Moist turkey dressing is a classic stuffing recipe that’s the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving turkey. It’s a blend of fresh bread cubes, savory veggies, and a medley of fresh herbs that’s simply mouthwatering. Baked to perfection in a prepared baking dish, this homemade stuffing recipe is the ultimate side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner.
You know what? Stuffing is easily one of my top 3 favorite Thanksgiving sides. Normally, I’d leave the stuffing-making duties to my sister Marsaidees, but this year, circumstances have me flying solo for the holidays. So, I decided to put my own twist on her classic cornbread dressing recipe, throwing in some bread crumbs and red bell pepper for that extra kick of texture and flavor.
Now, let me tell you, the inside of this turkey dressing is so incredibly moist thanks to the homemade stock. And when it’s baking, a generous layer of butter on top gives it that perfect crispy finish. Trust me, this recipe is the kind that’ll have your family racing back to the table for seconds.
I mean, who can resist a hearty, mouthwatering turkey stuffing like this? It’s like the superstar of Thanksgiving dinner, stealing the show with every bite. So, whether you’re searching for the best stuffing recipe or just a twist on a classic stuffing recipe, give this turkey dressing a try in your prepared baking dish. It’ll make your Thanksgiving turkey shine like a star. @meikoandthedish #meikoandthedish.
The difference between dressing and stuffing :
Dressing:
- Dressing is a side dish made from a mixture of bread, vegetables, herbs, and seasonings.
- It is typically baked separately in a dish outside of the turkey or other poultry.
- It is commonly served as a side dish for Thanksgiving or holiday meals.
Stuffing:
- Stuffing is a similar mixture of ingredients, but it is specifically prepared to be stuffed inside the cavity of poultry, like a turkey or chicken.
- It cooks inside the bird as it roasts, absorbing the bird’s juices and flavors.
- Often associated with traditional Thanksgiving dinners as the filling for the turkey.
The primary distinction is where they are cooked: dressing is baked separately, while stuffing is placed inside the bird and cooks alongside it.
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
Home-style Turkey Dressing is a classic Thanksgiving dish that combines various ingredients to create a flavorful and comforting side dish. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall taste and texture of the dressing. Here’s what each ingredient adds to the recipe:
- Day-Old Cornbread (Crumbs): The crumbled day-old cornbread serves as the base and primary source of texture for the dressing. It adds a slightly sweet and hearty flavor to the dish.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is used for sautéing the vegetables and turkey innards, adding a hint of richness and ensuring they cook evenly.
- Dried Seasoned Stuffing Mix: This mix complements the cornbread by adding additional seasoning, herbs, and flavors. It contributes to the overall depth of taste in the dressing.
- Turkey Necks or Innards: Turkey necks and innards infuse the dressing with a deep, savory turkey flavor, making it taste more like a part of the turkey itself.
- Red Bell Pepper, Onion, Celery, and White Mushrooms: These vegetables provide a medley of flavors and textures. The bell pepper adds a sweet and slightly tangy note, while the onion, celery, and mushrooms contribute savory and earthy flavors along with a pleasant crunch.
- Ground Sage, Black Pepper, Kosher Salt, Onion Powder, Garlic Granulated, Oregano, and Thyme: These are the herbs and spices that bring the signature Thanksgiving flavor to the dressing. Sage, thyme, and oregano add an earthy and aromatic quality, while black pepper, kosher salt, onion powder, and garlic granulated enhance the overall seasoning and depth of taste.
- Eggs: Eggs serve as a binder in the dressing, helping to hold all the ingredients together. They also add moisture and a rich, custardy texture when baked.
- Poultry Broth: Poultry broth adds moisture to the dressing, preventing it from becoming too dry. It also imparts a savory, meaty flavor that ties all the ingredients together.
- Butter: Melted butter contributes to the richness of the dressing, adding a smooth, buttery taste that complements the other flavors.
When combined, these ingredients create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, resulting in a delicious, home-style turkey dressing that pairs perfectly with your Thanksgiving turkey or as a side dish for any festive meal.
What is cornbread dressing?
Cornbread dressing is usually served as a moist and tasty side dish with roasted poultry. It is made with day-old cornbread, homemade stock, celery, onions, bell peppers, and a variety of delicious add-ins. It can also be served as a main course.
