Can I make this traditional Thanksgiving stuffing ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble everything the night before, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate. Pop it in the oven on Thanksgiving Day — it’ll taste just as fresh.

Can I use boxed stuffing mix instead?

You could , but once you try this from-scratch version, you won’t go back. The real bread and herbs make a world of difference.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze baked stuffing for up to 3 months. Reheat covered in the oven with a splash of broth to bring it back to life.

What if I’m cooking for vegetarians?

Swap the chicken broth for a rich vegetable broth — it still turns out buttery, flavorful, and just as comforting.

Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing You’ll Adore (Top 7 Tips)

Description

This traditional Thanksgiving stuffing is the ultimate comfort side dish — buttery, herb-packed, and baked to golden perfection. With toasted bread cubes, sautéed onions, and celery, it’s a holiday classic that tastes just like Grandma’s but even better.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound bread (white, ciabatta, Italian, or baguette)
1 cup butter (2 sticks)
1 large onion (about 3½ cups chopped)
2 cups celery, diced ¼-inch thick
⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped
¼ cup fresh sage, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups high-quality chicken or turkey broth (plus ½ cup more if needed)
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon butter, softened (for greasing the pan)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 250°F. Tear or cut the bread into 1–2 inch cubes and spread them on a baking sheet. Toast for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until crisp but not browned.
While the bread toasts, chop the onion and celery.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery; cook for 7–10 minutes until soft but not browned.
Add herbs (parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme) and stir for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
In a large bowl, combine toasted bread, sautéed vegetables, and herbs. Season with salt and pepper; toss to coat.
In another bowl, whisk together broth and eggs, then slowly pour over the bread mixture, stirring until evenly moistened.
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour in the stuffing mixture. Cover with foil.
Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake another 25–35 minutes until golden brown and crispy on top.
Serve warm and enjoy your perfect traditional Thanksgiving stuffing!

Notes

Use fresh, crusty bread for the best texture — not pre-packaged cubes.
Want it extra crispy? Remove the foil earlier during baking.
Can be made 1 day ahead — refrigerate overnight and bake before serving.
Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 620 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 34 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg