No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without this classic holiday side dish, Homemade Stuffing! And don’t let “homemade” scare you – our easy-to-follow recipe beats any stuffing mix, delivering that rich, savory flavor and a perfectly crispy top without any trouble.
Your New Favorite Stuffing Recipe
Everyone’s got their own twist on classic stuffing recipe: some throw in pork sausage, some actually bake it inside the turkey, and some make it vegan! What makes the best Thanksgiving stuffing is totally subjective, but after years of experimenting, I will say this homemade stuffing recipe has always been my absolute favorite.
If it’s your first time making stuffing from scratch, this is an easy step-by-step recipe. And if you’ve been around the block a few times, you’ll appreciate how incredible this holiday meal tastes for such a simple casserole dish.
Ingredients
- Stale bread: Sourdough is my favorite, but any stale bread works. It’s a great way to give leftover bread a second life.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the fresh veggies to bring out their flavor.
- Vegetables: Onion, celery, and garlic are the perfect base for a flavorful stuffing – fresh veggies make all the difference!
- Herb blend: Sage, rosemary, and thyme bring a classic, comforting aroma to this dish.
- Chicken stock: Keeps the stuffing moist and infused with savory goodness.
- Eggs: Binds everything together for the perfect texture.
- Salt & pepper mix: Enhances the flavors of the bread, veggies, and herbs. Check out my recipe here!
Optional Add-ins
Feel free to use this stuffing recipe as a starting point and add your own creative touch. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
- Fresh herbs: Parsley, chives, or dill.
- Nuts: Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for crunch.
- Dried fruit: Cranberries, cherries, or apricots for sweetness.
- Sausage: Cooked and crumbled pork sausage for a heartier dish.
- Apples: Diced apples for a sweet and tangy twist.
- Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms add depth and earthiness.
How to Make the Best Homemade Stuffing Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Bread
Dice up your bread and toss it into a large bowl. Set it aside for now.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Grab a large pot and melt some butter over medium-high heat. Once you’ve got some lovely melted butter, toss in your chopped onions and celery.
Let them cook down for about 8 minutes until they’re nice and soft. Then, add your minced garlic and cook for just another 2 minutes until it’s fragrant. Take it off the heat.
Step 3: Make the Wet Mixture
Now, stir the chicken stock, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper into your cooked vegetables. Once that mixture has cooled down a bit, whisk in the eggs until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Combine with Bread
Pour the wet mixture over the bread cubes and give it a good toss until everything’s nicely coated.
Step 5: Bake
Transfer the stuffing mixture into a greased baking dish and cover it with foil. Place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes.
After that, take off the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with some fresh herbs, if desired. Enjoy!
Other Dishes to Add to Your Thanksgiving Table
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover homemade stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place it in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
For longer storage, homemade stuffing can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating following the same instructions above.
PrintRecipe
Best Damn Homemade Stuffing
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
Description
This Homemade Stuffing recipe is a must for Thanksgiving! It’s super easy and way better than any box mix, effortlessly giving you that delicious, savory taste and a nice, crispy top.
Ingredients
- 12 cups large-diced stale bread
- 1 cup butter
- 3 onions, diced
- 2 cups celery, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons sage
- 1 tablespoon rosemary
- 1 ½ tablespoons thyme
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt and pepper mix
Instructions
- Prep the bread: Place diced bread in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Cook vegetables:
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add onions and celery, cook for about 8 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 2 additional minutes. Remove from heat.
- Make wet mixture: Stir chicken stock, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper into the vegetable mixture.
- Add eggs: Once slightly cooled, whisk in the eggs until well combined.
- Combine with bread: Pour the wet mixture over the bread cubes and toss until evenly coated.
- Bake: Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is golden brown, about 10–15 more minutes.
Notes
Store any leftover homemade stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place it in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop & Oven
- Cuisine: American
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