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Savory Herb Stuffing Recipe: Easy Homemade Thanksgiving Side

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This savory herb stuffing is a classic, crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish featuring toasted bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, and a blend of fresh herbs. It’s easy to make, customizable, and delivers the perfect balance of crisp edges and a tender, flavorful center.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 10 cups (about 1 lb) sturdy white, sourdough, or French bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes and slightly dried or toasted
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 4 celery ribs, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (optional)
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped apples or dried cranberries
  • Optional: 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
  • Optional: 1 cup mushrooms, diced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway, until lightly golden and dry. Let cool.
  2. In a large skillet, melt butter and add olive oil over medium heat. Stir in chopped onion and celery and cook for 8-10 minutes until soft and fragrant. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  3. Stir in parsley, sage, thyme, and rosemary. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes so the herbs release their oils. Remove from heat.
  4. Place toasted bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Pour the sautéed vegetables and herbs over the bread and gently toss.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together broth and eggs until smooth. Pour the liquid evenly over bread mixture and stir gently until everything is moistened.
  6. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly. Spoon stuffing mixture into the dish and spread evenly. Drizzle with a little more olive oil if desired.
  7. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20-25 minutes until top is golden and edges are crisp.
  8. Let stuffing sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Day-old bread works best for texture. For gluten-free or vegan versions, use gluten-free bread and vegan butter/broth. Add-ins like apples, cranberries, nuts, or mushrooms are optional for extra flavor. Assemble ahead and bake just before serving for best results. Leftovers freeze well and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing, Thanksgiving, herb stuffing, holiday side, easy stuffing, homemade stuffing, vegetarian stuffing, gluten-free stuffing, savory stuffing