Cozy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe: Homemade Holiday Magic

Crafting the perfect thanksgiving stuffing brings joy to every holiday gathering.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this comforting side dish through love and tradition.

Aromatic herbs and carefully selected ingredients create a magical blend that warms hearts.

Crispy edges and soft, savory centers make this recipe a true crowd-pleaser.

Families eagerly anticipate the moment when this delectable dish emerges from the oven.

Bread, herbs, and seasonal spices combine to tell a delicious story of comfort and celebration.

Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing

• Craft Comfort Cuisine: Create a heartwarming dish that brings family together with rich, traditional flavors that remind everyone of home-cooked meals.
• Master Versatile Preparation: Easily adapt this stuffing recipe for different dietary preferences by swapping ingredients or adding personal touches like nuts or dried fruits.
• Nail Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare components of this stuffing in advance, allowing stress-free cooking during busy holiday gatherings and reducing kitchen chaos.
• Celebrate Seasonal Sensation: Perfect for holiday meals, potlucks, and special gatherings where everyone craves a delicious side dish that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Ingredients Needed for Thanksgiving Stuffing

• Bread Cubes: A fundamental component that provides structure and absorbs flavors in the stuffing.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and rich savory flavor to the stuffing mixture.
• Eggs: Help bind the ingredients together and create a cohesive texture.

• Onion, Celery, Garlic: Provide a classic flavor base that adds depth and traditional taste to the stuffing.

• Parsley, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Marjoram: Create a classic herb blend that gives the stuffing its traditional Thanksgiving flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

• Butter: Used for sautéing vegetables and adding richness to the stuffing.
• Foil: Helps control moisture and cooking process during baking.

How to Make Thanksgiving Stuffing

Step 1: Create Crispy Bread Cubes

Preheat the oven to 250°F. Spread bread cubes in a single layer across two rimmed baking sheets.

Bake for 45-60 minutes, tossing cubes three times and rotating pans to ensure even drying. Let the cubes cool completely.

Bump up the oven temperature to 375°F and position the rack in the center.

Step 2: Whisk Flavor-Packed Liquid

• Chicken broth
• Eggs
• Salt
• Pepper

Blend until smooth and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Celery
• Onions

Sauté until vegetables become tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Toss in garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

• Dried bread cubes
• Chopped parsley
• Sage
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Marjoram

Pour sautéed vegetables and broth mixture over the bread.

Gently toss to mix thoroughly.

Step 5: Moisten the Stuffing

Gradually add more chicken broth while tossing, ensuring bread is just moistened but not soggy.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Transfer mixture to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and continue baking 15-25 minutes until fully cooked. For extra crispiness, broil briefly while watching carefully to prevent burning.

Pro Tips to Enhance Thanksgiving Stuffing

• Dry bread cubes thoroughly for maximum crispiness and better absorption of flavors. Allow bread to sit uncovered at room temperature before baking to enhance texture and prevent sogginess. Select day-old bread or slightly stale bread for optimal stuffing consistency. Experiment with different herb combinations like thyme, sage, and rosemary to personalize your flavor profile. Monitor moisture levels carefully during mixing, adding chicken broth gradually to prevent overly wet or dry stuffing.

Variations to Customize Thanksgiving Stuffing

• Gluten-Free Herb Stuffing: Replace traditional bread cubes with gluten-free bread or cornbread, maintaining the same herb and vegetable mixture for a celiac-friendly option.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Stuffing: Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth and add sautéed wild mushrooms like shiitake or porcini for a rich, earthy flavor profile.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Stuffing: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese into the bread mixture, using olive oil instead of butter for a Greek-style variation.
• Spicy Sausage Stuffing: Mix in cooked, crumbled spicy Italian sausage or chorizo for a hearty, zesty version that adds depth and protein to the traditional recipe.

Pairing Suggestions with Thanksgiving Stuffing

• The classic Thanksgiving stuffing naturally complements a golden, herb-roasted turkey, creating a harmonious flavor profile that celebrates traditional holiday tastes.
• Select a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio to balance the rich, savory notes of the stuffing and cut through its buttery texture.
• Fresh cranberry sauce adds a bright, tart contrast to the dense, herbal stuffing, providing a palate-cleansing element that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Pour warm, homemade turkey gravy over the stuffing to elevate its moisture and intensify the herb-infused flavors, creating a comforting and indulgent side dish.

Proper Storage for Thanksgiving Stuffing

• Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled stuffing to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, frozen stuffing can last 1-2 months. Squeeze out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread stuffing in a baking dish, add a few tablespoons of chicken broth to prevent dryness. Cover with foil and warm for 20-30 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.

FAQs

• Why dry bread cubes in the oven?

Drying bread cubes helps them absorb more liquid without becoming soggy, creating a better texture and preventing mushy stuffing. The low-temperature drying process ensures the bread cubes maintain their structure and can soak up more flavor.

• Can I use different types of bread?

Yes, you can use various bread types like sourdough, white, or whole wheat. Just ensure the bread is day-old or slightly stale for best results. Avoid using very soft or fresh bread as it won’t hold up well during mixing and baking.

• How do I know when the stuffing is fully cooked?

The stuffing is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has a golden-brown top. The edges should be crispy, and the center should be moist but not wet.

Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Savory Thanksgiving stuffing blends hearty bread cubes with aromatic herbs and vegetables. Comforting flavors meld together, creating a classic side dish you’ll crave at holiday gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) bread (high-quality French or hearty sandwich, cut into 3/4-inch cubes)
• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter (diced into 1-tbsp pieces)
• 2 cups finely chopped yellow onion
• 2 cups finely chopped celery
• 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 large eggs (thoroughly beaten)
• 2 tsps minced garlic
• 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 1/2 tbsps freshly chopped sage (or 2 1/2 tsps if dried)
• 1 1/2 tbsps freshly chopped thyme (or 1 1/2 tsps if dried)
• 1 tbsp freshly chopped rosemary (or 1 tsp if dried and crushed)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried marjoram

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Instructions

1. Dehydrate bread cubes by spreading them on rimmed baking sheets, positioning in a 250°F oven for 45-60 minutes. Rotate pans and toss cubes three times during drying process. Allow to cool completely, then increase oven temperature to 375°F.
2. Whisk chicken broth with eggs, salt, and pepper in a measuring cup until thoroughly combined. Set liquid mixture aside for later use.
3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped celery and onions until softened, approximately 10-12 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
4. Transfer dried bread cubes to an extra-large mixing bowl. Incorporate fresh herbs including parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
5. Pour sautéed vegetable mixture over bread cubes. Add prepared chicken broth mixture, gently tossing to distribute ingredients evenly.
6. Gradually introduce additional chicken broth while mixing, ensuring bread pieces are moistened but not saturated.
7. Transfer stuffing to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading into an uniform layer. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Remove foil and continue baking 15-25 minutes until completely cooked. Optional: Briefly broil for enhanced golden-brown surface, monitoring closely to prevent burning.

Notes

• Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for optimal texture, as it absorbs liquids more effectively without becoming mushy.
• Gradually add broth to prevent soggy stuffing, ensuring each bread cube is just moistened but not saturated.
• Experiment with fresh or dried herbs based on availability, but maintain a balanced herb ratio for consistent flavor profile.
• Prepare stuffing components a day in advance, storing bread cubes and sautéed vegetables separately to maintain crispness and save time on cooking day.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 292 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 323 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 56 mg