With November almost here (but how?), I imagine many soon-to-be Thanksgiving hosts across the country are digging out their recipe files, drafting their menus, making monstrous grocery lists, and crafting their game-day plans. One of the most pressing questions is “what can I make ahead for Thanksgiving?” Sure, you can shop for non-perishable pantry goods like dried or fresh herbs, chicken broth, cornmeal, nuts, dry baking goods, and more. But what can you actually cook anything in advance of Turkey Day? What about make-ahead stuffing?
If any of these hosts are like me, many of the same questions are arising: To brine the turkey or not? (Former Test Kitchen Director Josh Cohen did a compare-and-contrast experiment to answer this for himself.) How to cook it this year? (Food52 Senior Food Stylist Anna Billingskog breaks down her favorite methods—and her favorite gravy recipes.)
The how-to-cook-the-bird answer, for me, may change every year. Where I have found resolve, however, is in stuffing. The recipe I love, which I included in my cookbook, Bread Toast Crumbs, yields a stuffing with a crisp golden exterior and a creamy center, flavorful enough to eat on its own, but welcoming to many a relish, sauce, gravy, or anything else the Thanksgiving plate has to offer.
Best of all, my make-ahead stuffing for Thanksgiving can be customized to your preferences and prepped ahead. And by ahead, I mean way ahead: You can make this today (yes, today), freeze it, and on the fourth Thursday of November, pop it straight into the oven—no need to take up precious refrigerator space with an overnight thaw. Make-ahead stuffing for the win! Ahead, learn how to make an easy do-ahead stuffing recipe for Thanksgiving or any holiday feast.
Turkey stuffing is a beloved side dish that graces many Thanksgiving tables. Also known as dressing, this savory blend of bread, veggies, and broth perfectly complements the roasted turkey.
As you plan your holiday menu, you may wonder, can you freeze turkey stuffing? The answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze stuffing before or after cooking it. Freezing is a great way to get ahead on meal prep and make the most of leftovers.
In this article, we’ll provide a complete guide to freezing turkey stuffing. You’ll learn the best freezing methods, storage times, reheating tips, and creative ways to use frozen stuffing.
Can You Freeze Stuffing Before or After Cooking?
One excellent aspect of freezing stuffing is that you can freeze it either uncooked or already cooked.
Freezing uncooked stuffing lets you prep it ahead as part of your Thanksgiving preparation. Simply prepare the stuffing but don’t bake it yet. Transfer it to a baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and foil, label, and freeze until ready to bake.
On Thanksgiving bake the frozen stuffing straight from the freezer. Just remove the plastic wrap and foil first. Frozen stuffing takes a bit longer to bake but turns out super moist and flavorful.
Freezing already cooked stuffing is great for preserving leftovers after the big feast. Let the cooked stuffing cool completely, transfer to airtight containers leaving 1-inch headspace, seal, and freeze up to 3 months.
So whether you want to get ahead or use up leftovers you can easily freeze turkey stuffing before or after cooking.
How to Freeze Stuffing in Portion Sizes
When freezing stuffing, it’s best to divide it into smaller portions rather than freezing a large block. Here are some tips
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For uncooked stuffing, divide among ramekins or small casserole dishes before freezing. Cover each with foil.
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For cooked stuffing, spoon individual portions into muffin tins or freezer containers. This makes it easy to thaw just what you need.
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Aim for portion sizes of 1-2 servings. Smaller portions thaw and reheat quicker and more evenly.
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Label each portion with the name and freeze date.
Freezing stuffing in ready-to-use portions streamlines thawing and reheating. You can reheat just a serving or two as needed.
How to Thaw Frozen Stuffing
Proper thawing ensures frozen stuffing retains maximum texture and flavor. Here are a few guidelines:
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For best results, thaw frozen stuffing overnight in the refrigerator.
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You can also thaw in the microwave using the defrost setting. Thaw just until soft enough to remove from the container.
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For cooked stuffing, you can skip thawing and reheat straight from frozen. Allow 25-30 extra minutes of bake time.
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Avoid thawing stuffing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
Gently thawing frozen stuffing in the fridge is ideal. Microwaving and quick oven reheating from frozen work too.
How to Reheat Frozen Stuffing
Once thawed, leftover stuffing reheats beautifully in the oven:
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Transfer stuffing to an oven-safe dish.
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Cover tightly with foil, bake 15-20 minutes until heated through.
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Remove foil, increase heat to 375°F and bake 10 minutes more to lightly brown the top.
