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    Home » Holidays » Thanksgiving

    27 Thanksgiving Dressing and Stuffing Recipes for 2024

    Modified: Nov 1, 2024 · Published: Nov 3, 2022 by Sharon Rigsby · Leave a Comment

    A collage of Thanksgiving dressing and stuffing recipes including cornbread dressing.

    One or more of these easy 27 Thanksgiving Dressing and Stuffing Recipes deserve a place of honor on your Thanksgiving dinner table. They are also perfect to serve anytime during the holidays, including Christmas, Easter, and other special occasions.

    Packed with flavor, this festive and unique collection of simple Thanksgiving dressing and stuffing recipes has been updated for 2024 with five new recipes and has something for everyone!  

    Pair with a main dish such as roasted turkey, cornish hens, roasted chicken, baked ham, New York strip roast, or a rack of lamb, and maybe one of my Thanksgiving desserts, and they exemplify everything you love about this food-centric holiday.

    A collage of dressing and stuffing recipes.

    The base for most of these dressing and stuffing recipes usually starts with cornbread or bread, and sometimes rice. But it’s when other ingredients, such as sausage, bacon, cranberries, herbs, squash, pears, apples, figs, oysters, or pecans are added that the real magic happens.

    This collection of savory dressing and stuffing recipes from bloggers around the country includes easy make-ahead and gluten-free recipes! You will also find recipes made in a slow cooker, Crock Pot, and Instant Pot. Plus, there are vegetarian and vegan options as well.

    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 Thanksgiving meal.

    Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing – Grits and Pinecones

    Southern Cornbread Dressing in a white serving bowl.

    There are so many things to love about my holiday classic, Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing. In addition to its divine taste, this southern-style, old-fashioned Thanksgiving dressing recipe can be made ahead and freezes beautifully. 

    Southern Cornbread Dressing

    Make-Ahead Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Pecans – Grits and Pinecones

    You are in the right place if you are looking for the perfect Thanksgiving dressing. Southern Make-Ahead Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Pecans is a crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish. It’s ideal because it’s delicious, can be made ahead, freezes beautifully, and is simple and easy to make.

    Cornbread Dressing with Sausage

    Apple Cranberry Crock Pot Stuffing – West via Midwest

    Apple and cranberry stuffing in a crockpot.

    Make this moist Apple-Cranberry Stuffing ahead in your crock pot to save space in the oven! It has hints of sweet cranberry and tart apples, with crunchy edges on the outside.

    Apple Cranberry Crock Pot Stuffing

    Instant Pot Stuffing Recipe – This Old Gal

    A plate of stuffing cooked in an Instant Pot along with a bowl of turkey gravy.

    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.

    Instant-Pot Stuffing

    Vegetarian Wild Rice and Fennel Stuffing – The Rustic Foodie

    A plate full of wild rice and fennel stuffing.

    This savory herb Wild Rice Stuffing recipe is baked with fennel. It’s gluten-free, vegetarian, and a great Thanksgiving side dish! This aromatic side dish stuffing is perfect for Thanksgiving!

    Wild Rice Fennel Stuffing

    Gluten-Free Stuffing – Sunday Supper Movement

    Gluten free stuffing in a clear glass baking dish.

    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.

    Gluten Free Stuffing

    Sage and Onion Stuffing- Pudge Factor

    Sage and onion stuffing in a white pyrex bowl.

    Dressing or Stuffing – which one is it? Well, in the South, it’s generally called 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!

    Sage and Onion Stuffing

    Sourdough Thanksgiving Stuffing – Living Lou

    Sourdough Thanksgiving Stuffing in a white glass baking dish.

    Make your stuffing this holiday season outside of the bird with this recipe for sourdough Thanksgiving stuffing with apples, sausage, mushrooms, leeks, and celery.

    Sourdough Thanksgiving Stuffing

    Sausage, Fig, and Cranberry Stuffing – The Merchant Baker

    Sausage Fig and Cranberry Stuffing in a skillet cooking on the stove.

