Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without a truly delicious stuffing, and this classic recipe delivers all the comforting, savory flavors you crave.
It’s designed to be moist on the inside with those irresistible crispy bits on top, making it the perfect traditional side dish for your holiday feast. You’ll find it incredibly straightforward to prepare, ensuring a stress-free addition to your festive table.
This recipe focuses on time-honored ingredients and simple techniques to create a stuffing that tastes just like grandma used to make. It’s hearty, flavorful, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser, bringing that essential touch of home to your Thanksgiving spread. Get ready to enjoy a truly special side dish that everyone will adore.
Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
- Total Time: 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings 1x
Description
This classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe delivers comforting, savory flavors, perfect for your holiday feast. It’s designed to be moist on the inside with irresistible crispy bits on top, making it a straightforward and delicious traditional side dish.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare Your Bread Cubes: If your bread isn’t already stale, cut it into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet and let them air dry for several hours or overnight. Alternatively, bake them at 250 F (120 C) for 15-20 minutes until dried out but not browned. Once dry, transfer the bread cubes to a very large mixing bowl.
2. 2. Saute the Aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic, dried sage, dried thyme, and crushed rosemary. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
3. 3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the sauteed vegetable mixture directly over the dried bread cubes in the large mixing bowl. Add the salt and black pepper, then gently toss everything together until the bread cubes are evenly coated with the buttery vegetable mixture.
4. 4. Add Liquid and Eggs: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the chicken or vegetable broth and the lightly beaten eggs. Gradually pour this liquid mixture over the bread and vegetable mixture, tossing gently but thoroughly. The goal is to moisten all the bread cubes without making them soggy. You should see the bread absorbing the liquid, but it shouldn’t be swimming in it. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley.
5. 5. Prepare for Baking: Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer the stuffing mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly. You can gently press it down slightly, but avoid compacting it too much, as this can lead to a dense, rather than moist, stuffing.
6. 6. Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 F (190 C) for 30 minutes. This initial covered baking ensures the stuffing cooks through and stays moist.
7. 7. Achieve Crispy Topping: After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165 F (74 C).
8. 8. Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the stuffing from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the stuffing to set slightly, making it easier to scoop.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: side dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Keywords: thanksgiving, stuffing, holiday, savory, bread, comfort food, traditional, side dish, easy, classic
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is a true holiday hero for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s incredibly forgiving and straightforward, making it perfect for both seasoned home cooks and those tackling their first Thanksgiving dinner. The flavors are deeply traditional and comforting, evoking memories of past holidays and creating new ones. It’s designed to be moist throughout, preventing that dry, crumbly texture that can sometimes plague stuffing, while still offering delightful crispy edges. This recipe is for anyone who appreciates the rich, savory taste of a well-made stuffing and wants a reliable, delicious side dish that complements roasted turkey and all the other holiday fixings. Serve it as the star side dish at your Thanksgiving dinner, a potluck, or even a cozy Sunday family meal. Its universal appeal makes it a welcome addition to any gathering where hearty, flavorful food is appreciated.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this classic Thanksgiving stuffing is simple, focusing on readily available items that deliver maximum flavor. The key here is quality and freshness, especially for the vegetables and herbs, which contribute significantly to the overall taste. Don’t feel pressured to buy specialty items; everyday pantry staples and fresh produce are all you need to create a truly memorable dish.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound stale white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 10-12 cups)
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
- 2 large yellow onions, finely chopped
- 4 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the bread, day-old white sandwich bread, French bread, or Italian bread works wonderfully. The staleness is crucial as it absorbs the liquids without becoming mushy. If your bread isn’t stale, you can cube it and spread it on a baking sheet, then bake it at 250°F (120°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until dried out but not toasted. When it comes to butter, unsalted is preferred so you can control the saltiness of the dish, but if salted is all you have, simply reduce the added salt in the recipe slightly. Chicken broth adds a richer, more traditional flavor, but vegetable broth is an excellent substitute for a vegetarian version. Feel free to use low-sodium broth if you’re watching your sodium intake.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
Preparing this classic Thanksgiving stuffing is a relatively quick process, making it an ideal candidate for your holiday menu without adding undue stress. The hands-on time is minimal, allowing you to focus on other dishes or enjoy your guests.
