The Best Stuffing Recipes to Add to Your Thanksgiving Spread

What is Dressing vs Stuffing?

While some might say it depends on where you live, the truth is that technically the difference lies in how they are cooked. Traditional Thanksgiving stuffing consists of a seasoned blend that is cooked inside of the turkey as a filling, while a dressing is essentially the same mix but cooked outside in a separate vessel.

While many people have stopped filling the actual turkey cavity, the word stuffing remains right alongside dressing as one of the most commonly used to describe this quintessential part of any Thanksgiving spread!

Making a Rice Stuffing/Dressing

As a foodie myself, I love a good classic dish, but there is always room for more exploration in the kitchen, and the holidays are the perfect time to add an innovative touch to some staples you may have enjoyed year after year. I absolutely love to add rice and grains to my stuffing. I believe it adds an elegant and refined touch to the meal and it’s also well-suited for guests who don't eat bread or wheat.

For this, I know there is only one rice brand that has the sophistication I’m looking for to create my meals, and that’s RiceSelect®. With such a wide variety of premium products, my meals are always unforgettable.

Note: If you’re still not ready to give up the traditional bread stuffing or dressing, why not try making your own Texmati® Brown Rice Bread to give your dish a wonderful homemade touch.

Elements In a Rice Stuffing Recipe

I’ll give you the keys you need to make an incredible stuffing or dressing this year with a few elevated ingredient additions. You can also make it your own with Autumn Fall Ingredients to savor the season.

Seasoning and Aromatics

Once you have your grain chosen, create complex and deeply developed flavors with a base of aromatics, usually found in the form of a mirepoix of sautéed onion, carrot and celery with butter or oil. Of course, I encourage you to experiment with different flavors as you see fit by using a bit of bacon grease with the cooking fat or swapping in other vegetables such as leek, garlic or even an entirely different sofrito blend.

Second, while the name might deceive you, poultry seasoning is an entirely meat-free combination of herbs and seasoning that adds flavor to both vegetarian and meat stuffing or dressing recipes. Try making your own to use in this Pecan Rice Stuffing Recipe combining a bit of sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, nutmeg, black pepper and salt.

Additional Items

After you’ve got a flavorful base using aromatic vegetables or seasonings to be included, get creative with more complementing ingredients such as mushrooms, Italian sausage, or seafood like shrimp and oysters. Add a touch of sweetness with raisins or crunchiness with nuts and a savory touch of cheese.

Simple Stuffing Recipe Idea

Make your own Classic Rice Stuffing Recipe using the information below as a guide. Get creative with your favorite vegetables or meat and aromatic blends to add a personalized touch to your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup, uncooked Royal Blend® Texmati® White, Brown & Red Rice (Substitute whole grain Royal Blend® Rice Varieties with Wild Rice or Red Rice if desired)

• ¼ cup butter

• ¾ cup onion, chopped

• ¾ cup celery, chopped

• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (or to taste)

• ½ cup toasted pecans, chopped

• ¼ cup parsley, chopped

• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Step 1: Prepare rice according to package directions.

Step 2: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery and poultry seasoning. Saute until tender, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Combine rice, onion mixture, pecans, parsley and salt and pepper.

I want to encourage everyone to share their holiday rice stuffing and dressing recipes, or a completely new idea such as one of your favorite easy Pearl Couscous recipes with me! Stay connected by tagging @riceselect in your photos on social media.