It wouldn't be a holiday celebration with stuffing. It goes with turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes. Kind of like peanut butter and jelly.

Discover the ultimate collection of Thanksgiving stuffing recipes to elevate your holiday feast. Start off with my classic stuffing recipe and then check the ones featured below.

Looking for more holiday inspiration? Try my Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes, Thanksgiving Instant Pot Side Dishes or my Thanksgiving Desserts for Kids.

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What is the Difference between Stuffing and Dressing?

I've always differentiated the two words with how the recipe is cooked:

Stuffing you cook inside the turkey.
Dressing is baked or cooked outside the turkey in a casserole dish.

Did you grow up calling it dressing? Or did you call it stuffing? We always called it stuffing. My mom always stuffed the bird with the dressing.

Fast forward to NOW when I host Thanksgiving, I do not "stuff the turkey", but I still refer to it as stuffing. I currently live in Pennsylvania and people here call it "filling."

To sum all this up, it really has to do what part of the country you live in or were raised in.

Prep Ahead Tips

Combine the ingredients in a casserole dish with a tight-fitting lid (or cover tightly with aluminum foil). Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Before baking, allow the dish to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Then, bake according to the recipe directions.

Important Tip

To prevent your glass casserole dish from cracking, avoid exposing it to sudden temperature changes. Allow the dish to come to room temperature before placing it in a hot oven.

This gradual warming helps prevent thermal shock that can cause the dish to shatter. Simply let it sit on the countertop for about 30 minutes before baking.

Storing and Reheating Tips

Refrigerator: Allow the stuffing to come to room temperature. Store any leftovers covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Unbaked stuffing that contains eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for only 1 day. I like to only store it overnight.

Freezer: To freeze leftover stuffing, cool it completely and then transfer it to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen stuffing can be stored for up to 3 months.

Thawing and Reheating: When you're ready to enjoy the frozen stuffing, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the stuffing in the oven or microwave until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F to make sure it is safe to eat.