Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins
Everyone at your Thanksgiving table will fall in love with these stuffing muffins from the very first bite.
I’ve served these at my holiday gatherings for years, and they’re always the first dish to disappear.
What makes them special? The individual portions create more of those irresistibly crispy edges everyone fights over.
Plus, they’re perfectly portable—ever tried passing a casserole dish around a crowded table? These little beauties solve that problem.
They’re also incredibly versatile. Not a fan of raisins? Leave them out.
Want more herbs? Go for it. Your guests can choose exactly which muffin matches their stuffing preference.
What Ingredients are in Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins?
These Thanksgiving stuffing muffins bring together all the traditional flavors of classic stuffing in a convenient, perfectly portioned package. The combination of aromatic vegetables, herbs, and soft bread creates that comforting holiday taste we all crave, but with extra crispy edges that make them even more delicious than the traditional casserole version.
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups chopped celery
- 3 carrots, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 9 cups soft bread cubes
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 12 ounces raisins
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
When shopping for these ingredients, the bread is really the foundation of good stuffing. You can use any type you prefer—white, wheat, sourdough, or even cornbread for a Southern twist. Just make sure it’s slightly stale or dried out, which helps it absorb all those delicious flavors without becoming soggy. And while the raisins add a lovely sweet contrast to the savory herbs, they’re completely optional if they’re not your thing. Some people prefer to substitute dried cranberries for a more traditional Thanksgiving flavor profile, or add chopped apples for a fresh crunch.
How to Make These Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins
Making these stuffing muffins is surprisingly simple, and the results are worth every minute of prep time. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F, then grab a skillet and sauté 1 onion (finely chopped), 1 1/2 cups of chopped celery, and 3 carrots (finely chopped) until they’re tender and fragrant. This aromatic base is what gives our stuffing that classic Thanksgiving flavor we all remember from grandma’s kitchen.
Next, find a large mixing bowl—and I mean large, because we’re going to be adding 9 cups of soft bread cubes to our veggie mixture. Add in your sautéed vegetables, 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 4 eggs, and 1 cup of chicken stock. The eggs and stock work together to bind everything while keeping it moist.
Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons dried sage, 1 teaspoon ground sage (yes, both types for extra flavor depth), 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper. Don’t forget the 12 ounces of raisins, which add little bursts of sweetness throughout. Mix everything thoroughly but gently—you want the bread cubes to maintain some of their structure rather than turning to mush.
Now for the fun part—grab your muffin tins and give them a good spray with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop the stuffing mixture into each cup until it’s just overflowing slightly. Unlike traditional muffins, these won’t rise in the oven, so what you see is what you get.
Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully crisp and golden brown. The best part? Everyone gets those coveted crispy edge pieces that always disappear first from the traditional stuffing dish.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins Substitutions and Variations
While the classic recipe creates delicious stuffing muffins, I’ve found that substitutions and variations can transform this dish to suit any preference or dietary need.
For gluten-free guests, swap regular bread with gluten-free varieties. Dried cranberries can replace raisins for a tangy twist, or omit them entirely if you’re not a dried fruit fan.
Vegetarians? Use vegetable stock instead of chicken. For herb lovers, fresh rosemary or sage makes a world of difference.
My father-in-law can’t stand celery, so I substitute finely diced apple for that necessary crunch. And mushrooms—sautéed cremini or shiitake—add an earthy depth that pairs beautifully with turkey.
What to Serve with Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins
Thanksgiving stuffing muffins deserve perfect companions on your holiday table, creating a balanced, memorable feast.
I love serving mine alongside a juicy roasted turkey with cranberry sauce for that classic holiday pairing. The tartness cuts through the savory herbs beautifully.
Add some creamy mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and green bean casserole to round out your plate with color and texture.
A boat of rich turkey gravy for drizzling over both the stuffing muffins and potatoes ties everything together.
Don’t forget a crisp autumn salad with apples and walnuts to lighten things up.
Your guests will be reaching for seconds, trust me.
Final Thoughts
These stuffing muffins have truly revolutionized my holiday cooking approach, transforming a traditional side dish into convenient, portion-controlled delights.
I’ve found they’re perfect for balancing those overflowing Thanksgiving plates, and guests love having their own individual serving.
The versatility is what keeps me making these year after year. Leftovers reheat beautifully for breakfast with eggs, or crumble them into soup for a hearty lunch.
The crispy tops and soft centers create that perfect textural contrast we all crave.
Trust me, once you try making stuffing in muffin form, you might never go back to the casserole dish!
Savory Thanksgiving Stuffing Muffins
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet, sauté the finely chopped onion, celery, and carrots until tender and fragrant.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables, bread cubes, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Add the eggs and chicken stock to the bowl, which will help bind the ingredients while keeping the mixture moist.
- Sprinkle in the salt, both types of sage, dried thyme leaves, and black pepper. Add the raisins if using.
- Mix everything thoroughly but gently, allowing the bread cubes to maintain some structure.
- Spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
- Scoop the stuffing mixture into each muffin cup, filling until slightly overflowing.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the tops are crisp and golden brown.
