This Easy Stuffing Recipe serves as the perfect companion to a succulent roasted turkey! Crafted with a handful of simple ingredients, it boasts layers of herby aromatic flavors that perfectly complement a Thanksgiving menu!
Best Stuffing Recipe
Skip the boxed stuffing mix! Meet my ultimate easy stuffing recipe that will take your Thanksgiving dinner to a whole new level! Made with a combination of chewy day-old bread and the perfect blend of aromatic herbs and spices, this delicious stuffing bakes to golden brown perfection in less than an hour!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Stuffing Recipe
- Super Easy! Say goodbye to complicated holiday recipes. This side dish comes together quickly with very little prep time without sacrificing on flavor.
- Simple Ingredients! This traditional stuffing recipe calls for everyday basic kitchen staples, which means there is no long shopping list and it’s budget-friendly.
- Crowd-Pleaser! Prepare to get lots of compliments! This delicious stuffing, with its classic yet refined taste, quickly becomes a surefire hit with family and friends!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Day-Old Bread: Using day-old bread brings a satisfying chewiness and provides a porous texture, which absorbs moisture well. You can use white, wheat, or sourdough bread. I don’t recommend using sliced sandwich bread.
- Celery: Contributes a nice crunch to the mix, providing a delightful contrast to the softness of the bread.
- Onion: Adds some depth and complements the herbs and spices. I always use brown onion, but whatever you’ve got on hand will work.
- Butter: Provides richness and buttery goodness. It’s important to use unsalted butter to control the overall saltiness of the final dish.
- Poultry Seasoning: This blend of dried herbs and spices is the secret behind the stuffing’s savory undertones. If needed, you can make your own poultry seasoning with some sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
- Herbs: Dried sage and thyme impart distinct herbal notes that develop the flavor.
- Seasonings: Salt and black pepper elevate the overall taste.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Contributes moisture and infuses the stuffing with more flavor. Both chicken broth and vegetable broth will work as well as homemade chicken stock.
- Fresh Parsley: Adds a touch of freshness, balancing the richness of the other ingredients.
- Eggs: Serve as the binding agent, providing structure to the stuffing.
How To Make This Easy Stuffing
This straightforward recipe will have you questioning why you haven’t tried my homemade stuffing recipe sooner! It’s as easy as whipping up the boxed version!
Toast The Bread If Needed
If your bread cubes aren’t already dry, place them on a baking sheet and toast them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. Then remove the bread from the oven and let it cool. This step ensures the bread is at the ideal texture—dry and crisp.
Sauté The Vegetables
Next, melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Then add the chopped celery and onions, and saute them for about 5 to 7 minutes or until soft. Now, stir in the poultry seasoning, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper, and cook the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes.
Make The Stuffing
Grab a large bowl and toss the dried bread cubes together with the sautéed vegetable mixture. Next, slowly pour the broth over the bread cubes, while gently stirring the mixture to ensure an even consistency. Now, fold in the fresh parsley followed by the beaten eggs.
Bake The Stuffing
Finally, evenly spread the stuffing mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Then bake the stuffing for 30 minutes in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Next, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on top. Once done, remove it from the oven and serve it alongside some mashed potatoes and roast turkey or chicken if you like!
Expert Tips
- The bread texture matters. Make sure your bread is uniformly dried out for optimal texture. This consistency ensures an even absorption of broth, resulting in a well-balanced stuffing.
- Slowly add the broth. Pour the broth gradually over the bread mixture, allowing it to absorb evenly. This step ensures a moist stuffing without it becoming overly soggy.
- Do cover with foil. Covering with foil for the initial bake retains moisture, while the uncovered phase achieves that coveted golden brown and crispy top. Not covering the stuffing will dry it out!
- Feel free to customize. You can easily add fresh herbs, nuts, dried fruits, or a protein like sausage or chunks of turkey to modify this classic stuffing recipe to your personal taste.
Storage
You can store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop it in the microwave for a few minutes or warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to restore its crispy texture. If frozen, you need to let the stuffing thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the stuffing up to a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. When ready, simply bake it until heated through, adding 5-10 extra minutes if baking straight from the fridge.
2. What kind of bread works best for stuffing?
Day-old bread with a sturdy texture like white, wheat, or sourdough works best because it absorbs the broth well without becoming mushy. Avoid sliced sandwich bread as it tends to get too soft.
3. What does adding eggs do in stuffing?
Eggs act as a binding agent, helping the stuffing hold together while keeping it moist and adding richness to the flavor and texture.
4. Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?
Absolutely! Vegetable broth is a great substitute for a vegetarian version and still infuses plenty of flavor into the stuffing.
5. How do I get a crispy top on my stuffing?
Cover the stuffing with foil during the first part of baking to retain moisture, then remove the foil for the last 15-20 minutes to achieve a golden brown and crispy top.