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Classic Stuffing Recipe: Best Homemade Thanksgiving Side Dish

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This cozy classic stuffing recipe features buttery onions, celery, and fresh herbs tossed with crisp bread cubes for the ultimate homemade Thanksgiving side dish. It’s deeply comforting, easy to make, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any holiday table.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 cups (about 1 1/2 lbs) day-old French bread, sourdough, or rustic country loaf, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 cups finely chopped yellow or sweet onions
  • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 3 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)
  • Optional add-ins: 1 cup crumbled cooked sausage, 1 cup chopped apples, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. Cut day-old bread into 1-inch cubes (about 16 cups). Spread cubes on baking sheets and leave out overnight to dry. For a quick method, bake at 300°F for 20 minutes, tossing halfway.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
  3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery; cook, stirring often, until soft and translucent, about 8-10 minutes.
  4. Stir in sage, thyme, and parsley; sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat.
  5. Place bread cubes in a large bowl. Pour sautéed veggie mixture over bread and toss gently to combine.
  6. In a separate bowl, whisk together broth and eggs. Pour evenly over bread mixture. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning if using. Toss gently until bread is evenly moistened but not mushy. Add up to 1/2 cup more broth if mixture seems dry.
  7. Fold in any optional add-ins (sausage, apples, cranberries, nuts) if desired.
  8. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
  9. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes, until top is golden and slightly crispy. For extra crunch, broil for 2 minutes, watching closely.
  10. Stuffing should be set, moist inside, and lightly crisp on top. If still wet, bake 5-10 more minutes uncovered. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Drying the bread cubes overnight is key for perfect texture. For gluten-free, use GF bread and broth. For vegan, swap butter for olive oil and omit eggs. Taste before baking and adjust seasoning as needed. Leftovers deepen in flavor and can be reheated with a splash of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing, Thanksgiving, holiday, side dish, classic, bread, herbs, easy, homemade, comfort food

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/classic-stuffing-recipe-best-homemade-thanksgiving-side-dish/