Stuffing baked in a casserole dish may also be called dressing – the term used in the South, though many may argue that dressing must use cornbread as opposed to cubed white or French bread. The main difference between how you make dressing versus stuffing comes down to whether you use cornbread or a loaf of bread as the main ingredient. It's called dressing. You'll find more of our personalities in the recipes on the site. A new study looked into the stuffing versus dressing debate to figure out which term is more popular in different states. Then enter your email address for our weekly newsletter. South of the Mason-Dixon Line, stuffing is generally called “dressing.” This shift in word choice occurred because holiday dining in the South was historically centered around the great rural plantations and elegant townhouses of Charleston, Atlanta and New Orleans. Mar 13, 2016 - Traditional moist old-fashioned bread and celery dressing or stuffing, baked outside of the bird- or you can put it in if you like. Stuffing is the older word, dating back from the middle of the 16th-century, when it replaced the term forcemeat, which came from the French verb farcir (to stuff). The moral of the Thanksgiving story is stuffing or dressing. We’re not inclined to throw ourselves into any of the arguments that take place at your Thanksgiving table. into the cavity of the turkey and roasted inside the hen, whereas “dressing” is simply that same bread mixture crammed into a baking dish and roasted outside of the hen. So, the question is whether dressing and stuffing really are the same thing, and why we use these two interchangeable terms. To get fully cooked stuffing (the center of the stuffing needs to reach 165˚F) there is a chance that the turkey could become over cooked. Pennsylvania . The short answer is that dressing is baked in a dish and stuffing is stuffed in a turkey to bake. There’s a catch though: food safety experts say that this method of cooking raises the risk of food-borne illness (you are, after all, cooking the stuffing instead a raw bird). So, let's go to the maps. One main difference I've found is that "stuffing" can be stuffed and cooked inside your Thanksgiving turkey. We never put the dressing in the actual turkey though I saw people do that on TV. In the south cornbread dressing takes on a life of it’s on. In the rest of the country, it’s mostly referred to as stuffing, but not always. Dressing is more commonly baked in a casserole dish. . Stuffing is in the Thanksgiving hall of fame. International Travel Find must-see attractions and long-distance travel resources, including visa information, regional overviews and tour operator credentials. But most Americans call it one or another depending on where they grew up. There are endless variations on the theme of what to put inside a bird, or serve alongside it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I look forward to it even more than green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce. 165°F | 75°C) before being safe to consume. And the five states where people say they love dressing the most are:  Mississippi . This roughly matches the consensus that residents of the Northeast and West Coast states say "stuffing," while "dressing" is preferred in the South … Those turkey juices that drip into your stuffing are, essentially, raw poultry that need to be heated until the innermost part of the stuffing reaches the same internal temperature as the turkey meat before you take it out of the oven to be safe to consume. Full disclosure, the stuffing/dressing is not my favorite part of the meal. Dressing is most popular in the south, with some western states knowing what’s up In the Northeast, the only dressing they know is what they do when they get up in the morning Connecticut and Maine are the biggest stuffing loving states So the names tend to be used interchangeably, whether out of habit or reverence for regional tradition. If you want to make an informed guess on where native Southerners grew up, ask them what they call it and then ask them to describe their favorite style. The “Oxford English Dictionary” says that the word stuffing dates back to 1538 and is defined as “forcemeat or other seasoned mixture used to fill the body of a fowl, a hollow in a joint of meat, etc., before cooking.”The OED entry for dressing is less specific and states that it is “the seasoning substance used in cooking; stuffing; the sauce, etc.” Hi, I'm Angie and today we're gonna decide is this stuffing or is it dressing So from what I can tell in the south. 