Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Thoughts on dishes you can make ahead of time for Thanksgiving if you’re already making plans for the meal You have pie crust and cranberry sauce, but what about the Thanksgiving stuffing? It’s a holiday classic, but does it have to be made on Thanksgiving Day? Ree Drummond says, “There are several things you can do ahead of time that will save you time.” To begin, you can dry the bread cubes for stuffing ahead of time. Another question about Thanksgiving is whether stuffing can be frozen.
There are people who want to know if they can freeze stuffing for their Thanksgiving recipes that they can make ahead of time, and there are people who just don’t know what to do with all that extra stuffing! Keep reading to learn more about freezing stuffing before and after it’s cooked. Choose your favorite stuffing recipe—it could be apple-cranberry, sausage, or chorizo and poblano—and learn how to freeze it so it’s easy to make for Thanksgiving. Or check out how long your cooked stuffing will last in the freezer for your Thanksgiving leftovers!.
As Thanksgiving approaches our thoughts turn to turkeys mashed potatoes, and of course – stuffing. Also known as dressing, this savory bread pudding is a staple on many Thanksgiving tables. But with all the food at the big feast, there’s often plenty left over. Which raises the question – can you freeze leftover turkey dressing?
The answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze both cooked and uncooked dressing. Freezing dressing is a great way to save leftovers and make your Thanksgiving prep easier. Here’s your guide to freezing and reheating stuffing, including tips from cooking experts.
Can You Freeze Cooked Dressing?
Leftover cooked dressing freezes very well, says the test kitchen at Better Homes and Gardens. Allow the cooked dressing to cool completely before dividing it into portions. Scoop stuffing into muffin tins or small containers – the key is keeping portions no bigger than 2 servings each Small portions allow the dressing to freeze solidly and reheat evenly later
Once cooled and portioned out, place the dressing containers in airtight freezer bags. Label the bags with the date and freeze for up to 2-6 months. When ready to reheat, thaw the frozen dressing overnight in the fridge before baking. Cook frozen dressing straight from the freezer for 1 hour at 350°F, then uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more until hot and browned. A splash of broth helps refresh leftover dressing.
Freezing Uncooked Stuffing
You can also freeze uncooked dressing to get a head start on Thanksgiving prep. Divide room temperature stuffing into a baking dish or individual ramekins, then wrap tightly in plastic and foil. Uncooked dressing lasts 2-6 months in the freezer.
Cooking times for frozen uncooked dressing are the same as normal. Bake frozen uncooked dressing straight from the freezer – no need to thaw first. Check often and cook until the center reaches 165°F.
Reheating Tips
Whether you freeze dressing cooked or uncooked, the reheating method is similar. Thaw frozen dressing overnight in the refrigerator before baking. If short on time, you can also bake frozen dressing straight from the freezer without thawing first.
Here are a few pro reheating tips:
-
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish.
-
For cooked dressing, bake 30 minutes covered with foil. For uncooked, allow 50-60 minutes.
-
Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more until hot and starting to brown.
-
Check the internal temperature – it should reach 165°F.
-
Drizzle a little broth or pan juices over reheated dressing to add moisture.
Freezing and Thawing Timeframes
Here’s a quick guide to freezing and thawing timeframes for leftover Thanksgiving dressing:
-
Cooked or uncooked dressing lasts 2-6 months in the freezer.
-
Thaw frozen dressing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
-
You can bake frozen dressing straight from the freezer, no thawing needed. Just allow extra baking time.
-
Reheated dressing should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Dressing
With so much food after Thanksgiving, creativity is required to use it all up. Here are fun ideas beyond reheating dressing as a side dish:
-
Make dressing waffles, fritters or pancakes for breakfast.
-
Fold dressing into an omelet or breakfast casserole.
-
Stuff dressing into a hollowed out bread loaf for a pilgrim-themed sandwich.
-
Top dressing with gravy for an instant Thanksgiving shepherd’s pie.
-
Make a dressing grilled cheese sandwich.
-
Fold dressing into mashed potatoes along with cheese for loaded mashed potato cakes.
-
Pack dressing into muffin tins and top with cheese for handheld muffin tin pizzas.
Can You Freeze Other Thanksgiving Leftovers?
Turkey dressing isn’t the only thing that freezes well after Thanksgiving. Here are other leftovers you can freeze:
-
Turkey meat – Cut off meat and freeze in portions for casseroles, sandwiches, soups and more.
-
Mashed potatoes – Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
-
Cranberry sauce – Freeze in original container or airtight plastic bag for 4-6 months.
-
Turkey broth/gravy – Freeze in batches in muffin tins or ice cube trays, then store in bags.
-
Pie – Most pies freeze well up to 2-3 months; thaw overnight in fridge.
-
Rolls – Freeze baked rolls in airtight bag up to 2 months.
With proper freezing and reheating, you can enjoy tasty turkey dressing for weeks after Thanksgiving. Just remember to thaw, reheat thoroughly to 165°F and add a splash of liquid when serving to refresh leftover dressing.
Should You Freeze Stuffing Before or After Baking?
The good news is that you can freeze stuffing either before or after cooking it. If you want to make your stuffing ahead of time for Thanksgiving, you can keep it nice and moist by freezing it raw.
How to Freeze Stuffing
For the stuffing, just follow the directions on the package. But before you bake it, cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to keep air out. Store in the freezer until youre ready to bake.
Can I freeze leftover turkey stuffing?
FAQ
Does turkey dressing freeze well?
Is it better to freeze stuffing, cooked or uncooked?
Can you freeze store bought dressing?
How to freeze dressing stuffing?
Can you freeze dressing?
Follow these simple steps for freezing dressing: Prepare dressing recipe up to the point before baking. Transfer to a casserole or baking dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface. Wrap dish again in a layer of aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Label package with name and freeze date.
Can you freeze turkey dressing?
Follow these tips for delicious dressing after freezing: Allow dressing to fully cool before freezing. Portion into smaller containers or bags rather than freezing one large block. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn. Label packages with name and date. Don’t freeze dressing stuffing inside the turkey.
Can you freeze dressing after Thanksgiving?
Freezing already cooked dressing is best for preserving leftovers after Thanksgiving. Both methods work well. Choose based on whether you want to prep dressing ahead of time or simply save leftovers. Follow these simple steps for freezing dressing: Prepare dressing recipe up to the point before baking. Transfer to a casserole or baking dish.
Should you freeze turkey stuffing before or after Thanksgiving?
With the stuffing already prepared and frozen, you can focus on other essential tasks, like roasting your Thanksgiving turkey. Time-Saver: By making your stuffing ahead of time and freezing it, you can allocate your time more efficiently on Thanksgiving day.
Can you put stuffing inside a Thanksgiving turkey?
If you plan to actually stuff your stuffing inside the cavity of your Thanksgiving turkey, you need to take some specific steps to ensure food safety. USDA guidance says that the wet and dry ingredients for the stuffing can be prepped ahead of time, but should be stored separately and in the freezer until you’re ready to stuff the turkey.