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Savory Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe: Easy Moist & Crispy Side Dish

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This savory Thanksgiving stuffing features crispy, golden edges and a moist, buttery interior packed with fresh herbs, sautéed vegetables, and toasted bread cubes. It’s a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for holiday gatherings and adaptable to suit any taste.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rustic sourdough or country-style bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 10 cups, day-old preferred)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried sage)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • Optional: 1 cup diced apples
  • Optional: 1/2 cup dried cranberries or golden raisins
  • Optional: 1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts
  • Optional: 1/2 pound cooked sausage, crumbled

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and toast for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and dry. Let cool slightly.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add onion, celery, and carrots; cook for 8-10 minutes until soft and fragrant but not browned.
  3. Stir in garlic, sage, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine toasted bread cubes and sautéed vegetables. Toss gently to coat.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together broth and eggs. Pour over bread mixture, tossing lightly until evenly soaked but not soggy.
  6. Fold in optional add-ins (apples, cranberries, nuts, sausage) if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Spoon stuffing mixture into dish, pressing lightly to even out.
  8. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  9. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until top is golden and crispy. For extra crunch, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  10. Let stuffing cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Day-old bread works best for crispiness. Toast bread cubes for extra crunch. Sauté veggies until just soft, not mushy. Adjust broth for desired moisture—stuffing should be damp, not soupy. For gluten-free, use GF bread. For vegan, use vegan butter and skip eggs (add extra broth or flaxseed meal as binder). Bake in two smaller dishes for more crispy edges. Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen for 1 month.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving stuffing, savory stuffing, holiday side dish, crispy stuffing, moist stuffing, easy stuffing recipe, bread stuffing, classic stuffing, vegetarian stuffing, gluten-free stuffing

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/savory-thanksgiving-stuffing-recipe-easy-moist-and-crispy-side-dish/