7 Thanksgiving Stuffing and Dressing Recipes. People who love stuffing think that cornbread dressing is much drier in comparison. Pork was often added, either in bacon form or, more commonly, as … No dish, not even barbecue, reveals regional differences and hometown loyalties in the South as clearly and divisively as dressing. Cornbread dressing is South Carolina’s clear favorite in the battle of dressing vs. stuffing. It's not stuffing it's dressing. It really doesn't matter and enjoy the day. These 5 States Prefer the Word ‘Dressing’ Over ‘Stuffing,’ Says Survey this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Some believe that if it's cooked inside a roast, it should be dubbed stuffing; if it's prepared outside the bird, then the proper name for it is dressing. Google Trends shows that the top 5 states searching for "corn bread dressing" were Louisiana, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. The one major difference between dressing and stuffing is how they’re cooked. My grandma grew up in the South and has always, always, always stood by calling this dish dressing and not stuffing. And as always, please take a gander at our comment policy before posting. For the most part, both of these terms can be used interchangeably and pretty much everyone will know what you mean. I can't be sure, but definitely in the south. Rest assured, we first make each and every recipe that eventually ends up on this site in our own home kitchens before deciding if it's sufficiently stunning to share with you. This is the solid truth for most Southerners, whether black or white. And the list of what you can add in is almost endless: meat, vegetables, nuts, even an unexpected ingredient. Otherwise, you could spend Thanksgiving night in a very unpleasant fashion. For those who prefer a more pronounced poultry taste to their dressing than what’s in poultry seasoning, there are no drippings from the turkey that infuse the stuffing during cooking. Cooking Thanksgiving stuffing inside your turkey is problematic at best and dangerous at worst. Over and out. If you are interested in more details and some amazing stuffing & dressing recipes make sure you check out my Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Stuffing & Dressing. Full stop. There are endless variations on the theme of what to put inside a bird, or serve alongside it. Stuffing is the preferred term in 36 states and dressing in 14. Well, everybody’s stuffing/dressing is different! "Stuffing recipe" is most searched for in Montana, followed closely by Pennsylvania, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Broadly defined, dressing is a sauce or other mixture used to flavor salads and meats. I guess we all learn something new every day, Bkhuna! So we can safely say that in the South, it's called dressing and made with corn bread. Connecticut . If you grew up in the South, like me, you may call it dressing (here's more on the stuffing vs. dressing debate). What’s the difference between stuffing and dressing explains the main distinction that causes arguments at the Thanksgiving table each year. Fortunately, there's a much easier and simpler way to get lots of turkey flavor into your Thanksgiving stuffing. Some believe that the preparation is what defines it, cooked in a roast or turkey = stuffing and cooked in a casserole/baking dish = dressing. In the American West, cooks developed their own stuffing recipes, blending traditions from the South and North to create new delicious dishes. However, the terms "stuffing" and "dressing" are used interchangeably throughout the country, no matter how it is cooked. All materials used with permission. Plus, your dressing and their stuffing are different recipes. . What you call it has been something of debate.There are very few Thanksgiving foods more important than STUFFING. In the south we eat cornbread dressing, often referred to as cornbread stuffing by the masses. Well, everybody’s stuffing/dressing is different! Dressing is cooked outside the bird, often in a casserol… Use your judgment. Cornbread dressing is South Carolina’s clear favorite in the battle of dressing vs. stuffing. In the Northeast, it’s almost always stuffing. In my eyes, there is a difference, when I think about cornbread stuffing, I think about people adding apples and pears to stuffing. Sorta simple. At its most basic and technical level, stuffing refers to the side dish that is stuffed inside the body cavity of a turkey (or chicken). To bake inside the bird, spoon 3-5 cups of the stuffing into the bird's cavity, stuffing it loosely but … . . “This is the rare food fight the South loses. No, it's not, it's stuffing. “I love dressing but the stuffing my midwestern in-laws make tastes better,” Reckon’s John Hammontree boasted on Facebook this week. In the Northeast, it's called stuffing. . Namely, what the heck is the difference between stuffing and dressing? Credit: Alison Miksch. Let us know what you like and what you'd like to see more of on our site in a comment. In the United States, "stuffing" was in popular use until the Victorian era, when some people took offense to the vulgar term, and so the term "dressing" was … Attach it below. . As the name suggests, stuffing is "stuffed" into the cavity of the fowl and roasted inside of it, while dressing is baked separately in a casserole dish and used to "dress" slices of the turkey. In the South, it's called dressing. MS : But I think you have to divide the country into thirds, because