Bring tradition and warmth to your holiday table with Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing. This classic dish combines simple ingredients like dry bread cubes, savory herbs, and a touch of fresh vegetables for an aromatic, hearty flavor profile that everyone will enjoy.
INGREDIENTS- Dry Bread Cubes: 16 cups, homemade or store-bought, for a chewy base
- Butter: ½ cup, for sautéing and adding richness
- Onion: 2 cups, diced into ½-inch pieces for flavor depth
- Celery: 2 cups, diced into ½-inch pieces for crunch and aroma
- Poultry Seasoning: 3 tsp, for a savory touch
- Thyme: ½ tsp, fresh or dried
- Sage: ½ tsp, fresh or dried
- Salt: 1 tsp, to taste
- Ground Black Pepper: ½ tsp, to taste
- Eggs: 2 large, beaten for binding
- Chicken Broth: 1½ to 3 cups, to moisten as needed
- Fresh Parsley: 1 Tbsp, chopped (optional for garnish)
- Step 1:
- Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, cooking until translucent (about 8 minutes).
- Step 2:
- Stir in the poultry seasoning, thyme, sage, salt, pepper, and 1½ cups of chicken broth. Remove from heat.
- Step 3:
- In a large mixing bowl, gently fold the dry bread cubes with the broth mixture, adding more broth if needed to achieve desired moisture.
- Step 4:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and spread the stuffing mixture evenly.
- Step 5:
- Bake for 45-60 minutes, stirring every 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
- Step 6:
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
- Serve hot directly from the baking dish as a side for Thanksgiving meals or holiday gatherings.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat in the oven for best results to maintain texture.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of chicken broth based on your preferred stuffing consistency.
- For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Chef Smith suggests toasting the bread cubes slightly before using to enhance texture.
- Chef Brown recommends adding a handful of dried cranberries for a touch of sweetness and color contrast.