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Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing with Fresh Herbs and Toasted Bread Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 53 reviews

A classic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe featuring toasted bread cubes, sautéed onions and celery, fresh herbs, and a rich mixture of chicken broth and eggs. This stuffing is baked to golden perfection, ensuring a moist inside with a crispy top, perfect for holiday feasts and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

  • 1 pound bread (white bread, ciabatta, Italian, baguette, etc.)

Dairy and Broth

  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
  • 1 tablespoon butter (softened, for greasing pan)
  • 2 cups high quality chicken/turkey broth (plus 1/2 cup more if necessary)

Vegetables

  • 1 large onion (about 3 and 1/2 cups chopped)
  • 2 cups celery (1/4 inch dice)

Herbs and Seasoning

  • 1/3 cup fresh parsley (chopped, Italian flat-leaf preferred)
  • 1/4 cup fresh sage (chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped very fine)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Others

  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  1. Toast the bread: Tear or cut the bread into 1-2 inch bite-sized pieces and spread them onto a dry pan. Bake at 250°F for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the bread is dry and toasted but not browned. This step ensures the bread absorbs the broth well without becoming soggy.
  2. Prepare the vegetables: While the bread is toasting, finely chop the onion to about 3 and 1/2 cups. Dice the celery into 1/4 inch pieces, leaving them slightly substantial to add texture to the stuffing.
  3. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F to get ready for baking the stuffing later.
  4. Sauté the vegetables: Melt the 1 cup (2 sticks) of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped celery and onions and sauté for 7-10 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened but not browned. The full cup of butter helps infuse flavor into the bread.
  5. Chop the herbs: Finely chop the parsley (1/3 cup), sage (1/4 cup), rosemary (1 tablespoon), and thyme (1 tablespoon). Fresh herbs add vibrant flavor to the stuffing.
  6. Combine bread and vegetables: In a large bowl, mix the toasted bread pieces with the chopped herbs and the sautéed celery and onions. Stir to distribute evenly.
  7. Season the mixture: Sprinkle 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt) and 1 teaspoon black pepper over the bread mixture. Stir well and taste to adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Add broth and eggs: In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together 2 cups of chicken/turkey broth and 2 eggs. Gradually pour this liquid over the bread mixture in increments, using your hands to gently squeeze and mix, ensuring all bread is moistened but not soggy. Add up to 1/2 cup extra broth if the bread seems dry.
  9. Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with about 1 tablespoon of softened butter, coating the bottom and sides to prevent sticking.
  10. Transfer and bake: Pour the stuffing mixture into the prepared pan, spreading evenly to the edges. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for about 40 minutes.
  11. Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 25-35 minutes, or until the top is the desired level of brown and crispiness.
  12. Store leftovers: Refrigerate any leftover stuffing and use within 3-4 days. Baked leftovers can be frozen for future use; thaw and reheat before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh bread and toast it yourself for best texture; stale bread results in tough stuffing.
  • You can prepare the stuffing mixture ahead and refrigerate it overnight before baking.
  • If you want a more moist stuffing, add extra broth incrementally to reach desired consistency.
  • Leftover stuffing freezes well; store in airtight containers and thaw completely before reheating.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste, especially if using table salt instead of kosher salt.

Keywords: Thanksgiving stuffing, classic stuffing recipe, bread stuffing, herb stuffing, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving side, baked stuffing

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/classic-thanksgiving-stuffing-with-fresh-herbs-and-toasted-bread-recipe/