National Stuffing Day, celebrated on November 21, honors one of the most beloved side dishes, especially associated with Thanksgiving feasts. Stuffing, or “dressing” in some regions, is a savory mix of bread, herbs, and various ingredients, traditionally used to fill a turkey or chicken before roasting. However, it’s just as popular baked separately as a flavorful side dish, making it a staple of Thanksgiving celebrations.
The tradition of stuffing dates back centuries, with similar dishes found in ancient Roman and medieval European cuisine. It was originally made to stretch meals and make use of leftovers, but today, it’s a customizable dish that can range from simple to gourmet.
While classic stuffing includes cubed bread, onions, celery, and herbs, many regions have their own variations. In the Southern U.S., cornbread stuffing is a favorite, while other areas might incorporate sausage, seafood, cranberries, or nuts. With the growing popularity of gluten-free and vegetarian versions, there’s a stuffing recipe for everyone.
National Stuffing Day serves as a perfect reminder to prepare this comforting side dish ahead of Thanksgiving. Whether you follow a traditional recipe or try a new twist, stuffing is an essential part of the holiday meal that brings warmth and flavor to the table.
When Is National Stuffing Day Celebrated?
National Stuffing Day lands each year just in time for Thanksgiving preparations, making it a perfect opportunity to practice your stuffing recipes. Falling on November 21st, this holiday is a warm-up to the grand feast, offering a moment to focus on one of the meal’s key side dishes. Alongside other November food celebrations like National Homemade Bread Day on November 17 and National Cranberry Relish Day on November 22, this day lets food lovers gear up for the holiday season by honing their cooking skills.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2024 | November 21, Thursday |
| 2025 | November 21, Friday |
| 2026 | November 21, Saturday |
| 2027 | November 21, Sunday |
| 2028 | November 21, Tuesday |
| 2029 | November 21, Wednesday |
| 2030 | November 21, Thursday |
Ways to Celebrate National Stuffing Day
National Stuffing Day offers plenty of ways to celebrate, from cooking up your favorite recipe to trying new ingredients or even hosting a tasting party. You can also share recipes online or prepare extra stuffing to freeze for later. Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Prepare your favorite stuffing, be it a traditional bread-based dish, cornbread, or a family recipe you love.
- Share your favorite stuffing recipe online using #NationalStuffingDay, inspiring others to try new takes on this beloved side dish.
- Experiment with new ingredients by adding elements like cranberries, sausage, chestnuts, or fresh herbs for a unique twist on the classic.
- Stuff something unexpected, like chicken, pork chops, or even vegetables such as bell peppers or mushrooms, to switch things up.
- Prepare a large batch of stuffing and freeze portions to save time during the busy holiday season, making it easy to enjoy whenever the craving strikes.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