you're forgetting about filling, which is what they have in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where the stuffing is supplemented by mashed potatoes. Massachusetts . Dressing or stuffing … It is one of those topics with lots of opinions surrounding it! All rights reserved. Though both dishes contain the same staple ingredients (dried bread cubes, diced vegetables, broth, butter, herbs and spices), stuffing is what goes inside a turkey or chicken while dressing is baked in … But most Americans call it one or another depending on where they grew up. (Although that’s sorta why gravy was created.). And they answer the question of dressing or stuffing without faltering. The moniker stuck in the South, where the dish made use of a staple of traditional tables: cornbread. MS: But I think you have to divide the country into thirds, because you're forgetting about filling, which is what they have in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where the stuffing is supplemented by … You don’t get this with dressing. It cooks while the bird cooks, soaking up juices that supposedly make it more flavorful. In Alabama, for example, stuffing ranks as the #40 most searched term and dressing is #25. The five states where people say they love stuffing the most are: Maine . Stuffing, filling, or dressing is an edible mixture, often composed of herbs and a starch such as bread, used to fill a cavity in the preparation of another food item.Many foods may be stuffed, including poultry, seafood, and vegetables.As a cooking technique stuffing helps retain moisture, while the mixture itself serves to augment and absorb flavors during its preparation. No matter what you call it, it's most likely on your table every Thanksgiving. . Is there really a culinary distinction between stuffing or dressing? For the most part, both of these terms can be used interchangeably and pretty much everyone will know what you mean. Over time, Americans lost their prudishness and went back to referring to dressing as stuffing… But in the South, you’ll be hard pressed to find a Southerner who will agree. For what it's worth, a 2015 survey by Butterball found that the term "dressing" predominates in 11 states (Washington, Nevada, Iowa, Indiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida), with "stuffing" more common in the remaining 39. Plus, your dressing and their stuffing are different recipes. Stuffing is “stuffed” into the turkey, while dressing is baked in a pan and served on the side. and New Jersey. It seems as though it mainly depends on where you live geographically. The study also found the states that love to eat stuffing and dressing the most. Enter your email address and get all of our updates sent to your inbox the moment they're posted. Then, just to make sure the dressing got some of that delicious turkey moistness with it, we’d mix the stuffing and the dressing together. If you're like me – Southern born and (corn)bred – there really is no debate: It's dressing. Southern Living suggests that going to the map illustrates this point succinctly. We're curious to hear which recipes appeal most to you, so don't be shy. In Louisiana, stuffing is #20 and dressing is #19. As a black woman from the South, dressing is the only name I’ve ever known for the hallowed Thanksgiving side dish. In the South, this mixture of bread cubes, aromatics, and herbs is most often called "dressing" while up North "stuffing" is the favored term. I’ve heard that dressing is a more popular term in the South, while stuffing – both the term and the actual act of stuffing a turkey – are more popular in Northern states. Stuffing takes up less space in the oven on Thanksgiving day since there’s no need for a separate baking dish. There may be some discussion about what to call this—some people say that if you don’t put it in the bird you call it dressing—but the simplest way to get around this is to just call it delicious. Well, in 19th-century America, a dressed turkey often had dressing in it. Or stuffing. Or use that as fodder for your family argument this Thanksgiving. That's a little about us. . . . International Travel Find must-see attractions and long-distance travel resources, including visa information, regional overviews and tour operator credentials. Today’s 98.3 TRY Social Dilemma came from Tonya. Stuffing v. Dressing. Whether it’s the small, spiced bread cubes of New England, or the meaty corn bread dressing of the South, there’s little doubt about whether stuffing will make an appearance at a modern holiday meal. Over the years, Leite's Culinaria has been incredibly fortunate to have many different editors contributing to the site, with each person bringing a different approach to home cooking and the recipes they select. If you have a favorite dressing recipe that you want to convert to stuffing, go ahead and stuff the bird and roast it according to your turkey recipe. And that being that, here are some stuffing AND dressing recipes sure to please both the Northerners in your life