TASTE-TEST : Knocking the Stuffings

If you were planning to use packaged mixes to stuff your Thanksgiving turkey, you might want to reconsider. We recently mixed up five of the most popular brands, following package directions but adding no extra herbs, vegetables or spices. The results were illuminating.

Virtually all of the stuffing mixes were far too salty. Most tasted like packaged bouillon cubes and dehydrated onions. They’d all be acceptable if you doctored them up with your own ingredients--and your own chicken stock--but if you’re going to go to all that trouble, why not just take some bread and start from scratch?

Stuffing Mixes

* Brand: 1. Stovetop Stuffing Mix for Turkey Cost: 28/ounce Comments: “good color,” “nice all-around flavor,” “strong bouillon flavor,” “moist,” “looks good.” * Brand: 2. Kellogg’s Croutettes Stuffing Mix Cost: 29/ounce Comments: “looks like kibble,” “too much sage,” “herbal flavor overwhelming.” * Brand: 3. Rice A Roni Bread Stuffing Mix Cost: 23/ounce Comments: “looks best,” “a little mushy,” “overwhelming herb flavor,” “strong bouillon flavor,” “powerful aftertaste.” * Brand: 4. Oroweat Seasoned Dressing Cost: 14/ounce Comments: “very bland,” “fine crumbly texture,” “least salty.” * Brand: 5. Mrs Cubbison’s Seasoned Dressing Cost: 12/ounce Comments: “salty, with odd nutmeg flavor,” “pale,” “the blandest.”