The 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Store-Bought Stuffing You Need To Try

This simple upgrade adds a juicy sweetness to boxed stuffing without overpowering the other flavors.

Stuffing in a white baking dish — Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

I will not apologize for loving Stove Top Stuffing, and neither should you. Maybe you, like me, grew up spying a box of Stove Top Stuffing on the counter in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, and the sight filled you with a sense of longing (and hunger). Or maybe you came to love it another way. The important thing is that we’re here now, and we’re proud of it.

Store-bought stuffing has, of course, its naysayers, and they’re usually vocal online commenters. Let them say what they will, but you and I know that the red box of stuffing holds within it an important part of the holiday table, one that’s laced with well-worn familial traditions.

Over my many years of swearing by Stove Top, I’ve tried different flavors as well as a few easy upgrades, including dried mushrooms, rich homemade turkey stock, and my current favorite, golden raisins.

A serving of stuffing on a white plate wiht blue edges — Simply Recipes / Annika Panikker

What I Love About This Stuffing Upgrade

Maybe it’s the classically-trained chef in me, but I love to tinker with even the most simple recipe, and my beloved stuffing mix is no exception. I have, in years past, made my own stuffing from scratch, trying my hand at both oyster and sausage stuffing without hitting quite the same satisfying spot as the kind I grew up with.

By adding one simple ingredient—in this case, raisins—I can put my own touch on the classic without compromising any of the essential stuffing-ness. The raisins add a juicy sweetness without overpowering the stuffing, giving me another layer of flavor to love.

How To Upgrade Store-Bought Stuffing With Golden Raisins

I would never suggest complicating an otherwise perfect process. Store-bought stuffing, like Stove Top, is so easy to make that my six-year-old takes up the mantle herself when our family Thanksgiving meal comes around.

All you have to do is boil water with butter, add the stuffing mix, let it sit for about five minutes, and then fluff with a fork and serve. This upgrade stays true to that simplicity—just add one-half cup of golden raisins when you’re adding the stuffing mix. No need to plump them; the hot water does that for you. And yes, any color raisin (or even currants!) is welcome here.