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For extra moisture, drizzle with broth, butter or gravy before reheating.
Reheated frozen stuffing tastes freshly made. Be sure to reheat fully until piping hot.
How Long Does Frozen Stuffing Last?
Properly stored frozen stuffing keeps well for 3 to 6 months. For maximum freshness and quality, use frozen stuffing within 3 months.
Monitor freeze dates and use older portions first. Discard any stuffing frozen over 6 months.
Using frozen stuffing in a timely manner ensures optimal flavor and texture after reheating.
Tips for Freezing Turkey Stuffing
Follow these tips when freezing turkey stuffing for best quality and ease:
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Cool stuffing fully before freezing.
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Portion into airtight containers or bags.
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Label packages with name and freeze date.
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Freeze up to 3 months for optimal freshness.
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Thaw in refrigerator before reheating.
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Reheat fully in 375°F oven until piping hot.
Creative Ways to Use Frozen Stuffing
Leftover frozen stuffing doesn’t have to be just a side dish. Consider these fun ideas:
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Stuff into peppers, squash or tomatoes for single-serving meals.
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Add to egg scrambles or stratas along with veggies and cheese.
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Shape into balls or patties to serve appetizer-style.
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Mix with ground turkey or sausage and bake into loaf pans for stuffing meatloaves.
With some creativity, the possibilities for enjoying thawed frozen stuffing are endless!
Get Holiday Meal Prep Help from Freezing Stuffing
Freezing stuffing before or after cooking offers a major assist with holiday preparation.
Pre-freezing lets you check stuffing off your to-do list early. Freezing the leftovers allows you to enjoy tasty stuffing meals for weeks.
Follow the tips in this guide, and you’ll find freezing stuffing to be easy and reliable. Your holiday stuffing will taste like you just made it, saving you time and effort.
So go ahead and make extra stuffing this Thanksgiving. Freezing ensures you can savor every last bite of this beloved side dish.
Whisk one egg with a little more stock, then toss one last time.
The addition of an egg helps bind the stuffing, giving it a set, fluffy, custardy texture. (Just be careful when adding hot stock to the egg, which may be cold from the fridge. If you add too much at once, you could inadvertently scramble and cook the egg.) This is not essential, but if you like a stuffing that really sticks together, add the egg. If you don’t mind having a looser-textured stuffing or prefer to make a vegan stuffing, omit the egg altogether.
Prepare seasonings and add-ins according to your preferences.
Thanksgiving stuffing can be viewed as a blank canvas (this brown-butter version from Emma Laperruques Big Little Recipes column is as minimalist as it gets). You could dress it up with spicy sausage or briny oysters, or keep it bare bones with sautéed onion, celery, and maybe a dash of Bell’s Seasoning. Some of my favorite festive additions include: dried fruit (like raisins, cranberries, dates, and prunes), roasted nuts (from chestnuts and hazelnuts to walnuts and pecans), crisped pancetta or bacon (or salami or pepperoni!), sautéed apples or pears, and shredded Brussels sprouts (a mandoline works well for this). But dont stop there. Stuffing is amenable to countless seasonings, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and meats—thats what makes it your own. In the make-ahead Thanksgiving stuffing recipe below, Ive kept it somewhat simple with not-quite caramelized onions and ruffly kale.
Can You Freeze Stuffing? Or Is It A Bad Idea? ANSWERED!
FAQ
Is it better to freeze stuffing, cooked or uncooked?
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Safety:Always ensure that any raw meat or poultry in your stuffing is fully cooked before freezing.
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Freezing method:Combine all stuffing ingredients, place them in a shallow container, and freeze immediately.
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Cooking from frozen:When ready to use, cook the frozen stuffing directly in the oven without thawing beforehand, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
How to freeze leftover turkey stuffing?
“Cooked stuffing should be divided into individual portions before freezing to allow for easier portioning and reheating at a later time,” Brekke says.Oct 14, 2024
Can you freeze stuffing with meat in it?
Can I freeze the stuffing? Yes, you can freeze the stuffing mixture before or after cooking.
How do you reheat frozen stuffing?
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No need to thaw:You can reheat frozen stuffing directly from the freezer without thawing it first.
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Cover with foil:Covering the dish with foil helps prevent the stuffing from drying out while reheating.
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Check for doneness:Ensure the stuffing is heated through before removing the foil to crisp the top.
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Add moisture if needed:If you notice the stuffing is getting too dry, consider adding a little bit of broth or apple juice while reheating.