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Chestnut Stuffing

Chestnut stuffing is a flavorful side dish commonly served during Thanksgiving or holiday meals. It combines toasted bread cubes with sautéed onions, celery, and roasted or pre-cooked chestnuts. Seasoned with thyme, sage, and parsley, the mixture is bound with chicken or vegetable broth and optionally an egg. The stuffing is baked until golden and crispy on top. It pairs well with turkey, roast meats, and other festive dishes.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 18
Calories 223 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1-1/2 cups butter, cubed
  • 3 cups chestnuts, shelled and coarsely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
  • 10 slices Italian bread (3/4 inch thick), cubed

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, saute celery and onion in butter over medium-high heat until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chestnuts and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add bread cubes and stir to coat.
  • Transfer to an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, 20-25 minutes.

Notes

How to Store Chestnut Stuffing

Leftover stuffing with chestnuts may be stored in an airtight food storage container and kept refrigerated for four to five days. To reheat, place your stuffing in an oven-safe dish and place in a 350° oven. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then remove the foil and bake again until crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. If it seems dry, add a splash of broth and let it heat through. Here are more tips for reheating Thanksgiving leftovers.

How to Freeze Chestnut Stuffing

Chestnut stuffing may also be kept frozen for up to three months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above.

Can you make chestnut stuffing ahead of time?

Yes! To make ahead, prepare this chestnut stuffing recipe through Step 1 of the directions. Let it cool slightly, then cover with plastic and refrigerate for up to two days. To cook, remove from the fridge and let it stand at room temperature for one hour. Then, proceed to bake the stuffing as directed in Step 2 of the recipe. Here are more tips for prepping Thanksgiving in advance.

Chestnut Stuffing Tips

How do you prevent soggy chestnut stuffing?

Soggy chestnut dressing is caused by too much moisture. To prevent this, make sure to simmer the vegetables and chestnuts for the full 10 minutes. This will allow any excess water in the vegetables to evaporate prior to adding the bread.

How do you prevent dry chestnut stuffing?

Conversely, dry stuffing is caused by a lack of moisture. If you overcook the stuffing in the oven or cook it at a higher temperature, you risk it drying out. If your stuffing becomes dry at any point, you can always add a splash of chicken or vegetable stock to rehydrate it. This trick applies to prepared box stuffing, too.

Can I put chestnut stuffing inside a turkey or chicken?

Yes! If you prefer to cook your stuffing inside the cavity of your bird rather than as dressing in a baking dish, you can do so with this recipe. Just make sure to follow our safety tips for cooking a stuffed turkey to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

What should you serve with chestnut stuffing?

Chestnut stuffing is a classic side dish to pair with roasted turkey or ham around the holidays, along with all of your other favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. However, this chestnut stuffing recipe can be enjoyed in other ways. Try stuffing it in pork chops or rolling it up in a pork loin or chicken breast.

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 2gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 213mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g
Keyword Chestnut Stuffing
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