This classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is the only one you’ll ever need for a flavorful, moist, and unforgettable holiday side dish. Forget the boxed mixes; this homemade stuffing is surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s the perfect savory complement to your holiday turkey, packed with aromatic herbs and rich, buttery flavor.
We’ve perfected this recipe to ensure it’s perfectly moist without being soggy, with a beautifully golden-brown top. It’s the traditional, comforting flavor everyone craves at the Thanksgiving table. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this dish is a holiday essential.
Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: A classic blend of sage, thyme, and rosemary provides the ultimate savory, aromatic experience.
- Perfectly Moist: We use a specific ratio of bread to liquid to guarantee a moist, tender stuffing every time.
- Easy to Prepare: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is accessible for cooks of all skill levels.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it ahead of time to save precious hours on Thanksgiving Day.
Key Ingredients for Classic Stuffing
This recipe relies on simple, high-quality ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Stale Bread: Use a sturdy, day-old white bread or sourdough. Drying the bread is crucial to prevent it from turning to mush.
- Unsalted Butter: The foundation of the recipe’s richness.
- Yellow Onion & Celery: The aromatic vegetable base that adds a classic savory flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: A combination of fresh sage, thyme, and parsley is essential for that traditional Thanksgiving aroma.
- Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and deepens the savory flavor. Use low-sodium to control the salt level.
- Eggs: Act as a binder, giving the stuffing structure.
How to Make the Best Thanksgiving Stuffing
Follow these simple steps for a foolproof stuffing that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Step 1: Dry the Bread
First, prepare your bread. If it’s not already stale, cut it into 1-inch cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer on baking sheets and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 20-30 minutes, or until they are dry and lightly toasted. Let them cool completely. This step is the secret to preventing soggy stuffing.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery and cook until they have softened, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, fresh sage, and thyme, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Combine the Ingredients
Transfer the sautéed vegetable mixture to a very large mixing bowl. Add the dried bread cubes and fresh parsley. Toss everything together gently until well-combined. In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the eggs, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Pour this liquid mixture over the bread and vegetables. Fold everything together gently until the bread is evenly moistened but not saturated.
Step 4: Bake the Stuffing
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. For a crispier top, you can dot the surface with a few extra pieces of butter. Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is cooked through.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Use Fresh Bread: Fresh bread contains too much moisture and will result in a soggy, paste-like stuffing. Always use dry, stale bread.
- Fresh Herbs Are Best: While dried herbs can be used in a pinch, fresh herbs provide a much brighter, more robust flavor that is key to classic stuffing.
- Don’t Overmix: Be gentle when combining the wet and dry ingredients. Overmixing can break down the bread cubes.
- Taste Your Broth: Adjust the salt in the recipe based on how salty your chicken broth is.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe Variations
While this classic recipe is a star on its own, it’s also a fantastic base for customization. Here are a few popular ideas:
- Sausage Stuffing: Brown one pound of breakfast sausage, drain the fat, and add it to the vegetable mixture.
- Cornbread Dressing: Substitute half of the white bread with stale cornbread for a Southern-style twist.
- Add Fruits and Nuts: For extra texture and flavor, consider adding a cup of toasted pecans or walnuts, or a half-cup of dried cranberries or chopped apples. If you like making things in your slow cooker, you might also enjoy this Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing.
Make-Ahead Instructions
To save time on Thanksgiving Day, you can prepare this stuffing in advance. Sauté the vegetables and combine all ingredients as directed. Place the uncooked stuffing in the baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove it from the fridge for 30 minutes to come to room temperature, then bake as directed. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
What to Serve with Stuffing
Stuffing is a quintessential part of any holiday feast. It pairs perfectly with roasted turkey, gravy, and a side of honey-roasted carrots. For another comforting side, you can’t go wrong with creamy mashed sweet potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and store it in the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking to ensure it cooks evenly.
Fresh herbs provide the best flavor, but you can substitute dried herbs if needed. Use the general rule of 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs called for in the recipe.
The most important step is to use thoroughly dried or toasted bread cubes. This allows the bread to absorb the broth and butter without turning into paste, ensuring a perfectly moist but not soggy texture.
A sturdy, firm bread like a good quality white sandwich bread, sourdough, or French bread works best. The key is that the bread must be dried out (stale) so it can absorb the liquid without becoming mushy.
Technically, ‘stuffing’ is cooked inside the turkey, while ‘dressing’ is cooked separately in a baking dish. However, the terms are often used interchangeably, and this recipe is baked separately for food safety and a crispier top.
The Perfect Holiday Side Dish
This Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is more than just a side dish; it’s a cornerstone of the holiday meal, bringing warmth and classic flavor to your table. We know this recipe will become a treasured part of your family’s tradition for years to come. If you make it, we’d love to see! Share your creations with us on Pinterest.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe: The Ultimate Classic Guide
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If your bread is not already stale, spread the cubes on baking sheets and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 20-30 minutes until dry and lightly toasted. Let cool completely.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and celery and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, sage, and thyme, cooking for one more minute until fragrant.
- Transfer the vegetable mixture to a large bowl. Add the dried bread cubes and fresh parsley, tossing to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Pour over the bread mixture and fold gently until everything is evenly moistened.
- Transfer the stuffing to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the stuffing is cooked through. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Make-Ahead: Assemble the stuffing up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
