Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
Introduction
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing is a classic, comforting side dish made with perfectly toasted bread cubes, savory herbs, and a flavorful blend of onions and celery. This recipe brings warmth and tradition to your holiday table with its moist texture and golden top.
Ingredients
- 16 cups dry bread cubes (about 3 large loaves of bread)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups onion (1/2″ diced)
- 2 cups celery (1/2″ diced)
- 3 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme (fresh chopped or dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon sage (fresh chopped or dried)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Using a serrated bread knife, cut the bread into 1/2″ to 3/4″ cubes. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Step 2: Bake the bread cubes for about an hour, tossing occasionally to ensure they dry evenly without browning. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Increase the oven temperature to 350 degrees. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and celery and cook, stirring frequently, until tender and translucent, about 8 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in poultry seasoning, thyme, sage, salt, pepper, and 1½ cups chicken broth. Remove from heat.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and then mix them into the onion and broth mixture.
- Step 6: Place the dried bread cubes in a large bowl. Pour the broth and onion mixture over the bread and gently fold together. The stuffing should be moist but without standing liquid. Add up to 1/2 cup more chicken broth if needed.
- Step 7: Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the stuffing evenly in the dish.
- Step 8: Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring gently every 15 to 20 minutes, until the top turns lightly golden brown.
- Step 9: Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy your homemade stuffing!
Tips & Variations
- For added flavor, you can substitute part of the chicken broth with turkey stock or add cooked sausage for a heartier stuffing.
- Use a mix of white and whole wheat bread for a more complex texture and taste.
- If you’d like a crispy top, finish baking the stuffing uncovered for the last 10 minutes.
- Fresh herbs can be swapped out or increased according to your preference for a personalized herb flavor.
Storage
Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350-degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until heated through. Stuffing can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the stuffing mixture a day in advance and refrigerate it. Bake it just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Is it necessary to dry the bread cubes in the oven?
Drying the bread cubes ensures they absorb the liquids properly without becoming mushy, resulting in a better texture for the stuffing.
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Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe is a classic, comforting side dish featuring crispy baked bread cubes combined with sautéed onions, celery, aromatic poultry herbs, and chicken broth. This moist and flavorful stuffing is baked to a perfect golden brown and garnished with fresh parsley, making it a beloved tradition for holiday meals.
Ingredients
Dry Bread Cubes
- 16 cups dry bread cubes (about 3 large loaves of bread)
Vegetable and Seasoning Mix
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 cups onion, 1/2″ diced
- 2 cups celery, 1/2″ diced
- 3 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme (fresh chopped or dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon sage (fresh chopped or dried)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Binding and Broth
- 1½ cups chicken broth (plus up to 1/2 cup additional if needed)
- 2 large eggs
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Bread Cubes: Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Using a serrated bread knife, cut the bread into 1/2″ to 3/4″ cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 1 hour, tossing occasionally to ensure even drying. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables and Seasonings: Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add diced onions and celery and cook, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes until tender and translucent.
- Add Herbs and Broth: Stir in poultry seasoning, thyme, sage, salt, black pepper, and 1½ cups chicken broth. Remove the pot from heat.
- Mix in Eggs: In a small bowl, whisk the eggs thoroughly and then stir them into the vegetable and broth mixture until well combined.
- Combine with Bread Cubes: Place the dried bread cubes in a large bowl. Pour the broth and vegetable mixture over the bread and gently fold together until the stuffing is moist but there is no pooling liquid. Add up to 1/2 cup additional chicken broth as needed.
- Prepare for Baking: Spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread the stuffing evenly in the dish.
- Bake Stuffing: Bake in the preheated 350-degree oven for 45-60 minutes. Every 15-20 minutes, gently stir the stuffing to ensure even cooking. Bake until the top is lightly golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve warm. Enjoy your classic grandmother’s Thanksgiving stuffing!
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can use homemade chicken broth if available.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the eggs or use a suitable egg replacer.
- If the bread cubes are not fully dried, the stuffing may turn out soggy; ensure thorough drying during the first baking step.
- Adjust seasonings according to your taste preferences—more sage or thyme can deepen the herbal aroma.
- To make the stuffing ahead, dry the bread cubes and prepare the vegetable mixture, then assemble and bake just before serving.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Thanksgiving stuffing, classic stuffing, bread stuffing recipe, holiday side dish, poultry seasoning stuffing
