Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s time for the turkey to shine! As the centerpiece to your celebration, there can be a lot of pressure around perfecting your poultry. Once you’ve covered the basics of cooking your turkey, it’s time to learn the ins and outs of stuffing and dressing. Create the tastiest turkey from the inside out when you follow our fool-proof guide to dressing and stuffing!
Dressing vs. Stuffing
To put it simply, stuffing cooks inside the turkey while dressing cooks outside the turkey. Since dressing is cooked in its own pan, it has less of an effect on your turkey, while stuffing can make or break your bird. From flavor to moisture, stuffing can play a huge role in the quality and juiciness of a turkey. Plus, stuffing needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be fully cooked, making it easier to overcook your turkey. That said, when done right, a spectacular stuffing can take your turkey to the next level.
How to Stuff a Turkey
As your oven preheats to 350°F, cut your desired bread into cubes. From cornbread to white bread, the choice is yours. Then, combine the bread cubes with melted butter, sauteed onions and celery, salt, pepper, oregano, and fresh herbs. The herbs you use will enhance the flavor of your turkey, and some popular options include rosemary, thyme, and sage. Stir everything well before adding chicken stock to the mix. If you want to avoid overcooking your turkey, consider baking your stuffing in a separate dish for 10 to 15 minutes in order to give it a head start. Now comes the stuffing! Be sure to avoid packing the stuffing too tight when filling the body cavity, as that can cause uneven cooking. Once your turkey and the stuffing have both reached an internal temperature of 165°F, it’s time to dig in!
How to Make Dressing
Not ready to give stuffing a shot? Dressing is just as delicious but a bit easier to master. Start by following all of the same steps that you would when making a stuffing. Once your bread mixture is thoroughly saturated with chicken stock, pour it into a greased baking dish and cover it with foil. Bake your dressing for about 25 minutes before removing the foil and baking it for an additional five to 10 minutes until the top is golden brown. Serve alongside your turkey and enjoy!
Feeling inspired? Tag us @bristolfarms – we can’t wait to see your creations.