# Dressing or Stuffing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 20, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365 "2013-11-20T18:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/61 "2013-11-21T16:36:42Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Do you use a convection oven? Also, do you get a lot of smoke? I cook all my chickens at 500 or 550, and I often have a problem with smoke in the kitchen. No convection oven. And oh, yeah, smoke is an issue. I find that putting a pan of water underneath the bird (or in the roasting dish it is suspended over) keeps the smoke down (actually, eliminates it). I know that part of the theory is supposed to be to keep a dry heat, but I haven’t noticed having a little pan of water underneath make any difference. (The fat falls into the water and therefore doesn’t burn off causing all the smoke.) ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/62 "2013-11-21T16:45:59Z")
Yeah, your article says to add some halfway though, if need be. Also, they seem to be more concerned with keeping the bird wet before roasting, which surprised me. I have a very nice medium-sized raosting pan, but my extra-large one is kinda meh. I’m either going to buy a new one or put it on top of a nice sheet pan while it bakes. My oven automatically drops the temperature by 25 degrees if you’re using convection, so I’ll be raosting at about 475. I did this once a few years back and it turned out very nice. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/63 "2013-11-21T16:48:28Z")
I call it breading, because I’m a rebel, Dottie. A loner. ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/64 "2013-11-21T17:04:02Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Crazy. Stuffing balls were a big tradition at our table growing up. The final product, if not the exact shape, is the same idea. Yours is the only other family I’ve heard about who does this. Yeah, you guys are the only other family I’ve ever run across, either. Most people look at me like I just told them my grandmother has green skin and antennae when I mention this. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/65 "2013-11-21T17:17:39Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > I call it breading, because I’m a rebel, Dottie. A loner. I know you are, but what am I? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/66 "2013-11-21T17:50:45Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Yeah, your article says to add some halfway though, if need be. Also, they seem to be more concerned with keeping the bird wet before roasting, which surprised me. You know, I didn’t even read through the article carefully. I just skimmed and saw it had the same main points that I follow, mainly that of cooking at around 500F for the whole time through (although 475 should work well, too, especially with a convection oven) and no basting. I totally missed that they also recommended the water pan. So it’s good to know they agree with me. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/67 "2013-11-21T19:47:19Z")
[Dressing](http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cornbread-dressing-10000000366635/) [Stuffing](http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moms_turkey_stuffing/) Earth shatteringly different. Maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/68 "2013-11-21T20:30:06Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > [Dressing](http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cornbread-dressing-10000000366635/) > [Stuffing](http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/moms_turkey_stuffing/) > > Earth shatteringly different. Maybe. I could find you two drastically different stuffing recipes, too. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/69 "2013-11-21T20:39:06Z")
If it was in the bird, it’s stuffing, if not, dressing. (I still call it stuffing anyway) ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/70 "2013-11-21T20:41:20Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Alton Brown says dressing (because stuffing is disgusting), so it’s dressing for me. He calls it dressing because: 1.He’s a Southerner (seems to be a geographic distiniction as well) 2.He believes stuffing is EVIL! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/71 "2013-11-22T02:43:49Z")
Dressing sounds more genteel. It’s like saying restroom instead of toilet. Otherwise, no difference. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/72 "2013-11-22T06:44:33Z")
I didn’t vote because there wasn’t a “they’re the same thing” option. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/73 "2013-11-22T15:46:14Z")
Always called it stuffing, regardless of whether or not it was actually stuffed into anything (aside from my mouth, of course!). And, I will add that good stuffing is the _best_ part of Thanksgiving. I could do without every other traditional component of the meal, but take away stuffing, and it’s no Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/74 "2013-11-22T16:02:41Z")
Growing up, in our family, it was always stuffing, no matter how it was cooked. [This was dressing in my house](http://moneysavingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/kraft-dressing-300x263.jpg). (I’ve heard of stuffing being referred to as dressing before too, though) ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/75 "2013-11-22T16:16:36Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I could find you two drastically different stuffing recipes, too. Not the recipe, **Lab** , the cooking method and final appearance! > [@squeegee](#): > > I didn’t vote because there wasn’t a “they’re the same thing” option. That puts you firmly in the wishy-washy camp. [sub]I don’t know about y’all, but I’m having fun with this![/sub] ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/76 "2013-11-22T16:22:16Z")
Cranberry sauce-Canned with berries, Jelled w/o berries, or made on the stove? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/77 "2013-11-22T21:10:45Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Cranberry sauce-Canned with berries, Jelled w/o berries, or made on the stove? On that I have to vote “What!?! Gross, none of the above” ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/78 "2013-11-22T21:40:52Z")
I hated cranberry sauce my whole life, until last year I got it in my head to make some. Cranberries, sugar, a splash of limoncello and a hint of ginger - it was _amazing_. I will never not make it for T-giving again. ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hey\_Hey\_Paula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_Hey_Paula)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/79 "2013-11-23T17:18:41Z")
I call it stuffing, but I don’t stuff the bird with it. I got the recipe from my long-ago ex’s mother, and she stuffed the bird with it, and cooked anything that was left in a casserole dish. I just cook the whole thing in a casserole dish, and “stuff” the bird with a cored quartered apple and some herbs. My brother, who loves my stuffing recipe and has been known to call me up on Thanksgiving to walk him through it, insists it be called dressing. His family just calls it yummy. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365/80 "2013-11-26T21:06:58Z")
Born and raised in NE Ohio. Stuffing all the way - and make my lima beans very mushy, then drench them in butter, please. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dressing-or-stuffing/674365.md?page=5)