The $1.49 ALDI Find I’m Stocking Up On While It Lasts (Especially for Thanksgiving)

Each November, every novice cook and culinary pro in the country undertakes the hefty task of pulling off a full Thanksgiving dinner. My mother, a restaurant owner and pro, did this for our family of six (and more as it grew) for her entire life, cooking every dish from scratch. That is, except for the stuffing.

Here, she relied on the shortcut of a boxed mix that she claimed was “better” and “easier.” As a child, I didn’t appreciate my mom’s efforts and pledged to make my stuffing when I grew up. But once I was tasked with bringing a Thanksgiving dinner to life, I realized my mom was onto something.

While I love the texture, variety, and creativity that can come with good homemade stuffing, boxed stuffing still slaps. And when every other labor-intensive dish ranks higher on the priority list, the ease of a boxed mix just makes sense.

I’m a professional recipe developer, but since becoming a mom, I rely on taking shortcuts where I can (and even relish in them when they’re great). This year, I’ll be leaning into the Specially Selected Brioche Stuffing Mix from ALDI so I can spend (a bit) more time chilling out with my family on Thanksgiving day. It’s not lost on me that it’s only September, but who knows if the product will still be on shelves—so many popular ALDI finds come and go so quickly. So, I’m stocking up while I can.

This box mix has me and a dedicated Reddit fanbase stocking up for the long winter ahead. Sure, it’s a Thanksgiving staple, but I use it for much more than the holidays.

Why I Love ALDI’s Specially Selected Brioche Stuffing Mix

The buttery, slightly sweet brioche base adds a richness you can’t get from other boxed stuffings. It comes in a variety of flavors like lemon thyme, herb, and garlic rosemary. I’m partial to the herb blend, but they’re all well-balanced and elevate the flavor of whatever you’re eating it with.

It’s easy, comfort food that makes me feel like I’ve taken my dinner up a notch without lifting a finger. Of course, convenience is its primary selling point. This stuffing is ready in about five minutes, meaning less time in the kitchen, more time with family and friends, and actually enjoying the dinner I’ve prepared. (Gasp!)

Lastly, it’s foolproof—a massive win in my books. I boil some water and butter, stir in the mix, remove it from the heat, and let it stand for a few minutes. Aside from fluffing it with a fork before serving, this is all that’s required. It couldn’t be easier. 

How I Use Boxed Stuffing

In my childhood, boxed stuffing was only made on Thanksgiving and Christmas. As an adult, however, one year I accidentally bought too many boxes of stuffing and then had to find creative ways to use them all up. Now boxed stuffing is a comfort I turn to when there’s a chill in the air.  

• On its own, it can be elevated with fresh herbs, dried fruit, sautéed vegetables, or fatty sausage crumbles.
• Outside of its work as “stuffing,” boxed mixes make a decent, savory casserole topping. The buttery, crispy finish it adds to mac and cheese is next level.
• It makes an excellent filling for stuffed mushrooms and proteins.
• I like combining the mix with sautéed vegetables and fresh herbs, then topping it with cheese for a rich appetizer or side dish.
• I also like stuffing it into chicken breasts or pork chops before baking or pan-frying them. 
• Turning it into stuffing muffins is an easy way to use up leftover roasted vegetables, chicken, or sausage, and the muffins make a kid-friendly lunchbox add-in.

Stuffing can and should be used outside of the holidays. So if you see it at your local ALDI, stock up while it’s still available. You’ll thank yourself in the middle of winter when you’re craving that cozy, comforting, savory goodness.