I Tried Chrissy Teigen’s Rule-Breaking Hawaiian Roll Stuffing (I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It)

Chrissy Teigen is one of our favorite follows. I mean, who can forget her desperate search for

six speckled bananas

While I was brought up on the blue bag of Pepperidge Farm stuffing, Chrissy and hubby John Legend are big fans of boxed Stove Top stuffing. She developed her stuffing recipe to replicate those nostalgic flavors and textures, but with a twist. Would sweet King’s Hawaiian rolls be the key unlocking the holiday magic we experienced as kids? Here’s how it went.

Get the recipe: Chrissy Teigen’s Herby King’s Hawaiian Stuffing

Begin by heating the oven to 350°F. Cut a package of King’s Hawaiian Rolls into 1-inch cubes, then spread into a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast until lightly browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, bring chicken or turkey stock to a simmer and season with salt. Cook celery, onion, and garlic in a skillet, then add fresh sage, fresh thyme, poultry seasoning, and salt. Add the toasted bread cubes to the skillet and toss to combine. Gradually pour the warm stock over the vegetables and bread until moistened, then cover and set aside for five minutes before serving. If you prefer a crispier top, broil for two to four minutes.

I had high hopes for this stuffing. Not only are King’s Hawaiian rolls one of my favorite grocery store buys, but I also hold a special place in my heart for store-bought stuffings. Would this recipe deliver the best of both?

Sadly, it did not. The nostalgic flavor was on point, thanks to the inclusion of poultry seasoning — a combination of ground dried herbs — but because it’s not a seasoning blend I keep on hand, I’d prefer the option to use other dried herbs. But the larger issue was with the Hawaiian rolls. They do get soggy easily, so add the liquid sparingly. Even though the bread was toasted and the stock simmered, the final stuffing was a bit soggy and lukewarm. The 1-inch cubes were also too large, making them awkward to eat.

While the dish was assembled in a skillet — I used a cast iron so it could go from stovetop to table — I was still left with a baking sheet and small pot to clean. This recipe had a lot of promise, but ultimately failed to deliver a homemade stuffing that is better than the box.

1. Cut the bread into 1/2-inch pieces. Cutting the bread smaller will not only make this stuffing easier to eat, but it also provides more surface area for drying and browning the bread.
2. Make your own poultry seasoning. If you already have a well-stocked spice cabinet, make your own poultry seasoning from dried herbs instead of purchasing a pre-made blend that you might not use later.
3. Bake the stuffing. After adding the broth to the bread and sautéed vegetables, return the skillet to the oven and bake until the stuffing is hot throughout and crisp on top, 10 to 15 minutes.

Rating: 5/10

Have you tried Chrissy Teigen’s Herby King’s Hawaiian Stuffing? Tell us what you thought!