Description
This Perfect Homemade Stuffing is a classic American side dish ideal for holidays and special occasions. It features toasted day-old bread cubes combined with a savory mixture of sautéed onions, celery, garlic, and fresh herbs, all moistened with chicken or vegetable broth and bound with eggs. Baked until golden and crispy on top, this comforting stuffing can be easily customized to suit vegetarian diets and is perfect to prepare ahead of time.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread
- 1 loaf (about 1 pound) day-old French bread or sourdough, cut into ¾-inch cubes (about 10 cups)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped parsley (optional)
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Liquids and Eggs
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2½–3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 10–15 minutes, until they are dried out and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
- Sauté Vegetables and Herbs: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, cooking for 8–10 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic, chopped sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and black pepper; cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the butter and vegetable mixture over the toasted bread cubes. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken or vegetable broth and beaten eggs. Gradually pour this mixture over the bread, tossing gently to moisten all the bread evenly. Adjust the broth quantity so the bread is moist but not soggy.
- Bake the Stuffing: Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for a fresh finish. Serve warm alongside your favorite main dishes.
Notes
- Use vegetable broth to easily make this stuffing vegetarian.
- For added texture and flavor, consider mixing in ½ cup chopped nuts or dried cranberries.
- This stuffing can be prepared in advance and reheated before serving.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