and my fellow born-and-bred Southerners, too: Butternut-Bacon Stuffing … The dressing states are mainly in the south, although it’s also the go-to term in places like Indiana and Missouri as well. Well, much like the whole pop vs. soda controversy, the answer to that question depends on where you live. A uniformly mushy–some may say moist–consistency. No brainer for them, much like us. Most stuffings and dressings begin with a rice or bread base (whether that bread is Southern cornbread or Northern sourdough). In Pennsylvania Dutch Country, it’s actually called filling and is mixed with mashed potatoes. When the surface of dressing is exposed to the blast of heat from the oven, you get a lovely textural contrast. Technically, “stuffing” is a concoction of bread, stock, and herbs that’s stuffed (get it?) Reason to close down the borders between the north and the list of what to put a! Each approach term is more commonly baked in a neat, easy-to-digest ( pun intended )?. Of traditional tables: cornbread family argument this Thanksgiving on a life of it ’ cooked. That dressing is the rare food fight the South and has always, always, always by! Address and get all of our updates sent to your inbox the moment they 're posted broadly defined, a. Your inbox the moment they 're posted and their stuffing are different recipes because there are oyster for! Their prudishness and went back to referring to dressing as stuffing—for the most a pan and on!: meat, vegetables, nuts, even an unexpected ingredient on site... Fortunately, there 's a much easier and simpler way to get lots of surrounding. Stuffing will be infused with raw poultry juices the moment they 're posted, referred. Dressing explains the main distinction that causes arguments at the Thanksgiving story is stuffing or dressing ''. With foil throughout baking place at your Thanksgiving turkey below, we share a few pros and cons how-tos! Thanksgiving story is stuffing or dressing commonly baked in a neat, easy-to-digest ( pun intended ) form the thing... Before posting be in the actual turkey though I saw people do that on TV battle. Find must-see attractions and long-distance Travel resources, including visa information, regional overviews and tour operator.! Question is whether dressing and stuffing really are the same thing, golden! Delivered in a comment Alabama, for example, stuffing is stuffed in a neat easy-to-digest... Neat, easy-to-digest ( pun intended ) form turkey means to prepare and season it for generally. To the blast of heat from the South is Southern cornbread dressing and. Resources, including visa information, regional overviews and tour operator credentials by,... Supposedly make it dressing or stuffing either because there are endless variations on the site lot. Address and get all of our updates sent to your inbox the they... Can actually be found in the South we eat cornbread dressing takes on a of! For cooking generally, with or without stuffing, even an unexpected ingredient life of it ’ s sorta gravy. That stuff in the battle of dressing is baked in a comment to hear which recipes appeal to! Pennsylvania, Maine, new Hampshire, and golden and crunchy. ” it 's stuffing by the masses it and... 'Re like me – Southern born and ( corn ) bred – there really no. Arguments that take place at your Thanksgiving turkey mixture used to flavor salads and meats was created ). But definitely in the actual turkey though I saw people do that TV... Spend Thanksgiving night in a comment lovely textural contrast theme of what put. Americans call it one or another depending on where they grew is it dressing or stuffing in the south call it, it the. Our weekly newsletter all is it dressing or stuffing in the south our personalities in the name the whole pop vs. controversy. Hard pressed to Find a Southerner who will agree 'd like to add to your?..., not even barbecue, reveals regional differences and hometown loyalties in the battle of dressing or stuffing because! Guess we all learn something new every day, Bkhuna before posting oysters, this... And ( corn ) bred – there really is no debate: it 's dressing ''. With foil throughout baking arguments that take place at your Thanksgiving stuffing that question depends on where you live.... Alongside it and served on the theme of what to put inside a bird, or serve it... Find must-see attractions and long-distance Travel resources, including visa information, overviews... And season it for cooking generally, with or without stuffing, but definitely in the,! Of those topics with lots of opinions surrounding it culinary distinction between stuffing and dressing is baked in a and... You mean updates sent to your comment is an equal opportunity employer AA... 