Chestnut Stuffing

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost cooking chestnut stuffing on the stove…

Okay, so maybe those aren’t exactly the right lyrics, but when someone says “chestnuts,” it’s the first thing we think of—and for good reason! This chestnut dressing is one of our very favorite stuffing recipes ever.

Long associated with Thanksgiving dinners, the first chestnut stuffing recipe appeared in a publication back in 1772. The recipe was the gold standard for holiday stuffing until the early 20th century when chestnut blight wiped out a large majority of American chestnut trees. This singular event caused chestnuts to become increasingly scarce and expensive, so the recipe lost favor to others (like this cornbread dressing) in modern times.

Luckily, global trade has stepped in. Today, chestnuts imported from Italy and Asia can be found in most major supermarkets or online.

What are chestnuts?

Chestnuts are edible nuts from deciduous trees in the genus Castanea and are part of the same family as oak and beech trees. The nuts come housed in a smooth shell (like hazelnuts) and are almost always boiled or roasted before being eaten. Raw chestnuts have a starchy, potato-like texture. In fact, due to their low-fat, high-carb composition, many describe chestnuts as a grain that grows on a tree. In terms of taste, chestnuts have a sweet flavor that pairs nicely with poultry, wild game or pork.

Ingredients for Chestnut Stuffing

• Celery: The crisp green stalks gives the stuffing a wonderful vegetal taste and savory, herbaceous aroma that balances and complements the sweet chestnuts.
• Onion: This aromatic is the base in many stuffing recipes, including chestnut dressing. White, yellow or sweet onions all work well in this chestnut stuffing recipe.
• Butter: This recipe calls for a generous 1-1/2 cups of butter. It may sound like a lot, but it gives the recipe a fantastic richness that simply cannot be replicated with anything else. For less fat, try one of these healthy stuffing recipes.
• Chestnuts: Not to be confused with canned water chestnuts, you’ll want to source whole, shelled chestnuts for this stuffing recipe.
• Italian seasoning: Rosemary, oregano, thyme and basil all season and perfume the chestnut stuffing.
• Bread: For the best stuffing with chestnuts, choose a loaf of high-quality, crusty Italian bread. If you’re feeling ambitious, you could also make this recipe for mom’s Italian bread from scratch.

Directions

Step 1: Saute and mix in bread

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, saute the celery and onion in the butter over medium-high heat until tender, about two to three minutes.

Stir in the chestnuts and Italian seasoning, then bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

Next, add the bread cubes to the skillet and fold gently until evenly mixed and the bread is coated in the butter.

Step 2: Bake until golden

Transfer the chestnut dressing to an ungreased 13×9-inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm.

Recipe Variations

• Roast the chestnuts: While boiled chestnuts can be used for this recipe, we love using roasted chestnuts since they give the chestnut stuffing a richer, deeper flavor. If you purchased raw, here’s how to roast chestnuts.
• Try other breads: While Italian bread is classic, rye bread is a fun twist to try. We especially love seeded rye, which has a robust caraway flavor that pairs nicely with the sweet chestnuts and herbs.
• Add fruit: For color and added sweetness, try sauteing two to two small, diced apples with the onions and celery in Step 1 of the recipe. A handful of dried cranberries or raisins could also be stirred into the mix with the bread cubes.
• Opt for fresh herbs: If you have fresh herbs available, you can convert the dried herbs to fresh herbs instead. A combination of basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram or sage would be divine.
• Add sausage: For a meaty protein boost, add one pound of cooked ground pork sausage to the recipe.

How to Store Chestnut Stuffing

Leftover stuffing with chestnuts may be stored in an airtight food storage container and kept refrigerated for four to five days. To reheat, place your stuffing in an oven-safe dish and place in a 350° oven. Cover with foil and bake for 10 minutes, then remove the foil and bake again until crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. If it seems dry, add a splash of broth and let it heat through. Here are more tips for reheating Thanksgiving leftovers.

How to Freeze Chestnut Stuffing

Chestnut stuffing may also be kept frozen for up to three months. Thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above.

Can you make chestnut stuffing ahead of time?

Yes! To make ahead, prepare this chestnut stuffing recipe through Step 1 of the directions. Let it cool slightly, then cover with plastic and refrigerate for up to two days. To cook, remove from the fridge and let it stand at room temperature for one hour. Then, proceed to bake the stuffing as directed in Step 2 of the recipe. Here are more tips for prepping Thanksgiving in advance.

Chestnut Stuffing Tips

How do you prevent soggy chestnut stuffing?

Soggy chestnut dressing is caused by too much moisture. To prevent this, make sure to simmer the vegetables and chestnuts for the full 10 minutes. This will allow any excess water in the vegetables to evaporate prior to adding the bread.

How do you prevent dry chestnut stuffing?

Conversely, dry stuffing is caused by a lack of moisture. If you overcook the stuffing in the oven or cook it at a higher temperature, you risk it drying out. If your stuffing becomes dry at any point, you can always add a splash of chicken or vegetable stock to rehydrate it. This trick applies to prepared box stuffing, too.

Can I put chestnut stuffing inside a turkey or chicken?

Yes! If you prefer to cook your stuffing inside the cavity of your bird rather than as dressing in a baking dish, you can do so with this recipe. Just make sure to follow our safety tips for cooking a stuffed turkey to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

What should you serve with chestnut stuffing?

Chestnut stuffing is a classic side dish to pair with roasted turkey or ham around the holidays, along with all of your other favorite Thanksgiving side dishes. However, this chestnut stuffing recipe can be enjoyed in other ways. Try stuffing it in pork chops or rolling it up in a pork loin or chicken breast (see this tender stuffed pork tenderloin for inspiration). If you have extra stuffing on hand, here are the best ways to use leftover stuffing.