Can You Freeze Stuffing?

Can You Freeze Stuffing?

Regardless of the time of the year, stuffing mix always makes it into everyone’s favorite on the table. Of course, at times of the year like Thanksgiving and the holiday season with Christmas and new year, a bunch of homemade amazing food will be served on the tables, one of which is homemade stuffing. But what do you usually do with leftovers? Can you freeze stuffing to save for later?

Can you freeze stuffing balls? – Yes they make excellent meal enhancers later on.

Can you freeze Stuffing mixed with mashed potato? Mashed potatoes mixed with stuffing can be frozen. But keep it as dry as possible as the potato can release liquid when it thaws.

How much mashed potato do I need per person for a big Christmas Dinner

How long does onion stuffing last in the freezer?  If wrapped well it will last from 3 to 6 months,

As such, we give you tips and steps on how to freeze your stuffing without spoiling it.

Can You Freeze Stuffing

You can freeze the leftover stuffing. It is mostly made of onions, fresh herbs, butter, and bread cubes, making the recipe easier to store in the freezer. Some also refer to this food as dressing, but both can still be frozen easily. 

How to Store Uncooked Stuffing in the Freezer

Some folks always make extra stuffing from their thanksgiving recipe plus others prepare it in advance (thanksgiving leftovers in reverse). The good news is you can just store this in the freezer and it will maintain its flavor and texture. Just follow these steps:

1. Portion the uncooked stuffing into smaller serving sizes to easier store them in freezer bags or airtight containers. Also, when you plan to cook or bake it, the small portions can easily be placed onto the baking sheet or any baking dish.  A really good tip is to use muffin tins to form stuffing or cornbread dressing into uniform small sizes for freezing and then reheating later.

2. Wrap every portion or batch with a cling wrap or plastic wrap this gives you free flow frozen dressing that can be reheated in bulk or as single portions. You can also use parchment paster to separate them also. In that way, you will prevent excess air and moisture from getting in. It also prevents developing freezer burn.

3. Place immediately in the freezer and make sure they are not placed together with meats or leaked liquids that can cause spoilage. 

Is it better to freeze stuffing cooked or uncooked?
Is it better to freeze stuffing cooked or uncooked? It is better to freeze after cooking – because freshly cooked stuffing always tastes best.

How much stuffing per person do I need for a big group or family thanksgiving dinner?

How to Store Cooked Stuffing in the Freezer

Whether you have leftover stuffing or made it in advance, you can simply place it in the freezer later. However, cooked stuffing should be completely cooled down in a shallow container or separate baking dish before placing in the freezer. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Portion the food into smaller sizes and place them in a dry and clean airtight container. (again you can use muffin tins to get a standard size which makes it easier to reheat premade stuffing. Or form them into patty shapes and you can make cornbread dressing fritters and serve with reheated leftover gravy, leftover turkey and cream cheese – Yum!!

2. Seal every portion with plastic wraps or a layer of foil to prevent freezer burn. 

3. Place immediately in the freezer. Lay them on a single layer with enough space to prevent them from getting on top of each other and affecting the texture and shape. Once frozen you can put them in an airtight bag.

How Long Does Stuffing Last in the Freezer

Whether cooked or uncooked, it is best to freeze the entire stuffing recipe for up to 3-6 months in the freezer. Though it can last longer than that, its original quality and texture will diminish. So, to make the most out of it, make sure to maintain these tips:

  • Never forget to label the container with the ingredients and date of cooking or cooking time. Some stuffing recipe contains highly perishable ingredients vegetables and dairy or raw eggs if it is uncooked, thus it is important to take note of it.
  • Uncooked stuffing placed in the freezer does not need to be thawed. You just have to directly place it in the 325-degree oven and cook it.
  • Reheat Stuffing: Cooked stuffing needs to be defrosted first before reheating. If you want to reheat it, then defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. Or if you prefer to heat it right away, then place it in the microwave until warm.

How to Reheat Frozen Stuffing

If you wish to serve and consume your frozen stuffing, here’s what you should do:

1. Clean and preheat your oven to 325° Fahrenheit. 

2. Place the stuffing into an oven safe-dish or baking tray and cover with a layer of foil.

3. Drizzle some broth (chicken broth works well) over the frozen food to prevent it from drying.

4. Reheat for 12-15 minutes. 

5. Remove the foil and let it warm. 

Can you freeze home made stuffing?
Can you freeze home made stuffing? You can freeze home made stuffing – it will last in the freezer for 3-6 months.

Things to Consider When Freezing Stuffing (Tips)

Though freezing stuffed items is easy, there are still things to consider. Here are some tips:

1. Make sure to use good quality stuffing ingredients – sourdough bread and sweet potato gives a nice flavor to any stuffing..

2. Avoid using pieces of bread with high sugar content as it may affect the taste of the stuffing.

3. If you can use only fresh herbs and spices. 

4. Do not add salt at this stage. It will affect the taste of the finished product.

5. Never use leftovers of meat or poultry mixed with stuffing. Cranberry sauce is ok.

6. Always check the expiration dates of all the ingredients used.

7. Be careful about the amount of liquid in the stuffing. Too much moisture will result in a soggy stuffing.

8. To avoid any leakage, keep the stuffing tightly sealed.

9. Once thawed, the stuffing should be served within 3 days.

What are the Easy-to-Make Types of Stuffing

There are different types of stuffing depending on the type of meat, whether it is made from scratch or already prepared, and also the season. Common stuffing is made of onions, breadcrumbs, celery, spices, and herbs. When served, it comes with a side dish or stuffed in turkey or chicken.

Here are some common types of stuffing:

Sausage Bacon & Cheese Stuffing

This kind of sausage stuffing is usually made from ground pork combined with bacon bits and cheese. This is one of the easiest stuffing recipes to prepare.

Chicken & Bacon Stuffing

This kind comes from chicken breast combined with bacon and cheese. It is very similar to the previous kind add a little poultry seasoning for extra taste.

Pork & Apple Stuffing

This kind is made from ground pork combined with apple, onion, and sage. It has a sweet flavor which makes it perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.

can you freeze cranberry stuffing
Can you freeze cranberry stuffing? Freezing cranberry stuffing is best when you let it cool down before freezing.

Turkey & Cranberry Stuffing

This kind consists of ground turkey mixed with cranberries, pecans, and dried currants. It is delicious and popular during the Christmas season.

Cornbread Stuffing

It is made from cornbread crumbled and mixed with butter, milk, eggs, and seasoned with salt.

If you have special diet stuffing needs, you can make prepared stuffing ahead of time so that the say the gluten free stuffing or dairy-free prepared stuffing does not get cross contaminated when you are making the main stuffing.

I have also heard of, but never tried cooked shellfish stuffing.

Can You Freeze Raw/Uncooked Homemade Stuffing?

Yes, you can freeze raw homemade stuffing. As mentioned above, make sure to seal it with a layer of plastic wrap to prevent leakage and air from getting in.

How Long Does Uncooked Stuffing Last in Fridge?

You can store unseasoned stuffing for up to 3-5 days in the refrigerator. To maximize its shelf life, place it in a sealed or covered airtight container. But we suggest that if you have uncooked stuffing prepared ahead of time, it is best to place it in the freezer rather than in the fridge.

Is it Safe to Freeze Onions and Sage Stuffing?

Yes! Just like other vegetables, onions and sage can be frozen without affecting their texture or flavor.

Can I Freeze Bread Stuffing?

Yes. In fact, bread stuffing is one of the most commonly frozen food.