Celery and onions are cooked with butter, herbs and seasonings. It’s all tossed with dried bread cubes and broth, then topped with a bit more butter and baked until hot and golden.
Bread – You can use almost any kind of dry bread for stuffing or purchase dry bread cubes. I prefer to use half white bread and half wheat bread and set them out to dry for a few days before making this stuffing recipe.
Celery/Onions – These add lots of flavor to this recipe and should be cooked in butter until tender.
Seasoning – Poultry Seasoning is my first choice for this turkey stuffing recipe. It is a blend of savory spices like sage, thyme, and rosemary and it adds delicious flavor to soups, stews, and casseroles. You can replace poultry seasoning with ground sage if needed.
Broth – Chicken or turkey broth adds moisture and the amount needed will vary based on the type of bread used and how dry it is. See the recipe notes for more details.
Additions – I think a simple classic stuffing recipe is the best stuffing recipe, so the add-ins are kept to a minimum however you can add shredded carrots, raisins, dried cranberries, or even cooked sausage.
The key to making this homemade stuffing recipe the right consistency is to ensure that the bread is really dry before adding broth. This allows it to soak up the broth (and flavor) without becoming soggy.
If possible, purchase the bread a few days (or even weeks) early, tear it or cut it into cubes, and let it dry for a few days on the counter. Any kind of bread will do (like sourdough bread or half cornbread), I most often use a combination of brown and white.
You can use dried bread cubes from the store, they’ll work just fine in this recipe although they may require a little bit of extra broth.
Poultry stuffing often consists of breadcrumbs, onion, celery, spices, and herbs such as sage, combined with the giblets. Additions in the United Kingdom include dried fruits and nuts (such as apricots and flaked almonds), and chestnuts.
How To Make Stuffing
I prefer to cook my stuffing in a casserole dish (which would technically make it dressing) or to make Crock Pot Stuffing. Cooking the turkey and stuffing separately ensures that they both reach the right temperatures without overcooking.
Make ahead – Stuffing can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge in a casserole dish. Prepare the stuffing without baking and refrigerate up to 2 days in advance. You may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time.
Stuffing a Turkey – You can use this stuffing to stuff a turkey. Ensure that the stuffing has cooled in the fridge for at least 45 minutes.
Do not stuff the turkey until just before roasting or it can sit at an unsafe cooking temperature for too long. If stuffing a turkey, the center of the stuffing should reach 165°F as the drippings from the bird enter the stuffing.
Stuffing is a great side as it can easily be made ahead of time! Simply prepare as directed, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
To bake, remove it from the fridge at least 30 minutes before baking. Prepare as directed (you may need to add a few minutes extra if it’s still cold from the fridge).
How to Dry Bread for Stuffing
In a pinch, you can dry fresh bread cubes in the oven. Place them in a single layer at 300°F for about 10 minutes (be sure not to brown or toast it). If you dry fresh bread in the oven, you may need less broth.
What is Thanksgiving stuffing, and why is it also ‘dressing’?
FAQ
What is turkey stuffing made of?
What is the stuffing inside turkey?
Is turkey stuffing unhealthy?
Why is turkey stuffing so good?
How do you make turkey stuffing?
· Bread: This old-fashioned turkey dressing recipe starts with lightly toasted white bread. · Butter: Butter adds moisture, richness, and flavor. · Vegetables: You’ll need one chopped onion and two stalks of chopped celery for flavor and texture. · Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy.
What spices go well with turkey stuffing?
This blend of ground herbs, spices, and seeds is essential for getting the perfect flavor in turkey stuffing. I recommend using freshly ground poultry seasoning to really capture all the flavors. The blend usually contains sage, thyme, marjoram, nutmeg, and black pepper, giving the turkey stuffing an intense herbal flavor. 2. Garlic
How many ingredients in stuffing?
There are only six ingredients in this stuffing recipe, plus salt and pepper. What makes this traditional stuffing so crave-worthy is the trifecta of onions and celery sautéed in more butter than you think you should use.
What kind of stuffing should I use for Thanksgiving?
For a traditional Thanksgiving stuffing, consider using classic herbs and spices like sage, thyme, marjoram, and poultry seasoning. A well-loved homemade stuffing recipe often includes bread cubes, onions, celery, and butter, making it a perfect side dish for your holiday meal.