The difference between dressing & stuffing?
As the name suggests, stuffing is cooked inside a roasted turkey or chicken cavity while dressing is cooked separately and eaten as a side dish. Apparently, the major difference between the two is how they are cooked. Still, some people use the terms interchangeably, but as for me, I’m more than comfortable using the term dressing because it stands out on its own. It can be enjoyed alone, whereas stuffing can only be appreciated with roasted poultry. This is why I used some chopped turkey in this cornbread turkey dressing recipe so that you can enjoy it as a main dish.
Alternative Add-Ins
It is up to you if you would like to add more tasty ingredients to your turkey dressing; you want to make it memorable for your family and give them the taste (delicious experience) they would all love; I feel you. Here are some add-in ideas; you can add only about a cup of your select ingredient:
- Dried fruits like raisins, apricots, cranberries, dates, pineapples, etc.
- Seeds like chia seeds, sesame seeds, etc.
- Toasted nuts like almonds, chopped macadamia nuts, coconuts, walnuts, chestnuts, etc.
- Herb seasoning like rosemary, chives, cilantro, mint, coriander, cumin, etc.
- Fresh fruits like avocado, chopped carrots, diced apple or pear, etc.
- Meat like diced English/chorizo/sage sausage, bacon strips, pork rings, etc.
Can you make it ahead?
Preparing to have guests over for the holidays is no easy matter; Apart from the menu, you have to ready the house to receive them, and you’d also need some alone time away from the festive activities.
You can prep this turkey dressing recipe 48 hours before the cooking day. Simply follow the recipe, mix all your ingredients, transfer into the baking dish, and cover with foil. Store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.
Once you are ready to cook, take it out of the fridge and let it sit for 30 minutes before baking.
More Holiday Recipes
- Homemade Cranberry Sauce
- Momma’s Deep Dish Mac & Cheese (Baked Mac & Cheese)
- Instant Pot Vegetarian Southern Greens
- Candied Yam Casserole with Brown Sugar Streusel
Now It’s Your Turn
This isn’t your average turkey stuffing; it’s the ultimate recipe. With the turkey dressing soaking up the rich flavors of chicken stock and poultry seasoning, it’s a mouthwatering fusion of tastes. Plus, the aromatic onion mixture adds a delightful depth.
So, for your Thanksgiving feast, go beyond ordinary. Elevate your meal with this moist, flavorful turkey stuffing, a classic recipe that’ll shine at your table. Give it five stars if you try it, and share your photos on Instagram by tagging @meikoandthedish. Enjoy!
Home-Style Turkey Dressing
Equipment
- Medium Pot
- Large Bowl
- Measuring Tools
- Wooden Spoon
- Whisk
- Pyrex – 9×13 inch
Ingredients
- 16 oz day old cornbread crumbled , 8×8 baking pan
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups dried seasoned stuffing mix
- 2 turkey necks, or the turkey Innards
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks , chopped
- 8 oz white mushrooms, chopped
- 2 teaspoons ground sage
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic, granulated
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups poultry broth
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Instructions
Neckbones or Innards
- Place neck bones (or innards) in a covered medium size boiling pot of water. Occasionally check them and add more water as needed. Neckbones should always be submerged in water. Let them boil for 45-60 minutes or until the meat is tender and falling off the bones. Remove them from the pot and let cool. Reserve the stock.
- Use a fork and/or hands to remove shredded meat from bone (and or chop) and set aside.
Dressing:
- Preheat the oven till 350 F
- Add oil to a medium-sized pan on medium heat. Once hot, add onions, celery, and bell peppers and cook for 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until all vegetables are softened. Add in all seasonings: sage, oregano, thyme, granulated garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper, as well as the shredded meat and mix together. Then remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, add seasoned dried stuffing and 1 cup of stock. Toss with a fork to hydrate stuffing.
- Add crumbled cornbread, meat and vegetable mixture to the stuffing and stir until evenly combined. Add 2 more cups of broth over the dressing mixture and stir.
- Whisk eggs and add them evenly across the dressing mixture and fold them in well. Evenly distribute the dressing mixture into a greased 9×13” baking dish.
- Pour melted butter across the top of the stuffing and transfer to the oven to bake for 40 minutes. Serve warm!
