Bring the comforting flavors of tradition to your table with this Old Fashioned Stuffing! Savory herbs, buttery vegetables, and perfectly toasted bread come together in a classic dish that’s perfect for holiday meals or any cozy gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic & Comforting: A timeless stuffing recipe that brings back nostalgic flavors.
- Savory & Aromatic: Fresh herbs and buttery vegetables create a deeply flavorful stuffing.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward instructions make this a foolproof side dish.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for holiday dinners, Sunday roasts, or any special meal.
Ingredients
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the vegetables.
- White Onion: Provides a sweet and savory base.
- Sliced Celery: Adds a fresh, vegetal flavor and crunch.
- Chicken Broth: Provides a savory base for the stuffing.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor.
- French Bread: Provides a sturdy base for the stuffing.
- Fresh Sage: Adds an earthy, aromatic flavor.
- Fresh Rosemary: Adds a piney, fragrant flavor.
- Fresh Thyme: Adds a subtle, herbaceous flavor.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Preheat oven to 425°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery. Cook until softened.
Step 2: Add Broth and Seasoning
Stir in chicken broth, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
Step 3: Prepare the Bread
Cube the French bread. If the bread is not stale, toast it in the oven. Transfer the cubed bread to a large bowl.
Step 4: Add Herbs and Broth
Toss the bread with sage, rosemary, and thyme. Slowly pour the hot broth mixture over the bread, stirring to moisten.
Step 5: Bake the Stuffing
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake until golden brown.
Step 6: Serve
Serve hot.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Stale Bread: Use stale bread or toast it for the best texture.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs provide a more vibrant flavor than dried herbs.
- Don’t Oversoak: Gently moisten the bread with the broth mixture to avoid soggy stuffing.
- Even Layer: Spread the stuffing in an even layer for even baking.
- Golden Brown Top: Bake until the top is golden brown and crispy.
How to Serve Old Fashioned Stuffing
- Holiday Meal: Serve as a classic side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
- Sunday Roast: Perfect alongside roasted chicken or beef.
- Cozy Dinner: Enjoy with any comfort food meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating
Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, you can use other breads like sourdough, brioche, or cornbread.
2. Can I use dried herbs?
Yes, but use about one-third the amount of dried herbs as fresh herbs.
3. Can I add other ingredients?
Absolutely! Add sausage, mushrooms, or dried cranberries for added flavor.
4. How do I keep the stuffing moist?
Ensure the bread is not overly dry and add enough broth to moisten it. Cover the baking dish with foil during the first half of baking to retain moisture.
Print
Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Old Fashioned Stuffing recipe is a classic side dish that embodies the warmth and comfort of traditional holiday meals. Made with buttery sautéed vegetables, fragrant fresh herbs, and perfectly cubed bread, this stuffing is moist, flavorful, and a must-have for any festive gathering.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1 1/2 cups sliced celery
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound French bread, cubed (or any stale bakery-style bread)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 cup salted butter, 1 medium white onion (diced), and 1 1/2 cups sliced celery. Cook for 5–7 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened, stirring frequently.
- Add Broth and Seasoning: Stir in 2 cups chicken broth, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove it from the heat.
- Prepare the Bread: Cube 1 pound French bread. If your bread is not dry and stale, it’s a good idea to toast your bread before using it to make stuffing. Transfer the cubed bread to a large mixing bowl.
- Add Herbs: Toss the cubed bread with 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage, 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary, and 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme.
- Moisten the Bread: Slowly pour the hot broth mixture over the bread and herbs, stirring gently to moisten all the bread.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the bread mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Bake: Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top of the stuffing is golden brown. Serve hot.
Notes
- If your bread is not dry or stale, toast it as follows: Dice the bread into 1-inch cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 225°F (110°C) for 30 minutes, or until stale.
- You can use dried herbs if fresh herbs are not available. Use about 1 teaspoon of each dried herb.
- Add cooked sausage or bacon for extra flavor.
- For a richer stuffing, use chicken or turkey stock instead of chicken broth.
- Add dried cranberries or chopped apples for a touch of sweetness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
