Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes and Dressings

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Whether you're a Thanksgiving stuffing traditionalist or need a new family side dish, Food & Wine's stuffing and dressing recipes are perfect for any holiday dinner. Find something vegetarian-friendly, quick and easy, or indulgently delicious (we're partial to bacon). From classic sausage-and-bread stuffing to upgrades that use tarragon, prosciutto, and cheese, these stuffing recipes for Thanksgiving will become family and friend favorites.

01 of 13

Mushroom-and-Chestnut Stuffing with Giblets

Mushroom-and-Chestnut Stuffing with Giblets
© Bobby Fisher

This rich and delicious make-ahead Mushroom-and-Chestnut Stuffing with Giblets from Anthony Bourdain gets flavor from fresh herbs. The dish also gets a boost from a super simple homemade stock made from turkey wings and necks. It's a definite crowd-pleaser.

02 of 13

Chestnut Stuffing with Fennel

Chestnut Stuffing with Fennel

When Suzanne Goin was a child, making stuffing for the holidays was one of her first forays into cooking. "My mom always used store-bought crumbs, and it became my job to doctor them up," says Goin. "I'd just raid the spice cabinet and the first batches were a little [wild]. But I figured out what I liked best." This chestnut-laced stuffing with pancetta and fennel is adapted from Sunday Suppers at Lucques. The crispy olive oil-soaked bread cubes on top are especially delectable.

03 of 13

Sausage-and-Bread Stuffing

Sausage-and-Bread Stuffing
© David Malosh

Gary Vaynerchuk's mother, Tamara, makes Stove Top stuffing every Thanksgiving, and he proudly admits loving it. Its simplicity inspired this recipe by former F&W editor Grace Parisi. Using homemade turkey stock gives it a rich flavor ⁠— for a shortcut, use chicken broth instead.

04 of 13

Sausage-and-Apple Stuffing Bites

Sausage-and-Apple Stuffing Bites

Since stuffing is one of the most popular parts of a Thanksgiving meal, try doing it as fun little hors d'oeuvre bites.

05 of 13

Cornbread Stuffing with Country Sausage

Corn Bread Stuffing with Country Sausage
© Lucy Schaeffer

Enrich traditional stuffing with country sausage and cornbread and add a kick with poblano chiles. This can be made two days in advance.

06 of 13

Bacon, Onion and Rye Bread Stuffing

Bacon, Onion and Rye Bread Stuffing
© Frances Janisch

After tossing the ingredients and spreading them in a pan, Melissa Rubel Jacobson chills the stuffing for at least an hour before baking. This ensures that the bread soaks up the liquid — key to a stuffing that's crisp on top and moist within.

07 of 13

Pumpkin Seed Bread Salad

Pumpkin Seed Bread Salad

Combine crusty country Italian bread with timely pumpkin seeds and sherry for a rich, warm bread salad.

08 of 13

Smoky Chorizo Stuffing

Smoky Chorizo Stuffing. Photo © Con Poulos
© Con Poulos

Rather than traditional sausage stuffing, chef George Mendes of NYC's Aldea serves a smoky version using chorizo and hot pimentón de la Vera (smoked paprika).

09 of 13

Shiitake Mushroom and Fresh Herb Stuffing

Shiitake Mushroom–and–Fresh Herb Stuffing
© Frances Janisch

Tender and browned mushrooms add an earthiness alongside sage and thyme in this golden side dish.

10 of 13

Sticky-Rice Dressing

Sticky-Rice Dressing

Joanne Chang says, "A Chinese meal isn't complete without rice; Thanksgiving isn't complete without stuffing. This sticky-rice dressing combines the best of both worlds." Chinese sausage makes the rice deliciously sweet and savory. Chang likes using the Kam Yen Jan brand, which has no MSG; look for it at Asian markets.

11 of 13

Corn Bread Stuffing with Bacon and Greens

Corn Bread Stuffing with Bacon and Greens

Chef David Tanis grew up in the Midwest, with rich corn bread stuffing for Thanksgiving. He tweaks his mother's recipe by adding a smoky element. "She'd roll over if she saw the bacon," he says. But it's not critical to the stuffing, which also gets savory flavor from hearty kale, so you can leave it out.

12 of 13

Whole-Grain Stuffing with Mustard Greens, Mushrooms and Fontina

Whole-Grain Stuffing with Mustard Greens, Mushrooms and Fontina
© Con Poulos

This wonderfully hearty stuffing can double as a vegetarian main dish for Thanksgiving. Just substitute mushroom broth or water for the chicken stock.

13 of 13

Spiced Lamb-and-Rice Dressing with Chickpeas

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Instead of the more common bread-based dressing, Sam Mogannam's mother, Mariette, always serves turkey with this hearty, savory Palestinian stuffing, traditionally used as a filling for grape leaves or halved zucchini.

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