Easy Stuffing Recipe (2024)

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Learn how to make this Easy Stuffing Recipe and never buy the boxed stuff again. Homemade stuffing is much better and actually very simple.

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You will be amazed at how much flavor this stuffing has. This classic side dish is a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving Dinner. Growing up, my mom always made the best stuffing recipe and I am glad to carrying on the tradition with my family.

Make this classic Thanksgiving Recipe this holiday and you will be amazed how delicious it taste. You may also love this Chicken Stuffing Bake or this Crock Pot Chicken and Stuffing Recipe.

Check out Stuffing Muffins Recipe for the another delicious side.

Table of Contents

  • What is the Difference Between Stuffing and Dressing?
  • Ingredients:
  • Substitutions and Additions:
  • Step by Step Instructions:
  • Recipe Tips:
  • What Kind of Bread is Best for Stuffing?
  • How To Freeze Stuffing
  • Frequently Asked Questions:
  • More Easy Side Dish Recipes:
  • Homemade Stuffing Recipe

What is the Difference Between Stuffing and Dressing?

Many people use the words interchangeably. However, technically stuffing refers to a mixture that goes inside something such as turkey.

Whereas dressing is cooked in a baking dish or pan and not inside a turkey.

Ingredients:

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  • White Bread (Best Bread for Stuffing)
  • Onion
  • Celery – diced
  • Butter
  • Minced Garlic
  • Dried Thyme Leaves
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Fresh Parsley – chopped
  • Low-Sodium Chicken Broth

Scroll to the bottom to see recipe card for the full recipe and ingredients.

Substitutions and Additions:

  • Add Cheese and Jalapenos – Add in some cheddar and jalapeño’s for Jalapeño Cheddar Stuffing
  • Add Meat – Add in some smoked sausage for a complete meal. We have even added chopped bacon for delicious flavor.
  • Vegetables – My husband loves when we add in mushrooms. You can even add in celery, water chestnuts or shredded carrots.
  • Cornbread – Use cornbread to make Cornbread Sausage Stuffing Recipe
  • Dried Herbs – I used thyme in this recipe but you can also use rosemary or sage as well. You can also use fresh herbs such as fresh sage or fresh rosemary.
  • Broth – Substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth. You can also use turkey stock.
  • Fruit– Cranberries and apples are really good in this recipe. We have even used raisins.
  • Seasoning – Add in some poultry seasoning for extra flavor.

Step by Step Instructions:

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Step 1 – Once the bread is all cut, spread it on a large baking sheet. Let this bake for 20 to 25 minutes so the bread cubes can dry out. Make sure to stir occasionally while the bread is cooking.

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Step 2 – Melt the butter in a large pan. Once melted, add the onion and celery. Allow the veggies to cook until they are tender. This usually takes about 10 to12 minutes. Add in seasoning, plus the ¼ cup of parsley and continue to cook.

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Step 3 – Put the bread in a large bowl and add the onion mixture. Stir this all together and pour the broth over the mixture.

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Step 4 – Add the bread mixture to the casserole dish.

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Step 5 – bake covered with foil for 20 minutes to 30 minutes.

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Step 6 – Uncover and continue to bake the stuffing to allow the top to get crispy (approximately 15 minutes).

Recipe Tips:

  • Cutting Bread – We recommend dicing the bread in about 1 inch pieces for the best results.
  • Baking Bread – When baking bread, make sure to stir the bread while it cooks. This helps to evenly cook the bread.
  • Adding in the Broth – Slowly add in the broth to the stuffing mixture. You want to mixture to be moist by not soggy.
  • Prepare Baking Dish – Prepare the baking dish by spraying with cooking spray. This helps for an easy cleanup and serving the stuffing.
  • Baking Stuffing – Bake the stuffing covered and then uncover to finish baking the stuffing. This allows the bread to brown on top for a crispy texture.
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What Kind of Bread is Best for Stuffing?

You can use pretty much any type of bread to make stuffing. However, while fresh bread can be used, I love to use stale bread because it’s a great use of ingredients.

