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.
Stuffing is a beloved side dish that graces many Thanksgiving tables. Also known as dressing, this savory blend of bread, vegetables, herbs and broth is the perfect complement to roasted turkey and other classic holiday flavors.
As you plan your Thanksgiving menu you may be wondering if you can freeze turkey stuffing. The answer is yes you absolutely can freeze stuffing before or after cooking it. Freezing is a great way to get ahead on holiday meal prep or make the most of your leftovers after the big feast.
Read on for a complete guide to freezing turkey stuffing. You’ll learn the best methods for freezing stuffing, how long it keeps in the freezer and tips for reheating it to delicious perfection
Can You Freeze Uncooked or Cooked Stuffing?
One of the best aspects of freezing stuffing is that you can freeze it either before or after you cook it.
Freezing uncooked stuffing is ideal if you want to make it ahead of time as part of your Thanksgiving prep. Simply prepare the stuffing according to your recipe, but don’t bake it yet. Transfer the stuffing to a baking dish and cover tightly first with plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil. Label, date and freeze until you’re ready to bake.
On Thanksgiving, bake the frozen stuffing straight from the freezer. Just remove the plastic wrap and foil first. It will take a bit longer to bake frozen stuffing, but the result will be super moist and flavorful stuffing that looks like you just assembled it.
Freezing already cooked stuffing is great for preserving leftovers after the holiday. Let the cooked stuffing cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers, leaving about 1-inch of headspace. Seal the containers and freeze for up to 3 months.
So whether you’re looking to get a head start on Thanksgiving prep or make the most of leftovers, you can easily freeze turkey stuffing before or after cooking.
How to Freeze Stuffing in Portion Sizes
When freezing stuffing, it works best to divide it into smaller portions rather than freezing it in a large block. Here are some tips:
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For uncooked stuffing, divide among ramekins or small casserole dishes before freezing. Cover each dish with foil.
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For cooked stuffing, spoon individual portions into muffin tins or freezable containers. This makes it easy to remove just what you need.
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Aim for portion sizes of about 1-2 servings. Small portions thaw and reheat more quickly and evenly.
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Make sure to label each portion with the name and date before freezing.
Freezing stuffing in ready-to-use portions streamlines the thawing and reheating process. You can simply reheat a single serving or two at a time as needed.
How to Thaw Frozen Stuffing
Thawing frozen stuffing properly ensures it retains maximum texture and flavor. Here are a few thawing guidelines:
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For best results, thaw frozen stuffing in the refrigerator overnight.
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You can also thaw in the microwave using the defrost setting. Thaw it just until it’s soft enough to remove from the container.
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For cooked stuffing, you can skip thawing altogether and reheat it straight from the frozen state. Just allow about 25-30 extra minutes of baking time.
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Avoid thawing stuffing at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth.
Thaw frozen stuffing gently and slowly in the fridge whenever possible. Microwave thawing and quick oven reheating from frozen are options for quicker thawing.
How to Reheat Frozen Stuffing
Once thawed, leftover stuffing reheats beautifully in the oven. Here’s how:
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Preheat oven to 325°F. Transfer thawed stuffing to an oven-safe baking dish.
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Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
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Remove foil, increase heat to 375°F and bake 10 minutes more to lightly brown the top.
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For extra moisture, drizzle a little broth, butter or gravy over the stuffing before reheating.
Reheated frozen stuffing tastes just as fresh and delicious as the day it was made. Be sure to reheat it fully until piping hot for food safety.
How Long Does Frozen Stuffing Last?
Properly stored frozen stuffing keeps well for 3 to 6 months in the freezer. To maximize freshness and quality, use frozen stuffing within 3 months.
Label packages with the date before freezing so you can use the older ones first. Discard any stuffing that has been frozen for over 6 months.
Monitoring freeze dates and using frozen stuffing in a timely manner will ensure optimum flavor and texture after thawing and reheating.
Top Tips for Freezing Turkey Stuffing
Follow these tips when freezing turkey stuffing for the best quality and ease of use:
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Cool stuffing completely before freezing.
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Portion into small airtight containers or bags.
