Make Ahead Stuffing

The holidays are a busy time. Less time spent in the kitchen on those special occasions is definitely a win for everyone! This make ahead stuffing is one way to reduce your workload and be able to actually enjoy visiting with your company.

The more you can do ahead, the less stress there is on the day of. Whether you call this dressing or stuffing, it’s one thing you’ll be able to cross off your to-do list. 

When you pair this with our make ahead garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn casserole, you can make most of your holiday meal ahead of the big day.

Make Ahead Freezer Stuffing Recipe:

• half a loaf of white bread, sliced (approx. 8-10 slices)
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 Tbsp. butter
• salt and pepper, divided
• 3/4 tsp. poultry seasoning
• 1/2 cup chicken broth/turkey broth

1. Lay out bread slices the night before, so they dry out slightly.
2. Cube bread into half inch cubes and place in a large bowl.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté onion and celery over medium heat until just starting to soften, approx. 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour onion mixture into bread. Gently combine onion mixture and bread cubes.
5. In small sessions, pausing to gently mix, sprinkle poultry seasoning and more salt and pepper evenly throughout the bread and onion mixture.
6. Again, pausing to gently mix, slowly add chicken broth.
7. Place mixture in buttered 8×8 foil pan and top with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze. Alternatively, the mixture can be placed in a large freezer bag.
8. Gently remove excess air without flattening bread cubes. Seal and freeze.

1. Thaw.
2. Remove plastic wrap, and cover with foil.
3. Place in the oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Serve with or without gravy.This stuffing is perfect for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, Easter, or just a nice family sit down meal. It goes well with:

• turkey
• mashed potatoes
• sweet potato casserole
• cauliflower
• cranberry sauce
• gravy
• garden salad

• If your turkey is in the oven at 325°, the stuffing can also go in at that temperature, but increase the cooking time to 60 minutes.
• If you want to stuff your turkey with this stuffing, omit the chicken broth. Follow directions for cooking a stuffed bird.

Variations to this freezer stuffing:

• If you’re allergic to celery like I am, you can substitute roughly chopped water chestnuts. 
• Dry the bread cubes on a tray in a 200° oven for one hour instead of leaving them out overnight. 
• Use a combination of white or French bread and dark rye bread for a nice colour and flavour contrast.

Can you make stuffing ahead of time?

Yes! You can either make stuffing the night before and put in the fridge overnight and cook the day of serving or you can make it as directed above and keep in the freezer for weeks or months ahead.

Can you freeze stuffing?

You can freeze stuffing or dressing. It tastes best if it’s frozen before cooking and then thawed and baked. This stuffing will keep in the freezer for up to three months.

This makes it just what you need to make before the holiday season gets busy. This make ahead dressing for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter makes those days easier.

Can you freeze leftover stuffing?

You can freeze leftover stuffing. Allow it to fully cool before storing in a freezer bag or airtight container. Be sure to remove excess air before freezing.

We made this stuffing along with many other make ahead holiday side dishes in the video below:

Print

Make Ahead Freezer Stuffing

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

 

Course: Side Dish

Keyword: stuffing

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• half loaf white bread sliced (approx. 8-10 slices)
• 1/2 onion diced
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 3 Tbsp. butter
• salt and pepper divided
• 3/4 tsp. poultry seasoning
• 1/2 cup chicken broth/turkey broth

Instructions

Assembly instructions:

1. Lay out bread slices the night before so they dry out slightly.

2. Cube bread into half inch cubes and place in a large bowl.

3. In a large skillet, sauté onion and celery in butter over medium heat until just starting to soften, approx. 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour onion mixture into bread. Gently combine onion mixture and bread cubes.
5. In small sessions, pausing to gently mix, sprinkle poultry seasoning and more salt and pepper evenly throughout the bread and onion mixture.
6. Again, pausing to gently mix, slowly add chicken broth.
7. Place mixture in buttered 8x8 foil pan and top with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze. Alternatively, the mixture can be placed in a large freezer bag.
8. Gently remove excess air without flattening bread cubes. Seal and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

1. Thaw.
2. Remove plastic wrap, and cover with foil.

3. Cook at 350° for 45 minutes.