Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (2024)

This Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe is an easy and delicious take on classic oyster dressing, using fresh baby bella mushrooms and canned smoked oysters! With lots of smoky and umami flavor- this is a great twist on classic holiday stuffing! This fun twist is a great side dish made with simple ingredients, perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner.

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Easy and delicious Smoked Oyster Dressing (aka, stuffing)

A fun take on classic oyster stuffing, this Smoked Oyster and Mushroom Stuffing is a delicious twist on regular stuffing, withmoist, crispy, and loaded with smoky umami flavor. This side dish has got plenty of sliced mushrooms and canned smoked oysters all mixed in with crisp potato bread cubes. Serve this at any holiday table for an easy Thanksgiving stuffingrecipe sure to impress!

Using canned smoked oysters not only adds a delicious, smoky flavor to this easy oyster stuffing, and it's also cheaper and more convenient than using fresh oysters!

Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (1)

What goes into the Smoked Oyster Dressing recipe?

To make this tasty, smokey stuffing, you will need:

  • Potato breadstuffing cubes,or your favorite white bread, cubed. You'll need 12 ounces of uniform pieces. I find potato bread or sourdough to be the best bread for this recipe. You can often find cubed white bread or potato bread at your local grocery store.
  • A stick of butter. ¼ cup butter for the dressing mixture, and ¼ cup for the top when baking.
  • celery with leaves. The leaves are packed with flavor!
  • A medium shallot.
  • Baby Bella mushrooms.
  • Fresh garlic.
  • Chicken broth or turkey stock.
  • Chicken livers.
  • An egg.
  • A can of smoked oysters, finely chopped, oil discarded.
  • Poultry seasoning.
  • Fresh chopped parsley.
Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (2)

Can you use canned oysters in dressing?

Using smoked, tinned oysters rather than fresh shucked makes this recipe is a quick and easy take on a classic oyster dressing, with a smoky twist.

Using the tinned/canned oysters is not only easier, it's also cheaper than using raw oysters. And the oysters carry with them a smoky flavor profile that plays well with the other flavors in the stuffing.

Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (3)

Preparing the Oyster dressing for the oven

To make the stuffing, you'll start by toasting your bread cubes for about 5-6 minutes in the oven until dry and crisp.

Next up, you'll cook some aromatics and mushrooms with whole chicken livers in an immodest amount of melted butter in a large saute pan. This is where we build the flavor of the stuffing- so don't skimp on the fat.

About the Chicken livers

If you are squeamish about the chicken livers as an ingredients- don't be! They are first cooked then minced into an indistinguishably small size, so you'll never even know they're there. It is important to cook them whole, and THEN cut them, though. Chicken livers are nearly impossible to cut raw.

Just toss them in with the aromatics, let them cook through in a large skillet, and cut them up when they are cool enough to handle. If you are preparing a turkey and liver is included with the giblets, feel free to sub those in.

Step by step: Making the Smoked Oyster Stuffing

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees f. Place bread cubes evenly onto a rimmed baking sheet or 2 and toast in the oven for 5-6 minutes, until crispy and dry. Once toasted, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Spread butter or cooking spray in the bottom of the pan or baking dish you plan to bake the stuffing in.

3. While bread cubes toast, melt butter (only 4 tbsp- reserve remaining butter for later) over medium heat in a large skillet, or deep saute pan. Once butter is melted, add celery, shallot, mushrooms, and whole chicken livers.

5. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally for 6-8 minutes, until shallots are translucent, mushrooms are reduced in size, and chicken livers are cooked through. Add garlic and chopped oysters and cook 1 minute more.

7. Remove all but chicken livers to a large mixing bowl. Transfer livers to a cutting board and allow to cool enough to handle.

9. Finely mince the cooked liver, and add to the bowl with the cooked vegetables.

10. Add the 2 cups stock, beaten egg, poultry seasoning, and parsley to the bowl and stir to combine. Gently fold the toasted bread cubes into the mixture until well coated.

12. Transfer the bread mixture to a greased baking dish or casserole dishand cover with reserved 4 tablespoon butter, cut into thin slices. Cover baking dish with a sheet of foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove aluminum foil and bake 25-30 minutes more, until a good amount of thestuffing is well browned and slightly crisp in areas. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve hot.

Tips for baking the Smoked Oyster stuffing

You're looking for a well browned stuffing that has retained some of it's moisture, and is crisp in places. For maximum crisp edges- make sure your stuffing is slightly uneven, with deep wells and higher areas for maximum crunchiness/browned bits.

Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (5)

Made this Smoked Oyster Dressing recipe for your Thanksgiving table? Leave a review and rating below!

If you make my Smoked Oyster dressing recipe, please be sure to leave me a comment! I would love to hear from you, and value your feedback! Lastly, if you make the recipe and love it, please tag me onInstagram! I love to see your photos!

Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (6)

Looking for more great holiday side dishes?

  • '
  • Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Honey-Thyme Butter
  • Creamy Mushroom Orzo
  • Brown Butter Boursin Mashed Potatoes
  • Crockpot Classic Stuffing
  • Air Fryer Rosemary Potatoes
  • Bacon Brussels Sprout Skillet
  • Make Ahead Green Bean Casserole
Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (7)

Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (8)

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5 from 1 vote

Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe

This Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe is an easy and delicious take on classic oyster dressing, using fresh baby bella mushrooms and canned smoked oysters! With lots of smoky and umami flavor- this is a great twist on classic holiday stuffing!

