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Home » Holiday Recipes » Thanksgiving

11 Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes

A closeup photo of Tiffany holding a bouquet.
By Tiffany
Modified: Sep 23, 2026 · Published: Nov 7, 2024

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These make-ahead stuffing recipes let you prepare this holiday staple ahead of time without losing flavor or texture. You’ll find a new favorite Thanksgiving recipe to make this holiday!

A vertical image of a white grid of 10 different stuffing photos.

I feel stuffing is the unsung hero of the Thanksgiving table, with its blend of savory herbs, soft bread, and just the right touch of crunch.

Whether you're a fan of classic recipes or love adding unique twists like sausage, apple, or mushrooms, make-ahead stuffing is a time saver. It also allows the flavors to develop even more as it sits.

In this post, I've shared a variety of stuffing recipes that are perfect for prepping ahead. So grab your apron and let's get stuffing!

1
A white rectangle baking dish with garlic butter stuffing. A silver spoon is scooping up a spoonful of garlic butter stuffing.
Garlic Bread Stuffing
Garlic bread stuffing is made with buttery pieces of bread cooked in garlic butter to taste like garlic bread, and then baked with tender pieces of celery, onions, and mushrooms. It's then cooked until crispy and golden brown.
Recipe
2
Mushroom Stuffing
https://www.greedygourmet.com
Mushroom Stuffing
This wild mushroom stuffing is the perfect side dish for a festive feast, made with a mix of fresh mushrooms, chopped pecans, fragrant herbs, sourdough bread cubes, garlic, and shallots. It's easy to make, too
Recipe
3
Cornbread Dressing
https://theforkedspoon.com
Cornbread Dressing
Buttery and moist with a crispy, golden crust, this cornbread dressing recipe is a must-have for any holiday dinner. It's straightforward to prepare using homemade sweet cornbread, Italian sausage, celery, onion, and fresh herbs. For added convenience, you can make the cornbread a day ahead, and even assemble the dressing the night before; simply refrigerate and bake the next day for a stress-free holiday meal.
Recipe
4
Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Stuffing
https://theveganatlas.com
Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Stuffing
Luscious wild rice and butternut squash stuffing makes a fantastic side dish for fall and winter holidays and other special occasion meals.
Recipe
5
Easy Sausage Stuffing
https://joyfoodsunshine.com
Easy Sausage Stuffing
This sausage stuffing is easy to prepare in advance and then reheat on thanksgiving!
Recipe
6
Pumpernickel, Apple, and Sausage Stuffing
https://www.lifeasastrawberry.com
Pumpernickel, Apple, and Sausage Stuffing
This hearty Thanksgiving stuffing is packed with flavor and easy to make in advance! With green apples, Italian sausage, and pumpernickel bread.
Recipe
7
Homemade Stuffing
https://www.ihearteating.com
Homemade Stuffing
This easy homemade stuffing recipe can be made ahead of time and makes a tasty Thanksgiving side dish!
Recipe
8
Air Fryer Southern Dressing
https://littleblackskillet.com
Air Fryer Southern Dressing
This Southern-style stuffing (or dressing as we call it) is made in the air fryer, freeing up precious oven space for other holiday dishes. You can also make this ahead of time. Just reheat in the air fryer or oven before serving, adding a little more broth if it gets too dry.
Recipe
9
A person with a green and white striped apron holding a light wood cutting board with four stuffing muffins.
https://www.chewoutloud.com
Stuffing Muffins
Stuffing Muffins are a deliciously impressive yet easy side dish. This stuffing recipe is make-ahead, which reduces the stress of holiday cooking.
Recipe
10
Gluten-Free Stuffing
https://organicallyaddison.com
Gluten-Free Stuffing
This gluten-free stuffing recipe is the best! It is filled with warm and hearty flavors and varying textures. This homemade stuffing is great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and family dinners.
Recipe
11
A wood table with a blue and white striped napkin mostly covering the table. A silver tin baking dish filled with sourdough stuffing sits on top of it. A round black plate is at the forefront bottom of the photo with sourdough stuffing and a wood handled fork. A deer antler sits between the black plate and the tin baking dish.
https://peaktoplate.com
Sourdough Stuffing with Venison Sausage
Homemade sourdough and venison sausage soaked in a butter and homemade stock mixture, tossed with fresh herbs and garden veggies make this side dish the perfect addition to any holiday meal.
Recipe

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A closeup photo of Tiffany holding a bouquet.

Hello! I'm Tiffany.

I'm the recipe developer and food photographer behind Simply Happenings. I'm also a wife, mom to two adventurous little boys, registered nurse, and I live in the great Midwest. I like to feature high-protein recipes, one-pot meals, and delicious recipes you can cook with your favorite household appliances.

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