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!
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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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.
FAQs
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.
What is the best way to freeze stuffing? ›
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.
Should you freeze or refrigerate stuffing? ›
If you don't plan on stuffing the bird, but preparing the dressing as a side dish, you can prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time as long as you freeze the stuffing immediately after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing.
How long can you keep uncooked stuffing in the fridge? ›
Do not refrigerate uncooked stuffing. If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.
Can I freeze stuffing with raw eggs? ›
Does Stuffing Need to Be Cooked Before Freezing? Stuffing can be frozen either fully cooked or uncooked, which is good news if you're looking for some make-ahead recipes to save time on the big day.
How do you moisten frozen stuffing? ›
Add Butter and Broth Before Reheating
Depending on the amount of stuffing you plan to reheat, drizzle a few tablespoons or up to 1/4 cup of chicken or turkey broth into the stuffing to moisten it. Adding a pat of butter to the top of the stuffing before reheating also adds some richness that can be lost with leftovers.
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.
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.
Can stuffing be frozen and reheated? ›
Stuffing. Sure, you can eat leftover stuffing the day after Thanksgiving when you revisit the holiday meal, but this favorite side is one of our favorites to freeze and enjoy later. How to use: Reheat in a 325-degree Fahrenheit oven, covered, for 15 minutes or until warm throughout.
Can you freeze uncooked dressing? ›
If you froze the dressing unbaked, bake for the full allotted amount of time in the morning. If you froze the dressing baked, reheat in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Baked or unbaked dressing will last for 2 to 6 months in the freezer.
Leftover Stuffing and Gravy
Stuffing — which is often soaked through with meat drippings — shouldn't be consumed after a maximum of two days in the fridge. The same two-day rule should be applied to the gravy, which should always be brought to a rolling boil to properly kill bacteria before serving again.
Can you eat stuffing left out overnight? ›
If turkey, stuffing, or gravy is left out at room temperature (40 to 140°F) for over 2 hours it may no longer be safe to eat. Bacteria prospers at this temperature, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
How many cups of stuffing are in a pound? ›
Makes about 9 cups (enough for a 10-to-12-pound turkey). Note: Allow 1 Slider for each pound of turkey, which will be equal to 3/4 cup of stuffing per pound.
Should I cook stuffing before freezing? ›
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.
How to tell if stuffing is done? ›
For optimal safety and uniform doneness, cook stuffing separately. However, if stuffing a turkey, it's essential to use a food thermometer to make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.
Can you freeze raw eggs in Ziploc bags? ›
Whisk up your eggs in a bowl, then pour them into a Ziploc bag. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
Does stove top stuffing freeze well? ›
Uncooked and cooked stuffing can be frozen for about 3 months in the freezer is stored properly. Frozen stuffing can last a little longer, but the texture and taste may change when thawing. You also run the risk of freezer burn.
How do you revive frozen stuffing? ›
Heat the oven to 350°F and transfer the stuffing to an oven-safe dish (or, you can keep it in the dish that it was originally cooked in). If it seems dry, you'll want to add a splash of broth. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake again until crisp, 15–20 minutes.
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 uncooked cornbread stuffing? ›
So the big question is, can you freeze leftover cornbread dressing? You can freeze uncooked dressing or leftover cooked dressing in a freezer-safe container.
