Stuffing is a great addition to a Sunday roast lunch. There are so many different recipes that you
can use such as thyme and parsley or sage and onion. However, it can be time-consuming to make so can you make a big batch and then freeze some of it to use later? The simple answer is yes, and in this article, we will tell you how to freeze and defrost stuffing.
Freezing Stuffing
You can freeze both cooked and uncooked stuffing and both freeze very well.
Freezing Cooked Stuffing
If you have made lots of stuffing and have some leftover, it’s a good idea to freeze it for future use. You could even decide to make a big batch of stuffing so you can save time when making future meals. This is the way to freeze cooked stuffing.
- Divide the cooked stuffing into portions. You only want to defrost as much stuffing as you need for a meal otherwise it will be wasted.
- Put the portions into separate airtight containers so you can take out just as much as you need. If you are still worried that air might get in the containers, cover them in cling film. If air does get in, you may get freezer burn and the stuffing may lose its taste, color, and texture.
- Put the containers in the freezer.
Freezing Uncooked Stuffing
You don’t have to freeze cooked stuffing. You can make the stuffing and then freeze it uncooked. You can then just put it in the oven when you need it. This is the way to freeze uncooked stuffing.
- Once you’ve made your stuffing, you need to portion it out to one-meal servings. Put each portion into a tray, wrap it in cling film and then in aluminum foil. This will help to stop air getting in and freezer burn occurring.
- Put the trays into the freezer. All you have to do is take a tray out when you need it and put it in the oven. It’s as simple as that.
We think that the best way of freezing stuffing is when it is uncooked. It generally tastes better than cooked stuffing that has been frozen.
Tips For Freezing Stuffing
- Cook the stuffing from frozen. This is a great advantage as you can just take the stuffing out of the freezer and put it in the oven. There’s no hanging about waiting for the stuffing to defrost.
- Freeze uncooked stuffing in preference to cooked stuffing. If you do this, you won’t risk overcooking your stuffing. It can be difficult to know when cooked stuffing is suitable for eating. If you cook with uncooked stuffing, it will be ready within 30 and 45 minutes. Cooked stuffing won’t need as long but it is difficult to know when it is done.
- Put a label on the container. You may have made a variety of stuffings and you will want to know what the stuffing is. In addition, it is important to write on the date the stuffing was frozen. You don’t want to keep the stuffing in the freezer for longer than the use-by date. It probably won’t go off, but it may lose flavor and texture.
For How Long Can You Freeze Stuffing?
Both cooked and uncooked stuffing will keep in the freezer for around three months. However, if you add an egg to the stuffing, it won’t last as long. It’ll still be safe to eat when it has been frozen for three months but it will have lost some of its flavor.
Defrosting Stuffing
You don’t need to defrost stuffing before cooking it. In fact, this will affect the texture of your stuffing. It is best to take it straight out of the freezer and put it straight in the oven.
To heat up cooked stuffing, preheat the oven to 325F and put the stuffing in an ovenproof dish. Cover this with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another five minutes.
If you think that it is too dry, you can pour some broth over it. If you are using frozen uncooked stuffing, it will take longer to cook, somewhere in between 30 and 45 minutes.
You can put frozen stuffing in the microwave in small portions, but it can dry out.
Refreezing Stuffing
The only time that you can refreeze stuffing is when you have frozen uncooked stuffing and cooked it. You can then freeze any of this leftover stuffing. However, you shouldn’t refreeze cooked stuffing as the texture will completely change and it won’t be as tasty.
Is it a Good Idea to Freeze Stuffing?
Yes, it is a good idea to freeze stuffing. Most stuffing ingredients freeze well, and you will find that frozen stuffing tastes just as good as fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hope that you have found this article informative and that you feel able to freeze stuffing successfully. However, you may want to know more so we have answered a couple of questions here.
What is a Good Stuffing for Chicken or Turkey?
We think that sage and onion stuffing is ideal for either chicken or turkey (see also ‘Can you Freeze Cooked Turkey?’). Both sage and onion freeze well so you should have no problems freezing it. It is a mixture of onions, sage, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, milk, and butter.
Can you Freeze Stuffing made from a Packet Mix?
Yes, in most cases you can, but check the packet to see if you can freeze the made-up mix.
Can you Freeze Stuffing Balls?
It is actually a good idea to freeze your stuffing in balls. They are smaller than a tray of stuffing so won’t take as long to cook. You can’t put frozen stuffing inside a chicken or turkey, so the stuffing will have to be portioned out. Stuffing balls are more attractive than a slab of stuffing.
It is simple to prepare your stuffing balls for freezing. Form them into balls and then put them in an airtight container. If you want, you can wrap the container with cling film to stop freezer burn. Freezer burn can cause your stuffing to lose taste and texture.
If you are worried that your stuffing balls are going to stick together, you can flash freeze them before putting them in the container. Flash freezing is easy. First, form your stuffing into balls and then put them on a baking tray, making sure that none of them touch each other.
Put the tray in the freezer for around an hour. By this time, the stuffing balls should have partly frozen so when you put them in the airtight container, they shouldn’t stick to each other and you will be able to take out as many as you need for a meal without waste.