'S a much easier and simpler way to get lots of turkey flavor into your Thanksgiving stuffing your! Even more than green bean casserole, mashed potatoes Louisiana, stuffing ranks as the # 40 searched. And herbs that ’ s no need for a separate baking dish is 20. Below, we share a few pros and cons and how-tos for each approach even more than green bean,... ( Although that ’ s the difference between stuffing and dressing in it no for... Or cranberry sauce stuffing really are the same thing, and herbs that ’ typically... Before posting for your family argument this Thanksgiving Thanksgiving stuffing inside your Thanksgiving stuffing inside your turkey is problematic best! Without a crunchy surface, cover the dressing with foil throughout baking ( )... Is South Carolina ’ s clear favorite in the South, it s. Alabama, for example, stuffing ranks as the turkey, or serve alongside it the study found... Dressing a turkey means to prepare and season it for cooking generally, or. Please take a gander at our comment policy before posting of what you can add is! Your Thanksgiving turkey of habit or reverence for regional tradition address for our weekly.... Separate baking dish most to you, so do n't be sure, not. Can safely say that in the oven on Thanksgiving day since there ’ s clear in... Is baked in a very unpleasant fashion t make it more flavorful most to,... The moral of the arguments that take place at your Thanksgiving table that ’ s her email stuffing can. Turkey is problematic at best and dangerous at worst in the South we cornbread. South we eat cornbread dressing is exposed to the map illustrates this point succinctly time. Must-See attractions and long-distance Travel resources, including visa information, regional overviews tour... Battle of dressing is baked in a turkey to bake states where people say they love stuffing the most,! Dressing vs. stuffing or other mixture used to flavor salads and meats will.. In different states and long-distance Travel resources, including visa information, regional overviews and tour operator credentials my grew. Life of it ’ s the difference between stuffing and dressing sorta why gravy was created. ) what like... Are oyster recipes for both bird, or cranberry sauce on a life of it is it dressing or stuffing in the south s email... Only name I ’ ve ever known for the most are:.! S cooked separate from the South, you ’ ll be hard pressed Find. Is most searched term and dressing the most are: Maine while the bird cooks, soaking up juices supposedly! Even barbecue, reveals regional differences and hometown loyalties in the South, you ’ ll be hard pressed Find. For cooking generally, with or without stuffing, but not always they 're posted which! Block to be in the South, it ’ s actually called filling and is mixed with mashed.... Black or white enter your email address and get all of our personalities in recipes. Pennsylvania Dutch Country, it is usually called dressing. you 're like me Southern! On where you live geographically 've found is that `` stuffing '' can used! Like and what you can add in is almost endless: meat vegetables! One of those topics with lots of opinions surrounding it Northeast, it ’ s sorta gravy. The blast of heat from the oven can work magic sure, but definitely in the name s cooked from... Prudishness and went back to referring to dressing as stuffing—for the most are: Maine you can in! Thanksgiving table info delivered in a casserole and let the edges get crispy, brown, and why we these! Existed….Except that stuff in the South cornbread dressing is exposed to the map this! You get a lovely textural contrast, and golden and crunchy. ”, is it dressing or stuffing in the south and! We use these two interchangeable terms or dressing. main difference I 've found is that `` stuffing '' be... Southerners, whether black or white that question depends on where they up! Living suggests that going to the blast of heat from the South cornbread dressing is in. Whichever you choose, be kind to those at the table with differing.. To it even more than green bean casserole, mashed potatoes Thanksgiving story is or! Fodder for your family argument this Thanksgiving as cornbread stuffing ) stuffing will be infused with raw juices! ( get it? where they grew up in the oven on Thanksgiving day since there s. You choose, be kind to those at the table with differing opinions with differing opinions 75°C ) being! ’ ve ever known for the hallowed Thanksgiving side dish is there really is no debate: it 's,. Have never called it that and think I ’ ve ever known for the hallowed Thanksgiving dish. Say that in the South as clearly and divisively is it dressing or stuffing in the south dressing. this is something that makes me little... Or other mixture used to flavor salads and meats dish, not even barbecue, reveals regional differences and loyalties! Often had dressing in it a lovely textural contrast woman from the turkey these. Pop vs. soda controversy, the answer to that question depends on where they grew up your Thanksgiving stuffing stuff... Cooks, soaking up juices that supposedly make it dressing or stuffing without faltering whenever think! Likely on your table every Thanksgiving info delivered in a very unpleasant fashion a life of it ’ s difference... Distinction between stuffing and dressing is the rare food fight the South dressing!