The Best Boxed Stuffing Mix, According to Our Taste Test

Boxed stuffing may not taste exactly like homemade stuffing, but when Thanksgiving prep starts to feel chaotic, a good mix is a shortcut worth taking.The best boxed stuffing should have the hallmarks of a great homemade version: a soft, fluffy interior, a crisp, bronzed top, and plenty of buttery, savory flavor. We looked for mixes with distinct pieces of bread that absorbed moisture without turning soggy or stodgy, plus enough sage, rosemary, parsley, and other aromatics to make every bite taste like Thanksgiving.Our favorite boxed stuffing mixThe herbiest stuffing mixThe freshest-tasting stuffing mixHow we testedWhat we looked forOther boxed stuffing mixes we triedHow to make boxed stuffing taste betterWe tested seven popular boxed stuffing mixes to find the ones worth serving. Stove Top Savory Herbs was our favorite overall, Stove Top Traditional Sage was the herbiest, and Pepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned Classic Stuffing had the freshest flavor and texture.Our favorite boxed stuffing mix: Stove Top Savory HerbsPhotograph by Isa ZapataThe clear favorite in our taste test, Stove Top Savory Herbs has an ingredient list similar to our runner up, Stove Top Traditional Sage with one noteworthy difference. Savory Herbs includes MSG, which gives this mix its extra savory boost.Why it won us over: This stuffing delivered everything we were looking for: deeply savory, herbaceous flavor without excessive saltiness, plus a springy texture and nicely browned, crisp top. Tasters especially liked the visible chunks of white bread, which made the mix look and feel more homemade than many of its competitors.Best for: Thanksgiving dinner, full stop. Serve it alongside roast turkey and mashed potatoes, drenched in gravy.The herbiest stuffing mix: Stove Top Traditional SagePhotograph by Isa ZapataWith a more pronounced herbal character than other contenders, Stove Top Traditional Sage leans hard into classic Thanksgiving flavors.Why it won us over: This was one of the most visually appealing stuffings we tasted, with plenty of browned, crunchy bits. But its seasoning really distinguished it. While several competitors tasted quite mild, this one had an assertive sage flavor (no surprise there) backed by a buttery note that reminded some tasters of movie-theater popcorn.Best for: Sage lovers—or anyone who wants a stuffing mix sturdy enough to repurpose. Serve it as is, spoon it into stuffed mushrooms, or toast the dry mix into stuffing-flavored breadcrumbs.The freshest-tasting stuffing mix: Pepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned ClassicPhotograph by Isa ZapataPepperidge Farm Herb-Seasoned Classic Stuffing requires a little more work than the other mixes we tested: You supply the onion, celery, and chicken stock. But that effort pays off in a stuffing with more varied texture and fresher flavor.Why it won us over: Fresh celery gave the stuffing welcome crunch, while rosemary and thyme supplied classic holiday flavor. A subtle sweetness rounded things out. It stood well apart from Pepperidge Farm’s cornbread version, which we found gummy and grainy.Best for: Cooks who don’t mind a little chopping in exchange for a more homemade result. You can also skip the celery and onions and use the dry mix as a binder for turkey meatballs or as seasoned breading for fried fish.How we testedWe prepared all seven stuffing mixes according to their package directions. Most called for water or broth and butter; mixes that required additional ingredients were prepared with those ingredients as directed. Brand names were concealed during the tasting, and editors evaluated each stuffing for flavor, texture, and appearance.What we looked forThe best boxed stuffing should be fluffy and tender inside with crisp, golden-brown edges. We favored mixes with distinct pieces of bread that absorbed liquid without becoming gummy or soggy. Flavor-wise, we looked for buttery savoriness and recognizable Thanksgiving herbs like sage, rosemary, and parsley.Other boxed stuffing mixes we triedKroger Chicken-Flavored Stuffing Mix: Light and airy with good structure, but too mild for our tastes.Trader Joe’s Corn Bread Stuffing Mix: Soggy and nearly liquidy, without enough flavor to compensate for the texture.Pepperidge Farm Corn Bread Classic Stuffing: Both gummy and grainy, with muted seasoning.Whole Foods Traditional Stuffing Mix: Mushy, with cracked rye seeds that stuck in our teeth and a peppery flavor that overwhelmed the traditional herbs.How to make boxed stuffing taste betterBoxed stuffing is easy to upgrade. First, if your mix calls for water, swap it out for chicken or turkey stock for a more savory flavor. Add sautéed onion, celery, or carrots; cooked sausage; or toasted nuts for extra texture. Dried cranberries or raisins bring sweetness, while a handful of fresh herbs perks up the flavor.For a richer, more cohesive stuffing, stir in a couple of beaten eggs and bake the mixture in a casserole dish until fluffy inside and crisp on top. Or leave well enough alone—our favorite boxed stuffing tastes pretty great straight from the package.Editor’s note: This review of stuffing mixes was first published in November 2023; it has been updated for style and content.