Homey Herbed Stuffing Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Bite

Thanksgiving brings warmth and comfort with a classic southern-style homemade stuffing recipe that promises to steal the spotlight at your holiday table.

Generations of cooks have perfected this delectable side dish that blends herbs, bread, and hearty vegetables into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Crisp sage and thyme dance through tender bread cubes, creating a symphony of flavors that complement any roasted main course.

Crafted with care and simple ingredients, this stuffing transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Each spoonful carries memories of family gatherings and cherished traditions.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to taste this comforting classic.

Prepare to wow your guests with a stuffing that elevates your holiday spread from good to unforgettable.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

Perfect Homemade Stuffing Ingredient Checklist

• White Bread: Sturdy foundation that absorbs flavors beautifully and creates classic stuffing texture.
• Day-Old Bread: Best for absorbing liquids without becoming soggy, providing perfect structural integrity.

• Onion, Celery: Foundational flavor builders that add depth and traditional stuffing essence.
• Garlic: Provides robust, warm undertone that elevates the entire dish's complexity.

• Chicken Broth: Infuses rich, savory liquid that keeps stuffing moist and enhances overall taste profile.
• Eggs: Critical binding agent that helps ingredients stick together and creates cohesive texture.
• Butter: Introduces luxurious richness and helps vegetables caramelize perfectly.

• Thyme, Sage, Rosemary: Classic herb combination that delivers quintessential stuffing aroma and authentic holiday flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh finish and beautiful green color contrast.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and elevate all ingredient interactions.

Tools For Making Perfect Homemade Stuffing

• Baking Sheet: Essential for toasting bread cubes evenly and creating crispy texture.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for sautéing vegetables and developing rich, deep flavors.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Crucial for combining bread, vegetables, and liquid ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Dish: Ideal for baking and serving the stuffing with even heat distribution.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Chef's Knife: Needed for chopping vegetables precisely.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for vegetable preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients gently.
• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover the stuffing during initial baking, keeping moisture locked in.

Steps To Whip Up Perfect Homemade Stuffing

• Prep Bread Cubes

Slice bread into small chunks and let them dry out completely. This helps create a perfect texture for your stuffing. Spread pieces on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until golden and crisp.

• Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Melt butter in a skillet and cook onions, celery, and garlic until they become soft and release their delicious fragrance. Sprinkle in herbs like thyme and sage to enhance the flavor profile.

• Create Stuffing Mixture

Combine toasted bread cubes with the sautéed vegetables in a large bowl. Pour chicken broth and beaten eggs over the mixture, gently folding everything together until the bread absorbs the liquid evenly.

• Bake to Perfection

Transfer the stuffing to a greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake until heated through. Remove the foil during the last part of cooking to create a crispy, golden-brown top that will make everyone’s mouth water.

• Serve and Enjoy

Garnish with fresh herbs right before serving. This stuffing pairs wonderfully with roasted meats and makes the perfect comforting side dish for any special meal.

Tips To Change Up Perfect Homemade Stuffing

• Bread Selection Magic: Choose day-old artisan bread, sourdough, or brioche for richer flavor and better texture absorption compared to standard white bread.
• Make-Ahead Master: Prepare stuffing mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to develop more deeply before baking.
• Dietary Flexibility: Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth for vegetarian version; use gluten-free bread for celiac-friendly option; substitute butter with olive oil for dairy-free alternative.
• Moisture Management: Add extra broth if mixture seems dry during mixing, ensuring stuffing remains moist but not soggy; avoid overmixing to prevent dense, compact texture.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with mix-ins like cooked crumbled sausage, chopped apples, toasted pecans, or dried cranberries to create unique regional or personal flavor profiles that elevate traditional stuffing.

How To Serve Perfect Homemade Stuffing

• Holiday Table Centerpiece: Create a rustic, inviting display by placing the stuffing in a beautiful ceramic dish surrounded by fresh herbs, whole cranberries, and roasted seasonal vegetables.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining stuffing into crispy stuffing cakes by forming small patties and pan-frying until golden brown, serving with a dollop of sour cream or cranberry relish.
• Flavor Boost Companions: Enhance the stuffing's taste by serving alongside roasted turkey, glazed ham, or a succulent roast chicken, complemented by rich pan gravy and bright cranberry sauce.
• Vegetarian Twist: Offer as a standalone main dish for vegetarian guests by adding roasted chestnuts, dried cranberries, and extra herbs, making it a hearty and satisfying alternative to meat-based entrees.

Storing Perfect Homemade Stuffing The Smart Way

• Quick Chill and Store
• Refrigerate stuffing in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Use clean, sealed glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Fridge Lifespan Tracker
• Store homemade stuffing in the refrigerator for 3-4 days maximum. Always label containers with the preparation date to track food safety and prevent potential waste.
• Smart Reheating Techniques
• Warm stuffing in the oven at 350F for best texture restoration. Sprinkle a few tablespoons of chicken broth before reheating to prevent dryness and maintain moisture. Stir gently halfway through heating to ensure even temperature distribution.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy
• Freeze unbaked or baked stuffing in freezer-safe containers for up to one month. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, and consume within 24 hours of defrosting for optimal taste and quality.

Savory Homemade Stuffing Recipe

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4.9 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Homemade stuffing brings comfort and warmth to family gatherings with its rich blend of herbs, bread, and savory seasonings. Herb-infused crumbs and delicate textures invite dinner guests to savor each delightful spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450 g) bread, cubed (French bread, sourdough, or white bread)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ½ cup (1 stick / 115 g) unsalted butter
• 2 ½ cups (600 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped (or 1 tsp dried sage)
• 1 tsp dried rosemary (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Bread Crisping: Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast in a 350F (175C) oven for 10-15 minutes until light golden and crisp, creating a textural foundation for the dish.
2. Vegetable Sautéing: Melt butter in a large skillet, add onions, celery, and garlic. Cook until vegetables become tender and translucent, developing a rich aromatic base.
3. Herb Infusion: Sprinkle thyme, sage, rosemary, salt, and pepper into the vegetable mixture. Allow herbs to release their fragrant oils and intensify flavors for 1-2 minutes.
4. Ingredient Fusion: Combine toasted bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, fresh parsley, chicken broth, and whisked eggs in a large mixing bowl. Gently fold until bread is evenly coated and moistened.
5. Baking Transformation: Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake, then uncover to achieve a crispy golden-brown top that promises a delectable texture and depth of flavor.
6. Culinary Presentation: Garnish with additional chopped parsley and serve alongside roasted meats, creating a harmonious and traditional holiday side dish that complements the main course.

Notes

• Select Bread Wisely: Choose day-old or slightly stale bread for better absorption and texture, avoiding fresh soft bread that can become mushy during cooking.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Add chicken broth gradually to prevent soggy stuffing, ensuring bread cubes are moistened but not swimming in liquid for the perfect fluffy consistency.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Sauté vegetables in butter until caramelized edges develop, intensifying the overall taste profile and creating a more complex culinary experience.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt recipe by using gluten-free bread for celiac diets, vegetable broth for vegetarian versions, or adding sausage for a heartier meat-lover’s variation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg