How To Doctor Up Boxed Stuffing
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.
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.
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
Sauté fresh fruit and fold into the stuffing:
- Apples
- Figs
- Apricots
- Pears (with sautéed onions, below)
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:
- Toasted pecans
- Toasted walnuts
- Toasted almonds
- Coconut (dried flaked – either sweetened or unsweetened)
- Dried cranberries
- Farro
- Oysters
- Wild rice
- Applesauce (my all-time favorite stuffing recipe!)
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.
Hi can I add a little extra dried bread to the stuffing mix? If yes how much extra bread?
Hello! Yes, you can certainly add more dried bread to the stuffing mix. There’s no limit, really – but you’ll definitely need to add more moisture (water or broth) or the stuffing will be really dry.