In your home what reigns supreme? Cornbread dressing or Stuffing? In my home, the cornbread dressing is it, hands down! Our family’s treasured cornbread recipe was passed down from my great-grandmother to my mother, who still makes it two or three times a year. When she does, that irresistible aroma draws everyone to the kitchen, like moths to a flame. Among African American families, cornbread dressing is sacred. It’s one of those “holy grail” dishes that, along with mac and cheese and sweet potato pie, must appear on the holiday table.
While stuffing is common in other regions of the U.S., especially up North, cornbread dressing holds a special place in the South. Stuffing traditionally rooted in the Northeast, it’s often cooked inside the bird, typically made with white or sourdough bread, herbs, and sometimes sausage or nuts. Dressing, on the other hand, is baked separately and usually made with cornbread, a practice that became deeply rooted in Southern cuisine over generations.
Stuffing and dressing may have similar flavors, but the differences reflect regional preferences and family traditions. Personally, I love stuffing because it allows for versatility with veggies and textures—and that’s where Trader Joe’s Holiday Vegetable Hash comes in. Full of butternut squash, sweet potato, red onion, and rosemary, this mix elevates the flavors beautifully, adding depth and a festive twist. You can even toss in pecans for a nutty, woody note that adds even more richness. In addition, this recipe is great for vegetarians—no chicken giblets or meat-based additions, making it flavorful and hearty for everyone.
If you are a visual learner, watch below how I made this delicious vegetarian holiday hash.
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Trader Joe’s Holiday Hash Stuffing
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
An easy Trader Joe’s stuffing recipe built on their Holiday Vegetable Hash with sourdough cubes, apple, fresh herbs, and a quick broth bath. Serve it pan-baked as a side or stuffed into Cornish hens.
Ingredients
- 1 container Trader Joe's Holiday Vegetable Hash
- 2 to 3 cups stale sourdough bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 honeycrisp apple, cored and diced
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 sprig fresh sage, leaves chopped
- 1 sprig fresh thyme, leaves chopped
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup toasted pecans, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the Trader Joe’s Holiday Hash. Saute 5 to 7 minutes until the edges begin to caramelize.
- Add the diced celery, apple, sage, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cook another 3 minutes.
- Pour in 1/2 cup of broth and simmer 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the sourdough cubes. Toss gently. Slowly add the remaining 1/2 cup broth, a little at a time, until the cubes are moist but not soggy.
- Fold in the toasted pecans if using.
- Butter a 9 by 13 baking dish. Spread the stuffing evenly and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes until the top is golden.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Vegetarian variation: swap vegetable or mushroom broth for the chicken broth. The Holiday Hash itself is fully vegetarian.
- Cornbread variation: use 3 cups crumbled day-old cornbread instead of sourdough and reduce broth by 1/4 cup.
- To stuff Cornish hens: loosely fill the cavity of a seasoned Cornish hen, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 350 degrees until the bird reaches 180 degrees and the stuffing reaches 165 degrees.
- Make-ahead: assemble a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake from cold, adding 10 minutes to the bake time.
- Prep Time: 15 mintues
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
If you’d like to make your own chicken stock, check out my YouTube tutorial here. And when it comes to bread, old dinner rolls work perfectly. For a homemade option, see my recipe for the best dinner rolls here.
Enjoy this holiday classic that’s as much about tradition as it is about taste. Every bite of this stuffing is a connection to my roots, my family, and the love that fills my kitchen each holiday season. Happy cooking!