    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!

    Sausage Fig Cranberry Stuffing

    Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing with Cranberries – Marisa Moore

    Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing in an oval glass baking dish with serving utensils.

    This vegan wild rice stuffing is easy to make and packed with the flavors of Thanksgiving!

    Vegan Wild Rice Stuffing

    Butternut Squash Stuffing with Bacon – Went Here 8 This

    Butternut Squash Stuffing in a glass rectangular baking dish.

    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!

    Butternut Squash Stuffing

    Gluten-Free Southern Cornbread Stuffing – Bessie Bakes

    A baking dish full of cornbread stuffing on a kitchen towel.

    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.

    Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing

    Mushroom Wild Rice Dressing – Pudge Factor

    Mushroom Wild Rice Stuffing in a white corning baking dish on a metal stand.

    Whether you use this delicious Mushroom Wild Rice Dressing as a stuffing or a side dish, it will surely keep people coming back for seconds. It’s a snap to put together, can be made beforehand, and reheats beautifully. Who could ask for more?

    Mushroom Wild Rice Dressing

    Fig Apple Sausage Stuffing – Celebrating Sweets

    Fig Apple Stuffing in a large white glass baking dish.

    A delicious bread stuffing filled with savory sausage, fresh apples, herbs, and dried figs.

    Fig Apple Sausage Stuffing

    Traditional Herb Stuffing – Persnickety Plates

    Traditional herb stuffing in a large clear glass baking dish topped with a sprig of rosemary.

    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, this homemade recipe is so good and easy.

    Herb Stuffing

    Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing with Sausage – The Hungry Blue Bird

    Old fashioned bread stuffing in a white baking dish.

    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!

    Old Fashioned Bread Stuffing

    A Simple Traditional Cheater Stuffing Recipe with Smoked Oysters, Ham, and Pecans – Fusion Craft

    A metal bowl with Thanksgiving stuffing with smoked oysters.

    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.

    Traditional Cheater Stuffing

    Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing – What Molly Made

    A bowl of cornbread stuffing with sausage.

    Without a doubt, dressing is my favorite part of Turkey Day. I mean, it’s full of carbs. How could you not love it?

    Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing

    Thanksgiving Sausage, Pear, and Pecan Stuffing – Jessica Gavin

    Sausage pecan and pear dressing in a red baking dish with sage leaves next to it.

    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!

    Sausage Pear Pecan Stuffing

    Sourdough Sun-Dried Tomato Artichoke Dressing – Pinch Me, I’m Eating

    Sun dried Tomato and artichoke dressing in a clear glass baking dish.

    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!

    Sourdough Sun Dried Tomato Stuffing

    Italian Sausage and Apple Stuffing – The Organic Kitchen

    Italian sausage and Apple Stuffing.

    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!

    Italian Sausage and Apple Stuffing

    Butternut Sausage Stuffing – Wanderlust and Wellness

    Butternut sausage stuffing in a pink baking dish.

    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.

    Butternut Sausage Stuffing

    Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks – From a Chef’s Kitchen

    A white casserole dish full of stuffing garnished with thyme sprigs.

    Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this easy holiday side dish recipe is the perfect way to elevate store-bought stuffing cubes. You can have it assembled in about 30 minutes to bake later. Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks is sure to become a family holiday favorite!

    Sausage Stuffing with Fennel and Leeks

    Bacon Sage Cornbread Stuffing – Souffle Bombay

    A cast iron skillet full of cornbread stuffing topped with crumbled bacon.

    Stuffing is just one of those comfort foods that we crave. This Bacon Sage Cornbread Stuffing is a nice switch from the typical stuffing. Plus…bacon!

    Bacon Sage Cornbread Stuffing

    Wild Rice Stuffing – Beyond the Chicken Coop

    Wild rice stuffing in a white serving dish.

    Delicious Wild Rice Stuffing is a perfect alternative to traditional stuffing. This gluten-free stuffing is perfect for stuffing your turkey, chicken, or oven-roasted cornish hens. Made with a wild rice blend, mushrooms, dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans.

