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9 Quick Tricks to Make Stuffing Mix Taste Homemade

Looking to dress up your dressing? Adding any of these ingredients to store-bought stuffing mix will take your next holiday meal to the next level.

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Add dried fruit to store-bought stuffing mixPhoto: Shutterstock

Fruit

Fruit, especially dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, figs and apricots can seriously improve a dreary box of stuffing. That bit of sweetness plays beautifully with other flavours on the table. I’ve found that fresh fruits like apples and pears are stellar as well.

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Add toasted walnuts to store-bought stuffing mixPhoto: Shutterstock

Toasted Nuts

Nuts are a delicious, simple way to add some crunch to store-bought stuffing mix. In fact, lightly toasted nuts add a layer of texture not only to stuffing, but the holiday spread as a whole. Our top picks? Pecans, walnuts, almonds and pistachios.

You’ll also want to add these amazing Christmas cookie recipes to your repertoire.

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Brown butterPhoto: Shutterstock

Brown Butter

If you (or someone at your table) is allergic to nuts, but loves a rich, nutty flavour, look no further than brown butter. A touch sweet, a tad savoury, brown butter is easy to make and wonderfully delicious. It’s definitely something to add to recipes on a regular basis.

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Add bacon to store-bought stuffing mixPhoto: Shutterstock

Chopped Bacon

It’s a universal truth that bacon makes everything taste better. Adding some chopped bacon (or pancetta) to your stuffing mix is a surefire way to improve its flavour. Make sure you cook the bacon before mixing it into the stuffing.

Find out seven mistakes most people make when cooking bacon.

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Add sausage to store-bought stuffing mixPhoto: Shutterstock

Sausage Crumbles

Use sausage to amp up your stuffing’s flavour. If pork isn’t your thing, you could use beef, tofu or chicken sausage instead.

Check out the nearly-forgotten ingredients Grandma always cooked with.

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Slicing mushroomsPhoto: Shutterstock

Mushrooms

Another great way to add a mouthwatering savoury element to stuffing is by adding mushrooms. They’re vegetarian-friendly, which is perfect if you need a meat-free option for your guests.

Here are 99 more genius holiday tips you’ll wish you’d known sooner.

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Sauteed onionsPhoto: Shutterstock

Sauteed Onion

Something as effortless as a chopped onion can completely transform your stuffing mix. Red and Spanish/yellow onions have a sharper bite to them, while white onions are much milder. You could always use shallots for a sweeter, more subtle flavour.

Find out why you should never store onions and potatoes together.

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Spice rackPhoto: Shutterstock

Dried Spices

Keep things easy with a dash of paprika or a sprinkle of cayenne. Or, totally change your stuffing mix with a spice blend like Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, poultry seasoning, adobo or Lawry’s.

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Grated cheesePhoto: Shutterstock

Grated Cheese

A little grated cheese can make even the most standard boxed stuffing mix taste outstanding. A good cheddar or Parmesan brings a bit of sharpness, but there are loads of great-tasting milder versions. Gouda, mozzarella and provolone are some of our top picks.

Now that you know what to add to stuffing mix, find out 25 holiday cooking tips we learned from our grandmothers.

Taste of Home
Originally Published on Taste of Home