There’s nothing quite like the aroma of a classic homemade stuffing recipe baking in the oven. It’s the quintessential holiday side dish, a comforting and savory masterpiece that completes any feast. Forget the boxed stuff; this guide will walk you through creating the most flavorful, moist, and delicious stuffing from scratch. It’s simple, uses classic ingredients, and is absolutely foolproof.
This recipe delivers that perfect texture—crispy on top, soft and moist in the middle. It’s the traditional Thanksgiving stuffing you grew up with, but better. Let’s dive in and make a side dish that will steal the show.
The magic of a great homemade stuffing recipe lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the final flavor and texture.
The Best Bread for Stuffing
The foundation of any great stuffing is the bread. You need a sturdy, dry bread that can absorb the flavorful broth without turning to mush. A day-old, slightly stale white bread, challah, or brioche works wonders. Cut it into uniform 1-inch cubes for the best texture.
Herbs are the soul of stuffing. A traditional blend of sage, thyme, and rosemary provides that quintessential holiday flavor profile. Fresh herbs are always best, but dried herbs can be used in a pinch—just remember to use about a third of the amount.
Liquids and Binders
Chicken or turkey broth provides the necessary moisture, while eggs act as a binder to hold everything together. Using a quality broth is key, as it infuses the entire dish with savory depth.
Golden-brown perfection, ready for the holiday table.
How to Make Homemade Stuffing From Scratch (Step-by-Step)
Making this homemade stuffing recipe is easier than you think. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
Prepare the Bread: If your bread isn’t stale, cut it into 1-inch cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly toasted and dry. Let it cool completely.
Add Liquids: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and 2 cups of the chicken broth. Pour this mixture over the bread and vegetables. Gently toss until the bread is evenly moistened. If it seems too dry, add more broth, a quarter cup at a time, until it reaches the desired moistness.
Bake the Stuffing: Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy and the center is heated through.
Pro Tips for Perfectly Moist Stuffing Every Time
Keep these tips in mind to ensure your stuffing is a standout success.
Don’t Use Fresh Bread: Using stale, dry bread is the most critical step. It allows the bread to act like a sponge, soaking up the broth and flavors without becoming a soggy mess.
Avoid Over-Mixing: Gently toss the ingredients until just combined. Over-mixing can break down the bread and lead to a dense, pasty texture.
Taste As You Go: The saltiness of your butter and broth can vary. Taste the mixture before baking and adjust the seasoning as needed to create a balanced, flavorful dish.
Combining fresh herbs and aromatics is the key to amazing flavor.
Delicious Homemade Stuffing Recipe Variations
While this classic homemade stuffing recipe is fantastic on its own, it’s also a wonderful canvas for customization. Here are a few popular ideas to try.
Swap out the white bread for day-old cornbread for a Southern-style twist. Cornbread offers a slightly sweeter flavor and a more crumbly texture that many people love.
Adding Fruits and Nuts
For a touch of sweetness and crunch, consider adding 1 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts and 1 cup of dried cranberries or chopped apples to the mixture. It’s a delightful contrast to the savory herbs.
Make-Ahead & Storing Instructions
Holidays can be hectic, but thankfully, this easy stuffing recipe can be prepared in advance.
Can You Prepare Stuffing Ahead of Time?
Yes. You can prepare the stuffing mixture one day in advance. Combine all the ingredients *except* for the broth and eggs. Store the dry mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator and the wet ingredients separately. When you’re ready to bake, combine the wet and dry mixtures, transfer to the baking dish, and bake as directed.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Stuffing
Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place it in an oven-safe dish, drizzle with a little extra broth to remoisten, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.
The best bread for stuffing is a sturdy, slightly enriched white bread like brioche, challah, or a quality sandwich loaf. The key is that it must be stale or dried out so it can absorb the broth without becoming mushy.
To prevent soggy stuffing, use dry, stale bread cubes. Also, avoid adding too much broth at once. Add the liquid gradually until the bread is just moistened, not saturated. Baking it in a separate dish, rather than inside the turkey, also helps create a crispier topping.
Technically, ‘stuffing’ is cooked inside the cavity of the turkey, while ‘dressing’ is baked separately in a pan. However, the terms are often used interchangeably today, and most recipes, including this one, are for dressing baked in a dish for food safety and better texture.
For food safety reasons and to ensure a better texture with a crispy top, it is recommended to bake the stuffing in a separate dish. Cooking stuffing inside the bird can be risky if it doesn’t reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
We hope you love this homemade stuffing recipe as much as we do! If you make it, let us know how it turned out in the comments below. We’d love to see your creations—share a photo and tag us on Pinterest!
The only homemade stuffing recipe you'll ever need!
Homemade Stuffing Recipe
FL Recipes
Homemade Stuffing Recipe (The Only One You’ll Ever Need)
This homemade stuffing recipe is the only one you'll need for the holidays. It's a classic, easy, and foolproof guide to making the most flavorful and moist Thanksgiving stuffing from scratch, with a perfectly crispy top.
1loafsturdy white bread (about 16 cups)cut into 1-inch cubes and dried/stale
1/2cupunsalted butter
2large yellow onionschopped
4stalkscelerychopped
2clovesgarlicminced
1/2cupfresh parsleychopped
2tablespoonsfresh sagechopped
1tablespoonfresh thymechopped
1teaspoonfresh rosemarychopped
1teaspoonsaltor to taste
1/2teaspoonblack pepperfreshly ground
2large eggslightly beaten
2-3cupschicken or turkey brothlow-sodium
Equipment
1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
1 Large Skillet
1 Large Mixing Bowl
Method
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. If your bread is not stale, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15-20 minutes until dry. Let cool.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and celery and cook until soft, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with 2 cups of broth. Pour over the bread mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly moistened. Add more broth if needed for desired moistness.
Transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy and the center is cooked through.
Nutrition
Calories: 285kcalProtein: 9gFat: 12gFiber: 3g
Notes
For the best texture, ensure your bread is properly dried out before mixing. Make it ahead by preparing the dry and wet ingredients separately a day in advance, then combine just before baking. For extra richness, dot the top of the stuffing with a few small pieces of butter before baking.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
