The Best Way to Reheat Stuffing Without Drying It Out, According to Kitchen Pros (2024)

Yes, your leftover stuffing can taste just as good as day one — if you reheat it properly!

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The Best Way to Reheat Stuffing Without Drying It Out, According to Kitchen Pros (1)

When it comes to planning the ultimate holiday feast, everyone knows that a great stuffing recipe is a must-have on the Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner table — but as with any holiday meal, there's always bound to be leftovers (you'll have to save enough room for some delicious Thanksgiving desserts, after all!). That's when you'll probably be wondering how to reheat stuffing the right way — because is there anything worse than dried-out leftovers? Luckily, the cooking pros in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen gave us all their best tips and methods on reheating stuffing, including the secret to warming up the dish without drying it out.

How to reheat stuffing on the stovetop:

If you're looking for the best way to reheat your stuffing leftovers, the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen recommends reheating it in a pan on the stovetop. Not only will this ensure the crispiest result, it's also one of the fastest methods! Depending on how buttery your stuffing recipe was to begin with, you may want to add an extra drizzle of oil or pat of butter into the pan first for some extra moisture. Then, simply cook over medium heat until the bread is golden-brown and warm, 3–5 minutes.

How to reheat stuffing in the oven:

Another easy way to reheat stuffing is in the oven, which might be your best bet if you're reheating a large amount of this tasty Thanksgiving side dish. Heat the oven to 350°F and transfer the stuffing to an oven-safe dish (or, you can keep it in the dish that it was originally cooked in). If it seems dry, you'll want to add a splash of broth. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake again until crisp, 15–20 minutes.

How to reheat stuffing in the microwave:

Of course, you could always reheat stuffing in your handy microwave if you're in a bind — though it's not our most favorite method. Just remember to add a splash of broth before microwaving if the stuffing seems dry. Then, microwave on medium power until hot, stirring every minute or so to ensure that the stuffing reheats evenly.

How to reheat frozen stuffing:

Have you frozen your leftover stuffing to save for a rainy day? You can easily warm up frozen stuffing in the oven — there's no need to even thaw it first! Simply follow the same directions as when you're reheating regular stuffing in the oven, but you'll want to keep it in the oven for longer. Heat the oven to 350°F and transfer the dish to an oven-safe dish (or just keep it in the dish that it was originally cooked in), then cover with foil and bake until the stuffing is warmed throughout. Depending on how much stuffing you're reheating, this can take up to an hour. Then, uncover and cook an additional 15–20 minutes until crisp.

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The Best Way to Reheat Stuffing Without Drying It Out, According to Kitchen Pros (2)

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The Best Way to Reheat Stuffing Without Drying It Out, According to Kitchen Pros (2024)

FAQs

The Best Way to Reheat Stuffing Without Drying It Out, According to Kitchen Pros? ›

Heat the oven to 350°F and transfer the stuffing to an oven-safe dish (or, you can keep it in the dish that it was originally cooked in). If it seems dry, you'll want to add a splash of broth. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove foil and bake again until crisp, 15–20 minutes.

How do you keep stuffing warm without drying it out? ›

He uses the hot broth on stuffing, too, rather than putting the stuffing in the oven to heat it up (and risking drying it out). "I make indentations in the trays of stuffing with a spoon," he says, "I put the hot chicken stock in it and it keeps it warm."

Can you make stuffing a day ahead and reheat? ›

Can you prepare stuffing ahead of time and reheat? YES! This stuffing is baked to golden perfection the day before the big meal. You store it in the fridge overnight and then simply warm it in the oven before dinner.

How do you moisten cooked stuffing? ›

Add Butter and Broth Before Reheating

Often upon refrigeration, the stuffing will soak up any excess moisture and will appear drier than when originally served. Depending on the amount of stuffing you plan to reheat, drizzle a few tablespoons or up to 1/4 cup of chicken or turkey broth into the stuffing to moisten it.

How do you reheat stuffing without drying it out? ›

Bring the baked stuffing to room temperature so that it will reheat evenly (about 30 minutes). Preheat the oven to 350 F and warm the dish covered for 30 to 40 minutes, until it is heated through. To recreate the crispy top found in freshly-baked stuffing, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of the baking time.

How to keep stuffing moist? ›

Typically, baking the stuffing inside the bird helps keep the mixture moist. “I prefer stuffing (in the bird) to dressing (outside of the bird) because all those delicious drippings that come off the turkey gets absorbed right into the stuffing,” Bamford says.

Why shouldn't you reheat stuffing? ›

Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 ºF, possibly resulting in foodborne illness. Even if the meat itself has reached this temperature, the stuffing may not have reached a temperature in all areas sufficient to destroy foodborne bacteria.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing. Why? Remember, stuffing can harbor bacteria, and though bacteria grow slower in the refrigerator they can cause problems because stuffing is a good medium for bacteria growth, therefore a higher risk food in terms of cooking safely.

How to reheat turkey and stuffing? ›

The best way to reheat turkey is in a 350°F oven.

Cover the dish with foil and heat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can microwave the sliced turkey (cover with a damp paper towel) in a microwave-safe dish at 50% power in 1-minute intervals.

Why put eggs in stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

Can you eat stuffing cold the next day? ›

If the turkey and stuffing were cooked and refrigerated separately, both should be safe. Keep these cold foods cold and refrigerate them immediately upon arrival at home (always within 2 hours). Serve the meal within 3 to 4 days. Do not reheat a whole cooked turkey.

Can stuffing be made the day before and reheated? ›

Absolutely. Most Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made at least partially in advance since: A) They're easily assembled a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving Day; and B) They're often baked using a two-step process (once covered with foil to cook through, then uncovered to achieve a crispy top).

What is the best way to keep stuffing warm? ›

Option 1: A Chafing Dish

It's an obvious solution, but chafing dishes are perfect for keeping food warm on a buffet. Fancier versions will also look lovely in your food display. Consider a chafing dish for your mashed potatoes, casseroles or stuffing.

How can I moisten stuffing without broth? ›

Food Network suggests adding turkey drippings or a splash of cream, whereas Rachael Ray recommends drizzling melted butter and chicken stock over dry stuffing. Martha Stewart even supports experimenting with other liquids like wine!

How do you keep stuffing warm for hours? ›

Option 1: A Chafing Dish

It's an obvious solution, but chafing dishes are perfect for keeping food warm on a buffet. Fancier versions will also look lovely in your food display. Consider a chafing dish for your mashed potatoes, casseroles or stuffing.

What temperature do you keep stuffing warm in the oven? ›

Your Oven. Some ovens actually will have a "warm" setting, which is usually 170 to 200 F, or a warming drawer, which is meant to keep foods at a level, warm temperature. If your oven has neither, set it to 200 to 250 F.

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