Whether you call it dressing or stuffing, one or more of these 25 Best Thanksgiving Stuffing and Dressing Recipes will be a superstar on your Thanksgiving dinner table! Packed with flavor, this festive and flavorful collection of recipes is everything you love about the holidays.
What’s the difference between stuffing and dressing?
The main difference between stuffing and dressing is generally where it is cooked. Stuffing is traditionally stuffed inside the turkey and then cooked. Dressing, on the other hand, is usually cooked in a pan outside of the turkey.
That said, the line is blurred and it also depends on where you grew up. The majority of folks in the south call it dressing, and in the North, stuffing is the term of choice.
No matter whether you stuff your turkey, or serve the dressing along with it on Thanksgiving, everyone has their favorites. I have two: Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing and Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Pecans. I love them both dearly and just might make both this year.
Moist and flavorful, these 25 Best Thanksgiving Stuffing and Dressing recipes from top bloggers around the country have something for everyone, including make-ahead and gluten-free options! You will also find recipes made in a slow cooker or crockpot and Instant Pot. And there are vegetarian and vegan options as well.
The base for most of these stuffing and dressing recipes is usually cornbread and/or bread and sometimes rice. And, they are flavored with sausage, bacon, cranberries, herbs, squash, pears, apples, figs, oysters, and pecans. The different combinations of flavors and textures possible are mindblowing.
Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing – Grits and Pinecones
There are so many things to love about Traditional Southern Cornbread Thanksgiving Dressing. In addition to the taste, which is amazing, it’s really easy to make and both the cornbread and the dressing can be made well ahead of the big day and frozen.
Apple Cranberry Crock Pot Stuffing – West via Midwest
Savory Stuffing made in your crockpot to save space in the oven! Make-ahead this moist on the inside Apple Cranberry Stuffing with hints a sweet cranberry and tart apples with crunchy edges on the outside!
Instant Pot Stuffing Recipe – This Old Gal
Instant Pot Stuffing is an easy recipe made in the pressure cooker. It keeps you out of the kitchen so that you can spend quality time with your loved ones.
Make-Ahead Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Pecans – Grits and Pinecones
If you are looking for the perfect dressing for Thanksgiving, you are in the right place. Southern make-ahead Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and pecans is the perfect dressing and a perfect Thanksgiving side dish. It’s perfect because it’s so delicious, and it can be made ahead. It freezes beautifully and it’s simple and easy to make. And, did I mention when it’s cooking the aroma wafting through your house is intoxicating?
Vegetarian Wild Rice and Fennel Stuffing – The Rustic Foodie
This vegetarian Wild Rice and Fennel Stuffing recipe is hearty and savory. It’s homemade and delicious. This aromatic side dish stuffing is perfect for Thanksgiving!
Gluten-Free Stuffing – Sunday Supper Movement
The flavor combination of this Gluten-Free Stuffing is the perfect side dish for the holidays. The meaty flavors of bacon and porcini mushrooms are natural partners for the leeks and thyme and create an enticing & elegant gluten-free side for the Thanksgiving table or any holiday meal.
Sage and Onion Stuffing- Pudge Factor
Dressing or Stuffing – which one is it? Well, in the South, it’s generally Dressing whether it goes into the turkey or not. However, because this is replicating what the Master Taste Tester remembered from growing up in England, we’ll call it Stuffing, even though it doesn’t go into the turkey!
Sourdough Thanksgiving Stuffing – Living Lou
Make your stuffing this holiday season outside of the bird with this recipe for sourdough Thanksgiving stuffing with apples, sausage, mushrooms, leeks, and celery.
Sausage, Fig, and Cranberry Stuffing – The Merchant Baker
Breathe in…and you’ll almost be able to smell the savory sausage, onions, and celery… the sweet cranberries and figs, the toasted pine nuts, and the scent of freshly chopped rosemary that the heat of the pan just released into the air. It smells like Thanksgiving!
Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries – Marisa Moore
This vegan wild rice stuffing is easy to make and packed with the flavors of Thanksgiving!
Butternut Squash Stuffing with Bacon – Went Here 8 This
Crispy bacon, chewy cubes of toasted, buttery bread, and a smattering of tender butternut squash make this Butternut Squash Stuffing with Bacon a total MUST MAKE for your holiday dinner. This easy homemade stuffing might just become your new favorite side dish, plus it’s super simple to make!
Gluten-Free Southern Cornbread Stuffing – Bessie Bakes
This cornbread stuffing, or as Southerners call it…dressing, is a version of my grandmother’s beloved recipe. The main difference is that my grandmother added a few crumbled biscuits to the mix, which is what I’ve grown up with and devoured every Thanksgiving. This year I decided to make a stuffing/dressing that was an all cornbread base so that it was gluten-free.
