Easy Make-Ahead Turkey Stuffing

Make Ahead Turkey Stuffing: A Holiday Must-Have

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about the big feast. One of the most important parts of any Thanksgiving dinner is the stuffing. But what if you don’t have time to make stuffing from scratch on the day of the holiday? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This make ahead turkey stuffing recipe is the perfect solution for busy cooks. It can be made ahead of time and then reheated on the day of Thanksgiving. So you can enjoy all the delicious flavors of traditional stuffing without having to spend hours in the kitchen.

This stuffing is made with a variety of hearty breads, vegetables, and herbs. It’s seasoned with sage, thyme, and rosemary, and it’s topped with a delicious, buttery breadcrumb crust. This stuffing is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So give it a try this Thanksgiving, and let us know what you think!

Ingredient	Quantity	Instructions
Dried bread cubes	12 cups	Crumble bread cubes into a large bowl.
Melted butter	1 cup	Pour melted butter over bread cubes and toss to coat.
Chopped onion	1 cup	Add chopped onion to bread cubes and toss to coat.
Chopped celery	1 cup	Add chopped celery to bread cubes and toss to coat.
Chopped carrot	1 cup	Add chopped carrot to bread cubes and toss to coat.
Chopped apple	1 cup	Add chopped apple to bread cubes and toss to coat.
Chopped parsley	1/2 cup	Add chopped parsley to bread cubes and toss to coat.
Dried cranberries	1/2 cup	Add dried cranberries to bread cubes and toss to coat.
Chopped pecans	1/2 cup	Add chopped pecans to bread cubes and toss to coat.
Salt	1 teaspoon	Sprinkle salt over bread cubes and toss to coat.
Pepper	1/2 teaspoon	Sprinkle pepper over bread cubes and toss to coat.
Garlic powder	1 teaspoon	Sprinkle garlic powder over bread cubes and toss to coat.
Thyme	1 teaspoon	Sprinkle thyme over bread cubes and toss to coat.
Sage	1 teaspoon	Sprinkle sage over bread cubes and toss to coat.
Olive oil	1/4 cup	Drizzle olive oil over bread cubes and toss to coat.
Instructions		Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
		Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
		Pour stuffing mixture into prepared baking dish.
		Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until heated through.

Ingredients

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup chopped celery
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 1 cup chopped carrots
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh sage
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh thyme
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
* 1 cup dry bread cubes (such as French bread or sourdough bread)
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1/2 cup apple cider
* 1/4 cup chopped dried cranberries
* 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the butter, celery, onion, carrots, parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Add the bread cubes and toss to coat.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, apple cider, and dried cranberries.
5. Add the broth mixture to the bread mixture and toss to coat.
6. Transfer the stuffing to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until heated through and golden brown.
8. Let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Conclusion

This make-ahead turkey stuffing is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious and flavorful stuffing without having to spend hours in the kitchen. It can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving, making it the perfect dish for busy holiday cooks.

This stuffing is also great for potlucks and other gatherings, as it can be easily made in large batches. Serve it with your favorite roasted turkey or chicken, and enjoy!

3. Tips

Here are some tips for making ahead turkey stuffing:

* Start early. The best way to make ahead turkey stuffing is to start a few days in advance. This will give the bread time to soak up the flavorful liquid and the flavors to meld together.
* Use fresh bread. Don’t use stale bread for your stuffing. Fresh bread will give you the best results.
* Use a flavorful liquid. The liquid you use to moisten your stuffing can make a big difference in the flavor. Use a flavorful broth, such as chicken broth or turkey stock.
* Don’t overstuff the turkey. When stuffing a turkey, it’s important not to overstuff it. Overstuffing can cause the turkey to cook unevenly and the stuffing to dry out.
* Cook the stuffing separately. The safest way to cook stuffing is to cook it separately from the turkey. This will help prevent the stuffing from becoming contaminated with bacteria from the raw turkey.
* Refrigerate the stuffing before baking. After you’ve prepared your stuffing, be sure to refrigerate it before baking. This will help prevent the stuffing from becoming too dry.
* Bake the stuffing until it’s cooked through. The internal temperature of the stuffing should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
* Let the stuffing rest before serving. After you’ve baked the stuffing, let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the stuffing to set.

