Chestnut Stuffing Recipe
Looking for a dish for a special Thanksgiving or Christmas tradition? This chestnut stuffing recipe is a great alternative to the standard sausage stuffing and pairs perfectly with your juicy roasted turkey, ham or goose. You can make the classic recipe or try a mushroom, apple, apricot, or cranberry variation included below.
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Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 413kcal
Equipment
- sharp knife
- Saucepan
- Large Skillet
- 9x13 Baking Dish
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 cups chestnuts
- 1 ½ cups butter
- ½ cup onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 loaf bread day-old, cubed
- 3 whole eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- chicken stock if needed
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- With a sharp knife, score an X in each chestnut. Put scored chestnuts in a saucepan, cover with water, and boil for 20-30 minutes.
- Drain boiled chestnuts, peel off their hard skins and chop the meat inside.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped chestnuts, onion, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook until the onion is tender, 3-5 minutes.
- Toss chestnut mix with bread cubes in a 9×13 pan.
- In a medium bowl, beat together eggs and milk until consistent. Drizzle this liquid over the bread mixture. If the bread still appears very dry, drizzle broth over the top to add moisture.
- Bake stuffing in a preheated oven for 35-45 minutes until the top is crispy and golden brown.
Notes
Chestnut Stuffing Recipe Variations
Do you like to add a twist to your holiday dishes to make them unique? These variations offer a range of flavors to suit any taste. Feel free to experiment and create a stuffing that’s uniquely yours.| Ingredient | Flavor Profile | Suggested Combinations |
| Sausage | Savory | Chestnuts, herbs, cranberries |
| Apple | Sweet and Tart | Chestnuts, onions, celery |
| Cranberry | Tangy | Chestnuts, sausage, fresh thyme |
| Mushroom | Earthy | Chestnuts, garlic, fresh sage |
| Apricot | Fruity | Chestnuts, parsley, almonds |
Tips for the Best Chestnut Stuffing
Following these cooking tips can turn a simple dish into a perfect chestnut stuffing. It will be full of flavor and have the perfect texture:- Use Fresh Ingredients – Start with the freshest ingredients. Fresh chestnuts really make a difference in taste and texture.
- Properly Prepare the Chestnuts – Make sure to peel them well to avoid bad textures in your stuffing. You can also prepare chestnuts ahead of time. Roast them, peel them and then freeze them whole in a freezer-safe container (remove as much air as possible). Freeze them for up to three months. When ready to bake, thaw them in the refrigerator, chop them and continue with the stuffing recipe.
- Keep it Moist – It’s important to add enough broth or stock. No one wants dry stuffing, but take care not to add too much, or it can also become soggy.
- Day-old Bread is Best – Slightly stale bread works best. It absorbs liquid better, giving your stuffing a great texture. The size of the bread will also affect the texture. Larger pieces will be less soft, while smaller pieces will create more of a “bread pudding” texture.
- Season Generously – Don’t hold back on herbs and spices. Good seasoning brings out the chestnut and other flavors.
Nutrition
Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 647mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 735IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg
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