There’s one food-related question I hear more than any other during the holiday season. Can you freeze stuffing?
And because none of us knows how to cook for anything less than an army, we always have leftovers.
Turkey stuffing is a cherished part of many Thanksgiving celebrations. The combination of toasted bread, savory vegetables, herbs, and seasonings makes for a comforting side dish. But with all the food at Thanksgiving, it’s not uncommon to have leftovers. So can you freeze turkey stuffing?
The good news is yes turkey stuffing can be frozen both before and after cooking. Freezing helps extend the shelf life so you can enjoy your stuffing longer. Here is a complete guide to freezing turkey stuffing, including how to freeze, storage times, and reheating.
Should You Freeze Stuffing Before or After Cooking?
You can freeze turkey stuffing either raw or cooked, Both have their benefits
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Freezing uncooked: Freezing stuffing before cooking helps it stay extra moist when you go to bake it later. Simply prepare the stuffing as the recipe directs but don’t bake it yet. Instead, transfer the stuffing to a baking dish and wrap tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, bake straight from the freezer.
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Freezing cooked: You can also freeze leftover cooked stuffing. This is a great way to save any extra stuffing you don’t eat right after Thanksgiving. Let the cooked stuffing cool fully, then transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
How to Freeze Uncooked Turkey Stuffing
Follow these simple steps for freezing uncooked turkey stuffing:
- Make the stuffing according to recipe directions. Do not bake yet.
- Transfer stuffing to a casserole dish or aluminum pan that can go straight from freezer to oven.
- Press down to flatten top and pack stuffing into dish.
- Allow to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Cover dish tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on surface of stuffing.
- Wrap the entire dish again in aluminum foil. This helps prevent freezer burn.
- Label package with contents and freeze date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to bake, remove foil and plastic wrap. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F until heated through, about 1 hour. Remove foil and bake 10-15 minutes more to brown top.
How to Freeze Cooked Turkey Stuffing
To freeze leftover cooked stuffing:
- Allow cooked stuffing to cool completely, about 1 hour.
- Transfer to airtight containers, leaving 1-inch headspace. Or place in freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Label package with contents and freeze date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Portion stuffing into amounts you will use at one time. That way you can thaw only what you need.
Tips for Freezing Turkey Stuffing
Keep these tips in mind for best results freezing turkey stuffing:
- Freeze stuffing within 1-2 days of preparing or cooking.
- Portion stuffing into airtight containers or bags before freezing. This helps prevent freezer burn.
- Label packages with contents and freeze date.
- Avoid overfilling containers or stuffing will expand during freezing. Leave 1-inch headspace.
- Use stuffing within 3 months for best quality and flavor.
How to Thaw Frozen Turkey Stuffing
There are a couple options for thawing frozen stuffing:
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Refrigerator: This is the preferred method. Place frozen stuffing in the refrigerator and allow to thaw overnight or up to 24 hours before reheating.
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Cold water: For quicker thawing, place frozen stuffing in a leakproof bag. Submerge in cold tap water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed. Cook immediately.
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Microwave: Only partially thaw stuffing in the microwave to reduce risk of overcooking edges. Cook immediately after microwaving.
Always thaw stuffing in the refrigerator if time allows. This helps prevent bacterial growth.
How to Reheat Frozen Turkey Stuffing
To reheat cooked frozen stuffing:
- Thaw stuffing completely in the refrigerator.
- Transfer stuffing to a lightly greased baking dish. Add a splash of broth or water if desired.
- Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
- Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes to lightly brown top.
Heat uncooked frozen stuffing at 350°F covered in foil for 1 hour until heated through. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes more to brown top.
Reheated stuffing should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
How Long Does Frozen Turkey Stuffing Last?
Properly stored, cooked turkey stuffing lasts 3-4 months in the freezer. Uncooked stuffing will last about the same. For best flavor and quality, use frozen stuffing within 3 months.
Frozen stuffing that has been continuously kept at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely, but the flavors can start to fade over time.
Can You Freeze Other Kinds of Stuffing?
