Thanksgiving Stuffing Cheat Using Stove Top
My stuffing is always inedible. No, really. When I stuff whatever I am cooking it is burnt on the outside. But then it is soggy on the inside.
And in a turkey there is never enough! Even when I use a 30 pound turkey. Stuffing is one of foods I just can’t master.
Well, when it comes to feeding my family I am stubborn. I never say “I am not going there.”
So I do the next best thing. I cheat! My mom used to call it “doctoring” the dish. But in my case it means using life support.
I need to bring back life to the stuffing so I use a tried and true alternative. Stove Top Stuffing!
These are the INGREDIENTS you will need:
- 2 Medium onions, minced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped fine
- 2 tbs butter
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth, (or turkey broth or vegetable broth)
- 2 pkg (6 ounces each) stove top-style seasoned stuffing mix
These are the INSTRUCTIONS for preparation:
- Saute onions and celery in butter.
- Sprinkle with poultry seasoning.
- Set aside to cool slightly.
- Toss this mixture into your favorite dry stuffing mix.
- Heat broth and set aside.
- Read directions on your favorite stuffing mix box. Omit butter the recipe calls for as it was already used to saute vegetables. Omit water.
- Pour over stuffing/vegetables mixture and mix well.
- Stuff your chicken or turkey if you like. I skip that step. For a side dish place stuffing in a baking dish; cover and bake for 15 to 25 minutes at 325° Fahrenheit.
A bit of extra flavor is added to your stuffing by using a bit of sauteed celery and onions.
Some poultry seasoning and vegetable or other broth are added too.
Then I follow the package directions and voila!! Stuffing fit for your meal. This works for pork and chicken too.
This recipe is very similar to another I use. Sams Sausage Stuffing.
This one is great when you are in a punch to get your stuffing ready.
Replacing the day old bread and tearing it in pieces can take time.
The crumbs in the Stove Top dressing are more uniform and absorb the gravy well.
Adding the extra flavors create a wonderful addition to the stuffing.
We love this stuffing for pork and veggies.
I am sure your family will to!
Stuffing Cheat Using Stove Top
Ingredients
- 2 Medium onions, minced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped fine
- 2 tbs butter
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 2 cups chicken broth, (or turkey broth or vegetable broth)
- 2 pkg (6 ounces each) stove top-style seasoned stuffing mix
Instructions
- Saute onions and celery in butter.
- Sprinkle with poultry seasoning.
- Set aside to cool slightly.
- Toss this mixture into your favorite dry stuffing mix.
- Heat broth and set aside.
- Read directions on your favorite stuffing mix box. Omit butter the recipe calls for as it was already used to saute vegetables. Omit water.
- Pour over stuffing/vegetables mixture and mix well.
- Stuff your chicken or turkey if you like. I skip that step. For a side dish place stuffing in a baking dish; cover and bake for 15 to 25 minutes at 325° Fahrenheit.
Notes
Nutrition
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Can you make this the night before and cook next say?
Yes Colleen. What you would be doing is the full prep, refrigerate overnight, and then reheat with the lid. You may need to add a bit of water. But the object is to get it to steam as you reheat to keep the stuffing moist. Thx for asking and enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Thanks, I was thinking of dressing up the Stovetop. My aunt, who died years ago, always made the dressing. I know basically what she did but I have never got it right. She used day old bread and cornbread, chopped up & included the innards, and always stewed a hen for the fat. I don’t have the time or inclination to go that far so I use Stovetop. I’m grateful for the tips to make it better.
I hear you about inclination Deborah. Instead fo stewed you may want to try a chicken broth in the carton. Less work. But if you want FAST, then the stovetop is the way to go. I would fry up the innards and chop them with that. I have heard the cornbread is also a great addition. Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Let me know how you decide to make it!
Definitely will. Thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Thanks for this, Marilyn. I’ve been using boxed stuffing for years and have always “doctored” it, but your recipe sounds so much better. (My mom used to make amazing stuffing. She’d even cook chicken livers to put in it (sounds gross, but her stuffing was so good!), but in her later years, she even used boxed stuffing!
I love chicken livers Pam. I think they would work well in the stuffing! I am glad you like some cheats. It gives you time to be part of the party! Enjoy!
Great and easy recipe – Thanks for sharing at the what’s for dinner party. I hope you’re enjoying your weekend.
Thanks Helen. And thanks for the party each week. Have a safe week!
My husband makes the stuffing and there’s no cheating allowed! lol Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
When you can make from scratch that IS the best. Problem with me is my stuffing in the bird is the worst! And no matter what there is never enough. My hubby also makes the stuffing. I love it. I love your party. See you next week.
You’re good even trying Marilyn, I just use a packet mix and be done I’m afraid! My mum always used a packet too and it wasn’t until I was about 30 that it occured to me that making it from scratch was even a thing!! I figure with all the other stiff going on with a proper celebration roast dinner no one is going to notice that the stuffing came out of a packet, your way to zhush it up is brilliant.
I also am a product of my childhood. There are two things I never touched. Stuffing, which I now make and dough crust which my DIL does. Crumb crusts are ok since they are supposed to be crumby. I hope you do Dr up your stuffing. Let me know how it turns out! Enjoy your week!
Marilyn,
When the boys still lives at home, turkey was one of the few things that they both would eat so i made a turkey breast monthly and used a lot of stove top…But for Thanksgiving, i use my Dad’s sausage filling recipe….It is easy and quick….
https://debbie-dabbleblog.blogspot.com/2015/11/sausage-filling.html
Thanks so much for stopping by !!
Hugs,
Deb
Sounds like my house! I love the sausage in the dressing. I will definitely check out your recipe! I like to mix it up Stay safe and thanks for sharing!
Marilyn, all of your dishes are incredible. I can’t imagine you using Stove Top Stuffing. Now that is the one dish that I have mastered over the years. And, I always use celery and onions. My Sister In Law uses Stove Top too. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best..
The secret is out!! I have a few passed down recipes for stuffing. But it seems I always run out of time at the last minute. So open the box, Dr it up and warm in the crock pot! (I cheat on a lot of things these days.) Enjoy your holiday!
Why not? You’ve added all the good stuff to it any way. It sounds fabulous to me! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – and have a lovely Thanksgiving!
I agree Helen. Anything that makes life in the kitchen easier! Happy Thanksgiving!
Great cheat recipe! Glad I’m not the only one who doctor’s up store-bought!
Thanks for sharing at Farm Fresh Tuesdays Blog Hop! I will be featuring this super easy recipe for our 3 Weeks of Thanksgiving!
Glad to see you are on the mend!
Melissa | Little Frugal Homestead
I do kitchen cheats all the time. I just dont usually post them. But a lot of my recipes here have cheats to them. Thank you so much for the feature. I need to get over to the blog soon. Maybe tomorrow will be good!! Happy Thanksgiving!
My daughter and i will be making our traditional family stuffing this year… it includes onions, celery and apples. 🙂 My grandmother was the first one to make it from the old Betty Crocker cookbook. 😉 Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Turn About, Marilyn!
I couldn’t live without my Betty Crocker Cook book. That recipe sounds so good right now! I could do away with all the sides and just have a table full of different stuffing recipes! Happy Holiday!
Boy did Kraft ever hit it out of the ballpark with this invention!! But I love your cheat sheet for the extra added ingredients for the stuffing, it is amazing what theses additions will do for a packaged mix. My dad always made the dressing when I grew up and for many years I used his recipe, made with “Soda Crackers” instead of bread, it is amazing with giblets and fresh hand-rubbed sage. There’s something about the texture that makes it so different, so amazing!
Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving Marilyn!!
Hugs
Karren
PS Thank you for sharing on #ohmyheartsiegirl
His recpe sounds delicious Karren. Stuffing is one of those you can make your own in so many ways. I love all of them!! Happy Holiday!
This sounds so delicious! I love creative and simple recipes 🙂
Thank you for linking up with us at Creative Muster! Pinned this 🙂
Blessings to you xoxoxo Sharon from Adoring Creations.
Thank you for sharing another wonderful recipe – love cheating 🙂
You are welcome Chas. Have a great week!
Nice tips. I always cook my dressing separately as well. I bake it as you suggested above. TFS
Great to hear. I dont know how anyone gets enough dressing cooking it in the bird. Enjoy your week.
I don’t care for stuffing but a few of my family members do, so I usually try to make some for them. I like this Stove Top cheat. Thank you for sharing.
I eat a small amount of stuffing. Having to watch my carbs I spend them on the dinner rolls! Thank you for your kindness and thoughts. I am sorry it is taking me so long to answer comments. (And sorry some of these may be generic as I am tiring easily do to meds.) Enjoy your week and thanks for stopping by!
Oh, how I love stuffing. You can keep everything else on Thanksgiving Day but for me it is all about the stuffing. And pumpkin pie. Great ‘cheat’ here.
Thank you Leslie. When I am in a hurry I frequently “doctor up” a jar or box dish. This one is moist and good. Enjoy.
Thank you Marilyn for this recipe. I have been trying to eat more vegetables. This recipe will be good to add to the other recipes that I have.
I am glad Brenda you like this stuffing cheat. It is delicious and never fails. Enjoy! Have a great week.
I do the same thing but I might add in some chopped mushrooms from time to time too and I like to sprinkle some craisins and fresh pecans on top as soon as I pull it out of the oven.
Mushroom are always a great addition Joanne. Craisins and pecans? Now I am dropping by your house for Thanksgiving. What GREAT additions. Enjoy your dinner. LOL.
Marilyn, I too love making my stuffing using stove top. I add in the same veggies as you. I can’t wait to eat it for Thanksgivng. Hope you have a nice week and a Happy Hallowee.
Thank you Julie!! It is nice to know I am not the only person that doesnt always cook from scratch. In fact as I get older I use cheats a lot. No more all day marinara sauce unless it is for a large group either! Enjoy!