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Fluffy Classic Bread Stuffing Recipe – Easy Holiday Side with Celery

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This fluffy classic bread stuffing is a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing holiday side featuring toasted bread cubes, sautéed onions, and crisp celery. It’s easy to make, endlessly adaptable, and delivers pure comfort with every bite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (about 10 cups) day-old white or sourdough bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 cup diced celery (about 3–4 stalks)
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning (or 1/2 tsp each dried sage, thyme, and rosemary)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tsp dried)
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten (optional, for binding)
  • 1 cup chopped apples (optional)
  • 1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F. Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 10-15 minutes until dry but not browned, tossing halfway. Skip this step if using pre-dried bread cubes.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add celery and onion; sauté for 6-8 minutes until soft and fragrant. Stir in garlic for the last minute.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine toasted bread cubes, sautéed veggies, and pan juices. Sprinkle in poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley. Toss gently.
  4. Gradually pour in broth, stirring after each addition. If using egg, whisk and fold it in now. Mixture should be moist but not mushy.
  5. Stir in optional add-ins (apples, nuts, cranberries) if desired.
  6. Transfer stuffing to a greased 12×9-inch baking dish. Press lightly to even out but don’t pack tightly.
  7. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until top is golden and edges are crisp. For extra crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.
  8. Let stuffing rest for 10 minutes before serving. Splash with warm broth if dry spots appear.

Notes

For best texture, use day-old bread and toast until dry. Don’t overmix to keep stuffing fluffy. Adjust broth for desired moisture. Easily adapt for gluten-free or vegan diets by swapping bread, butter, and broth. Prep ahead and bake fresh for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: bread stuffing, holiday side, Thanksgiving, celery stuffing, classic stuffing, easy stuffing, vegetarian stuffing, crowd-pleaser, comfort food

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/fluffy-classic-bread-stuffing-recipe-easy-holiday-side-with-celery/