If you need to dry your bread quickly, you can put it in the oven for about 300 degrees for about 10 minutes. Watch your bread so that it doesn’t burn or toast it. Instead of throwing away the bread, turn it into stuffing.

Try these other bread options:

  • Sourdough Bread
  • Sandwich Bread
  • Dried Bread Cubes
  • French Bread
  • Italian Bread
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How To Freeze Stuffing

It is very easy to make this ahead. Prepare the casserole as directed, cover in foil and freeze. We recommend freezing in containers for the amount you would want to reheat. You can freeze up to 6 months.

When ready to serve, let the casserole dish sit at room temperature and then bake as directed. You might need to add a little broth on it to keep from drying out before baking.

See Can You Freeze Stuffing for more tips.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to Keep Stuffing Warm:

Stuffing seems to cool quickly because bread doesn’t hold heat. After removing from the oven, you may need to cover with foil and let stay warm back in the oven. Keep the oven at about 200 degrees so stuffing does not burn.

How to Store Leftovers:

Store you leftovers in an air tight container in the fridge. Leftovers will last about 4 days if stored properly.

How to Reheat:

You can easily reheat Thanksgiving Stuffing in the oven, skillet or the microwave. It will depend on how much you are reheating. We recommend drizzling with chicken stock to keep the stuffing moist and reheating in the oven at 350 degrees.

Can I Prepare Ahead of Time?

Stuffing can be made ahead of time in a casserole dish. I then place in the refrigerator until I am ready to bake. Not only can you bake the stuffing but you can make stuffing in muffin tin, in the crock pot and even the instant pot.

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More Easy Side Dish Recipes:

  • Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
  • Crock Pot Cheesy Potato Casserole
  • Cranberry Jello salad
  • Crock Pot Sweet Potato Casserole

We love hearing from you. Make sure to leave us a comment or a star review if you make this Easy Stuffing Recipe.

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Review

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Homemade Stuffing

Learn how to make this easy stuffing recipe and never buy the boxed stuff again. Homemade stuffing is much better and actually very simple.

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings 12

Cuisine American

Course Side Dish

Calories 165

Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Instructions

  • First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the oven is heating up, start slicing the bread into small pieces.

  • I normally do about 1 inch pieces. Once the bread is all cut, spread it on a large baking sheet. Let this bake for 20 to 25 minutes so the bread can dry out.

  • Make sure to stir occasionally while the bread is cooking.

  • Second, melt the butter in a large pan. Once melted, add the onion and celery.

  • Allow the veggies to cook until they are tender. This usually takes about 10 to12 minutes.

  • Once the veggies are cooked, stir in the minced garlic, thyme, salt, pepper and fresh parsley. Stir until well combined and heat for 2 to 3 minutes.

  • Finally, put the bread in a large mixing bowl and add the onion mixture. Stir this all together and pour the broth over the mixture.

  • It is best to gradually add the broth and stir as you go. The goal is to have the bread moist and not overly soggy so you may not need to use all of the broth.

  • You will need a 9X13 baking pan and make sure to spray with a non-stick cooking spray. Add the stuffing mixture and bake covered with foil for 30 minutes.

  • During the last 15 minutes, uncover the dish so the top can brown slightly.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 165kcal, Carbohydrates 18g, Protein 4g, Fat 9g, Saturated Fat 5g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 20mg, Sodium 482mg, Potassium 122mg, Fiber 2g, Sugar 2g, Vitamin A 354IU, Vitamin C 6mg, Calcium 57mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Easy Stuffing Recipe (21)

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

About Carrie Page
Easy Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Turkey stuffing was popularized in the early days of Thanksgiving, as it is written in many 16th-century Boston area documents. Stuffing most often uses dried bread, herbs, and vegetables that are reconstituted with liquid, stuffed into the turkey cavity, and baked until it is firm and finished cooking.

Should I put an egg in my stuffing? ›

The most important ingredient of stuffing may be the binder, which keeps all the other elements in place. For a fluffy texture, use eggs. Stock is the most-used binder. Less conventional possibilities include fruit juice (such as apple or orange) and alcohol (wine or liqueur).

