When preparing a Christmas feast from scratch, you may wonder what best bread for filling eg.
So, from Challah to bagels, I found eight fabulous options.
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Stuffing and turkey are a match made in heaven.
But did you know that filling is more than just a garnish? It is also used to ensure your bird stays incredibly moist.
Without filling, all those juices would spill into the pan. Therefore, selecting the best bread is as important as the condiments.
What is the best bread to stuff? Let's find out.
What is the filler?
In the United States, stuffing is a mixture of bread and seasonings stuffed into the cavity of a turkey or chicken. Also known as 'dressing', it prevents the meat from drying out by absorbing and retaining the juices. In other countries, the filling may contain breadcrumbs, rice, sausages, vegetables, and more.
It is also a great side dish baked alongside poultry.
So when you take the bird out of the oven, you'll have perfectly moist meat and a rich, flavorful side dish. Win win!
While turkey is the stuffing's biggest claim to fame, it can be used in many other recipes, such as rolled beef tenderloin.
And other countries have their own versions too! I happen to love the Brit's sage and onion filling.
They make it, roll it into balls, and bake it until crispy on the edges.
So what makes a perfect filling?
While the seasoning used plays an important role, did you know that you can also transform the flavor and texture by using different types of bread?
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A good old-fashioned white bread works in a pinch, but the next time you make a batch of stuffing, play around with it and see which one you prefer.
The best bread for stuffing
Different styles of bread can transform an old, bland filling into something more decadent, flavorful, and elevated.
So, check out these clever bread stuffing ideas to make your homemade stuffing the talk of the Thanksgiving table:
- For a light, fluffy filling, always opt for bread with a tight crumb, like Challah. It soaks up all those delicious flavors and produces a perfectly moist filling.
- If you want to get some experimental bread, with a bright flavor like French, sourdough and even bagels are a great option. You will really know the flavor if you use homemade sourdough.
1. Challah
Challah is very similar to white sandwich bread, with one important exception: Unlike traditional white bread, challah infuses eggs into the dough.
Known as an “enriched dough,” this ensures a richer flavor. Plus, it gives you a beautiful airy crumb.
When used in filling, it behaves similarly to white bread but is much tastier.
Challah is one of the best options for a bright, fluffy and tasty filling. But it is more expensive than white bread.
2. White sandwich bread
When in doubt, it's white bread to the rescue!
There's a reason this is one of the most commonly used filler ingredients: it has a neutral flavor profile, allowing the meat juices and seasonings to shine.
It acts as a blank canvas for those wonderful condiments. And it's also incredibly affordable.
When baking for a large group, a cheap white sandwich bread comes in handy.
3. Rolls
Believe it or not, bagels have the perfect flavor and texture to absorb the juices from the meat. They are dense, tight and relatively mild in flavor.
Some people think they are too dense, making the filling quite heavy. But I actually like that.
That said, if you want something fluffy, you'll want to skip this one.
4. English muffin
If you love the unique flavors of English muffins, it's a great filling option.
English muffins create a denser filling that doesn't absorb flavors as well as traditional white bread.
But it is a fun and tasty experiment that gives a unique flavor to your homemade filling.
Again, it won't be super light. But I still think it's a good option.
5. Martin's Stuffing Cubes
Serious stuffing fans already know about Martin's stuffed cubes.
Martin's Stuffing Cubes are the best option if you want to save time drying bread but don't want to skimp on flavor.
This bread is an excellent option because it has potato bread, which is light, wonderful, fluffy and tasty.
When used in filling, it adds even more flavorful notes.
Plus, it's pre-seasoned with sausage, which pairs really well with the light sweetness of the potato bread.
If you're short on time (or simply forgot to dry the bread), Martin's Filled Cubes are a fantastic time-saving option!
6. Wand
Baguettes are an experimental adventure in filling.
The open structure doesn't absorb broth in the same way as traditional white bread, but all is not lost.
The baguettes create a filling that is a little dry but absolutely packed with rich flavors.
It's not your traditional stuffing recipe, but it's a fabulous option if you want something different.
Some cooks love using baguettes, while others don't care about the consistency. However, I think you'll like it if you give it a chance.
7. Sourdough ball
Sourdough bread is rich, tart, and full of spicy flavors.
Therefore, I only recommend using sourdough balls if you and your family absolutely love sourdough.
Sourdough has a distinctive open structure, meaning it won't absorb juices and flavors as well as basic bread.
And yes, the filling will taste slightly sour.
But it's a nice change if you have a lot of sweets on the table, like glazed carrots and sweet potato casserole.
8. “French” bread
French bread is a bit like baguettes, only the crust is much softer and usually wider.
It's another white loaf with a very open texture, so it won't absorb juices as well as white bread.
However, you can't beat that flavor of tasty French bread!
You'll want to use a lot so you can absorb as much of the flavor as possible.
