Looking to Make Thanksgiving Easier? Here's What to Know About Freezing Stuffing (2024)

Looking to Make Thanksgiving Easier? Here's What to Know About Freezing Stuffing (1)

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Ree Drummond's dressing recipe (or "stuffing" as some people would call it) is an exceptionally beautiful thing. "A real feast for the senses," she says.

But just like any good Thanksgiving recipe, making stuffing always seems to bring up a few very important questions, like how to dry your own bread cubes for stuffing? What's the difference between stuffing and dressing? And can you make stuffing in a slow cooker? (The answer is yes!) Another Thanksgiving question that comes to mind is: can you freeze stuffing?

While some people might be wondering if you can freeze stuffing for their make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes, others might simply be wondering what the heck they'll do with all that extra leftover stuffing! Ahead, you'll find out more about freezing stuffing for both scenarios (before and after your stuffing is cooked). So, go ahead and pick out your favorite stuffing recipe (anything from apple-cranberry stuffing to sausage stuffing to stuffing made with chorizo and poblanos), then find out how to freeze the stuffing for easy Thanksgiving prep. Or check out how long your cooked stuffing will last in the freezer for your Thanksgiving leftovers!

Looking to Make Thanksgiving Easier? Here's What to Know About Freezing Stuffing (2)

Can you freeze stuffing?

The short answer is yes, you can freeze your Thanksgiving stuffing! And it actually freezes really well. Just like with freezing mashed potatoes or freezing pumpkin pie, keeping stuffing in the freezer is a great time-saving trick. Phew, now that we got that squared away, you might be wondering just how to do it.

Should you freeze stuffing before or after baking?

The good news is that you can freeze stuffing either before and after cooking! It all just depends on your preferences.

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Looking to Make Thanksgiving Easier? Here's What to Know About Freezing Stuffing (3)

If you want to prepare your stuffing in advance of Thanksgiving, freezing it uncooked will ensure it stays nice and moist. Simply follow the steps of your stuffing recipe, but before baking it, wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil to make it air tight. Store in the freezer until you're ready to bake. When you're ready to reheat, just pop the stuffing straight in the oven (no need to thaw).

Does leftover stuffing freeze well?

Like we said, you can also freeze stuffing after it's baked. This option is better for freezing leftovers rather than prepping ahead. If you happened to make too much stuffing, you can portion the leftovers into food storage containers and pop in the freezer to enjoy during the days to come.

How long does stuffing last in the freezer?

According to the USDA, Thanksgiving leftovers will last in the freezer "indefinitely," but it's best to reheat your leftover stuffing within approximately three months for the best taste and texture.

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Looking to Make Thanksgiving Easier? Here's What to Know About Freezing Stuffing (2024)

FAQs

Looking to Make Thanksgiving Easier? Here's What to Know About Freezing Stuffing? ›

Simply follow the steps of your stuffing recipe, but before baking it, wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil to make it air tight. Store in the freezer until you're ready to bake. When you're ready to reheat, just pop the stuffing straight in the oven (no need to thaw).

How to freeze stuffing before Thanksgiving? ›

Transfer stuffing to buttered baking dish, cover with foil, and freeze until Thanksgiving (or for up to 3 months). Whenever you're ready, transfer to the oven to bake.

Is it better to freeze stuffing, cooked or uncooked? ›

It is safe to freeze uncooked stuffing; however, the ingredients must be combined, put into a shallow container, and frozen immediately. To use it, do not thaw before cooking. Cook from the frozen state until the stuffing reaches 165°F.

How long can you freeze stuffing for? ›

Properly stored, stuffing will last in the freezer for 3 months. Now that you know how to freeze stuffing, you'll be ready to get holiday meal prep done ahead of time and make the most of your leftovers. Start with our best stuffing recipes and you'll be ready for Thanksgiving.

Can you prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it? ›

It is safe to freeze uncooked stuffing. Ingredients can be combined, put into a shallow container, and frozen immediately. To use it safely, do not thaw it before cooking.

How to thaw out frozen stuffing? ›

The second piece of good news is that you can pull the stuffing out of the freezer and reheat it like new. Martha Stewart, the queen of home cooking, recommends heating your oven to 325 degrees and placing your stuffing inside for for about 15 minutes. And that's it!

How do you reheat frozen Thanksgiving stuffing? ›

If your stuffing is frozen, make sure to thaw it completely first. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place stuffing in a baking dish and cover with foil. Cook for about 45 minutes, or until warm all the way through.

Is it better to make stuffing the day before? ›

Just mix the stuffing ingredients together and store in the fridge, freeing up time and reducing stress on Thanksgiving Day, when you're dealing with all the other prep! Try make-ahead stuffing this Thanksgiving to save time and oven space. Who doesn't love a low-maintenance side dish?

How wet should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Can you freeze uncooked dressing with eggs? ›

Yes, you can freeze dressing in advance of the Thanksgiving feast. There are two ways to go about it: You can prepare the recipe up until the point of baking, then freeze. Or bake the dressing according to the recipe, allow it to cool completely, and freeze.

How to crisp up stuffing? ›

Bring the baked stuffing to room temperature so that it will reheat evenly (about 30 minutes). Preheat the oven to 350 F and warm the dish covered for 30 to 40 minutes, until it is heated through. To recreate the crispy top found in freshly-baked stuffing, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of the baking time.

Can mashed potatoes be frozen? ›

Yes! In fact, mashed potatoes are of the most freezer-friendly potato preparations out there. The key is to coat your potatoes with plenty of butter and cream. The fat from the dairy will protect the potatoes in the freezer and help them retain their flavor.

How long is leftover stuffing safe to eat? ›

Use stuffing and gravy within two days of cooking. Side dishes: 5 days. Enjoy miscellaneous side dishes up to five days after cooking, depending on the ingredients included in the dishes.

How to know when stuffing is done? ›

How do you safely cook stuffing? The stuffed meat, poultry, or stuffing in a casserole should be placed immediately after preparation in an oven set no lower than 325 °F. A food thermometer should be used to ensure that the stuffing reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

Can you eat uncooked sage and onion stuffing? ›

This is a guide only. Oven cook 220°C / Fan 200°C / Gas 6 25-30 mins Unused cooked stuffing should be refrigerated and used within 1 day. Warnings: Do not consume raw.

How long can you keep homemade stuffing? ›

Stuffing/dressing: If stored properly in the fridge, stuffing or dressing is good to eat up to three to four days after you cooked it. But it'll last about a month in the freezer.

Can you vacuum seal stuffing and freeze? ›

Start with your stuffing - for short-term storage, spoon the contents of your side into a vacuum sealer bag, then remove the air and place in the fridge. Keep the stuffing in the freezer if you want to further extend its shelf life. This process works for any non-liquid based side, like vegetables, meats or desserts.

Can you freeze dressing with eggs in it? ›

Yes, you can freeze dressing in advance of the Thanksgiving feast. There are two ways to go about it: You can prepare the recipe up until the point of baking, then freeze. Or bake the dressing according to the recipe, allow it to cool completely, and freeze.

Why can't you make stuffing ahead of time? ›

You haven't said whether you are going to cook the stuffing inside the bird or out, but it's fine to make almost any stuffing a few hours before you'll need it. The important thing is to keep it properly chilled so that bacteria won't have a chance to grow in it.

How do you freeze dry stuffing? ›

Stuffing can also be freeze dried and easily rehydrated. Just spread a layer on the trays, process, and store in an air tight container. When it's time to serve, add warm water until the stuffing returns to its original consistency.

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