Turkey Stuffing / Turkey Dressing ??

[Lisbet]

Another Food Forum that I frequently check has a controversy going about Turkey Dressing - Turkey Stuffing. Is there a technical difference? I have always been under the impression that the terms are for the same things, and interchangeable. Am I wrong?

[durangojo]

two things, i think the difference may be a regional distinction now, but i think the main difference is folks called it stuffing because the turkey was actually 'stuffed' with the concoction and roasted...dressing is made and served alongside the bird, not in it. there is still alot of controversy about whether to stuff or not to stuff...i personally don't stuff my bird, atleast not with stuffing, only fresh herbs, onion, and maybe an apple..i don't think it is very food safety wise to stuff because the blood and juices from the bird soak into the stuffing and perhaps the stuffing doesn't get heated enough to prevent bacteria from growing...gross!bloody bacteria ridden food..yum...
joey

[shel]

Originally Posted by durangojo

two things, i think the difference may be a regional distinction now, but i think the main difference is folks called it stuffing because the turkey was actually 'stuffed' with the concoction and roasted...dressing is made and served alongside the bird, not in it

That's been my understanding, and, it might be noted that the same dish or recipe may often be used for stuffing and for dressing ..

shel

[pgr555]

Yup, my understanding too. Actually even saw again today on Bobby Flay Throwdown ~ Turkey Lady from Butterball said: " Stuffing in; dressing out"

[Montelago]

Stuffing the bird also makes the bread pull a lot of moisture out of the meat, leading to a dry turkey.

[shel]

Alton Brown had a recently aired show in which the dressing was pre-cooked, stuffed into a bag, and then inseted into the bird, avoiding at least some of the problems associated with puttting uncooked stuffing into the bird.

I've not yet had time to locate the transcript of that show.

shel

[Lisbet]

Many Thanks! When I really think about it......It does make sense,

Stuffing In and Dressing Out. Something I should'ov been able to figure out for myself!!

[shroomgirl]

through the years the debate amoungst cheftalkers over safety of stuffing has come up.......

I stuff our family turkey with dressing.....always have, am not going to stop now, the difference in flavor is night and day.
But, I also pay attention to how long the bird sets out, how that stuffing is taken care of....in other words the stuffing is more perishable than "normal" dressing....with that in mind we make sure extra care is taken.

As to blood, fat, moisture wicking from the meat....um that my friends is the good stuff.

[Lisbet]

Sharoomgirl....I'm with you! Whatever it is called, I put it inside the bird. The turkey adds flavor to the stuffing/dressing and the stuffing/dressing flavors the meat.

Growing up, my parents always referred to dressing....but after doing some reading of forum threads....I"m confused.

[Praties]

I stuff ours as well. The turkey's cold, the stuffing is cold and as soon as the stuffing is in (not too tightly) and the bird sewn-up, it's in the oven. Most of the bacteria problems come from stuffing the bird the night before, usually with still-warm stuffing and/or stuffing the poor thing too tightly. As for making the turkey dry, my stuffing has a fair amount of butter in it along with aromatic veggies--if anything, it's going to add moisture. And the whole blood/juices thing, well, whaddaya think makes gravy??!??

[Ma Facon]

Originally Posted by durangojo

two things, i think the difference may be a regional distinction now, but i think the main difference is folks called it stuffing because the turkey was actually 'stuffed' with the concoction and roasted...dressing is made and served alongside the bird, not in it. there is still alot of controversy about whether to stuff or not to stuff...i personally don't stuff my bird, atleast not with stuffing, only fresh herbs, onion, and maybe an apple..i don't think it is very food safety wise to stuff because the blood and juices from the bird soak into the stuffing and perhaps the stuffing doesn't get heated enough to prevent bacteria from growing...gross!bloody bacteria ridden food..yum...
joey

Stuff the bird with a moist flavorful stuffing of your choice, Roast the bird to your desired doneness and enjoy the flavorful stuffing that this produces, There is nothing wrong with the stuffing in the cavity, You can even let the turkey rest until it is ready to carve with the stuffing still in it. Remove the stuffing prior to carving and have a Happy Thanksgiving......Enjoy

[Pete]

Leaving the "to stuff or not to stuff" debate behind and to answer your original question. No there is no difference between stuffing and dressing. The terms are interchangeable. Some areas of the country are more prone to use the term stuffing and others to use the term dressing. As said above dressing is often used to denote "stuffing" baked outside of the bird, but that is not always the case. Altimately, they are the same thing.

[Lisbet]

Thank You Pete......My father was a chef, and he always referred to "dressing". Just thought that perhaps there was a subtle difference in the terms that I was missing, and didn't know about.

As for "In" or "Out"....for all of my life the stuffing was always IN the bird. There was never any problem with bacteria, or anyone becoming ill! With normal proceedures, proper precaution in preparing and handling, I am convinced it is perfectly safe.