When it comes to Thanksgiving, there is perhaps no better dish than stuffing. So simple yet oh so delicious, stuffing is the perfect addition to the Thanksgiving dinner, and is a firm favorite for many.
While stuffing might be easy to make, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to follow the right recipe – many of which have been written by Ina Garten, the host of Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa, and a celebrated author and chef in her own right.
But this begs the question: what are the best stuffing recipes online today, and what makes them so special?
After some research, I have listed some of the best Ina Garten stuffing recipes online, as well as several inspired by her work.
Each of them offers something a little different, but each allowing you to make an unforgettable stuffing to enjoy.
First on our list we have Ina Garten’s herb and apple stuffing – perhaps one of her most famous stuffing dishes, and one that remains popular amongst fans of the Food Network show.
To make this delicious stuffing, the first thing you need to do is to bake your bread cubes for 7 minutes at 289 degrees fahrenheit, and leave them to sit.
Then melt butter, add onions, celery, apple, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper, and then saute until the mixture is soft.
Then all you need to do is combine this with the bread cubes, adding the chicken stock and the almonds (if you want them), before stuffing them into the main cavity of the turkey and cooking for 2 ½ hours at 356 degrees fahrenheit.
For something that combines the old with the new, this is really one you will want to try!
Next we have Ina Garten’s most famous stuffing dish – the sausage and herb stuffing – which stands as her most popular and widely imitated dish online.
This is the dish most people look for when planning Thanksgiving, and it really isn’t hard to see why.
We once again begin by cutting out bread into small cubes, and cooking them for 7 minutes at roughly 289 degrees fahrenheit.
We then melt the butter in a large sauteing pan, before adding chopped onions, celery, parsley, apple, salt, and pepper.
This should be sauteed over a medium heat for ten minutes, before adding the bread cubes, as well as the sausage meat, into the same pan.
Add chicken stock and cranberries to the mix, before stirring well, pouring onto a baking tray, and then placing in the oven to cook for approximately 30 minutes on a medium heat.
Now for something a little different… This Ina Garten-inspired recipe might be a little polarizing for some of you, but it is a great, traditional recipe that has long been a part of Thanksgiving celebrations throughout the United States.
With a focus on the giblets of the turkey, this can sound a bit off putting, but when done right it can soon become one of your new favorite dishes – all while utilizing one of the most underloved parts of the turkey.
By chopping the giblets into small pieces, melting butter over a medium heat, adding celery and onions, before stirring in poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, and any herbs you have to hand, this can soon become a tasty, wholesome, and delightful stuffing recipe that you can use for your seasonal celebrations.
What’s more, this is perfect for those looking for a classic Thanksgiving recipe!
Inspired by Ina Garten’s delectable stuffing recipe, this one is a must have at any Thanksgiving dinner – or indeed any function that is serving hot food (see also “Best Ina Garten Stuffed Mushroom Recipes“).
To make this great dish, you first need to preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, place cubes of white and brown bread on a baking tray, and allow them to cook for 5 to 7 minutes until lightly toasted.
Next, cook the sausage meat and the onions in a large pan on a medium heat for approximately 8 minutes, before adding celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
This should be cooked and stirred until blended, and should take roughly two minutes.
Then combine the sausage mixture with the bread, before adding chopped apple, dried cranberries, parsley, and turkey liver, before covering with turkey stock, butter, and adding to the turkey ready for cooking.
This recipe is a great addition to any Thanksgiving dinner, and as the name suggests, adds a little elegance and high society dining to even the humblest tables.
First you need to bring some raisins and orange liqueur to the boil – this is where the little touch of ‘elegance’ comes from. Meanwhile, melt some butter in a separate pan, before sauteing some onions and celery for ten minutes.
Next cook the sausage meat over a medium heat, before draining and combining with the other mixture.
Stir in the raisins and the liqueur, as well as pecans and apples, before icing with melted butter, chicken broth, more orange liqueur, and any seasoning you might want.
Another dish inspired by Ina Garten’s great stuffing dishes, this buttery herb stuffing really is a great addition to any Thanksgiving table, and offers the perfect combination of crunch, richness, and all the comfort you could want from holiday food.
As usual, cook the bread cubes on 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes (or until lightly toasted), before allowing to sit.
Next, melt some butter in a pan, before stirring in onions, celery, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
After around 10 minutes (or when they are soft), add the sage, parsley, and rosemary, allowing to cook for a further minute, before adding a cup of stock.
Pour this over the bread cubes, and then add 2 eggs and more stock, before mixing well and placing in the oven to bake for 50 minutes – or until the stuffing reaches 165 degrees F internally.
On the face of it, this might not sound like a great addition to Thanksgiving, but believe me when I say that names can be deceiving.
For this recipe, you can begin by allowing bread to air dry for approximately 2 hours. While you are doing this, you can then melt your butter, adding celery and onions, and saute until soft.
Season with poultry seasoning, add salt and pepper, combine with bread cubes, and cover with chicken broth.
Next, place in an oven safe casserole dish, and bake in the oven for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Last but not least, we have this traditional stuffing recipe, which is a great addition to any table, and shows that you cannot beat a classic.
To make this dish, preheat the oven to 225 degrees F, and lay out your bread cubes on a tray to bake until lightly toasted.
Next, melt your butter in a large skillet, before adding onions, celery, and garlic, and cooking for 10 minutes.
Then add sage, thyme (cooking for 2 more minutes), before adding broth, eggs, salt and pepper into a separate bowl, and allow to sit for a moment.
Next combine the bread with the onion mix, before adding the egg mixture, before covering with foil and baking for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Final Thoughts
It’s true that, within the fabric of American culture and cuisine, stuffing holds a firm and warm spot in the hearts of many – being a pivotal dish within the celebration of Thanksgiving.
However, without the right recipes, this dream can soon become a nightmare.
So if you are wanting to make the perfect stuffing at home, then be sure to check out these handy recipes. Something tells me you won’t be disappointed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we have looked at some of the best recipes around, we will now answer some frequently asked questions that you might be interested in.
Is Stuffing Hard To Make?
One of the best things about stuffing is just how easy it is to make at home for your family.
Can You Make Stuffing Ahead Of Time?
The great thing about stuffing is that it can not only be made ahead of time, but it can also be frozen until such a time when you need it.
How Wet Should It Be Before Baking?
The stuffing should be moist before baking, but not wet. If there is too much moisture in the bottom of the pan, then you need to add more bread.
Conversely, if the mix seems too dry, then add more water to moisten it.
I'm Barbara Hunt, the founder of WomenChefs.org. Being a mom of two, I understand the challenges of meal planning and the monotony it can bring.
That's why I created WomenChefs.org, a platform dedicated to showcasing the skills and delicious dishes crafted by amazing women. My goal is to provide a space where women can find delectable recipes that tantalize their taste buds and ignite their senses.
I hope you'll join me in exploring WomenChefs.org and discovering your next favorite recipe. Let's embrace culinary diversity and try something new together!
