We have the BEST Stuffing Recipe that is definitely going to impress the crowd at your next family gathering! This surprisingly easy dressing recipe is made with real, simple ingredients. Perfect for serving up on your holiday table!
Traditional Stuffing Recipe
In our opinion, no Thanksgiving Dinner is complete without this classic side dish recipe! It is a family favorite! Made with dried bread cubes, ALL the dried herbs, a little crunch from the onion and celery, and melted butter over the top. It is what our whole family looks forward to every year. Follow along as we breakdown everything you need to know for making the best homemade stuffing recipe year after year!
In search of a gluten-free option? You have to try our Gluten Free Stuffing recipe!
What You Will Need
- unsalted butter – a little bit to sauté key flavor ingredients and, of course, you need that melted butter on top to add great flavor and roast the stuffing to perfection!
- garlic, celery, & onion – they add so much flavor, plus a little bit of a crunch.
- dry bread cubes – any bread will work and we highly recommend using a variety of different ones!
- celery salt, garlic powder, ground sage, dried parsley, dried rosemary, dried thyme leaves, kosher salt, black pepper, dried tarragon, dried marjoram, & dried oregano leaves – SO many dried herbs are responsible for bringing so much great flavor!
- chicken broth – option to pick-up your favorite variety from the grocery store or make a homemade chicken stock or turkey stock.
How To Make The Best Stuffing Recipe
The first steps to making this easy recipe are to make sure the bread pieces are dried out. This can be done by cutting bread into cubes, place it in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and then let it sit out on the counter overnight. Or simply pop the sheet pan in the oven at 250 degrees F and let it bake for about an hour or until golden brown. Local grocery stores typically sell dried bread cubes, to make it really easy!
Now it’s time to prep the onion and celery. You can easily cut them into the size you want with a cutting board and sharp knife. Or toss them in a small food processor to finely mince them. When these are ready, bring a large skillet to a medium heat, add some butter to melt, and sauté the garlic, onion, and celery.
Next, mix up that flavor-packed seasoning blend in a small bowl. This can also be done ahead of time. Just mix it up and keep in the pantry until you are ready to make your stuffing.
Spray a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and toss in all the dried bread cubes. Add the sautéed veggies and seasoning mixture to the bread and toss everything together.
Gradually add your broth of choice to the baking dish, mixing along the way. If you prefer a softer stuffing, you will probably add all the broth but if you prefer a more crisp stuffing you can use less broth.
Once the broth is mixed in, melt the remaining tablespoons of butter in the microwave. Pour over the top of everything. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 30-60 minutes of cook time. Remove the foil and let it continue baking for 10-15 minutes.
Best Ways To Serve This Stuffing Recipe
We typically serve this classic stuffing recipe on our Thanksgiving table with the traditional holiday spread – classic roast turkey, and lots of side dishes, like slow cooker mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and a glass of wine! It can also be served up for a Sunday supper or Christmas dinner with a whole roasted chicken or smoked prime rib. You can basically serve it with just about anything!
Recipe FAQ
It couldn’t be easier! Simply cut all the bread slices into large cubes & place them on a large sheet pan. Let them sit out at room temperature overnight. If you don’t have the time, you can also place the sheet pan in the oven at 250 degrees F for 1 hour to dry out the bread.
ANY kind of bread will work! We love to use a bread mixture, so feel free to pick-up sourdough bread, french bread, sandwich bread, white bread, even gluten-free bread!
Made this delicious recipe and loved it?! We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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Other Stuffing Recipes You Might Like
BEST Stuffing Recipe (how to make stuffing)
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 14 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
The only stuffing recipe you will ever need! Classic, delicious flavor and perfect for Thanksgiving Day or any holiday!
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter, divided (regular or vegan)
- 2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 cup celery, minced (about 3 stalks)
- 2/3 cup yellow onion, minced (about 3/4 yellow onion)
- 13–14 cups bread, cubed (dried out)*
- 1/2 tablespoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons ground sage
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons dried rosemary – crush in hands before putting in
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 2 cups chicken broth (or turkey)
Instructions
- Ensure bread is cubed and dried out – see Notes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and let melt. Add garlic and move around pan until fragrant, approx. 1 minute. Add celery and onion. Move around pan until onion softens, approx. 1-2 minutes.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with olive oil. Place bread cubes, garlic, celery, onion, celery salt, garlic powder, ground sage, parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, tarragon, marjoram and oregano in the baking dish. Toss to combine.
- Pour 1/2 cup of broth at a time over the mixture, stirring it in well. Continue adding 1/2 cup broth at a time until bread is moist (but not super soggy). You may not need to use ALL the broth. Taste and adjust any seasoning, as desired.
- Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and pour evenly over top. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Place in oven, middle rack, for 30-60 minutes. Remove aluminum foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Remove and let cool slightly. Serve with homemade turkey gravy!
Notes
- Bread: I love a mix of different kinds of bread in my stuffing, if possible. I like to use white, whole wheat, etc. Also, If you forgot to leave your bread out overnight you can dry it out in the oven. Place cubed bread on baking sheets and place in oven at 250 degrees F. Let dry out for approx. 1 hour or so, stirring occasionally.
- Food processor: I highly recommend using the food processor to mince your onion and celery. Just add and pulse a few times – such a time saver!
- Prep Time: I only included active prep time in the listed prep time. I didn’t include the time necessary to dry out the cubed bread.
- Storage: store stuffing leftovers in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Make Ahead: you can definitely make this ahead of time – make as directed a day or two prior to when you need it. Store in fridge covered tightly in foil. Place in oven with foil still on and warm up at 350 degrees F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 oz
- Calories: 317
- Sugar: 3.6 g
- Sodium: 924.1 mg
- Fat: 6.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 54.4 g
- Protein: 11.5 g
- Cholesterol: 11.6 mg
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