Turkey will always be the star of the show, but stuffing is the glue of any enjoyable holiday dinner. It unites the Holy Trinity of meat, starch, and autumn vegetables, making it, in many ways, the edible embodiment of the holidays.
We’ve compiled some of our favorite stuffing recipes that will make any occasion memorable but, more importantly, can also be eaten right out of the pan at your convenience. So why limit yourself to just one?
Videos by VICE
RECIPE: Sausage, Apple, and Fennel Stuffing
This might look like a plain ol’ Thanksgiving stuffing, but the stealthy sage, apple, and fennel add a fragrant dimension that you won’t find in a box of Stove Top.
RECIPE: Wild Rice Stuffing
Who says stuffing always has to be heavy and starchy? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, of course, but if you have to cater to a more health-conscious crowd, there’s always this gluten-free wild rice stuffing with an abundance of vegetables and no shortage of flavor.
RECIPE: Deep-Fried Stuffing Balls
On the other end of the spectrum, we have these deep-fried meatballs that condense all of the classic stuffing tastes and textures into a crispy, breaded meatball. It’s a great move for leftovers, or just dust off the fondue pot lying in your pantry and make it a centerpiece.
RECIPE: Cornbread, Chorizo, and Quahog Stuffing
Seafood in stuffing? Yes, indeed. This New England-inspired take on stuffing combines cornbread, bacon, cream, chorizo, and clams for a stuffing that is satisfying and unlike anything your family has tasted before.
RECIPE: Sausage and Fig Stuffing
Finally, you can keep it old-school with stale baguettes, Italian sausage, and a few figs for a dish that will that will absorb all of those Old World wine and digestifs.
