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Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe That Will Steal the Show Recipe

4.8 from 69 reviews

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing is a classic comfort dish made with toasted day-old bread, sautéed onions and celery, fresh herbs, and a savory broth-egg mixture, baked to golden perfection. This recipe brings traditional flavors with a crispy top and moist interior, perfect for any festive meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Stuffing Base

  • 1 loaf day-old bread (white or sourdough), cubed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 3/4 cups chicken or turkey broth
  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously butter a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Toast the Bread: Spread the cubed day-old bread evenly on a baking sheet. Place it in the oven and toast for 10 to 15 minutes until the bread cubes are dry and slightly crisp, which helps the stuffing absorb moisture without becoming mushy.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Melt the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 8 minutes, which enhances their sweetness and flavor.
  4. Combine Bread and Vegetables: Transfer the toasted bread cubes into a large mixing bowl. Add the sautéed onion and celery along with the fresh parsley, sage, and thyme. Toss everything together to evenly distribute the herbs and vegetables throughout the bread.
  5. Mix Broth and Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken or turkey broth with the eggs until fully blended. This mixture helps bind the stuffing and adds moisture.
  6. Moisten Bread Mixture: Pour the broth and egg mixture over the bread and vegetable mixture. Gently stir to combine, making sure all bread cubes are moistened evenly without becoming soggy.
  7. Season: Sprinkle the salt and black pepper over the mixture and stir gently to incorporate the seasoning.
  8. Bake Covered: Transfer the stuffing mixture into the buttered baking dish. Cover it with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the stuffing to heat through.
  9. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and crisp, giving a beautiful texture contrast.
  10. Rest and Serve: Let the stuffing sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving to set and make it easier to portion.

Notes

  • This stuffing can be prepared up to one day ahead and refrigerated before baking to save time on the day of your meal.
  • For variation, add cooked sausage, diced apples, or dried cranberries to introduce new flavors and textures.
  • Substitute vegetable broth to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly.

Keywords: Thanksgiving stuffing, classic stuffing recipe, holiday side dish, bread stuffing, baked stuffing, herb stuffing