I’m Breaking a 20-Year Family Tradition for This $1 Aldi Staple This Thanksgiving
Stuffing has always been one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving and Christmas (yes, we do it at both), even though our basic bagged version — with its singular texture — goes against everything I’m supposed to think is “good” as a food writer, cookbook author, and Chopped judge. I have made homemade stuffing a few times, but it just doesn’t hit the same as the bagged mix I grew up with. I even thought I would have a line about it in my obituary one day because I love this comforting classic so much … but my loyalty has shifted.
No, not to homemade stuffing, but to another style with a hint of sweetness, made from one of the best breads out there: King’s Hawaiian Rolls.
A few years ago, I spotted King’s Hawaiian brand stuffing at a local grocery store in my hometown of Binghamton, New York, and convinced my mom we had to try it. Everyone loved the subtle sweetness balanced with the savoriness of onion and herbs, especially when we doubled up, using King’s Hawaiian rolls to make leftover turkey sliders during the week. But tradition won over and we switched back to our decades-old staple for the holidays.
I thought about that sweet stuffing recently and tried to find it in Los Angeles, where I had relocated since my last time having it, and came up with zero results. A representative for the brand confirmed that it was retired, so I bookmarked a King’s Hawaiian Sweet Bread Stuffing recipe on its official website to try my hand at this year.
Then something strange and exciting happened: a dupe! While browsing Aldi, I spotted two boxes of the grocer’s store brand: Chef’s Cupboard Classic Hawaiian Stuffing Mix and a sage and onion flavored version. I immediately bought both, made them and a quick gravy at home, and chowed down on a Costco rotisserie chicken with a heaping pile of stuffing.
What’s So Great About Chef’s Cupboard Classic Hawaiian Stuffing Mix?
The original had a smidge more sweetness than the sage and onion version, but both were balanced with overall a more savory edge. The best part is the price: $1.39, at my local store, for a six-ounce box, which serves six. It’s cheap enough to stock up on this seasonal item so I can satisfy my Thanksgiving cravings all year.
What’s the Best Way to Enjoy Chef’s Cupboard Classic Hawaiian Stuffing Mix?
Similar to other stuffing brands, all you need to do is simmer water and a half-stick of butter, add seasoned dried bread cubes, cover, and let it get fluffy, tender, and comforting — which takes all of five minutes. But if you want to up the flavor without adding too much effort, I held back a tablespoon of butter from the box instructions and sautéd half a chopped onion and two cloves of garlic first, then added stock (I had homemade in the freezer, but boxed or bouillon would also work) to saturate the stuffing with.
Those additions really packed in the flavor, and it got even better after a crisp into a little stuffing pancake on the stove, which was a lot less work than heating up the oven for a single serving. I figured if the stuffing is going to need to be reheated anyway, why not guarantee crispiness edge-to-edge? Next up, maybe I’ll try it in a waffle maker.
This store-bought stuffing is what I’m most thankful for this year, and I’ll be mixing Turkey Day up with these two brands — and maybe even a homemade version to make it a triple threat.
Find it in stores: Chef’s Cupboard Classic Hawaiian Stuffing Mix, $1.39 for 6 ounces at Aldi
What store-bought holiday staples are you thankful for this year? Tell us about it in the comments below.