You Say Stuffing? I Say Dressing? The Thanksgiving Debate
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I was slightly stunned to discover from our friends at the Food Network that I have been calling our turkey stuffing – stuffing – which in reality – is technically called dressing.
Really?
Susieq the professional chef has enlightened me that if the stuffing is in the bird, it is stuffing. If the stuffing is outside the bird, it is dressing. I’m confusing myself. But okay, it makes sense. We used to stuff the bird with “stuffing” and also make a side dish of stuffing. For an unknown reason, we have gravitated to just making the side dish of stuffing. I’m not doubting the Food Network, but I’ve never heard stuffing called dressing in my area.
But perhaps I am sheltered.
Definition of Stuffing Vs. Dressing
Merriam-Webster defines stuffing as “a mixture (as of bread crumbs and seasonings) used to stuff a food (as meat or a vegetable).”
Dressing is defined as “a seasoned mixture usually used as a stuffing (as for poultry).”
Does that clarify the great debate of stuffing versus dressing?
Sorry Food Network, in our house, whether it be dressing used to stuff, stuffing used to stuff or in our house the all purpose stuffing… “it’ will always be called stuffing.
I’m sure you understand…
Great, fun post; informative, too! I’m with you: no matter how one ‘dresses’ the turkey, since we all get stuffed eating it, stuffing it is, inside or outside!
Exactly !
Guess I grew up with dressing being used as and called stuffing, so stuffing it is. Just don’t tell my daughter-in-law I said that.
The stuffing secret is safe 🙂
Down here in Alabama we call it dressing. Stuffing is something in a box called ” stove top stuffing ” 🙂
Too funny re stovetop!
Oh stuff it! I haven’t laughed so much in ages…. It says ” Sage and Onion Stuffing ” on the Paxo box(I am from the UK) so stuffing it is….But your post has made me smile…Thank you 🙂
You are quite welcome, thanks for the visit! I am w Paxo 🙂
Stuffing goes in the bird; dressing is cooked separately. With that said, I refer to both as stuffing, which is odd because I only ever cook mine outside the turkey!
I’m with ya… 🙂
We call it stuffing in my household too.
It will always be stuffing to us 🙂 whereever ‘it’ may be on the table or in the bird !