Looking to Make Thanksgiving Easier? Here's What to Know About Freezing Stuffing (2024)

Ree Drummond's dressing recipe (or "stuffing" as some people would call it) is an exceptionally beautiful thing. "A real feast for the senses," she says.

But just like any good Thanksgiving recipe, making stuffing always seems to bring up a few very important questions, like how to dry your own bread cubes for stuffing? What's the difference between stuffing and dressing? And can you make stuffing in a slow cooker? (The answer is yes!) Another Thanksgiving question that comes to mind is: can you freeze stuffing?

While some people might be wondering if you can freeze stuffing for their make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes, others might simply be wondering what the heck they'll do with all that extra leftover stuffing! Ahead, you'll find out more about freezing stuffing for both scenarios (before and after your stuffing is cooked). So, go ahead and pick out your favorite stuffing recipe (anything from apple-cranberry stuffing to sausage stuffing to stuffing made with chorizo and poblanos), then find out how to freeze the stuffing for easy Thanksgiving prep. Or check out how long your cooked stuffing will last in the freezer for your Thanksgiving leftovers!

Can you freeze stuffing?

The short answer is yes, you can freeze your Thanksgiving stuffing! And it actually freezes really well. Just like with freezing mashed potatoes or freezing pumpkin pie, keeping stuffing in the freezer is a great time-saving trick. Phew, now that we got that squared away, you might be wondering just how to do it.

Should you freeze stuffing before or after baking?

The good news is that you can freeze stuffing either before and after cooking! It all just depends on your preferences.

If you want to prepare your stuffing in advance of Thanksgiving, freezing it uncooked will ensure it stays nice and moist. Simply follow the steps of your stuffing recipe, but before baking it, wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil to make it air tight. Store in the freezer until you're ready to bake. When you're ready to reheat, just pop the stuffing straight in the oven (no need to thaw).

Does leftover stuffing freeze well?

Like we said, you can also freeze stuffing after it's baked. This option is better for freezing leftovers rather than prepping ahead. If you happened to make too much stuffing, you can portion the leftovers into food storage containers and pop in the freezer to enjoy during the days to come.

How long does stuffing last in the freezer?

According to the USDA, Thanksgiving leftovers will last in the freezer "indefinitely," but it's best to reheat your leftover stuffing within approximately three months for the best taste and texture.