17 easy ways to make stuffing better using things you might already have in your kitchen

• Stuffing is one of the most popular Thanksgiving dinner foods.

• Ingredients like wine, bacon, or even saltine crackers can take your stuffing to the next level.

• You can also switch up what kind of bread you use and opt for cornbread instead.

Everyone has their own preferred way of making Thanksgiving stuffing.

However, a recent WalletHub report projected the average 10-person holiday meal would cost $61.17 this year. So finding creative ways to elevate classic dishes without breaking the bank is more important than ever.

There are many unique, out-of-the-box ingredients that could take your stuffing or dressing to the next level — and you may have a lot of them in your pantry.

Here are 17 easy ways to make stuffing better using things you already have in your kitchen.

Bacon can add a salty, extra savory element to your stuffing.

Rosie Mayes, author of the blog I Heart Recipes, told Business Insider that bacon is an easy and delicious addition to any stuffing recipe.

"You can use many different kinds of meat in stuffing, from chicken to turkey and sausage," she said. "However, you can also use crumbled bacon because bacon adds flavor to everything!"

Using the fat from whatever meat you cook will make your stuffing more moist and flavorful.

"If you add sausage or any other ingredients that you are cooking up separately, it's great to add the cooking fat or drippings to your stuffing for that extra moisture and flavor," Chungah Rhee, author of "Damn Delicious: 100 Super Easy, Super Fast Recipes" and the blog Damn Delicious, told BI.

Seafood is another surprisingly great addition to your stuffing.

In New England, it's traditional to add seafood to stuffing.

"You can add oysters, shrimp, or some people even add scallops to their stuffing," Mayes said.

You can also add turkey giblets.

Instead of throwing away the turkey giblets as you normally might, try repurposing them into the stuffing instead of the traditional sausage.

Mayes said you could also add browned liver to your stuffing for extra flavor.

Depending on what kind of sausage you use, you can change up the flavor of your stuffing.

Although many stuffing recipes call for sweet Italian sausage, you can also switch up the kind of sausage you use.

For example, if you're looking to give your Thanksgiving stuffing recipe an added kick, you could experiment with spicy Italian sausage like this recipe from chef Emeril Lagasse.

Apple slices or cubes can give your stuffing a crisp, tart flavor.

If you don't want to add meat to your stuffing, consider incorporating apples.

Everyone from famous chefs like Ina Garten to bloggers like Rhee of Damn Delicious have shared their own recipes for apple stuffing.

Cranberries also add a fruity element to stuffing.

Cranberries are already a holiday favorite, but they don't need to be limited to just sauce. If you have some extra berries, why not throw them into your stuffing?

The tartness of the cranberries can add flavor, and their bright color makes for a perfect Thanksgiving plate photo opp.

Feel free to switch up what kind of bread you use.

"A mixture of breads such as sourdough, multigrain, whole wheat, or pumpernickel makes for a great stuffing," Rhee told BI.

However, no matter what bread you choose, make sure it's slightly dried so the ingredients are properly absorbed.

"Bread should be dried out," Rhee said. "If you use fresh bread, it will end up soggy or even soupy — we don't want that!"

Cornbread makes for a super flavorful stuffing.

Although sourdough or plain white bread is traditionally used in stuffing, many people use cornbread instead. Cornbread makes for a super flavorful, Southern-inspired stuffing base and perfectly soaks up the broth and other ingredients.

"I usually use cornbread in my stuffing and I always make it the day before," Mayes told BI. "If I forget to make it the day before, I just overcook it for about 10 to 15 minutes to help dry it out."

You can also use crackers for a different texture.

"I usually use regular day-old white bread in my stuffing, but I love to add saltine crackers to give it a little more texture as well," Mayes said.

Cream-based soups can be a flavorful addition.

Instead of using chicken or turkey broth, you can add a ton of flavor to your stuffing by opting for a cream-based soup.

"If you use cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, or cream of celery soup, that's going to add a little moisture and creaminess to your stuffing," Mayes said.

You can also add wine.

If you like a little wine on Thanksgiving, why not add it to your stuffing?

"You can absolutely use a dry white wine in place of stock or even incorporate half stock and half wine for some extra flavor," Rhee told BI.

Most people are traditionalists when it comes to spices, but there are some you can add for a more unique flavor.

"I generally stick to the essentials — thyme, rosemary, parsley, and garlic," Rhee said. "But you could even add some nutmeg or cardamom for a little kick."

Bell peppers can also be added to stuffing for added crunch.

Mayes said that bell peppers are usually a go-to addition to her stuffing. She also likes to use classic vegetables like onions and celery, as well as kale or collard greens.

Pumpkin or squash also adds a nice autumnal flavor.

Pumpkin and butternut squash are two beloved fall fruits that work exceptionally well in stuffing.

To make the perfect pumpkin- or butternut squash-filled stuffing, soften and roast your fruit beforehand to ensure it gets tender before you add it to your stuffing. Otherwise, it might not cook quickly enough.

Brussels sprouts can also be added.

Although carrots, celery, onions, and leeks "cover the basics," you can also add Brussels sprouts to just about any traditional stuffing recipe, said Rhee.

You can also switch up what you cook your stuffing in.

Although many choose to stuff their dressing inside the turkey or bake it in a pan inside the oven, you can also make stuffing in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot.

"Oven stuffing is always great but if you are trying to keep your oven and stovetop reserved for other dishes, a slow-cooker version is another easy and delicious way to make your Thanksgiving stuffing without adding any more stress," Rhee said.

This story was originally published on November 20, 2020, and most recently updated on November 20, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider