When the holidays roll around and everyone starts making their menus, stuffing and dressing always make the list. This leads to an annual debate in many homes: stuffing vs. dressing—what’s the big diff?
To get to the bottom of this hotly contested topic, I chatted with our team of food editors here at Taste of Home.
Are Stuffing and Dressing Different Dishes?
In the case of stuffing vs. dressing, Food Editor Rashanda Cobbins says that these are the same dish—a sentiment echoed by fellow foodies James Schend and Peggy Woodward.
“Generally speaking they both use the same ingredients: some type of bread, herbs and spices, liquid, maybe an egg and occasionally meat—like ground sausage—and sometimes fruit like apples or dried cranberries,” Rashanda says.
For example, these Slow-Cooker Dressing and Stuffing from the Slow Cooker recipes both use similar ingredients and cooking methods. Without the recipe title, you’d be apt to call them whichever term you’re accustomed to.
Stuffing vs. Dressing: Why Different Terms?
While stuffing and dressing may be the same dish, there’s no getting around the fact that this carb-tastic creation has two names. Why is that? Well, Rashanda says it’s mostly regional and familial.
“I am in the diehard dressing camp,” says Rashanda. “This is what it was always called growing up in Alabama.” However, for someone like myself who grew up in Wisconsin, my family was stuffing all the way.
The one exception to this is when these ingredients are cooked inside a turkey or chicken; that’s when this is more likely to be called stuffing, though some folks might still call it dressing!
What About the Ingredients?
As Rashanda said, dressing and stuffing both use the same basic ingredients: bread, broth, aromatics and herbs. However, you’ll often run into recipes that incorporate a few extra ingredients—perhaps dried fruit, various proteins or even nuts. Once again, Rashanda says this is all regional.
Want proof? This Badger State Stuffing recipe, for example, includes dried cranberries, beer and even a bit of sauerkraut—all popular ingredients produced in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, this recipe for Bacon & Oyster Stuffing hails from an East Coast cook. And many of our Southern readers have sent us recipes for cornbread-based dressings.
So in the end, this stuffing vs. dressing debate is very much a potato pa-tah-to situation. Whatever you call these recipes, they’re always a delicious addition your holiday feast. Learn how to make vegan stuffing.
Try Our Favorite Stuffing and Dressing Recipes
Stuffing from the Slow CookerIf you're hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner this year, add this simple slow-cooked stuffing to your menu to ease entertaining. It cooks in just three hours and stays moist. Best of all, it doesn't use precious oven space.
Badger State StuffingThe contrasting sweet, savory and slightly tart flavors in this Thanksgiving classic are what make it so special. Bacon, fruit and sauerkraut give the stuffing a strong and memorable taste.
Sausage Bread DressingThis Italian sausage stuffing has some hidden sweetness. With apples and pecans, this must-have dish tastes just like fall.
Pecan-Cornbread DressingUsing cornbread stuffing mix cuts down on the time it takes to prep this smoky stuffing. Bacon and pecans give it a savory and sweet mix that'll perfectly complement your other Thanksgiving dishes.
Savory Zucchini Bread PuddingThis stuffing hits all the best flavor notes; savory, sweet and cheesy. Canned pumpkin and cinnamon work to make an aromatic and colorful dish.
Hearty Rice DressingThe creamy beef and pork dish packs just the right amount of heat. With 50 servings, you're going to want to invite everyone you know to dinner. Or cut the recipe in half!
Oyster StuffingBeef and pork stuffings are tried and true, but if you're looking to switch things up a bit this year, this is the recipe for you. Oyster lovers can leave them whole instead of chopping them up.
Smoked Sausage & Potato DressingThis dish has all the makings of smoky stuffing but with potatoes as the base instead of bread. If you have leftovers, top some with an over-easy egg for breakfast.
Slow Cooker Bacon-Mushroom DressingThis stuffing cooks in the slow cooker while the turkey's in the oven. It uses two types of prepackaged mix: cornbread and seasoned cubes.
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potato StuffingNo gravy is required for this creamy mashed potato stuffing. This dressing is the combination of the two best Thanksgiving side dishes with some great add-ons like bacon and mushrooms.
Traditional Holiday StuffingYou can't beat the classics. Sausage and sage add a gourmet taste to this classic stuffing.
Special Herb DressingThis satisfying dressing has all the great tastes people crave. With meat, fresh herbs, earthy mushrooms, crunchy apples and a burst of tart cranberries, this large-serve stuffing is great for a potluck.
Moist Poultry DressingMushrooms and onions complement the big herb flavor in this stuffing. The slow cooker lends a hand to how it stays so moist.
Cranberry Pecan StuffingCranberries and pork really make this stuffing something special. The pecans add just the right amount of sweetness and crunch.
Wild Rice StuffingUse up your giblets in this buttery rice stuffing. It soaks up all the best flavors of your turkey and only bakes for 30 minutes.
Slow Cooker Mushroom StuffingPut your slow cooker to work! This herby mushroom stuffing is vegetarian for any guests that require it.
Southern Cornbread DressingThis southern dressing has hard boiled eggs and turkey giblets woven into it for a nice blended taste. It turns out moist, hearty and ready for more turkey.
“Everything” StuffingThis stuffing really does have it all. From the earthiness of the mushrooms to the sweetness of the apples, you get every flavor profile without overshadowing any of them.
Grandma’s Cornbread DressingThis creamy chicken-flavored dressing is pillow-soft. You can chop up your Thanksgiving meat of choice into the dish.
Amber’s Sourdough StuffingSourdough is a nice change of pace from your usual prepackaged stuffing mixes. The natural tang blends nicely with the mushrooms and celery. This stuffing is great for a small night in, or you can double it for a larger crowd.
Rice DressingThis mushroom and chicken flavored rice dressing is a nice change of pace from traditional bread stuffings. It stays moist and can soak up lots of flavor.
Cranberry Cornmeal DressingThis sweet and tart dressing is perfect when paired with poultry or even pork. The dried cranberries really complement the dish's turkey sausage.
Sausage and Cornbread DressingA little steak sauce goes a long way in this dressing. Cornbread and cubed bread add a savory burst of flavor.
Raisin-Studded Apple StuffingRaisins and tart apples adorn this satisfying sausage stuffing. With the soft bread and crisp apples, you'll forget about the other side dishes entirely.
Apple-Cranberry StuffingFruit and wild rice make this sweet and tart dressing just a bit earthy. You can use any type of apple, but Granny Smith yields great results.
Grandma’s Poultry DressingThis poultry dressing requires simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Relying on the pork sausage flavor, this hearty stuffing goes great with any turkey.
Cornbread Dressing with OystersThis hard-boiled egg and oyster dressing is not short on flavor. It cooks separately from the turkey, since
cooking stuffing inside the turkey can be dangerous.
Cornbread StuffingIf you're from the South, you might get the appeal of a hard-boiled egg stuffing. While other dressings have sausage, and even oysters, this one has chicken for a nice classic taste.
Fruit & Nut Andouille StuffingThis six-ingredient stuffing utilizes seasoned cubes. With mixed fruit and pork sausage, everything's thrown together really easily for a big flavor payout.
Bacon & Sausage StuffingWith bacon and sausage, this smoky stuffing doesn't lose any moisture. The bacon even adds a nice coloring to the dish.
Dried Cherry & Sausage DressingApples and dried cherries add a sweet-tart flavor to this Italian-seasoned stuffing. The texture of the cherries are similar to raisins, but they have a richer flavor.
Slow-Cooker DressingThis very simple dressing is made with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Use unseasoned cubes so you can season them to your liking. Once it’s in the slow cooker, you’re free to turn your attention to the other sides.
Herbed Apple-Cranberry Bread DressingApples give a nice crunch to this stuffing while applesauce and orange juice pack on the sweetness. This breadcrumb dressing is soft and takes in a lot of flavor.
Savory Sausage StuffingPork sausage can be a game changer to your usual stuffing recipe. This simple dressing uses two types of bread and dried cranberries for extra tartness.
Skillet Sausage StuffingThere's nothing easier than a skillet stuffing. The savory dish comes together in under a half hour which gives you more time to focus on your day. To make this sausage stuffing, you dress up a package of stuffing mix with pork sausage, mushrooms, celery and onion.
Sweet Potato StuffingSweet potatoes find their way to most Thanksgiving tables. This slow cooker dressing breathes new life into the starch. It's versatile and able to withstand adding your family's favorite ingredients to the mix.
Sausage-Herb DressingHave you ever heard of coffee in a stuffing? This slow cooker dressing has a deep and herby flavor that you won't be able to get enough of.
Make-Ahead Cornbread DressingThis dressing has a few surprising elements, the most notable being spaghetti squash. Spaghetti squash is great for a dressing because like rice, it takes to flavor really well. So with the added sausage, walnuts and cheese you end up with a delightfully rich and textured dish.
Mushroom StuffingA hearty cornbread mix combines with mushrooms and bacon for a spectacular result. This dressing is creamy and soft.
Apple & Apricot StuffingThis fruit and veggie stuffing is both sweet and tart. The apricots give it a nice orange coloring that will brighten your Thanksgiving table.
Updated: May 04, 2023