How many cups of stuffing do I need for 10 people? ›

In order to fill the cavity of the bird you are stuffing, you should make 3/4 cup of stuffing per person. You may not be able to fit all the stuffing into your turkey. If this is the case, then you can even make a casserole to fill up your guests!

What is the best kind of stuffing? ›

Our Top Store-Bought Stuffing Picks
  • Best Overall: Arnold Herb Seasoned Premium Cubed Stuffing.
  • Best Classic: Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing.
  • Best Instant: Stove Top Turkey Stuffing Mix.
  • Best Gluten-Free: Williams-Sonoma Gluten-Free Stuffing Mix.
  • Best for Celiac: Trader Joe's Gluten Free Stuffing Mix.
Nov 13, 2023

What type of bread is best for stuffing? ›

The best bread for stuffing is a sturdy loaf with a tight crumb. Bakery French bread, Italian bread, Challah, and Sourdough are all good choices. When you cut up a 1-pound loaf into cubes, it should fit in an even layer on a single half-size rimmed baking sheet.

Can you mess up stuffing? ›

Your Bread Is Too Fresh

There's nothing better than soft, fresh bread—except for when it comes to stuffing. If you want your stuffing to hold up and not end up a soupy, soggy mess, make sure your bread is dried out or staled for a few days.

Is it better to make stuffing the night before? ›

The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes. "Making stuffing ahead saves time, allows stove and oven space for other things, and making it ahead gives time for the flavor to fully develop," Chef David Tiner, Director at Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge, tells Southern Living.

Do you cook stuffing before you stuff? ›

Cook stuffing and immediately place it in your turkey's neck and body cavity.

Why is my stuffing gummy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

Is stove top stuffing bad for you? ›

Like many convenience foods, Stove Top stuffing has gotten a bad rap in recent years, especially from people who have *opinions* about what is healthy to eat. It's got too much sodium, there are weird ingredients that you can't pronounce, and it's just better to make your own stuffing. But “better” is subjective.

What do southerners call stuffing? ›

But for the Thanksgiving side dish in the South, the term dressing was adopted in place of stuffing, which was viewed as a crude term, during the Victorian era. Although dressing and stuffing are interchangeable terms, the signature ingredient of this Thanksgiving side dish in the South is cornbread.

How to tell when stuffing is done? ›

A food thermometer should be used to ensure that the stuffing reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. If the stuffing is inside whole poultry, take the poultry out of the oven and let it stand 20 minutes before removing the stuffing. Refrigerate cooked poultry and stuffing within 2 hours.

How many pounds of stuffing do I need for 20 people? ›

The Amount
Quantity of StuffingSize of BirdNumber of Servings
6 cups8 to 10 pounds8 to 9
2 quarts10 to 12 pounds10 to 11
3 quarts12 to 15 pounds12 to 16
4 quarts15 to 20 pounds18 to 20
3 more rows
Nov 25, 2019

How much stuffing do I need for 4 people? ›

3/4 cup of stuffing per person should be plenty. There's enough division on the topic that some people may have seconds while others have none! If you have stuffing lovers in your home, better to round up to 1 cup person just in case.

What is traditional stuffing made of turkey? ›

How do you make traditional stuffing? If you've never made Thanksgiving turkey stuffing before, you may think it is difficult. Our recipe is very simple, though and calls for just a handful ingredients: bread, butter, onion, celery, chicken broth, eggs and spices.

What is the difference between Thanksgiving dressing and stuffing? ›

"Stuffing is cooked in the cavity of the turkey, so the juices soak into the ingredients, making it more flavorful. Dressing gets cooked on its own and needs extra liquid to make it flavorful." So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.

What is stuffing made of Thanksgiving? ›

The BEST traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is easy to make dried bread cubes, sausage, diced vegetables, and chicken broth. It's a great side dish to make ahead of time and it definitely tastes best homemade! Pair this easy homemade stuffing with our popular turkey recipe, homemade rolls, and Thanksgiving pie.

What's the difference between stuffing and filling? ›

Although most people in America debate on whether the dish should be called stuffing or dressing the people of Pennsylvania call it filling. Essentially filling is the same as stuffing or dressing. The name suggests that it will fill something like stuffing does.

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