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 40-50 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes
This timing assumes your bread is already stale and cubed. If you need to dry out fresh bread, add an additional 15-20 minutes to the preparation time. The cooking time ensures the stuffing is heated through, moist, and develops a lovely golden-brown, slightly crispy top.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this moist and savory Thanksgiving stuffing is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to achieve a perfectly balanced and delicious side dish that will impress everyone at your table.
- Prepare Your Bread Cubes: If your bread isn’t already stale, cut it into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet and let them air dry for several hours or overnight. Alternatively, bake them at 250°F (120°C) for 15-20 minutes until dried out but not browned. Once dry, transfer the bread cubes to a very large mixing bowl.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt 1 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic, dried sage, dried thyme, and crushed rosemary. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the sautéed vegetable mixture directly over the dried bread cubes in the large mixing bowl. Add the salt and black pepper, then gently toss everything together until the bread cubes are evenly coated with the buttery vegetable mixture.
- Add Liquid and Eggs: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the chicken or vegetable broth and the lightly beaten eggs. Gradually pour this liquid mixture over the bread and vegetable mixture, tossing gently but thoroughly. The goal is to moisten all the bread cubes without making them soggy. You should see the bread absorbing the liquid, but it shouldn’t be swimming in it. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley.
- Prepare for Baking: Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Transfer the stuffing mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly. You can gently press it down slightly, but avoid compacting it too much, as this can lead to a dense, rather than moist, stuffing.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. This initial covered baking ensures the stuffing cooks through and stays moist.
- Achieve Crispy Topping: After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the stuffing from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the stuffing to set slightly, making it easier to scoop.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is fantastic as is, but it also lends itself beautifully to simple variations and creative serving ideas that can fit any family’s preferences or occasion.
For a slightly different flavor profile, consider adding 1 cup of chopped cooked sausage (like mild Italian or breakfast sausage) to the sautéed vegetables. This adds a hearty, meaty dimension that many people love. If you prefer a touch of sweetness, a half cup of dried cranberries or chopped apples can be folded in with the bread cubes. For a nutty crunch, toasted pecans or walnuts can be added at the same stage. To make it extra savory, a tablespoon of poultry seasoning can be added along with the other dried herbs.
When serving, this stuffing is, of course, the quintessential side for roasted turkey, chicken, or pork loin. It’s also wonderful as part of a holiday buffet spread, where guests can serve themselves. For a more casual meal, leftover stuffing can be pan-fried until crispy and served alongside fried eggs for a delicious brunch. You can also form leftover stuffing into patties and bake or fry them for a unique side dish. For kid-friendly appeal, ensure the celery and onion are very finely chopped, almost minced, so they blend seamlessly into the texture. A sprinkle of extra fresh parsley or a dollop of cranberry sauce on the side can add a pop of color and flavor.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a straightforward recipe like classic Thanksgiving stuffing, a few common mistakes can impact the final outcome. Being aware of these pitfalls can help you achieve perfect results every time.
One of the most frequent issues is using fresh, soft bread. Fresh bread absorbs too much liquid and can result in a mushy, dense stuffing rather than one with distinct, tender cubes. Always use stale or dried-out bread cubes. If your bread isn’t stale, take the extra 15-20 minutes to dry it in the oven as described in the recipe.
Another common mistake is over-saturating the bread with liquid. While you want a moist stuffing, too much broth can lead to a soggy texture. Add the broth gradually, tossing gently, until the bread is thoroughly moistened but not swimming in liquid. The bread should still have some structure. Conversely, **not adding enough
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
