A Definitive Ranking of Boxed Stuffing Mixes (2024)

No, you don’t need to make everything from scratch on Thanksgiving. In this holiday edition of our taste test series, we’re sharing the supermarket staples worthy of your holiday spread. Take a task or two off your plate by substituting boxed versions—we’ve found the best options.

It wasn’t until I was an embarrassing number of years into my alleged adulthood that I learned there are people out there who actually make stuffing themselves from scratch. Those people, I learned, spend hours tearing, dicing, preheating, melting, mixing, and roasting. And the stuffing they labor over is delicious.

Delicious, but also different. Homemade stuffing is decidedly not boxed stuffing, and sometimes I find myself craving that very specific taste I grew up on, looking forward to the occasions when it would appear under roast chickens, and of course, in a great big baking dish on Thanksgiving.

Boxed stuffing is just more convenient than homemade, and when you’re fretting over the rest of an extensive meal, convenience goes a long way. To make sure you get the best one, we tried seven boxed stuffings in a blind taste test. We tested both cornbread stuffings and traditional preparations, and judged them all on texture and flavor. The highs were high, the lows low, but in the end one boxed stuffing came out on top.

Photograph by Isa Zapata

The Mushy Loser: Trader Joe’s Cornbread Stuffing Mix

What’s inside: Although it's a cornbread stuffing, the Trader Joe’s mix has both toasted white bread and cornbread croutons. Besides a spat of spices for seasoning, the ingredients list here is relatively simple—“I might just take this one home with me,” said food editor Shilpa Uskokovic.

The verdict: Unfortunately, despite Shilpa’s tentative endorsem*nt, tasters were put off by the appearance of Trader Joe’s cornbread stuffing: Bright, mustardy yellow, with perfectly square, processed looking cubes of bread. It bordered on liquidy—almost like a bread soup—in the pan, and first bites didn’t point to much improvement. Recipe production assistant Carly Westerfield said it tasted like it had been stored in plastic bins, and associate cooking editor Antara Sinha also noticed a “plasticky aftertaste going on.” Trader Joe’s stuffing mix was zero for three, but the nail in the coffin was the look of betrayal in food editor Jesse Szewczyk’s eyes as he looked up after taking his first bite.

A Definitive Ranking of Boxed Stuffing Mixes (2024)

FAQs

A Definitive Ranking of Boxed Stuffing Mixes? ›

Best Overall: Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing Mix. Our top-performing stuffing proved excellent when served straight off of the stove and after some time in the oven. Pepperidge Farm uses both white and wheat bread to make its stuffing cubes, and the contrast shows through in flavor and in texture.

What brand of stuffing is the best? ›

Best Overall: Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing Mix. Our top-performing stuffing proved excellent when served straight off of the stove and after some time in the oven. Pepperidge Farm uses both white and wheat bread to make its stuffing cubes, and the contrast shows through in flavor and in texture.

What company makes stove top stuffing? ›

Kraft Heinz

What is the original stove top stuffing? ›

When Stove Top was introduced in 1972 it was the first stuffing mix containing all the ingredients needed to typical dressing in one box. The mixture of vegetables, seasonings, herbs, spices, and baked stuffing crumbs came together in 15 minutes.

Should stuffing be soft or crunchy? ›

Speaking of texture, that's what stuffing is all about--you want a mix of crispy and soft pieces. We recommend adding stock a little at a time--1/2 cup to 1 cup, depending on how much stuffing you're making--and waiting for the bread to absorb the liquid before adding more.

Is stove top stuffing made by Kraft? ›

Stove Top - Bread Dressing | Kraft Heinz.

Should stuffing be moist or dry? ›

Stuffing should be moist, not dry, because heat destroys bacteria more rapidly in a moist environment. Once the bird is stuffed, it should be placed immediately in an oven set no lower than 325°F. Check out the cooking chart for recommended cooking times for stuffed turkey of various sizes.

Why is Stove Top stuffing banned in some countries? ›

Making stuffing with Kraft Stove Top Stuffing takes a mere five minutes. But the popular mix contains the preservatives BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which have raised concerns due to suspicions of potential carcinogenic properties and their potential to hinder blood clotting.

Why is Stove Top stuffing so good? ›

Rich with double chicken stock, tons of butter, and handfuls of aromatics, it is in my opinion the best cornbread dressing in the world.

Who made Stove Top stuffing before Kraft? ›

— The 1953 home economics Purdue graduate, the late Ruth Siems, is credited with inventing Stove Top stuffing, a modern day staple in Thanksgiving and every-day meals alike.

Why is my Stove Top stuffing mushy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

Do you have to use butter in Stove Top stuffing? ›

Read directions on your favorite stuffing mix box. Add enough hot water to the broth to make up the required liquid needed. (Omit butter the recipe calls for as it was already used to saute vegetables.) Pour over stuffing/vegetables mixture and mix well.

Should stuffing be covered when baking? ›

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until crispy. Uncover the stuffing and continue baking until the top is crispy and golden-brown, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Why put eggs in stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

Is it better to make stuffing the night before? ›

Absolutely. Most Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made at least partially in advance since: A) They're easily assembled a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving Day; and B) They're often baked using a two-step process (once covered with foil to cook through, then uncovered to achieve a crispy top).

Where is stuffing the most popular? ›

In Southeastern states like Alabama and Georgia, "cornbread dressing" is the most searched. A bit more surprising is the fact that "cornbread stuffing" is also the most searched stuffing much farther north in Oregon, Michigan, Maine, and a handful of other states.

Can you buy ready made stuffing? ›

Formed with breadcrumbs, onion and herbs, these frozen stuffing balls are packed full of flavour and suitable for vegetarians. It's a win-win situation! No prep but tonnes of flavour, this stuffing is ready in just 25 minutes. Smoothe in your favourite gravy and you've got the perfect side dish to your roast.

Is it better to make stuffing with fresh or dry bread? ›

Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing. Either dry out your bread starting a few days before you plan to make the stuffing by letting it sit out or, if you don't have the extra time, cut the bread into cubes, and then toast over a low heat in the oven until dry.

Is stuffing better in or out of turkey? ›

For this reason, many experts recommend baking the stuffing outside the bird, where it can easily be cooked to 165°F and is less likely to harbor bacteria.

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