Stuffing For 12 Pound Turkey

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves: 12 Cuisine: American

A savory stuffing with butter, Brazil nuts, herbs, and seasoned bread cubes, perfect for turkey or baked separately, offering rich textures and flavors for festive occasions.

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Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 cups chopped Brazil nuts
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 1/2 cup diced celery with leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 cups seasoned bread cubes
  • 1 3/4 cups boiling water or stock

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a skillet.
  2. Add Brazil nuts, chopped onion, diced celery with leaves, salt, and Tabasco sauce; cook until nuts are lightly browned.
  3. Add to seasoned bread cubes and chopped parsley.
  4. Pour boiling water or stock over the mixture.
  5. Toss lightly with a fork to combine.
  6. Stuff the cavity of a 12-pound turkey or two 6-pound turkeys with the mixture. Alternatively, bake separately.
  7. Cover with foil for soft dressing or uncover for drier dressing.
  8. Bake in a moderate oven at 350° to 375°F for 35 minutes.

Tips & Substitutions

To enhance flavor, consider adding diced apples or cranberries to the stuffing mixture. If you want a nuttier flavor, you can substitute Brazil nuts with pecans or walnuts. Also, feel free to use homemade bread cubes for a fresher taste. For a spicy twist, try adding some chopped jalapenos. Remember to taste for seasoning before stuffing your turkey.

Serving Suggestions

This stuffing pairs beautifully with a roast turkey and is a perfect complement to mashed potatoes and gravy. For a complete meal, serve alongside green beans or a fresh salad. If you're looking for a sweet finish, consider serving Aunt Maxine's Log Cabin Cake for dessert to round out your festive dinner.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the stuffing in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm it in the oven at 350°F until heated through, about 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, microwave individual portions for quick reheating.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Stuffing For 12 Pound Turkey contains roughly 1634 calories, with 3g protein, 24g carbohydrates, and 170g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 830mg per serving (36% of the Daily Value).

1634 kcal 82% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 3g 6% DV
Total Fat 169.8g 100% DV
Carbs 24.4g 9% DV
Fiber 1.2g 4% DV
Sugar 2.1g 4% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 830.4mg 36% DV
Potassium 166.5mg 4% DV
Cholesterol 484.1mg 100% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 19.1mcg 2% DV
Vitamin C 1.7mg 2% DV
Calcium 21.7mg 2% DV
Iron 1mg 6% DV
Contains Milk Wheat/Gluten Tree nuts

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 make this stuffing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the stuffing a day in advance. Just follow the recipe up to the point of baking, then refrigerate it. On the day of serving, bake it straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated through.

Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

This stuffing recipe contains butter but can easily be made vegetarian by using vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. If you're looking for vegetarian recipes, this stuffing can be a delicious side dish without any meat.

What can I do with leftover stuffing?

Leftover stuffing can be used in various ways, such as a filling for stuffed peppers or a topping for casseroles. You can also mix it with eggs to create a savory breakfast scramble or bake it into a savory bread pudding for a unique twist.

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).

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