Ok. We’ve talked about Thanksgiving turkey, make-ahead side dishes, and desserts. Now, the pièce de résistance, the reason why we all belly up to the Thanksgiving table–ok, I’m talking about myself here–stuffing. Er, dressing. Erm, stuffing.

☞ READ THE ARTICLE: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STUFFING AND DRESSING?

When I was a kid, we called everything stuffing, whether cooked in the turkey or on the side. But there’s a real difference, and people are wicked passionate about it, as you can see.

A google how to search when your relatives don't know what's the difference between stuffing and dressing.

Regardless of where these carb-loaded, sweet-savory glories are cooked, they share some seriously important similarities. Like:

  • Bread–whether sandwich, sourdough, brioche, or cornbread
  • Stock–vegetable, chicken, or beef
  • Meat–pork, always (Although seafood–shrimp, crab, or oysters–are preferred by some.)
  • Fruit and vegetables–including apples, prunes, celery, onion, or leeks

Bottom line, I’ve never met a stuffing or dressing (a stressing?…a druffing?) I didn’t like. Have you?

The word "David" written in script.
A black bowl of bread stuffing with herbs and bacon, alongside is a green apple.
myviewpoint
1 of 6

Stuffing with Bacon, Apples, and Onions

This stuffing with bacon, apples, sage, and onions is classic Thanksgiving fare and can be cooked inside or outside the turkey.

Last year was my second time making turkey with stuffing, and I have to say that I love this stuffing with bacon, apples, and onions. Everyone loved it including my mother-in-law.

Gabriela
An oval casserole dish filled with wild mushroom stuffing.
David Leite
2 of 6

Wild Mushroom Stuffing

Earthy flavors combine with slightly sweet brioche bread to create this beautiful brioche and wild mushroom stuffing.
Sourdough dressing with sausage and prunes in a green ceramic dish with a large serving spoon.
Noel Barnhurst
3 of 6

Sourdough Dressing with Sausage and Prunes

This sourdough dressing with sausage and prunes pairs pork with prunes for a savory and sweet side that goes well with Thanksgiving turkey.

This sourdough dressing recipe has become a staple for us, one of our favorites!

betsey
A white rectangular dish filled with herbed bread and celery stuffing with a fork and spoon next to it on a napkin.
Elena Veselova
4 of 6

Herbed Bread and Celery Stuffing

This herbed bread and celery stuffing, made with celery, onion, thyme, basil, and parsley, is a sort of basic blank canvas of a stuffing that will satisfy you as-is or make a terrific foundation for your other embellishments. Lovely with chicken as well as turkey.
Casserole dish of cubes of homemade cornbread sausage dressing, with pork sausage, onion, celery, and spices.
Carl Tremblay
5 of 6

Homemade Cornbread Sausage Dressing

This homemade cornbread sausage dressing is southern style Thanksgiving in a dish. Homemade cornbread is tossed with pork sausage, onions, celery, chicken stock, and herbs and baked until crisp on the surface, soul-satisfyingly tender underneath. Thanksgiving comfort food.
Thanksgiving table with a roast turkey with stuffing and vegetables on a platter.
Jim Stott
6 of 6

Roast Turkey with Stuffing and Vegetables

We stuff our turkey with a simple bread stuffing flavored with lots of herbs, sauteed onions, garlic, and crunchy celery and surround it with chunks of peeled carrots, parsnips, and onions.

Stuffing and Dressing FAQs

What’s the difference between stuffing and dressing?

The main difference is stuffing is cooked inside a turkey, while dressing is baked separately in a baking dish, although the terms are often used interchangeably. Curious as to more differences and the pros and cons of stuffing vs. dressing? We’ve got all the answers to your questions in this article on the difference between stuffing and dressing.

How do you know when stuffing is cooked?

If you’re making stuffing that’s cooked inside a turkey, you must make sure that it reaches an internal temp of 165°F, the temperature at which bacteria are killed. This is also the same temperature you’re looking for when checking your turkey for doneness.

If you’re making a dressing that’s cooked separately in a baking dish, it’s generally ready when the top is crispy and golden brown, but the center’s still soft.

Can I make stuffing and dressing in advance?

Generally, yes, you can prepare your stuffing or dressing up to 1 day before baking. Store in a covered container (or in the baking dish you’ll be using) in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. If you’ll be filling a turkey with stuffing, always wait until just before baking before spooning the stuffing inside the bird.

We can all agree that stuffing or dressing is a headliner on the Thanksgiving table, perhaps second only to the amazing selection of Thanksgiving desserts.

We want your entire meal to be mind-blowingly awesome, though, so be sure to check out our great recipes for Thanksgiving turkeys, side dishes, and appetizers. Or plan your entire menu from this selection of our best Thanksgiving recipes.




About David Leite

I count myself lucky to have received three James Beard Awards for my writing as well as for Leite’s Culinaria. My work has also appeared in The New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Bon Appรฉtit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, Yankee, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and more.


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4 Comments

  1. The dressing is THE BEST part of Thanksgiving dinner, with gravy and raw cranberry sauce close behind. I always put some dried cranberries in the dressing as I can’t get enough of them! I’ll make dressing throughout the year, it’s a meal in itself.

  2. I believe that stuffing goes into the bird and dressing is something belongs on salad!LOL!

    Happy Thanksgiving!