My Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing has stood the test of time. This buttery, savory, melt-in-your-mouth stuffing is the best stuffing recipe around!
Are you all so excited that Thanksgiving is almost here? I think I love Thanksgiving more than Christmas. And one reason why? The food, of course! It’s all about the corn casserole, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.
Today we are sharing with you one of our classic family recipes that without fail, ends up on our Thanksgiving menu: Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing.
This recipe was my Grandma’s Thanksgiving stuffing recipe, passed down to my mom. I grew up enjoying this savory traditional stuffing recipe, and now my kids are enjoying the tradition, too!
When preparing your Thanksgiving turkey this year, one of the biggest questions is how much stuffing you need for a 20 lb bird. Properly stuffing the turkey ensures you have enough to go around without overdoing it.
Through years of Thanksgiving experience, I’ve dialed in the ideal stuffing quantity for a 20 lb turkey. Follow this guide and your holiday bird will be stuffed perfectly.
Calculating the Right Amount of Stuffing
The general rule of thumb is allow 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey. For a 20 lb turkey, this equals around 10-12 cups of stuffing
However adjust this amount based on
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Number of guests – More guests means more stuffing.
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Stuffing density – Fluffy stuffing takes up more space than dense.
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Personal taste – Some people prefer lightly stuffed birds.
It’s better to have extra stuffing than not enough. Leftovers make great side dishes or sandwiches.
I recommend starting with 12 cups of stuffing, adding more if needed. It’s easy to cook extra stuffing in a baking dish.
Safely Preparing and Cooking the Stuffing
Follow these tips for safe stuffed turkey:
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Use fully cooked ingredients like roasted veggies, browned meat and broth. Avoid raw eggs.
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Make stuffing in advance and refrigerate. Stuff turkey just before roasting.
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Loosely fill neck and body cavities. Don’t overpack.
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Roast at 325°F and calculate time based on total weight with stuffing. Plan on 5 hours for a 20 lb stuffed turkey.
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Verify internal temp of 165°F when finished cooking.
Combine textures like chunks of bread, sausage, apples, and celery for character. Herbs and stock add lots of flavor.
Alternative Stuffing Methods
If concerned about potential bacteria from in-turkey stuffing, safer alternatives include:
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Bake stuffing completely separate in a casserole dish.
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Skip stuffing and fill turkey with aromatics like onions, apples, and herbs.
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Make an alternative side like wild rice pilaf instead of traditional stuffing.
You can also bake stuffing into muffins or waffles for creative leftovers.
Key Tips for Stuffing Your Turkey
Here are more tips for stuffing success:
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For a 20 lb turkey, plan on 10-12 cups stuffing as a general guide. Adjust as needed.
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Stuff right before roasting and cook thoroughly to 165°F for safety.
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Loosely fill body and neck cavities without overpacking.
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Consider roasting extra stuffing in a baking dish as backup.
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Calculate roast time based on total stuffed weight.
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Flavor stuffing with sautéed veggies, broth, herbs and spices.
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Use cooked ingredients and stock instead of raw eggs for safety.
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Follow package directions if using convenient premade stuffing mix.
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Let stuffed turkey rest 20 minutes before removing stuffing and carving.
How to Make Delicious Turkey Stuffing
Making your own turkey stuffing is easy:
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Sauté aromatics like onions and celery in butter until tender.
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Combine dried bread cubes, sautéed veggies, broth, herbs and spices.
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For food safety, use cooked ingredients like roasted veggies and browned meat.
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Bake stuffing in a buttered baking dish at 350°F until browned, about 30 minutes.
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For more flavor, consider adding sausage, mushrooms, cranberries, pecans or apples.
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Season with sage, thyme, salt and pepper. Chicken or turkey stock adds moisture.
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Stuff your turkey loosely just before roasting to prevent bacterial growth.
With this handy guide, your 20 lb Thanksgiving turkey will be stuffed perfectly – not too much, not too little. Savor the delicious flavors of the season with your family!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much stuffing does a 20 lb turkey need?
Generally 10-12 cups of stuffing, or 1⁄2 – 3⁄4 cup per pound. Adjust as needed.
What’s the safest way to prepare stuffing?
Cook in advance. Stuff just before roasting. Cook to 165°F. Avoid raw ingredients.
Can you overstuff a turkey?
Yes. Overstuffing prevents even cooking and increases food safety risks. Loosely fill cavities.
Should you bake stuffing separately?
Baking in a dish is safest. But loosely stuffed turkey is fine if cooked thoroughly.
What ingredients make the best turkey stuffing?
Bread cubes, broth, sautéed aromatics like onion/celery, herbs, spices, sausage, apples, mushrooms, etc.
How long do you cook a stuffed 20 lb turkey?
Calculate roast time based on total weight. About 5 hours at 325°F for a 20 lb stuffed turkey.
Can you freeze leftover turkey stuffing?
Yes! Freeze in airtight containers up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge before reheating.
With this complete guide, you’ll prepare the perfect amount of stuffing to complement your 20 lb Thanksgiving turkey.
Turkey Stuffing vs Dressing
What’s the difference? It’s simple…stuffing is “stuffed” inside the bird. Dressing is usually baked on the side. My mom usually stuffs the turkey. I usually stuff the turkey AND bake dressing on the side.
Call this recipe whichever you’d like and bake it whichever way you prefer. You’ll love this best turkey dressing or homemade stuffing recipe either way!
- Our recipe has just a few key stuffing spices: poultry seasoning, salt and black pepper. You’ll also get flavor from the butter, onion, celery and chicken stock, but for the most part, all that savory flavor comes from poultry seasoning.
- We use a pre-mixed poultry seasoning that you can buy in the spice aisle at the grocery store. You can mix your own if you’d like. It generally has sage, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, a touch of nutmeg and black pepper.
How to Make Turkey Stuffing
- Sauté the veggies. When it comes time to make the stuffing, sauté the onions and celery in butter over medium heat until the veggies are tender. This is the best aroma ever. Of all the smells of Thanksgiving dinner cooking, this is the one that always starts it all off. There’s just nothing better.
- Mix the stuffing. Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Then add the butter mixture and the rest of the ingredients. You can also mix the stuffing right in the casserole dish.
- Bake the stuffing. Spread the stuffing evenly in a 9×13″ baking pan or a pretty 2 quart baking dish. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