Mushroom Wild Rice Dressing – Pudge Factor
Whether you use this delicious Mushroom Wild Rice Dressing as a stuffing or a side dish, it is sure to keep people coming back for seconds. It’s a snap to put together, can be made ahead of time, and reheats beautifully. Who could ask for more?
Fig Apple Sausage Stuffing – Celebrating Sweets
A delicious bread stuffing filled with savory sausage, fresh apple, herbs, and dried figs.
Traditional Herb Stuffing – Persnickety Plates
Traditional Herb Stuffing is very easy to make and filled with fresh, flavorful herbs. It’ll be a hit on any Thanksgiving table! If you want to try a new stuffing recipe for your Thanksgiving table, I’ve got just the recipe for you. This homemade Traditional Herb Stuffing is so good and really easy.
Mimi’s Cornbread Dressing – The Hungry Waitress
Do you call this stuffing or dressing? Whatever you call it, it’s delicious. Mimi’s cornbread dressing is my favorite thing about Thanksgiving. The recipe comes from my grandma Mimi. She was a great entertainer and a great cook.
Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing with Sausage – The Hungry Blue Bird
Old-fashioned Bread Stuffing with Sausage, just like my dad’s ~ almost. Easy, made from scratch bread stuffing with sausage, cooked outside the turkey in a casserole. The best side dish on the holiday table!
A Simple Traditional Cheater Stuffing Recipe with Smoked Oysters, Ham, and Pecans – Fusion Craft
A simple, traditional, cheater stuffing recipe that happens to be easy and super quick! A great solution for Thanksgiving or Christmas, our family’s all-time favorite. Embrace the easy button on this hectic day. This boxed stuffing is elevated to the next level with the addition of smoked oysters, chopped ham, and pecans.
Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing – What Molly Made
Without a doubt, the dressing is my favorite part of Turkey Day. I mean, it’s full of carbs. How could you not love it?
Thanksgiving Sausage, Pear, and Pecan Stuffing – Jessica Gavin
Italian sausage pear pecan stuffing is a sweet-savory side, combined with fresh sage, thyme, garlic, and onions. A perfect dish to go with your turkey!
Sourdough Sun-Dried Tomato Artichoke Dressing – Pinch Me, I’m Eating
Sourdough sun-dried tomato artichoke stuffing with parmesan is a unique and delicious take on a holiday staple! This recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser this Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Italian Sausage and Apple Stuffing – The Organic Kitchen
The holidays are right around the corner, so now is the time to decide what you will be serving or bringing to the festivities. I hope your holiday meal will include this gorgeous Italian Sausage and Apple Stuffing!
Butternut Sausage Stuffing – Wanderlust and Wellness
Stuffing, oh, stuffing, another one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes! This butternut sausage stuffing is gluten-free, savory, and full of flavor. You can use any of your favorite gluten-free bread with this recipe. The sweet Italian chicken sausage brings out the additional flavor, along with the chicken broth, butternut squash, celery, onions, and seasonings. I promise you that removing gluten products from your diet does not mean you have to compromise on flavor.
Sourdough Bread, Apple, and Pecan Dressing – Grits and Pinecones
If you want to shake things up just a bit this Thanksgiving and try something new, this delicious Sourdough Bread with Apple and Pecan Dressing side dish should be given serious consideration. This yummy Thanksgiving dressing is a delicious marriage of toasted tangy sourdough bread, tart apples, toasted pecans, and fresh herbs, and you will love it. Sourdough Bread, Apple, and Pecan Dressing only takes minutes to prepare and can be made the day before.
Well, which is it, dressing or stuffing at your house? And which of these delicious Thanksgiving dressing or stuffings recipes will you be making this year?
Take your time and peruse all of these easy and mostly make-ahead recipes to find just the right choice for your family. All are delicious and any one of these recipes will be the perfect complement to your meal.
PS: While most of these recipes are called dressing, most can easily be stuffed inside your turkey and then they will be stuffing!
Need even more Thanksgiving recipes or menu ideas? Check out these roundup posts:
- 50 Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes – You Need To Make Now
- 40 Best Desserts for Thanksgiving – Recipes and Menu Ideas
- 42 Best Thanksgiving Savory Side Dish Recipes and Menu Ideas
- 22 Easy and No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes
- 35 of the Best and Easiest Sweet Potato Recipes for Thanksgiving
- 27 Best Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes and Menu Ideas
- 241 Best Thanksgiving Recipes and Menu Ideas
And, because Christmas isn’t far behind, I thought you might be interested in these Christmas recipe roundup posts:
- 29 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes
- 25 Best Christmas Breakfast/Brunch Recipes
- 30 Easy and Elegant Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
- 31 Easy Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts
- 37 Fun & Festive Holiday-Party Appetizers
★ If you make any of these recipes please leave a comment. I would love to know how you liked it!
Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones!
*This post updated on November 3, 2019, and reposted on Nov 11, 2019, with the addition of 13 new recipes.
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