Stove Top stuffing is a popular boxed stuffing mix that allows you to quickly prepare stuffing or dressing to complement your holiday meals or anytime recipes. Many people wonder how much stuffing the Stove Top boxes make so they can determine how much they need to buy and prepare for their gathering. In this article, we’ll provide a quick overview of how many cups of stuffing a box of Stove Top makes and other key details to help you in your meal planning and preparation.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that one 6-ounce box of Stove Top stuffing mix makes approximately 4-6 cups of prepared stuffing. However, the exact amount can vary slightly depending on whether you use the amount of liquid listed on the box or adjust it to your taste preferences. The stuffing yield per box may also vary between different Stove Top flavors.
Stove Top Stuffing Box Sizes
Stove Top stuffing comes in a few different box sizes:
- 6 oz box – makes 4-6 cups
- 14 oz family size box – makes 10-12 cups
- 28 oz mega family size box – makes 20-24 cups
The 6 ounce box is the standard size you’ll find in most grocery stores. The larger boxes offer more economical pricing for larger gatherings and holiday meals.
Cups per Box by Flavor
The typical yield per 6 oz box is approximately:
- Stove Top Chicken Flavor – 5 cups
- Stove Top Turkey Flavor – 4 1/2 cups
- Stove Top Cornbread Stuffing – 5 cups
- Stove Top Herb Seasoned Stuffing – 4 1/2 cups
Results may vary slightly depending on the specific flavor and how much liquid is used.
Factors That Affect Yield
There are a few key factors that affect the final cooked yield of stuffing from a box of Stove Top:
Amount of Liquid
The amount of broth, water or other liquid used when preparing the stuffing will impact the final yield. Stove Top boxes provide recommended liquid amounts but you can adjust this to achieve your desired stuffing consistency. Using less liquid will result in a drier, fluffier stuffing.
Cooking Method
Stove Top can be prepared baked in the oven or cooked stovetop. The cooking method won’t significantly impact yield but may affect texture and moisture level.
Additions & Adjustments
Adding extra ingredients like vegetables, eggs, broth or seasonings may slightly affect the final quantity. The stuffing yield may reduce if you add a significant amount of bulk ingredients.
Typical Yield per Box Size
Here is an overview of the typical stuffed cups yield for each of the common Stove Top box sizes:
| Box Size | Cups of Stuffing |
|---|---|
| 6 ounce | 4-6 cups |
| 14 ounce family size | 10-12 cups |
| 28 ounce mega family size | 20-24 cups |
These ranges account for some variability between flavors and preparation methods.
Serving and Purchase Guidelines
Knowing the typical yield per box makes it easier to shop for the right quantity of Stove Top and determine how many people it will serve. Here are some general serving size guidelines:
- Plan on 1/2 cup uncooked stuffing per person
- 1 cup cooked stuffing serves 1-2 people
- For holiday meals plan at least 1 cup cooked stuffing per person
- Only prepare amount that will be eaten to avoid waste
The number of boxes needed depends on the number of people being served:
- 4-6 people – 1 box
- 10-12 people – 2 boxes
- 16-20 people – 3 boxes
Buy accordingly more if serving larger gatherings or groups.
Tips for Maximizing Yield
To get the most out of each box, keep these tips in mind:
- Use liquid amounts listed on the package
- Avoid overmixing stuffing as it will compact
- Fluff with a fork after cooking or baking
- Let it sit 5-10 minutes before serving
- Cut back on high-moisture add-ins
- Reduce broth or water slightly if stuffing seems wet
- Use within 1 year for freshest taste and performance
Following package directions and allowing stuffing to fully rehydrate will maximize the cups per box.
Cooking Time
Stove Top stuffing cooks up relatively quickly whether prepared baked or on the stovetop. Cooking times are:
- Baked: 40-50 minutes at 375°F
- Stovetop: 5-7 minutes
Always use a food thermometer to confirm stuffing reaches safe 165°F internal temperature. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information for Stove Top stuffing will vary slightly between the different flavors. Here are the approximate nutrition facts for a 1/2 cup serving of chicken flavor:
- 170 calories
- 3g fat
- 460mg sodium
- 28g carbs
- 2g fiber
- 3g protein
Stove Top is lower in fat and calories than homemade stuffing recipes made with butter or oils. It makes an easy, flavorful and healthy side dish option for holidays and everyday meals.
Cost Comparison
Stove Top stuffing is an affordable and cost-effective option compared to buying fresh bread for stuffing from a bakery or grocery store. On average, Stove Top costs about $0.40 to $0.60 per ounce. So a 6-ounce box ranges from $2.50-$3.50.
Compare that to artisan bread that can cost $4-$8 per loaf for stuffing. Per ounce, Stove Top is the more economical choice to maximize your budget for holiday meals. It also eliminates the work of cubing and drying out the bread yourself.
Storing Leftovers
Cooked stuffing leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator within 2 hours in shallow airtight containers. Use leftovers within 3-4 days.
Reheating guidelines:
- Microwave: Add a splash of broth and reheat gently, stirring occasionally
- Oven: Place in oven safe dish, moisten with broth, cover and reheat at 325°F until hot
Discard any stuffing that smells bad or feels overly moist. Thoroughly reheat to 165°F.
Freshness Tips
An unopened box of Stove Top stuffing mix will stay fresh in the pantry for about 1 year. Check the best by date on the package.
Once opened, transfer unused stuffing mix to an airtight container. Use within 2-3 months for best freshness. Properly stored, the stuffing will remain safe indefinitely but may lose flavor over time.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Stove Top stuffing yield:
Does stuffing expand when cooked?
Yes, dry stuffing mix will expand in size after cooking when rehydrated. The stuffing yield per box refers to the total cups of fluffed, cooked stuffing.
Can I double or triple a stuffing mix recipe?
Yes, you can safely double or triple the stuffing recipe yield by using multiple boxes and adjusting the liquid accordingly. This is an easy way to prepare more stuffing for large gatherings.
Can I freeze extra cooked stuffing?
Cooked stuffing can be frozen to preserve leftovers. Let it cool completely, transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers. Freeze for 2-3 months.
Can I prepare stuffing ahead of time?
For food safety, it’s best to cook stuffing just before serving. But you can prepare and refrigerate it up to 1 day ahead. Reheat fully to 165°F before serving.
What’s the difference between stuffing and dressing?
Stuffing is cooked inside the turkey cavity while dressing is baked in a separate dish. Both are made from the same ingredient combinations.
Conclusion
Stove Top makes an easy and delicious stuffing for Thanksgiving, Christmas and any time of year. Their 6-ounce box yields approximately 4-6 cups of fluffy stuffing to complement your meal. Adjust the liquid, allow it to fully rehydrate and fluff before serving for maximum yield. Follow proper storage methods for leftovers. Understanding cups per box helps ensure you have the right amount for your gathering. Enjoy the quick preparation and great flavor of Stove Top stuffing on your table.