Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, one thing’s for sure—no Thanksgiving table is complete without it. When it comes to stuffing, what you put in it is really up to you, but in general, most stuffings have similar elements in them. Here’s what you should put into stuffing.
Simple Starch or Grain
For the grain, there are a lot of options to choose from including bread cubes, barely sweetened cornbread, gluten-fee or keto bread, wild rice, long grain rice, millet, barley, farro, or wheatberries.
Star Ingredients
The star ingredient will set your stuffing above the rest and it can include leeks, mushrooms, bacon, oysters, apples, or sausage.
Aromatics
This is usually onion, celery, and carrot. In Caribbean and Cajun cooking, they use green bell pepper in place of carrot for a bit less sweetness and more edge.
Herbs and Spices
The herbs and spices bring the textures and flavors together. For stuffings, dried spices may be better because they won’t wilt in the oven. And when it comes to spices, it’s best to keep it simple and not to overdue it.
Additional Flavors and Textures
These pops of flavor and textures add an element of surprise and can include hints of tanginess or sweetness or some crunch and acidity.
