Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without one of these filling recipes for your turkey. Prefer dressing? We have that too. Not sure of the difference? (We get it.) We also demystify the conundrum between filling and dressing. You’re welcome.
OK. We’ve talked about Thanksgiving turkey, sides, and desserts to make ahead. Now, the highlight, the reason we’re all sitting down at the Thanksgiving table – ok, I’m talking about myself here – the stuffing. Uh, get dressed. Um, filling.
☞ READ THE ARTICLE: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRAFTING AND DRESSING?
We used to call when I was a kid everything Stuffing, whether cooked in turkey or as a side dish. But there’s a real difference, and as you can see, people are very passionate about it.
Regardless of where these high-carb, sweet and savory delights are made, they share some really important similarities. How:
- Bread-Whether sandwich, sourdough, brioche or cornbread
- Share-vegetables, chicken or beef
- Meat-Always pork (Though some prefer seafood—shrimp, crab, or oysters.)
- Fruit and vegetables-including apples, plums, celery, onions or leeks
Bottom line, I’ve never had a filling or dressing (a stress? … a druffing?) that I didn’t like. Do you have?
Stuffed with bacon, apples and onions
A classic Thanksgiving dish, this bacon, apple, sage, and onion stuffing can be made inside or outside of the turkey.
Recipe
Last year was my second time making stuffed turkey and I have to say I love this bacon, apple and onion stuffing. Everyone loved it including my mother in law.
gabriela
wild mushroom filling
Earthy flavors combine with slightly sweet brioche bread in this gorgeous brioche and wild mushroom filling.
Recipe
Sourdough dressing with sausage and plums
This sausage and prunes sourdough dressing combines pork with prunes for a savory and sweet side dish that pairs well with Thanksgiving turkey.
Recipe
This sourdough dressing recipe has become a staple for us, one of our favorites!
Betsy
Filling of herb bread and celery
This herb celery bread filling, made with celery, onion, thyme, basil, and parsley, is a kind of blank canvas of a filling that will satisfy you as is or make an excellent base for your other toppings. Goes great with chicken and turkey.
Recipe
Homemade Cornbread Sausage Dressing
This Homemade Cornbread Sausage Dressing is a Southern-style Thanksgiving dish. Homemade cornbread is tossed with pork sausage, onions, celery, chicken broth and herbs and baked until crisp on top and deliciously tender on bottom. Thanksgiving comfort food.
Recipe
Roast turkey with stuffing and vegetables
We stuff our turkey with a simple bread filling seasoned with lots of herbs, sautéed onions, garlic and crisp celery, and surround it with chunks of peeled carrot, parsnip and onion.
Recipe
Green olives and chouriço filling
This green olive and chouriço filling combines flavorful pork sausage and salty olives in a ciabatta or sourdough bread filling with excellent results. It’s definitely the most talked about dish at the table.
Recipe
Frequently asked questions about filling and serving
The main difference is that the stuffing is cooked in a turkey while the dressing is baked separately in a casserole dish, although the terms are often used interchangeably. Curious about more differences and the pros and cons of stuffing vs dressing? In this article on the difference between filling and dressing you will find all the answers to your questions.
If you’re making a stuffing that’s going to be cooked in a turkey, you have to must Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (165°F), the temperature at which bacteria are killed. This is also the same temperature you look for when checking the doneness of your turkey.
Generally, if you’re making a dressing that’s prepared separately in a casserole dish, it’s done when the top is crispy and golden brown, but the center is still soft.
Generally yes, you can make your filling or dressing up to 1 day before baking. Store in a covered container (or in the casserole dish you use) in the refrigerator until ready to bake. When stuffing a turkey with stuffing, always wait until just before baking before spooning the stuffing into the bird.
We can all agree that stuffing, or dressing, is a highlight on the Thanksgiving table, maybe even second only to the amazing Thanksgiving dessert menu.
However, we want your entire meal to be devastatingly delicious. So be sure to check out our awesome Thanksgiving turkey recipes, side dishes, and appetizers. Or plan your entire menu from this selection of our best Thanksgiving recipes.