Homemade Stuffing Recipe (Classic Bread Stuffing for the Holidays)
No Thanksgiving table feels complete without a big dish of homemade stuffing. That perfect balance of crisp golden edges, soft savory center, and rich buttery flavor brings comfort to every bite. This classic bread stuffing recipe captures everything we love about holiday traditions — it’s simple, aromatic, and bursting with cozy herbs and flavor.
Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this is the recipe that makes your kitchen smell like home.
🦃 What Makes This the Best Homemade Stuffing
- Golden & Crisp Top: Baked to perfection for that irresistible crunch on top.
- Tender Inside: Soft, flavorful, and moist without being soggy.
- Classic Flavors: Onion, celery, sage, and thyme — the nostalgic combination everyone expects.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep it a day in advance and bake when ready.
- Perfect for Any Feast: Great alongside turkey, roast chicken, or even as a vegetarian main course.
This is the stuffing that brings families back for seconds. No boxed mix needed — every cube of bread soaks up savory butter and broth for a true homemade flavor.
🍞 A Brief History of Stuffing
Stuffing has been around since ancient Rome, where cooks filled animals with spiced grains and herbs before roasting. Over time, the idea evolved — and by the time the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, stuffing (or “dressing” in the South) became a staple part of the holiday feast.
Today, recipes vary from region to region — cornbread in the South, sausage in the Midwest, and oyster stuffing on the coasts — but traditional bread stuffing remains the timeless favorite.
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Stuffing Base:
- 1 lb (about 10 cups) cubed day-old bread (white, sourdough, or a mix)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (1½ sticks)
- 1½ cups chopped celery
- 1½ cups chopped onion (yellow or white)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2½ cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
🔪 How to Make Homemade Stuffing
1. Dry Out the Bread
If your bread isn’t already dry, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 10–15 minutes until crisp and lightly golden. Let cool.
Dry bread absorbs the flavors of butter and broth much better, giving you that ideal texture — soft inside, crisp outside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
Add minced garlic and cook another minute. Stir in parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. The kitchen should smell like Thanksgiving magic!
3. Combine with Bread
Transfer the toasted bread cubes to a large mixing bowl. Pour the buttery vegetable mixture over the top and toss gently to coat every piece.
4. Add Broth and Eggs
Whisk together broth and eggs, then drizzle slowly over the bread mixture, tossing as you go. The stuffing should feel moist but not soaked.
You may not need all the broth — start with two cups and add more as needed.
5. Bake the Stuffing
Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes.
Then remove the foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until the top is crisp and golden brown.
6. Serve Warm
Let the stuffing rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme if desired.
Homemade Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Dry bread cubes in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 minutes until crisp.
- In a skillet, melt butter and sauté celery and onions until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Stir in parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Combine bread cubes and vegetable mixture in a large bowl. Toss gently.
- Whisk eggs and broth together. Gradually pour over bread, tossing until evenly moistened.
- Transfer to casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15–20 minutes until top is golden brown.
Notes
🌿 Recipe Tips & Tricks
1. Use Day-Old Bread:
Fresh bread makes stuffing mushy. If you don’t have stale bread, dry it out in the oven first.
2. Mix Bread Types:
Combining sourdough, French bread, and white bread gives texture and depth.
3. Don’t Oversaturate:
Stop adding broth once the bread feels moist but not soggy. It should hold its shape when pressed.
4. Add a Touch of Protein (Optional):
For a heartier stuffing, stir in ½ pound cooked sausage or crispy bacon pieces before baking.
5. Make Ahead:
Assemble up to a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before baking.
🍗 Stuffing vs. Dressing — What’s the Difference?
Technically, stuffing goes inside the turkey, while dressing is baked outside the bird in a casserole dish.
In most homes, though, the terms are used interchangeably. Baking it separately not only ensures food safety but also gives you that crisp, golden top everyone loves.
🌽 Flavor Variations
• Sausage Stuffing:
Brown ½ pound of pork sausage with onions before mixing with the bread for rich, meaty flavor.
• Mushroom Stuffing:
Sauté 8 oz of chopped mushrooms with the onions for an earthy, umami twist.
• Cornbread Stuffing:
Swap half the bread cubes for crumbled cornbread for a Southern-style texture.
• Apple Cranberry Stuffing:
Add 1 chopped apple and ¼ cup dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with turkey.
• Herb Lover’s Stuffing:
Double the herbs and add rosemary for a more fragrant and woodsy flavor.
🧊 Storing & Reheating
Refrigerate:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze:
Freeze unbaked or baked stuffing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat:
Warm covered in a 350°F oven for about 15–20 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of broth if it seems dry.
🕯️ Serving Suggestions
This homemade stuffing pairs beautifully with:
- Roast turkey or chicken
- Mashed potatoes & gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Green bean casserole
- Roasted vegetables
It’s also wonderful the next day — use leftovers in a Thanksgiving sandwich with turkey, cranberry sauce, and gravy!
🍂 Why Homemade Beats the Box
Boxed mixes may be convenient, but once you try stuffing from scratch, you’ll never go back. Homemade stuffing gives you:
- Real, fresh herbs (not powdered flavoring)
- True buttery taste
- Perfect texture balance (crisp + moist)
- The flexibility to customize it your way
This simple, no-fuss recipe celebrates everything comforting and traditional about the holidays.
❤️ Final Thoughts
When the scent of sautéed onions, butter, and sage fills your kitchen, you know the holidays have truly arrived. This homemade stuffing recipe captures that comforting essence in every bite — simple, classic, and filled with love.
Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving or continuing a long family tradition, this stuffing is a keeper — the kind your guests will ask for every year.
So grab your bread cubes, melt that butter, and make the stuffing that everyone will remember long after the feast is over.
