This untraditional, but totally worth it dressing recipe, sure isn't Grandma's, but it sure is good!
This may not be Grandma's dressing recipe, but it sure is good.
Dressing Recipe:
Bacon, thyme, onion and celery are a standard part of many dressing recipes, and they are in this one also.
The biggest difference is that this homemade dressing recipe is made with beer. Not much, but enough that it adds lots of flavor.
Add in your favorite cheddar to help bind this mixture together and you have a new version of stuffing. Or dressing. Well, whatever you want to call it.
And that begs the question. Is there a difference between dressing and stuffing?
Yes! There is. Dressing is cooked outside of the bird and stuffing is cooked inside.
Like I said. Call it whatever you want!
It appears we've never made stuffing for our turkey, but we always call it stuffing. Go figure!
This crunchy on the edges, moist on the inside dressing, has something for everyone.
Growing up we always smoked our turkey and continue that tradition each Thanksgiving.
Fun fact! I've never cooked a Thanksgiving turkey! This is Manservant's specialty.
I make the stuffing! And everything else!
When it comes to stuffing, I love the crispy edges around the outside of the pan that I can eat with my fingers.
Of course, gravy is also perfect over stuffing. As are fried eggs!
Yes, we hope for leftover stuffing in our fam, just so we can make the breakfast special.
Reheating the stuffing and topping it with fried eggs and leftover gravy is a special treat on the day after!
Our group will only be 8 this year and unfortunately, Alex Odie San China Boy won't be here, but Zoe's future in-laws will be.
They've been with us the last few years, but I guess this will be the first year we can call them family.
Evan's father is a brewer and owns the Guanella Pass brewery in Georgetown, CO. My Colorado readers should check it out!
Yes. It was the beer in this dressing recipe that caught my eye.
I thought this beer and cheese dressing with tons of bacon, might be perfect for this year's Thanksgiving table. Perhaps we will even have some new beer varieties to try it with!
So no. You don't need to use beer. You could certainly increase the chicken broth, OR you could use less chicken broth and more beer, which is what I'm going to do the next time I make this!
Last night I served this to Manservant and while paying compliments he asked, "Why is it that we only have stuffing for Thanksgiving?"
Well, I don't know. Because we sure love stuffing.
I've made lots of versions of stuffing, but the classic Pepperidge Farm version was the family favorite.
Manservant's fave is my tamale stuffing. Must be his Texas roots that crave this. But loaded with chorizo and raisins and cornbread, this stuffin' is always perfect with a smoked turkey.
I don't know what I'll make this year, but whatever I make will be after I finish painting the basement walls. Can't wait to show you before and after's!
In the meantime, I still have a lot of recipes to share, so hang in there with me. I can smell the no knead rolls baking from here!
Ready for a change? Try this stuffing/dressing. I know Grandma would love it!
Want a Few More?
Favorite Thanksgiving Day Recipes:
Artichoke and Pea Au Gratin
Corn and Grits Pudding with Green Chiles and Cheese
Please Pass and Share the Dressing:
Recipe
Beer, Bacon, Cheese and Thyme Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 Minutes
- Cook Time: 45 Minutes
- Total Time: 70 Minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This may not be Grandma's dressing, but it sure is good!
Ingredients
Butter for greasing dish
8 slices bacon
1 large onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped finely
Kosher salt and fresh pepper
½ c medium bodied beer, IPA
10 cups cubed French bread, dried out
1 c shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 T fresh rhyme leaves or 1 t dried or to taste
2 c chicken broth (I use Better than Bouillion)
1 t Worcestershire sauce
2 large eggs, beaten
Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 and grease your choice of baking dish. (See notes.)
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain, then break into pieces.
Add onion and celery to bacon fat and season with salt and pepper. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
Add beer and simmer, scraping up browned bits from bottom of pan, until almost evaporated, about 2 minutes.
Add bread, ⅔ c of cheddar, thyme and half of cooked bacon and toss to combine.
Add broth, Worcestershire and eggs and toss to combine.
Place stuffing in baking dish and sprinkle with reserved cheese and the other half of bacon. Cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes and then uncover and bake 15 more minutes if you want crispy edges. Otherwise bake for 45 minutes covered, until a knife inserted in center comes out warm.
Let rest 10 minutes and garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
3 quart baking dish or 13 x 9 pan is required. I prefer the 13 x 9 because it gives me more crispy edges, but it is up to you!
Use your favorite bread. I used a hearty sourdough though French bread or cornbread would work, too. Just make sure you dry it our overnight.
Thanks Delish!
Pam says
We call it dressing and used to cook it inside the bird, outside now though. We are having the usual turkey and then a smoked turkey also, only 4 of us this year. Gov Pritzker has locked down our area even more for another round and out-of-towners that usually come for Thanksgiving, and have for many years, won't be coming. I'll be trying this with the beer and bacon this time, sounds pretty good to me!!! All your good food here is making me drool!!! Thanks for the recipe, take care!
Eva Taylor says
I used to cook my stuffing under the breast skin of the bird but now I do in a separate dish after reading how dangerous it can be cooking it inside.
John / Kitchen Riffs says
I always call my stuffing stuffing. Even though I cook it outside the bird. 🙂 Never had stuffing with beer -- fun idea. This looks like a super recipe -- thanks.
John / Kitchen Riffs says
I always cook mine outside the bird, but call it stuffing. Just a more descriptive name. Have never had beer in my stuffing -- neat idea. Really nice recipe -- thanks.
angiesrecipes says
Awesome! Turkey is pretty boring...so let's just have all the different stuffings for the Thanksgiving 🙂