20 Make-Ahead Stuffing Recipes

These make-ahead stuffing recipes (prepped one or two days early!) will help set up a successful and low-stress Thanksgiving day. Capitalize on the flavors of the season with these Thanksgiving stuffing recipes that feature bread, rice, or grains. Add them to your Thanksgiving menu and prepare for the ooh's and aah's.
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Garlic Rosemary Dressing

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Dressing or stuffing? Either way this dish is delicious! Tart red cranberries give this Thanksgiving stuffing a slightly sweet flavor. Add them just before serving so they keep their texture. 

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Double Corn-Corn Bread Stuffing

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This corn bread stuffing recipe gets a double dose of corn thanks to homemade corn bread cubes and 3 full cups of fresh corn kernels. Stir in spinach, red onion, and parsley, and this so-good make-ahead stuffing strays far from tradition in a satisfying way.

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Olive Bread Stuffing with Fennel

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Artisanal olive bread, buttered mushrooms, and a sprinkling of fresh herbs come together to give deep rustic flavor to this Thanksgiving stuffing. Put the ingredients together up to 2 days before your big meal for easy prep on turkey day.

Tip: Uncover for the last 20 minutes for an extra-crunchy top.

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Caramelized Onion and Carrot Stuffing

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Chances are you've got a bag of carrots in the fridge. The colorful vegetable stars in this make-ahead stuffing recipe. Dress it up with plenty of fresh sage and sourdough bread. 

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Cranberry-Apple Corn Bread Stuffing

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Layer sweet and savory fall flavors for a memorable cranberry stuffing recipe that will make everyone want seconds. Use corn bread crumbles for the base, add sweet cranberries and apples for fresh flavor, then cover and chill for up to 24 hours.

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Wild Rice Dressing

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Wild and white rice replace traditional bread in this Thanksgiving stuffing recipe. Alongside conventional carrots and celery, port-soaked cranberries and toasted almonds add color and flavor to this unique side dish.

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Apple, Bacon, and Onion Stuffing Muffins

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No more fighting over the crispy edges! These individual stuffing cups ensure everyone gets the best bit. Make them ahead and reheat them 20 minutes before Thanksgiving dinner. 

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Oysters Rockefeller Sourdough Stuffing

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This stuffing recipe is filled with all the classic components of oysters Rockefeller: spinach, Parmesan, and oysters, of course! We've also tossed in a bit of bacon for even more flavor. Serve the finished dish with hot sauce so your guests can adjust the heat. 

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Paella-Style Stuffing

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Add a bit of Spanish flair to your Thanksgiving menu! This savory stuffing get bold flavor from chorizo sausage, green olive, and saffron. A mix of bread and rice gives this holiday dressing unique texture. Serve it in a classic paella pan or low skillet. 

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Roasted Chestnut Stuffing

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No need to roast chestnuts over an open fire. Get the same toasted nutty flavor in this hearty make-ahead stuffing!

Tip: Drizzle an additional 1/4 cup chicken broth to moisten the reheated stuffing.

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Barley-Butternut Squash Dressing

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A twist on traditional stuffing, accents of smoky bacon and sweet red peppers shine through in this simple side. Spoon this butternut squash and nutty barley-based dressing into a baking dish, cover, and set it aside until an hour before the big Thanksgiving meal.

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Savory Butternut Squash Dressing

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Rich, orange butternut squash and ripe, red cranberries shine through this fall favorite. A mixture of egg, half-and-half, and chicken broth creates an extra-moist stuffing for Thanksgiving.

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Carrot-Mushroom Stuffing

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Rosemary and soy sauce dress up this herb-seasoned recipe. Green onions, fresh shiitake mushrooms, and shredded carrots brighten up the flavors and colors of this make-ahead Thanksgiving stuffing.

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Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing

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Reminisce in the comfort of this traditional stuffing recipe that uses celery, onion, and carrots to give flavor to toasted white bread cubes. The updated features: It can be prepared up to 24 hours before mealtime or can be made in a slow cooker.

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Squash-Mushroom and Farro Dressing

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Almost a meal itself, this stuffing recipe boasts hearty ingredients like farro, squash, and pancetta. Add it to your Thanksgiving menu with fresh sides like a green salad and roasted vegetables. 

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Apple, Bacon, and Leek Stuffing

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Sweet and savory come together in this Thanksgiving side dish. Prepare the fall apples, salty bread crumbs, and savory leeks and mushrooms in this make-ahead turkey stuffing up to 1 day before the holiday meal.

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Creamy Barley and Chard Dressing

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Fall flavors shine in this bread-free stuffing recipe. Barley, a hearty grain, gives this Thanksgiving side dish great texture and lets the season's best produce take center stage. Finish the dish with crunchy walnuts. 

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Harvest Fruit and Cheese Stuffing

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This Thanksgiving, fruit isn't just for dessert! Whip up a savory stuffing recipe that's loaded with sweet pears, cherries, and apricots. White cheddar cheese perfectly balances the fall fruits. 

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Porcini-Chestnut Stuffing

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This loading stuffing recipe is so much more than a side. Freshly roasted chestnuts give this hearty Thanksgiving stuffing unique flavor and crunch. Add even more flavor with dried porcini mushrooms, salami, and Parmesan cheese. 

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Wild Mushroom-Herb Bread Pudding

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Save prep time on this herbed focaccia bread stuffing by prepping the dish and chilling it for up to 24 hours before baking and serving. This vegetarian stuffing recipe is perfect for a holiday brunch or an easy side dish.

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