Grandma’s Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Introduction

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing is a timeless classic that brings warmth and comfort to the holiday table. Made with fresh herbs, savory vegetables, and perfectly toasted bread, this recipe is both flavorful and satisfying. It’s the perfect side dish to complement your festive feast.

Ingredients

• 10 cups cubed bread (sourdough or French)
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 2 cups celery, finely chopped (about 3-4 stalks)
• 2 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 4 cups low-sodium broth (chicken or vegetable)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: Spread the cubed bread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly toasted and dried out.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the diced onion, chopped celery, and chopped fresh herbs.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, broth, salt, and pepper.
5. Step 5: Pour the broth mixture over the bread and vegetable mixture. Gently toss to combine, ensuring all the bread cubes are moistened.
6. Step 6: Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased baking dish.
7. Step 7: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Step 8: Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
9. Step 9: Serve hot.

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old bread for better texture and less sogginess in your stuffing.
• For extra flavor, sauté the onion and celery in butter before mixing them with the bread cubes.
• Add cooked sausage or chopped apples for a savory or sweet twist.
• Try using dried herbs if fresh ones are unavailable, but reduce the quantity by half.

Storage

Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also freeze stuffing for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this stuffing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the stuffing mixture a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Bake it fresh on the day of your meal for the best texture.

Can I make this stuffing without bread?

This recipe relies on bread as the base, which gives stuffing its texture. If you prefer a bread-free alternative, you might consider rice or quinoa-based stuffing recipes instead.

Grandma’s Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 61 reviews

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing is a classic, comforting side dish made with lightly toasted bread cubes, fresh herbs, and a flavorful broth mixture. This recipe combines aromatic sage, thyme, and rosemary with sautéed onions and celery, baked to golden perfection for a crispy top and moist interior—perfect for holiday gatherings.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Bread

• 10 cups cubed bread (sourdough or French)

Vegetables and Herbs

• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 2 cups celery, finely chopped (about 3–4 stalks)
• 2 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped

Liquids and Fats

• 4 cups low-sodium broth (chicken or vegetable)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for toasting the bread and baking the stuffing.
2. Toast Bread Cubes: Spread the cubed bread evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the bread is lightly toasted and dried out, which helps create the perfect texture in the stuffing.
3. Mix Vegetables and Herbs: In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the finely diced onion, chopped celery, and fresh chopped sage, thyme, and rosemary, ensuring even distribution of flavors.
4. Prepare Broth Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, low-sodium broth, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful liquid that will moisten the stuffing.
5. Combine Mixtures: Pour the broth and butter mixture over the bread and vegetable mixture. Gently toss to combine, making sure each bread cube is moistened without becoming soggy.
6. Transfer and Cover: Transfer the stuffing mixture into a greased baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with foil to retain moisture during baking.
7. Bake Covered: Bake the covered stuffing in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the stuffing to set.
8. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy, giving a delightful texture contrast.
9. Serve: Remove from oven and serve the stuffing hot as a delicious holiday side dish.

Notes

• Use day-old bread or slightly stale bread for best texture; fresh bread may become too mushy.
• Low-sodium broth allows you to control the saltiness better; adjust seasoning as needed.
• For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• The herbs can be adjusted according to preference—dried herbs can substitute fresh but use 1/3 of the quantity.
• To add extra flavor, consider sautéing the onions and celery in butter before mixing.
• Make ahead tip: Prepare the mixture a day before and bake on serving day, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if refrigerated.

Keywords: Thanksgiving stuffing, holiday stuffing recipe, bread stuffing, traditional stuffing, herbed stuffing