Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without delicious stuffing, the star side dish accompanying every turkey. It’s the go-to and most popular side dish, setting high expectations. Cornbread stuffing, a beloved twist on the traditional version using dried bread cubes, stands out as one of the most cherished Thanksgiving side dishes. Its combination of flavors, buttery and sweet notes, diced vegetables, chicken or vegetable broth, and aromatics results in the perfect baked side dish.
Here are five helpful tips to help you make the tastiest cornbread stuffing, which all your guests will surely devour.
1. Use a flavorful cornbread as your base
Cornbread is in the quick bread family, like muffins and scones, boasting a consistency that many say is between bread and cake. A staple in Southern cuisine, cornmeal imparts a prominent corn flavor, enhanced by sweet ingredients like butter, sugar, and honey. With its fluffy, moist center and golden crust, cornbread serves as the ideal base for any stuffing.
2. Include flavorful herbs for seasoning
Herbs play a crucial role in elevating the flavor of any dish. Sage, thyme, and rosemary are popular choices for stuffing seasoning. Sage offers an intense earthy flavor with peppery and minty hints, making it the go-to herb. Thyme contributes a strong savory, clove-like essence with minty and lemon undertones, while rosemary imparts an intense woodsy, peppery flavor with a hint of lemon. When combined with the other ingredients in stuffing and chopped vegetables like onions, garlic, and celery, these herbs help to bring out the most delicious flavors.
3. Add enough liquid to keep the stuffing nice and moist
Moisture is key for a perfect stuffing. Insufficient liquid can result in an unpleasant, dry texture. The biggest mistake you can make with this dish is not adding enough water, resulting in a dry and unpleasant texture. Balancing moisture ensures that all ingredients are soft yet not overly mushy. The cornbread and other ingredients will soak in all the added liquid, and during the baking process, the heat will also absorb more moisture.
The rule of thumb is approximately one cup of liquid for every four cups of the dry mixture. Adjust the amount during preparation based on how much the ingredients visually absorb, aiming for a moist combination without excess water.
4. Use chicken stock or broth for moisture and flavor
To enhance the overall flavor of your stuffing, opt for chicken stock or broth instead of water. The inherent richness of chicken stock, derived from simmering chicken bones with aromatic vegetables, imparts earthy, sweet, and savory notes to the stuffing. Vegetable stock is a suitable alternative for a vegan option or neutral cooking liquid.
5. Consider portion size
Given stuffing’s popularity during Thanksgiving, plan for seconds and thirds. Aim for about ¾ to 1 cup of stuffing per person, with a standard 6-ounce stuffing mix yielding approximately six servings. Opting for a 14-ounce bag ensures around 11 servings, but adjust quantities based on your crowd and preferences.
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