Do You Put Eggs in Turkey Stuffing?

Stuffing also known as dressing, is a beloved side dish traditionally served at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The main ingredients are bread cubes and seasonings, but recipes vary when it comes to adding eggs. So do you need to put eggs in turkey stuffing? Here’s a look at the purpose eggs serve in stuffing and whether they’re really necessary.

Why Do Recipes Include Eggs in Stuffing?

Looking through stuffing recipes, you’ll find that many do contain eggs. Usually it’s two eggs for a batch serving 8-12 people. So why are they added? There are a couple reasons:

• Binding – Eggs act as a binder to hold the stuffing together. Since stuffing is made from dried bread cubes, the eggs help prevent it from being too dry and crumbly.

• Moisture – Eggs add moisture to the stuffing. Along with broth or other liquid, they help make sure the stuffing is not dry.

• Richness – Eggs contribute some extra richness, fat, and protein to the dish.

Are Eggs Absolutely Necessary in Stuffing?

While eggs are included in most traditional recipes, they are not absolutely essential to make tasty stuffing Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to make stuffing without eggs

• Use plenty of broth or other liquid such as chicken stock, vegetable broth, or even apple cider. About 1 1/2 to 2 cups of liquid per 8-10 servings is a good starting point. The liquid helps moisten and bind the stuffing.

• Make sure to use flavorful, high quality bread. Heartier artisan breads or sourdough work better than cheap white bread. The bread should provide plenty of its own richness.

• Add some extra fat if needed. Butter is traditional, but you can also use olive oil or chicken fat. The fat helps replace some of the richness lost when omitting eggs.

• Supplement with an extra binder. Adding a mashed potato or some pureed cooked squash or pumpkin can help bind the stuffing without eggs.

• Cook it properly. Bake stuffing thoroughly until browned on top but not dried out. The correct cooking method can make up for the lack of eggs.

With the right techniques, egg-free stuffing can absolutely still be delicious! It just may take a little experimenting to get the consistency right.

Example Stuffing Recipes With and Without Eggs

To provide a sense of how eggs are used in stuffing, here are three popular recipes – one with eggs, one without, and one that uses eggs optionally:

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing

This highly rated recipe published on Tastes of Lizzy T calls for:

• 13-15 cups of dried bread cubes
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
• 2 eggs

The eggs help bind the stuffing and add richness. Users say this recipe produces a “melt-in-your-mouth” texture.

Old Fashioned Stuffing

The classic recipe published on AllRecipes contains:

• Bread cubes made from 30 slices of toasted white bread
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Onion, celery, sage, garlic powder
• 2 eggs

Reviewers praise this for its traditional flavor. The eggs provide moisture and binding power.

The BEST Traditional Stuffing

FoodieCrush’s highly rated recipe uses:

• 1 pound loaf of bread
• 1 onion and celery
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• Herbs and spices
• 2 eggs (optional)

The eggs are listed as optional in this recipe. The author suggests the stuffing will still be flavorful and moist without eggs, though it may be a bit more loose.

After looking at various recipes, it’s clear that eggs are frequently used in stuffing to bind the ingredients, add moisture, and provide richness. However, with the right techniques, it is absolutely possible to make delicious stuffing without eggs. Keys include using flavorful bread, plenty of broth, and cooking it thoroughly. So you can decide based on personal preference whether to put eggs in your turkey stuffing or not this Thanksgiving!