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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Whisk chicken broth with eggs, salt, and pepper in a measuring cup until thoroughly combined. Set liquid mixture aside for later use.
- 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.
- Transfer dried bread cubes to an extra-large mixing bowl. Incorporate fresh herbs including parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
- Pour sautéed vegetable mixture over bread cubes. Add prepared chicken broth mixture, gently tossing to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Gradually introduce additional chicken broth while mixing, ensuring bread pieces are moistened but not saturated.
- Transfer stuffing to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading into an uniform layer. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- 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