In anticipation of Thanksgiving, vice-president-elect Kamala Harris shared her family's recipe for cornbread dressing. The caring gesture sparked a national debate. Not for political reasons, but linguistic ones.
While many will argue politics over the Thanksgiving table (or not this year because of the pandemic), some will instead debate the name of a core part of the traditional holiday meal. When we refer to the side dish that contains bread, vegetables, stock, and aromatic herbs, do we call it "stuffing" or "dressing"?
Some people will argue that the distinction is in the preparation. As the name suggests, stuffing is "stuffed" into the cavity of the fowl and roasted inside of it, while dressing is baked separately in a casserole dish and used to "dress" slices of the turkey. However, confusion comes when we learn that some people say they "stuff" their birds with "dressing," while others bake their "stuffing" in a dish. In some homes, the words are used interchangeably.
Some will argue that the difference isn't about technique, but that the distinction is dialectal. What you call this dish can reveal where you are from. "Stuffing" appears to be the preferred term in the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, while "dressing" appears to be favored in Southern and Midwestern states. Pennsylvanians are outliers in that they often call the dish "filling."
There are also regional differences in ingredients, with San Franciscans preferring sourdough bread, while cornbread is used in the South because it was a staple in the Southern diet. Some recipes call for the addition of dried fruit, sauerkraut, sausage, or seafood.
How do we explain the different terms that are in use today? Stuffing, in the sense of "fill the inside of a bird before cooking," dates back to the fourteenth century. (Forcemeat is a curious older English term for this seasoned mixture.) In the United States, "stuffing" was in popular use until the Victorian era, when some people took offense to the vulgar term, and so the term "dressing" was adopted in various parts of the country.
Whether you call it "dressing" or "stuffing" (or "forcemeat"!), Happy Thanksgiving to you.
FAQs
"Stuffing is cooked in the cavity of the turkey, so the juices soak into the ingredients, making it more flavorful. Dressing gets cooked on its own and needs extra liquid to make it flavorful." So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.
What is the difference between stuffing and dressing? ›
The primary difference between stuffing and dressing is that stuffing is cooked inside a bird and dressing is made on the side. As with many food traditions in the U.S., regional loyalties to stuffing vs dressing abound.
Do southerners say dressing or stuffing? ›
Some people insist that it should be called dressing when it hasn't actually been stuffed inside a bird. But many people insist on one term or the other regardless of how it's prepared or what's in it. The term dressing is most commonly used in the South, but it's popular in pockets throughout the US.
Do Texans say stuffing or dressing? ›
While most New Englanders and the majority of West Coasters referred to the dish as “stuffing,” about half of Texans and the majority of Southerners call it “dressing.” Likewise, while most other parts of the country use a base of dried bread, many Texans instead opt for cornbread or dried biscuits.
What is the difference between stuffing and dressing in Canada? ›
As the name suggests, stuffing is "stuffed" into the cavity of the fowl and roasted inside of it, while dressing is baked separately in a casserole dish and used to "dress" slices of the turkey.
Why do Americans call stuffing dressing? ›
The term dressing, per the History Channel, originated around the 1850s, when the Victorians deemed stuffing too crude for the dish to be named. This happened around the same time that the term “dark meat” began to refer to chicken legs and thighs.
Is stove top stuffing or dressing? ›
When Stove Top was introduced in 1972 it was the first stuffing mix containing all the ingredients needed to typical dressing in one box. The mixture of vegetables, seasonings, herbs, spices, and baked stuffing crumbs came together in 15 minutes.
What do British people call stuffing? ›
In England, a stuffing is sometimes made of minced pork shoulder seasoned with various ingredients, such as sage, onion, bread, chestnuts, dried apricots, and dried cranberries. The stuffing mixture may be cooked separately and served as a side dish. This may still be called stuffing or it may be called dressing.
What is dressing called in the South? ›
But for the Thanksgiving side dish in the South, the term dressing was adopted in place of stuffing, which was viewed as a crude term, during the Victorian era. Although dressing and stuffing are interchangeable terms, the signature ingredient of this Thanksgiving side dish in the South is cornbread.
What do Northerners call stuffing? ›
Both dressing and stuffing are side dishes served at most Thanksgiving tables. It depends on the part of the country you are from as to what you call it. Those in the south use the term dressing interchangeably; whereas those in the northern states generally refer to the dish as stuffing.
Stuffing, filling, or dressing is an edible mixture, often composed of herbs and a starch such as bread, used to fill a cavity in the preparation of another food item. Many foods may be stuffed, including poultry, seafood, and vegetables.
Why is salad dressing called dressing? ›
The term salad dressing comes from a definition of dressing that dates from about 1500: "sauce used in preparing a dish for the table." When you want to serve a well-prepared and delicious salad, you need add salad dressing.
What is Thanksgiving stuffing made of? ›
The BEST traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is easy to make dried bread cubes, sausage, diced vegetables, and chicken broth. It's a great side dish to make ahead of time and it definitely tastes best homemade! Pair this easy homemade stuffing with our popular turkey recipe, homemade rolls, and Thanksgiving pie.
Is it safe to cook stuffing inside of the turkey? ›
Stuffing cooked inside the turkey cavities is delicious, but it does slow down the cooking time and could be a potential health hazard if done incorrectly. For perfect no-worry results, opt for "dressing" instead – stuffing cooked alongside the bird instead of inside.