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Keyword: mushrooms, smoked oysters, stuffing, thanksgiving

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 12 oz potato bread cubes, toasted*
  • 8 tablespoon butter, divided
  • 1 rib celery with leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 8 oz package baby Bella mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • ½ tablespoon minced Garlic
  • 2 cups chicken broth or turkey stock
  • 2 chicken livers
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1 3.75 oz package smoked oysters, finely chopped, oil discarded
  • 2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 2 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

    2.Spread the bread cubes evenly onto 2 baking sheets and toast in the oven for 5-6 minutes, until crispy and dry. Once toasted, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.

    3.While bread cubes toast, melt butter (only 4 tbsp- reserve remaining butter for later) over medium heat in a large skillet, or deep saute pan.

    4.Once butter is melted, add celery, shallot, mushrooms, and whole chicken livers.

    5.Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally for 6-8 minutes, until shallots are translucent, mushrooms are reduced in size, and chicken livers are cooked through.

    6.Add garlic and chopped oysters and cook 1 minute more.

    7.Remove all but chicken livers to a large mixing bowl.

    8.Transfer livers to a cutting board and allow to cool enough to handle.

    9.Finely mince the cooked liver, and add to the bowl with the cooked vegetables.

    10.Add the stock, beaten egg, poultry seasoning, and parsley to the bowl and stir to combine.

    11.Gently fold the toasted bread cubes into the mixture until well coated.

    12.Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish and cover with reserved 4 tablespoon butter, cut into thin slices.

    13.Cover baking dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

    14.After 20 minutes, uncover the dish and bake 25-30 minutes more, until stuffing is well browned and slightly crisp in areas. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and serve hot.

    Notes:

    You can use white bread stuffing cubes in place of potato bread cubes, if you prefer.

© Jawns I Cooked. All images & content are the sole property of Jawns I Cooked. Please ask permission prior to using my photos. If you would like to share one of my recipes, please link back to this post and re-write the instructions in your own words.

Easy Smoked Oyster Dressing (Stuffing) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do people put oysters in stuffing? ›

Why It Works. Oysters add a savory, briny flavor to the stuffing without making it overly seafood-y. Drying the bread allows it to absorb more flavorful moisture, like chicken stock and oyster liquor.

Do I need to cook canned smoked oysters? ›

Yes, smoked oysters from a can can be eaten straight from the can. They are fully cooked and ready to eat, making them a convenient and tasty snack. However, some people prefer to enhance the flavor by adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of hot sauce.

Is there a difference between stuffing and dressing? ›

The primary difference between stuffing and dressing is that stuffing is cooked inside a bird and dressing is made on the side. As with many food traditions in the U.S., regional loyalties to stuffing vs dressing abound.

How moist should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Why do they say not to chew oysters? ›

It's a common misconception that you should swallow an oyster whole. Chewing an oyster is the best way to enjoy the full flavor profile. Savor the oyster and take your time chewing before you swallow.

How many oysters do I need for two people? ›

In a restaurant setting, Murray recommends ordering 6 oysters per person, which could be great for an appetizer.

What to eat with smoked oysters in a can? ›

Great on a cracker with hot sauce, smoked oysters' rich, distinctive flavor also adds a punch to dips and sauces. You probably associate them with appetizers and snacks, but smoked oysters make a delicious addition to salads, pasta, dressing, vegetable dishes, and more.

Is it safe to eat canned smoked oysters everyday? ›

Most experts recommend eating no more than a dozen oysters a day. As you now know, oysters are a great source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, like zinc. But even these nutrients are important to only have in moderation.

What is the green on canned smoked oysters? ›

The green color in oysters is actually not an abnormal color. During the harvesting season, the oysters are still growing and ingest a large amount of plankton while they are still lean. This makes the "green feeds" visible through their outer skin.

What do southerners call stuffing? ›

But for the Thanksgiving side dish in the South, the term dressing was adopted in place of stuffing, which was viewed as a crude term, during the Victorian era. Although dressing and stuffing are interchangeable terms, the signature ingredient of this Thanksgiving side dish in the South is cornbread.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

Eggs add richness to the stuffing, and makes it cohere better. I'd use two eggs per pound of bread.

What is stuffing called when it is not stuffed? ›

Some people make the distinction that dressing is the proper name for the dish when it has been prepared outside of the bird—that is, when it has not been stuffed and cooked inside.

Why add eggs to stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

Why is my stuffing always mushy? ›

You'll need day-old loaves to get stale so that the stuffing doesn't get too mushy. Don't cube that bread! Ragged, imperfect pieces of bread have more surface area; it's those nooks and crannies that give you good texture. Speaking of texture, that's what stuffing is all about--you want a mix of crispy and soft pieces.

Why is my stuffing gummy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

Are oysters traditional for Thanksgiving? ›

While oysters aren't commonly associated with a Thanksgiving feast, they actually played a larger role in the origination of the holiday than you'd think. The mollusks were likely feature prominently on the tables of early American settlers, unlike a turkey.

What is the purpose of oyster sauce? ›

Oyster sauce adds a savory flavor to many meat and vegetable dishes. The sauce is a staple for much Chinese family-style cooking. It is commonly used in noodle stir-fries, such as chow mein. It is also found in popular Chinese-American dishes such as beef with stir-fried vegetables.

What is the point of eating oysters? ›

Oysters are a rich source of vitamin D, copper, zinc, and manganese. These micronutrients, in combination with calcium, are thought to be key to slowing or even preventing bone loss in older women due to osteoporosis. Additionally, dietary sources of these minerals are thought to be more effective than supplements.

Why were oysters used to stuff turkeys? ›

Many early American cooks stuffed their turkeys and chicken with oysters since it was an inexpensive source of protein. Turkeys were very expensive and adding the oysters helped ensure there was enough protein to feed a large group.

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