4. Storage

Here are some tips for storing make ahead turkey stuffing:

* Store the stuffing in an airtight container. This will help to prevent the stuffing from drying out.
* Refrigerate the stuffing for up to 3 days. If you’re not planning on serving the stuffing within 3 days, it’s best to freeze it.
* When freezing the stuffing, be sure to label the container with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long the stuffing has been frozen.
* To thaw the stuffing, place it in the refrigerator overnight. You can also thaw the stuffing in the microwave, but be sure to cook it immediately after it’s thawed.
* Once the stuffing is thawed, be sure to cook it until it’s cooked through. The internal temperature of the stuffing should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Conclusion

Making ahead turkey stuffing is a great way to save time on Thanksgiving Day. By following these tips, you can make a delicious and flavorful stuffing that will be the hit of your holiday dinner.

Q: What are the ingredients for make-ahead turkey stuffing?

A: The ingredients for make-ahead turkey stuffing typically include bread cubes, celery, onion, poultry seasoning, sage, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. You can also add other ingredients such as dried cranberries, nuts, or sausage.

Q: How do I make make-ahead turkey stuffing?

A: To make make-ahead turkey stuffing, you will first need to cook the bread cubes. You can do this by toasting them in the oven or by placing them in a colander and pouring boiling water over them. Once the bread cubes are cooked, you can add them to a large bowl along with the celery, onion, poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine. Then, add the chicken broth and stir until the bread cubes are moistened. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Q: How long can I store make-ahead turkey stuffing in the refrigerator?

A: Make-ahead turkey stuffing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Q: How do I reheat make-ahead turkey stuffing?

A: To reheat make-ahead turkey stuffing, you can either bake it in the oven or reheat it in the microwave. To bake it in the oven, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the stuffing in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. To reheat it in the microwave, place the stuffing in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, or until heated through.

Q: Can I freeze make-ahead turkey stuffing?

A: Yes, you can freeze make-ahead turkey stuffing. To freeze it, place the stuffing in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to use it, thaw the stuffing in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it according to the instructions above.

Q: What are some tips for making make-ahead turkey stuffing?

A: Here are a few tips for making make-ahead turkey stuffing:

* Use fresh bread cubes instead of stale bread.
* Toast the bread cubes before adding them to the stuffing.
* Use a variety of vegetables in the stuffing.
* Season the stuffing generously with poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper.
* Add chicken broth to moisten the stuffing.
* Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the stuffing for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
* Reheat the stuffing according to the instructions above.

Q: What are some common mistakes people make when making make-ahead turkey stuffing?

A: Here are a few common mistakes people make when making make-ahead turkey stuffing:

* Using stale bread cubes.
* Not toasting the bread cubes before adding them to the stuffing.
* Using too much or too little liquid.
* Not seasoning the stuffing enough.
* Not refrigerating the stuffing for long enough.
* Reheating the stuffing incorrectly.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make delicious make-ahead turkey stuffing that will be enjoyed by everyone at your Thanksgiving dinner.

making ahead turkey stuffing is a great way to save time on Thanksgiving Day. By preparing the stuffing ahead of time, you can relax and enjoy the holiday with your family and friends without having to worry about cooking. Plus, making ahead ensures that your stuffing will be moist and flavorful, even if it has to sit for a while before being served. So next Thanksgiving, give making ahead turkey stuffing a try! You won’t be disappointed.

Here are some key takeaways to remember when making ahead turkey stuffing:

* Use fresh, high-quality ingredients.
* Cook the stuffing until it is heated through and the bread is toasted.
* Let the stuffing cool completely before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer.
* Reheat the stuffing slowly, so that it does not dry out.
* Serve the stuffing immediately after it is reheated.