Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole (jar mix)

In my quest to find some great meals in a jar, I came across an awesome idea for turkey and stuffing in a jar from Rainy Day Food Storage.  It's more of a casserole, in my opinion, and since it includes cranberries and even gravy right in the mix, I think the best name for this recipe is Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole.  It has such a homey, comfort-food flavor.  And it smells like Thanksgiving.

Isn't this the most amazing idea to send to college students, those in the military, or others who are away from home at Thanksgiving?  

I absolutely love the idea of giving a meal in a jar, too, because it's a little like preparing someone a home-cooked meal when it's not possible for me to actually do it.  What a perfect gift!

Plus, these are easy to make ahead for yourself, too.  Pull out a jar for a quick meal or a quick treat, or even in an emergency. 

IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS JAR MIX:  

• Jar mixes should be used within about a year unless you seal them (like with a FoodSaver and the jar attachment) or use oxygen absorbers.  
• You can purchase many of the ingredients for this recipe at your local grocery store.  
• You can purchase the dehydrated (or freeze-dried) ingredients at Thrive Life (where I get a little discount if you do) or at Honeyville or at Augason Farms, OR you can dry them yourself using a food dehydrator.  That link is to the dehydrator I use--I love it, but I know there are fancier ones out there, too. I dried the carrots and the celery for this recipe myself, and I was amazed at how easy it was and how well the flavor was preserved.
• If you decide to gift this the way I have pictured, use a piece of fabric about 6"x6".

THANKSGIVING DINNER CASSEROLE

PREP TIME (making the jar mix):  10 minutes
COOK TIME:  30-35 minutes

Obviously, this photo was taken pre-renaming:
Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole

JAR MIX INGREDIENTS

In a wide-mouth quart jar, layer in order, tamping down to help the ingredients settle (as needed):

• 1 c. freeze-dried turkey (only available here, to my knowledge; may substitute freeze-dried chicken from here where I get a referral discount or here, if preferred)
• 1 packet chicken gravy mix, dry
• 1 tsp. poultry seasoning
• 1  1/2 c. seasoned stove-top stuffing
• 1/4 c. dehydrated carrots (available here where I get a referral discount, or here or here, or you can dry your own with a food dehydrator) 
• 1/4 c. dehydrated celery (available here where I get a referral discount, or here or here, or you can dry your own with a food dehydrator) 
• 1/4 c. dried onion 
• 1/4 c. dried cranberries

See updated directions below.

COOKING DIRECTIONS

Attach to the jar using a sticker or tag:

In a medium pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.  Stir in the contents of the jar.  Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes.  Return to heat, uncovered, and simmer about 20 minutes, stirring periodically.  

See?  Thanksgiving Dinner Casserole from a Jar.  :)

Try this recipe, then comment and let me know how you like it!  And Pin it to Pinterest to save and share using the image below.

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