Mary'S Turkey Dressing
Mary's Turkey Dressing is a savory, comforting dish blending leftover bread, cornbread, and chicken with sage and black pepper, perfect for a hearty family meal or holiday feast.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the chicken in plenty of broth until done.
- Chop the cooked chicken into parts.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked grits, dressing mix, leftover biscuits, crackers or bread, and cornbread.
- Add ground sage and plenty of black pepper to taste.
- Add chopped onion and chopped celery to the mixture.
- Pour in broth from the cooked chicken or turkey until the dressing is soupy.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands.
- Spray a baking pan or grease it lightly.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake at 350°F until the top is golden and done.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding a little extra broth or even some melted butter to the mixture before baking. If you don't have leftover biscuits, use croutons or stale bread as a substitute. Adjust the spice levels by increasing the ground sage or black pepper according to your taste. This dressing can also be made gluten-free by choosing a gluten-free dressing mix.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Mary’s Turkey Dressing alongside roasted turkey for a classic Thanksgiving meal. It pairs beautifully with Margo'S Vegetable Dip for an appetizer or side. Consider adding a fresh salad like Four-Cup Hawaiian Salad to balance the richness of the dressing. A side of cranberry sauce would also complement the flavors nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover turkey dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, place it in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for quicker reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mary'S Turkey Dressing contains roughly 144 calories, with 5g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (48% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (46% of the Daily Value), and calcium (29% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. It also contributes 13g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the mixture a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just add a little extra broth before baking if it seems dry. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, making it even more delicious.
What can I substitute for the Pepperidge Farm dressing mix?
If you can't find Pepperidge Farm dressing mix, you can use homemade bread crumbs mixed with dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and sage. This will give you a similar flavor profile while allowing you to customize the seasoning to your liking.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
While the original recipe uses chicken broth, you can easily make it vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth instead. Ensure all other ingredients are vegetarian-friendly, and you'll have a delicious vegetarian dressing that everyone can enjoy.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).