Classic Moist Turkey Dressing
Inspired by a beloved 1960s Good Housekeeping recipe, this turkey dressing (or stuffing, if you prefer) combines tradition and flavor. It's enriched with giblets for depth and butter for richness, resulting in a dish that is both flavorful and comforting. It’s the perfect side for your holiday meals, whether prepared as a dressing baked in a casserole or as a stuffing for a juicy turkey. This adaptable recipe is easy to customize with your favorite herbs and ingredients to suit your taste. With a balance of spices and a moist texture, it is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
N/A
Servings
238
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
boiling water or chicken broth
1 quart (3 cups for stuffing option)
turkey giblets including neck (excluding liver)
as available (washed and cleaned)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
salt
1 pinch (or to taste, omit if using broth)
peppercorn
1/4 teaspoon (whole)
butter
1 to 1 1/2 cups (cut into pieces)
minced onion
1 cup (freshly minced)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
poultry seasoning
2 teaspoons (pre-mixed)
salt
1 teaspoon (or to taste)
snipped fresh parsley
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
diced celery
1/4 cup (small dice)
day-old white bread, cut into cubes
6 quarts (1/2 inch cubes)
dry mustard
1/4 cup (sifted if needed)
eggs
2 to 3 (beaten, omit for stuffing option)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the stock: In a small saucepan, bring 1 quart of water or chicken broth to a boil. Add the turkey giblets, neck, bay leaf, salt (omit if using broth), and peppercorns. Reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 45 minutes until the giblets are tender.
2
Remove the giblets and neck from the saucepan. Discard the bay leaf. Mince the giblets and remove as much meat as possible from the neck bones; mince this meat as well. Return the minced meat to the stock.
3
In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
4
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread, black pepper, poultry seasoning, salt, parsley, diced celery, and dry mustard.
5
Pour the giblet stock and sautéed onion mixture over the bread mixture. Toss everything to combine well.
6
For Stuffing: Gently stuff the turkey cavity loosely with the mixture (do not pack tightly). Transfer any leftover mixture to a covered casserole dish. Bake the stuffed turkey in the oven as usual, placing the casserole dish alongside, baking for 30-45 minutes at 350°F until set and not wet in the center.
7
For Dressing: Beat the eggs and mix them into the bread mixture. Transfer the mix into one large baking dish or divide between two smaller dishes. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes for one dish or 40-45 minutes for two dishes, or until it is cooked through and set in the middle.
8
Adjust baking times to ensure everything cooks evenly at the temperature used for roasting your turkey.
Nutrition Information
30g
Carbs
5.6g
Protein
250mg
Sodium
61mg
Cholesterol
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Classic Moist Turkey Dressing?
It is a flavorful and comforting side dish inspired by a beloved 1960s Good Housekeeping recipe, featuring giblets, butter, and a blend of spices.
Can this recipe be used as both stuffing and dressing?
Yes, it is highly adaptable and can be used to stuff a turkey or baked separately in a casserole dish as dressing.
How do I prepare the stock for this dressing?
Bring 1 quart of water or chicken broth to a boil with turkey giblets, neck, bay leaf, salt, and peppercorns, then simmer for 45 minutes.
What should I do with the turkey giblets?
Once tender, mince the giblets and remove meat from the neck bones to be minced and returned to the stock.
Which giblet should be excluded from the stock?
The liver should be excluded when preparing the turkey giblets for this specific recipe.
How long do the giblets need to simmer?
The giblets and neck should be simmered for approximately 45 minutes until they are tender.
What type of bread is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for day-old white bread cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
How much bread is required?
You will need approximately 6 quarts of cubed day-old white bread.
How should the onions be prepared?
Minced onions should be sautéed in butter over medium heat until they become translucent, which takes about 5 minutes.
What herbs and spices are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses black pepper, poultry seasoning, salt, fresh parsley, and dry mustard.
How much butter is used in the dressing?
The recipe requires between 1 to 1 1/2 cups of butter, cut into pieces.
When should eggs be added to the recipe?
Eggs should be added only when making the dressing option (baked in a dish) rather than the stuffing option.
How many eggs are needed for the dressing?
Use 2 to 3 beaten eggs for the dressing version of the recipe.
What is the recommended baking temperature?
The dressing should be baked at 350°F.
How long does it take to bake a single large dish of dressing?
A single large baking dish should be covered tightly with foil and baked for 50-60 minutes.
How long should I bake the dressing if divided into two smaller dishes?
If using two smaller dishes, bake them for 40-45 minutes.
How do I stuff the turkey cavity?
Gently stuff the cavity loosely with the mixture; do not pack it tightly.
How long do I bake leftover stuffing in a casserole dish?
Bake any leftover stuffing in a covered casserole dish for 30-45 minutes at 350°F.
How can I tell if the dressing is done?
It is finished when it is cooked through and set in the middle, ensuring it is not wet in the center.
Can I use chicken broth instead of water?
Yes, you can use 1 quart of chicken broth, but remember to omit the extra pinch of salt if you do.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 238 calories.
How much protein is in this dish?
This dressing provides about 5.6g of protein per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
There are 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, it is specifically tagged for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and general holiday meals.
What is the sodium content per serving?
There is approximately 250mg of sodium per serving.
How much cholesterol is in the recipe?
Each serving contains about 61mg of cholesterol.
Can I customize the herbs?
Yes, the recipe is adaptable and easy to customize with your favorite herbs and ingredients.
What size should the celery be cut?
The celery should be cut into a small dice.
Should the dressing be covered while baking?
Yes, the dressing should be covered tightly with foil during the baking process.
What texture should I expect from this recipe?
The result is a moist, rich, and flavorful dressing with a balance of traditional spices.