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Label each package with name and freeze date.
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Freeze for up to 3 months for optimal freshness.
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Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Reheat fully in a 375°F oven until piping hot.
Creative Ways to Use Frozen Stuffing
Leftover frozen stuffing doesn’t have to be limited to side dish status. Consider these fun ideas:
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Stuff into peppers, tomatoes or squash for a cute single-serving meal.
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Fold into egg scrambles or strata along with veggies and cheese.
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Make stuffing balls to serve appetizer-style with cranberry sauce for dipping.
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Shape into patties and pan-fry into stuffing cakes to enjoy for breakfast.
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Mix with ground turkey or sausage and bake into loaf pans for stuffing meatloaves.
With some creativity, the possibilities for enjoying thawed frozen stuffing are endless!
Freezing Stuffing for an Easier Thanksgiving
Freezing stuffing—before or after cooking—is a great way to streamline your Thanksgiving preparation.
Pre-freezing uncooked stuffing lets you check a major dish off your to-do list ahead of time. Freezing the leftovers allows you to enjoy scrumptious stuffing meals for weeks after the big day.
Follow the freezing, thawing and reheating techniques in this guide, and you’ll find freezing stuffing to be easy and reliable. Your holiday stuffing will taste freshly made, and you’ll save time, effort and dishes too.
So go ahead and double or triple your favorite stuffing recipe this Thanksgiving. Freezing ensures you can savor every last savory bite.
How to Freeze Cooked Stuffing
Freezing cooked stuffing is only slightly different from freezing it uncooked. Fortunately, both options are simple.
But first, let’s talk about leftovers. Don’t throw out your leftover holiday stuffing this year.
Instead, follow these steps to freeze it properly.
1. Allow the stuffing to cool completely. This step is the most significant difference between freezing cooked and uncooked stuffing. And it’s an important one.
You never want to put hot food in a freezer. Doing so can ruin the food and spoil other surrounding items in your freezer.
So, be sure you give the stuffing time to cool.
This shouldn’t be an issue if you’re working with holiday leftovers.
On the off chance that the dish is still warm, allow it to cool to room temperature.
2. Select appropriately sized, freezer-safe containers. Some people use Ziploc bags to freeze their stuffing. I prefer freezer-safe Tupperware containers.
Whichever you choose, ensure the size is suitable. You don’t want to put a small amount of stuffing in a gallon-sized bag.
Whichever container you choose should be approximately 3/4s full. If using Ziploc bags, squeeze the air out before sealing them.
3. Transfer the cooled stuffing to the containers. Again, leave about a fourth of the container or bag empty.
4. Date the containers and freeze them. Finally, write the date on the bag or container.
Use label stickers to avoid writing it directly on the container.
Dating the stuffing will help ensure you don’t leave it in the freezer too long.
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 I freeze leftover turkey stuffing?
FAQ
Is it better to freeze stuffing, cooked or uncooked?
Can you freeze uncooked stuffing with eggs?
How do you reheat frozen stuffing?
How do you store leftover turkey stuffing?
Can you freeze leftover stuffing?
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. When you’re ready to reheat, just pop the stuffing straight in the oven (no need to thaw). Does leftover stuffing freeze well?
Can you freeze turkey stuffing?
You can combine all the ingredients and assemble your stuffing in a shallow baking dish, and then store the uncooked dish in the freezer. Once Turkey Day has arrived and you’re ready to cook, you can transfer the stuffing directly from the freezer to the oven, no thawing required.
Can you freeze Thanksgiving stuffing?
The short answer is yes, you can freeze your Thanksgiving stuffing! And it actually freezes really well. Just like with freezing mashed potatoes or freezing pumpkin pie, keeping stuffing in the freezer is a great time-saving trick. Phew, now that we got that squared away, you might be wondering just how to do it.
What temperature should turkey stuffing be frozen?
Make sure your freezer is operating at the recommended temperature for optimal freezing, typically around 0°F (-18°C) or lower. Maintaining the correct temperature ensures that your turkey stuffing freezes quickly and thoroughly, reducing the likelihood of freezer burn and maintaining its overall quality.