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.

Easy Stuffing Recipe (1)

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

Pin Print

Homemade Stuffing

4.78 from 9 votes

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 eggs in stuffing? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency. Seasonings: This turkey dressing recipe is seasoned with salt, pepper, rubbed sage, and garlic powder.

What is stuffing mix made of? ›

In a large bowl or large plastic food storage bag, combine ​breadcrumbs with dried parsley, minced onion, celery flakes, thyme, pepper, sage, and marjoram. To prepare stuffing, bring 1 1/4 cups of water or chicken broth and 3 tablespoons of butter to a boil.

What is the best bread to use for stuffing? ›

Breads such as sour dough, French bread or Italian loaves are for the best bread for stuffing. Their soft-but-sturdy interiors are the perfect texture for stuffing. The pieces retain their shape without crumbling.

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.

What is British stuffing made of? ›

Stuffing consists of a mixture of savoury ingredients such as breadcrumbs, herbs, fruit, nuts, sausagemeat and onion which are bound together with egg or liquid to form a semi-solid mixture. It is usually cooked with roast meat such as chicken, pork or lamb and is served as an accompaniment to the sliced, cooked meat.

Do you cook stuffing before you stuff? ›

Fully cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood ingredients before adding to stuffing. Combine the ingredients and place them in your bird immediately before cooking. Don't stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. In addition to the turkey, the stuffing's center needs to reach 165 F.

Is it better to make stuffing the day 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.

Is it better to make stuffing with fresh or dry bread? ›

Any attempts to make stuffing with soft, fresh baked bread will result in a bread soup with a soggy texture. Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing.

How to make stuffing Gordon Ramsay? ›

Make the stuffing, melt butter in a large frying pan and gently sauté onion and garlic for five minutes until soft. Stir in the herbs for one minute then add breadcrumbs to absorb butter. Mix in zest, pine nuts and seasoning and cook over medium heat for about seven minutes until crumbs start to brown and crisp.

What does stove top stuffing have in it? ›

This stuffing is made on the stove top with oven toasted bread cubes, onion, celery, dried seasonings, butter, and warm chicken broth. The best part is that it frees up oven space because it cooks on the stove top!

What can I add to stuffing mix? ›

The basic ingredients.

After you pick your base, you'll need the basics to give stuffing it's flavor and texture. Sauteed onions and celery in butter will give it flavor and a little crunch, and a good chicken or vegetable stock will add more flavor and help keep the dish from drying out.

How long to dry out bread for stuffing? ›

Spread bread cubes in even layer on 2 rimmed baking sheets. Bake until edges have dried but centers are slightly moist (cubes should yield to pressure), 45 to 60 minutes**, stirring several times during baking.

What is the best way to dry out bread for stuffing? ›

Spread the cubed bread on top of two cooling racks set in two half-sheet pans. Heat your oven to the lowest setting (typically 150°–200°F) and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until completely dry. If your oven only goes down to, say, 250°, start by baking for 30 minutes, then check the dryness of a cube or two.

Is stuffing just soggy bread? ›

You want your stuffing moist but not soggy and certainly not dry. The bread in the stuffing absorbs moisture, but if it's dry (as it should be, see above), it takes some time for the liquid to settle in. I suggest adding a little at a time, say 1 cup of broth for every 4 cups of dry mix.

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? ›

The primary difference between stuffing and dressing is that stuffing is cooked inside a bird and dressing is made on the side. As with many food traditions in the U.S., regional loyalties to stuffing vs dressing abound.

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 is the difference between stuffing filling and dressing? ›

"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.

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