While there’s nothing wrong with undoctored boxed stuffing, there are very simple ways to make it taste amazing! Keep reading for some simple and affordable ideas to upgrade boxed stuffing.

How to doctor up boxed stuffing: A few simple tweaks can take boxed stuffing from boring to extraordinary!

Why Doctor Up Boxed Stuffing?

A lot of Thanksgiving foods – turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce – are one-dimensional in flavor. That is, every bite is the same, whether you eat a little or a lot.

With boxed stuffing, every bite tastes the same.

But there are SO MANY OPTIONS for adding ingredients to stuffing that make it taste better. To make every bite a little different.

Read THIS Before Doing Anything To Boxed Stuffing

Remember: Boxed stuffing is already salted and spiced. Stove Top, Pepperidge Farm, Great Value, Essential Everyday, Brownberry, Hy Vee, and other brands of boxed stuffing are already seasoned.

Adding salt, chicken broth, garlic powder or any other seasoning to boxed stuffing will make it more salty. If you plan on adding any of these ingredients to your stuffing, start with a little bit and go from there.

Instead, consider adding additional ingredients to your stuffing, like fresh herbs, vegetables, fruit, and meat. Keep reading for specific ideas.

How to doctor up boxed stuffing: Make this herb and mushroom stuffing with two simple add-ins.

40 + Ways To Upgrade Boxed Stuffing

Start by preparing the stuffing according to the instructions on the box. Then, follow instructions for adding the following to the prepared stuffing:

Add some chopped fresh (or dried) herbs:

  • Parsley
  • Chives
  • Sage
  • Rosemary
  • Scallions

Sauté or roast fresh vegetables in butter and fold any of the following into the stuffing:

  • Onions
  • Shallots
  • Leeks
  • Fresh garlic
  • Celery
  • Mushrooms
  • Sweet potato
  • Parsnips
  • Corn kernels
  • Red bell pepper
  • Jalapenos
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Water chestnuts
  • Chestnuts
  • Carrots

Adding sautéed carrots and onions to boxed stuffing is a simple and inexpensive upgrade.

Sauté fresh fruit and fold into the stuffing:

  • Apples
  • Figs
  • Apricots
  • Pears (with sautéed onions, below)

Boxed stuffing with pears and onions. Click through for 40+ boxed stuffing upgrade ideas!

Add cooked/browned meat to stuffing:

  • Bacon
  • Pork sausage
  • Ground beef
  • Giblets
  • Ring bologna or smoked sausage (diced)
  • Crispy pancetta
  • Chorizo

Note: Since many of these meats are quite salty, start by adding a small amount and go from there.

Add additional ingredients to stuffing:

Simple applesauce stuffing recipe, made with seasoned bread cubes and applesauce.

Creative Ingredient Combinations To Add To Boxed Stuffing

  • Bacon and fig
  • Pancetta and pear
  • Apple, sage, and pecan
  • Dried cranberries and bacon
  • Mushroom, onion, and parsley
  • Garlic and rosemary
  • Roasted sweet potato and Brussels sprouts
  • Chorizo and corn

Making boxed stuffing better is simple. Just remember to proceed with caution when adding salty ingredients (chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, etc.) – and have fun getting creative with various add-ins.