Thanksgiving dressing is my favorite holiday side dish. When I decided to bake a Cuban inspirated thanksgiving stuffing, I put my culinary school experience to the test. I tested this recipe 4 times before serving it at my thanksgiving table. It was an instant hit amongst my family and it's been a thanksgiving staple at my house for the last 4 years.

This Cuban inspired stuffing has a lot of bold flavors and textures from the crunch of chicharrones to the sweetness of the fried plantains. This stuffing brings together Cuban food with American traditions in a delicious way.

Like my pumpkin pie tres leches recipe, this recipe is for my second-gen Latin immigrants who brine their Thanksgiving turkeys in Cuban Mojo. This Cuban thanksgiving stuffing recipe takes traditional American stuffing and infuses it with some Caribbean flare.

Why you'll love this Cuban Thanksgiving Stuffing

It's a flavorful and unique twist on traditional stuffing. Cuban dressing often includes ingredients like pork, beef, sweet plantains, and Cuban spices, creating a delicious and distinctive flavor profile.This stuffing brings together Cuban food with American traditions in a delicious way.
It's easy to make. Cuban dressing is relatively simple to prepare, making it a great option for busy holiday cooks
This stuffing is perfect for sweet and savory fans.
Packed .It's customizable. You can adjust the ingredients and spice level to suit your personal preferences. Packed with lots of bold flavor from the chicharron, sweet plantains and Cuban mojo.

What you'll need for this Cuban Thanksgiving dressing recipe

Chicharrones (fried pork belly)
Ripened (sweet) plantains
Cuban Mojo
Day old Cuban bread
Chicken broth
Onions
Celery
Pork/bacon drippings
9x13 casserole dish
Large mixing bowls

How to make stuffing from scratch

Preheat oven to 250F. Cut the cuban bread into cubes and place on a baking sheet and bake, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes. Once out of the oven, allow them to cool and place in a large bowl.
Increase oven heat to 350F and spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray; set aside.
Then, you'll need to make your chicharrones, you can use my recipe. If you don't want to make the chicharrones and live in an area where they're easily accessible you can buy them already made. If you made them from scratch, you'll need to reserve the fat drippings.

Fry your peeled and chopped sweet plantains in a medium skillet with about ¼ cup of corn oil over medium heat. Be sure to not burn them and turn them occasionally. Use a slotted spoon and remove from heat.
Place your cooked sweet plantains on a paper towel to drain out excess oil and set aside.

In a smaller bowl, mix the mojo, salt, pepper, eggs, chicken broth, and toss well to combine; set aside.
To a large skillet, add your rendered pork fat, onions and celery at medium heat. Cook until softened and are just beginning to lightly brown, about 10 minutes. Stir frequently.
If you didn't make your own chicharrones, you can use bacon drippings or store-bought lard.

Transfer cooked vegetables, chopped fried pork belly and fried sweet plantains to the bowl with bread. Gently mix ingredients.
Pour half of your broth mojo mixture and gently fold ingredients til combined. Add the remaining broth mixtures and fold again.
Pour the pork fat, onion and celery mixture over the breadcrumbs and mix. Finally, pour the remaining broth mixture over the bread mix and gently fold in.

Pour the mixture into a 9x13 pan, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Uncover and bake for an additional 40 minutes, or until top is as lightly golden browned as desired. Serve immediately.

Tips for making the BEST Cuban Thanksgiving Stuffing

To save time, bake, chop and dry out the bread the night before and leave uncovered on the counter. Be sure to chop your bread into small ½ inch cubes, anything bigger will make it hard to mix.

Salt to taste! The chicharrones tend to have a good amount of salt in them as does the rendered pork fat and cuban mojo. As as a result, I do not add a lot of salt to this recipe, but you're welcomed to add more to your liking.
If you need to keep the homemade stuffing warm before serving it, loosely cover it with foil and stick it in a 200F oven.

What’s the Best Bread for Stuffing?

Cuban bread is the traditional choice for Cuban Thanksgiving stuffing. Its distinctive flavor and texture complement the savory ingredients of the stuffing. However, if you can't find Cuban bread, you can substitute it with a similar type of bread, such as:

French bread: A classic choice that offers a soft and slightly sweet flavor.
Italian bread: A hearty and flavorful option with a slightly chewy texture.
Brioche bread: A rich and buttery bread that adds a touch of sweetness.

Ultimately, the best bread for your Cuban Thanksgiving stuffing is the one you prefer. Experiment with different types of bread to find your favorite.

How to store your Cuban Thanksgiving Stuffing

To ensure the freshness and safety of your Cuban Thanksgiving stuffing, follow these guidelines:

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, portion leftovers and freeze in airtight containers or bags. Frozen stuffing can last up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat leftovers thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill harmful bacteria.

Additional Tips:

Cool Completely: Allow stuffing to cool completely before storing.
Avoid Moisture: Ensure the container is airtight to prevent moisture buildup.
Reheat Within 2 Days: For safety, consume leftovers within 2 days of cooking.

By following these tips, you can enjoy your delicious Cuban Thanksgiving stuffing for days or even weeks after the holiday!

What to serve with this Cuban Thanksgiving stuffing

If you're going for full-blown spanglish Thanksgiving then you'll need to also make:

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