    Wild Rice Stuffing

    Easy Wild Rice Dressing Recipe (Vegetarian) – Celebrations at Home

    Peppers on a baking dish stuffed with wild rice dressing.

    This wild rice dressing is an easy side dish for Thanksgiving or a fall dinner party. It’s vegetarian and includes quick cooking, long grain and wild rice, ciabatta bread, dried fruit, and nuts. It’s the perfect side for meat, poultry, or fish.

    Wild Rice Dressing

    Sausage Apple and Sage Dressing – 4 Sons R Us

    Sausage Dressing in a white baking dish topped with chopped apples.

    Sausage, apple, and sage dressing turn an ordinary box of stuffing mix into an extraordinary side dish for your holiday table. This semi-homemade stuffing recipe will be a Thanksgiving favorite you’ll want to make any time of year with all of your chicken dinners.

    Sausage Apple Sage Dressing

    Jiffy Cornbread Dressing – The Feathered Nester

    A white baking dish full of cornbread dressing with a large serving spoon.

    Jiffy Cornbread Dressing is a Thanksgiving staple that’s easy and delicious! Make your holidays a breeze with this Southern dressing recipe.

    Jiffy Cornbread Dressing

    Frequently asked questions:

    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 many folks use the terms interchangeably. It also depends on where you grew up. The majority of folks in the South call it dressing, and in the North, generally, stuffing is the term of choice. 

    While most of these recipes are called dressing, most can easily be stuffed inside your turkey, and then they will be stuffing! 

    Is homemade stuffing or dressing better than purchased?

    My answer is it depends on who is making the dressing, what the ingredients are, and what recipe is used. It also depends on how busy you are and your personal preference.

    In the past, homemade dressing and stuffing with fresh ingredients were much better than what you could buy at the store. However, these days most grocery stores and many restaurants offer premade dressing and stuffing around the holidays, which are really good.

    So if you find yourself in a time crunch, don’t hesitate to purchase your dressing already made.

    What is the most popular base for dressing or stuffing?

    At least in the South, the most popular base is cornbread. However, packaged stuffing mixes such as Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Mixes and Stove Top Stuffing Mix are gaining in popularity and are showing up in more recipes.

    What to serve with dressing or stuffing?

    Besides the popular main holiday dishes you associate with when you think of stuffing and dressing, they can also be used to turn ordinary main dishes into entrees you would be proud to serve at a holiday meal or for a special occasion.

    Examples include Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Mushrooms and Bacon and Braciole Pork with a Twist.

    More Thanksgiving recipes:

    • A collage of four turkey recipes, including smoked, roulade, and spatchcocked.
      42 Easy, No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes for a Stress-Free Feast
    • A collage of 4 Thanksgiving side dishes including mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and green bean casserole.
      38 Ultimate Southern Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes – 2024
    • A collage of sweet potato recipes including a pie, soup, and two casseroles.
      14 Sweet and Savory Sweet Potato Recipes
    • Thanksgiving dessert collage including pumpkin flan and eggnog cake.
      50 Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Desserts – 2024

    Christmas recipes:

    Because Christmas is right around the corner!

    • Beef tenderloin, green beans and cranberry cake.
      30+ Easy And Elegant Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas and Recipes
    • A collage of six different christmas appetizers including cranberry brie bites.
      48 Make-Ahead Christmas Appetizers 2024
    • Five Christmas desserts including a cranberry cheesecake, gingerbread cookies and a gingerbread cake.
      40 Best Christmas Dessert Recipes 2024
    • A collage of six Christmas breakfast dishes including eggs benedict casserole and ambrosia.
      35 Make-Ahead Christmas Breakfasts 2024

    And, if you like to give homemade edible gifts to the foodies in your life, check out this collection of recipes: 31 Easy Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts

    ★★★★★ 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! I hope you come back soon!

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    • A slice of cottage cheese egg bake on a serving spatula over the baked casserole.
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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, content creator, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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