While this guide focused on traditional turkey stuffing, you can also freeze other kinds of stuffing:
- Cornbread stuffing
- Sausage stuffing
- Oyster stuffing
- Chestnut stuffing
- Wild rice stuffing
The same freezing, thawing, and reheating methods apply. Just follow your favorite stuffing recipe, then portion and freeze promptly after preparing.
Enjoy Your Favorite Stuffing All Season Long
Freezing helps extend the lifespan of delicious Thanksgiving turkey stuffing so you can enjoy it for months after the holiday. Just be sure to freeze stuffing promptly after preparing, using airtight containers or bags. Thaw frozen stuffing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and serving. With proper freezing and storage, you’ll be able to enjoy your famous stuffing recipe well into the new year.
Can You Freeze Stuffing?
The quick and easy answer to this question is yes! You can freeze stuffing.
The trick is doing so correctly and learning to reheat it properly.
If you can do that, it’ll taste just as good as when it was fresh.
I’ll talk about freezing cooked stuffing and uncooked stuffing.
I’ll give you some tips and describe how long the frozen stuffing will last.
It doesn’t matter if you have leftovers or are making it early and freezing it to save time.
Following these simple steps will ensure you have delicious stuffing for any occasion.
How to Freeze Uncooked Stuffing
Now, let’s talk about freezing uncooked stuffing. After all, the holidays can be stressful.
Sometimes, it’s easier to make the big dishes ahead of time and warm them up.
If you want to get ahead, make your stuffing early and freeze it!
If you follow these steps, it should taste just as fantastic as freshly made.
1. Prepare the stuffing but stop short of baking it. You can use whichever stuffing recipe you like best. Follow all the steps until you get to the oven. That’s where you’ll stop.
2. Choose a suitable container to store it. Unlike cooked stuffing, uncooked stuffing shouldn’t go in Ziploc bags or Tupperware.
Instead, it’s easiest to place it in whatever container you’ll cook it in later.
If you don’t have room for one large dish, separate the stuffing into two or more containers.
They should be freezer-safe and oven-safe for when you bake them.
3. Remember to wrap it! Here’s a significant change from freezing cooked stuffing.
You’ll need to wrap uncooked stuffing to keep it fresh.
Remember, the stuffing should be in a cooking dish, not a Ziploc bag.
You likely won’t have a lid, and even if you do, it’s probably not airtight. Instead, wrap the whole dish in plastic wrap.
Then, wrap it again in at least one layer of aluminum foil.
Doing so will guard against freezer burn and ensure air doesn’t seep in and make it go stale.
4. Date the dish (if necessary) and freeze it. If you know you’ll be cooking the stuffing in the next few days, it may not need a date.
Of course, it never hurts to add one either way.
Date it if you want, then slide it into the freezer. It’s best to set it flat and not put anything on top of it.
Can you cook cooked stuffing from frozen?
FAQ
Is it better to freeze stuffing, cooked or uncooked?
Do you thaw frozen stuffing before cooking?
Can you freeze stuffing with eggs in it?
How do you reheat frozen stuffing?
Can you freeze turkey stuffing before baking?
If you want to prepare your stuffing in advance of Thanksgiving, freezing it uncooked will ensure it stays nice and moist. Simply follow the steps of your stuffing recipe, but before baking it, wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil to make it air tight. Store in the freezer until you’re ready to bake.
Can you cook stuffing from frozen?
Besides fresh herbs, choose low-sugar bread, ingredients with good ‘use by’ dates, and fresh produce. Bake uncooked stuffing from frozen. There’s no need to let it thaw out or warm to room temperature. Simply pop it in the oven and cook it from frozen. Don’t add chicken broth or giblet gravy to the entire dish.
Can you put stuffing inside a Thanksgiving turkey?
If you plan to actually stuff your stuffing inside the cavity of your Thanksgiving turkey, you need to take some specific steps to ensure food safety. USDA guidance says that the wet and dry ingredients for the stuffing can be prepped ahead of time, but should be stored separately and in the freezer until you’re ready to stuff the turkey.
How long does turkey stuffing last after Thanksgiving?
The dish is ready once it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. After Thanksgiving dinner, your leftover stuffing will stay good in the refrigerator for about four days, explains the USDA. If your stuffing was served inside the bird, remove it, and transfer to air-tight food storage containers.