Here Are The Best Store-Bought Stuffing Options For Thanksgiving

When it comes to Turkey Day, otherwise known as Thanksgiving, it's not always the bird that's in the spotlight. Though it might be placed in the center of the table like an aromatic floral arrangement, it is the surrounding dishes that attract most of the gawking. Like, stuffing. But whipping up an entire table's worth of sides takes effort. Even if you have a kitchen full of sous support, it might be worth your sanity to buy store bought. If you're wondering what is the best store bought stuffing for Thanksgiving, don't worry: I have your back so you can actually enjoy time with your family.

If you were thinking of nixing a dish from the Thanksgiving table this year for the sake of time spent outside of the kitchen and with the people who matter most, you really don't have to do that. At least spare the stuffing. The soggy breadcrumb delight is a staple and magically compliments a heaping of mashed potatoes flooded with a deep puddle of gravy. With this drool-worthy forkful in mind (no, really, I'm currently salivating), how could you cut stuffing from the line-up? Well, you can save your dinner reputation: You don't have to because the store bought stuff can be just as good as homemade.

If you find that you do have extra time after all, Serious Eats offers ways in which you can doctor up store bought stuffing to give it that homemade touch. We are grateful!

Martin's Potatobred Stuffing

Martin's Potatobred Stuffing (Pack of 2), $20, Amazon

An excellent point was raised by SeriousEats who taste tested store bought stuffings so you didn't have to. If you love to consume your burgers on a plush potato bun, you will most likely be won over by Martin's Potatobred Stuffing.

Pepperidge Farm Country Cube Stuffing

Pepperidge Farm Country Style Cubed Stuffing (Pack of 2), $14, Amazon

This bag of goodness won the Best Traditional Stuffing from the editors over at Epicurious. Which leads me to believe this one will certainly win over the tough food critics of your family. Epicurious describes this traditional take on stuffing as rich and buttery with a "distinct rosemary flavor." Be right back, I have to stock up.

Stove Top Stuffing Mix For Turkey

Stove Top Turkey Stuffing Mix, $3, Amazon

You've probably seen this box hidden in the back of your kitchen cupboard around Thanksgiving, and trust me: It's mommy's dirty little secret. There's nothing to be ashamed about here, though: This classic box of stuffing can easily be elevated with a little homemade fix. But, if your'e not interested in that, you'll have yourself satisfactory stuffing in five minutes.

Whole Foods 365 Multigrain Stuffing Mix

Organic Vegan Stuffing, $6, Whole Foods

For the vegans pulling up a seat at dinner, this traditional multigrain option will complete the trifecta of side dish options (vegan mashed potatoes and gravy are a thing) while still remaining delicious.

Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Cubed Stuffing

Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Cubed Stuffing (Pack of 3), $19, Amazon

This variation of stuffing has been given to go-ahead by a number of food editors taste testing for your Thanksgiving pleasure. (Seriously, they eat about ten Thanksgiving dinners before November even starts.)

Pepperidge Farm Cornbread Stuffing

Pepperidge Farm Corn Bread Stuffing, $17, Amazon

Even if you're going to commit to your family's age old stuffing, if it's not a corn bread stuffing, maybe add a second option. Pepperidge Farm gets store bought stuffing right, so this is worth the purchase.

Whole Foods 365 Organic Cranberry Stuffing Mix

Cranberry Stuffing Mix, $6, Whole Foods Market

The cranberry stuffing mix adds a little something more to a store bought stuffing that could offend some palates as "too boring." Made with organic bread and freckled with dried cranberries, this stuffing will be ready in less than 15 minutes and will shine under a dousing of gravy.

Aleia's Gluten Free Foods Savory Stuffing Mix

Aleia's Savory Stuffing Mix, $15, Amazon

Stuffing, traditionally, is made with bread. Bread, traditionally, contains gluten. But not all diets are what tradition is made of. While some have Celiac's Disease which forbids digestion of gluten, others choose to live a gluten free lifestyle. Either way, this mix makes it possible to have it all.

Arrowhead Mills Organic Stuffing in Savory Herb

Arrowhead Mills Organic Stuffing, $6, Amazon

You can easily prepare this stuffing in a turkey or on the stove top. And its blend of crucial herbs lend it a savory flavor you'll want to toss up in a mound of mashed potatoes. Arrowhead Mills suggests going further with he preparation and adding celery or sausage to the mix. Look! You were given license to spruce it up.

Mrs. Cubbison's Seasoned Cornbread Stuffing

Mrs. Cubbison's Cornbread Stuffing (Pack of 4), $24, Amazon

Don't just pick this up around Thanksgiving. This hearty boxed good can be brought to the table every single night if you so please.

Stove Top Traditional Sage Stuffing Mix

Stove Top Traditional Sage Stuffing, $1, Amazon

The classic is back and ready to be devoured in 5 minutes. Reviewer's on Target's site, where this is available for purchase, give it an unanimous five star rating. Some even say they'll heat up a bowl to eat for dinner even when it's not Thanksgiving. I mean, that says something, right? Give this Sage stuffing a try this holiday! And if you think it needs something more, add celery.