Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays

Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe dinner wouldn’t be complete without a delicious stuffing to complement the turkey and other holiday dishes. This Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe is a foolproof way to make a flavorful, comforting stuffing that your family will love. With just a few simple ingredients and a relatively quick preparation time, you can create a dish that offers the perfect balance of savory, herbed bread, sautéed vegetables, and rich broth.

Whether you’re hosting a grand Thanksgiving feast or preparing a smaller, intimate meal, this stuffing is sure to impress. The combination of seasoned bread, sautéed onions, garlic, mushrooms, and the right blend of spices creates a dish with rich flavor and the perfect texture.

What Is Stuffing?

Stuffing is a traditional side dish, commonly served during the holiday season, especially at Thanksgiving. It consists of bread cubes or breadcrumbs mixed with herbs, vegetables, broth, and sometimes sausage or other proteins. The stuffing is typically cooked in the turkey’s cavity (called “stuffing”), but it can also be baked separately in a casserole dish (often called “dressing”).

This recipe is designed to make the classic baked stuffing in a casserole dish, allowing it to have a beautifully golden, crispy top, while keeping the inside moist and flavorful.

Ingredients for the Best Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

To make this easy Thanksgiving stuffing recipe, you’ll need a few simple, but essential ingredients. Each one contributes to the overall flavor and texture of the dish.

Dry Bread Cubes: You can use store-bought, pre-dried bread cubes or make your own by drying out fresh bread.
Butter: Adds richness and flavor.
White Onion: For savory depth.
Garlic: Adds aromatic flavor.
Celery: Provides crunch and freshness to balance the richness of the butter.
Mushrooms: Use white button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms for an earthy flavor. If you’re not a fan, you can swap in shredded carrots.
Chicken Stock/Broth: To moisten the bread and bring all the flavors together.
Eggs: Used to bind the mixture.
Poultry Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds a unique flavor to the stuffing.
Dried Thyme: Optional, but it’s a classic herb for stuffing.
Salt and Pepper: To season to taste.

How to Make Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Now that you have your ingredients, here’s how to make this easy, crowd-pleasing stuffing for your holiday table.

Prepare the Bread:
- If you’re using pre-dried bread cubes, skip this step. Otherwise, cut fresh bread into cubes (around 12 cups) and dry them out in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.
Sauté the Vegetables:
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add onions, garlic, celery, and mushrooms, and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
Mix the Bread and Vegetables:
- Pour the sautéed vegetable mixture into a large bowl with the dried bread cubes.
- Add chicken stock, beaten eggs, poultry seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well until all the bread is moistened.
Transfer to Baking Dish:
- Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or any similarly sized casserole dish.
Bake:
- Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- To ensure the stuffing is fully cooked, check the center with a thermometer – it should reach 165°F.

Variations and Tips on Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

This Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe is incredibly versatile, and you can easily make adjustments based on dietary preferences or what you have on hand.

Add Sausage: For a richer, heartier stuffing, add 1 lb. of ground sausage. Brown it before adding it to the bread mixture.
Swap Vegetables: If you’re not a fan of celery or mushrooms, try using carrots or diced apples for added sweetness.
Herb Variations: You can swap the thyme for rosemary or use a mixture of both for a more complex flavor.
Make-Ahead Instructions: Prepare the stuffing a day ahead of time. Simply assemble it, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, bake it as instructed.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, here’s how to store and reheat them:

In the Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
In the Freezer: You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely, then store in an airtight container. Reheat from frozen at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.

Serving Suggestions for Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

This delicious Thanksgiving Stuffing pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes to make your holiday meal complete. Here are some serving suggestions:

Classic Thanksgiving Pairing: Serve your stuffing alongside roast turkey and gravy for the ultimate Thanksgiving plate. The savory stuffing complements the richness of the turkey perfectly.
Over Mashed Potatoes: For an extra comforting dish, spoon the stuffing over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes. The combination of flavors and textures will have your guests coming back for more.
With Cranberry Sauce: The tartness of cranberry sauce is a perfect contrast to the rich, savory stuffing. It adds a refreshing burst of flavor that balances out the meal.
As a Side to Roast Vegetables: Pair this stuffing with roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or sweet potatoes. The slight crunch of roasted vegetables is a great complement to the soft, fluffy stuffing.
With Gravy: Top the stuffing with extra gravy for an indulgent twist. This is particularly perfect if you prefer your stuffing on the moist side.
In a Stuffing Casserole: For a fun variation, bake the stuffing in individual portions or use a large casserole dish. This is ideal for serving at a buffet-style meal where guests can help themselves.
Stuffing-Stuffed Turkey: If you’re feeling adventurous, use this stuffing to stuff your turkey. Just be sure to cook it to the proper temperature and ensure the stuffing is hot before serving.
Topped with Cheese: For a cheesy twist, sprinkle some grated cheddar or Parmesan on top of the stuffing before baking. The cheese will melt into the stuffing and add an extra layer of flavor.

With these serving suggestions, your Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing will shine as the perfect side dish, elevating your holiday meal to new heights!

Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

FAQs On Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Is it better to make stuffing the day before Thanksgiving?

Yes, it’s a great idea to prepare the stuffing the day before Thanksgiving. Making it ahead of time allows the flavors to meld together, and it saves you time on the big day. Simply assemble the stuffing up until the baking step, cover it, and refrigerate. On Thanksgiving day, just pop it in the oven to bake.

What ingredients do you need for stuffing?
For a classic stuffing, you need the following ingredients:

Bread cubes (either pre-dried or fresh bread you dry yourself)
Butter
Onion
Garlic
Celery
Mushrooms (optional, can substitute with carrots)
Chicken stock or broth
Eggs
Poultry seasoning
Thyme
Salt and pepper

What is Thanksgiving stuffing made of?

Thanksgiving stuffing is made of a mixture of bread cubes (typically dried), sautéed onions, garlic, celery, and sometimes mushrooms or other vegetables. It’s flavored with herbs like thyme and poultry seasoning, then bound together with eggs and chicken broth. This mixture is then baked to create a golden, crispy top with a moist interior.

What is the difference between Thanksgiving dressing and stuffing?

The main difference between stuffing and dressing is how they are cooked:

Stuffing is typically cooked inside the turkey cavity, which helps it absorb the juices from the turkey.

Dressing is prepared and cooked in a separate casserole dish, often resulting in a crispier texture on top. Some people refer to stuffing as dressing when it’s cooked outside the bird.

Can I make stuffing without using bread?

Yes! If you need a gluten-free option, you can make stuffing using gluten-free bread or even cauliflower as a substitute for the bread. This version can still capture the essence of traditional stuffing, especially when using the right seasonings and vegetables.

Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe Card

Ingredients:

12 cups dry bread cubes (store-bought or homemade)
6 tbsp butter
1 ½ cups onion, diced
2 tsp minced garlic
2 cups mushrooms, chopped (optional, or substitute with shredded carrots)
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup chicken stock or broth
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

Prepare the Bread: If using fresh bread, cut it into 12 cups of cubes and dry them out by placing them in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. If using pre-dried bread cubes, skip this step.
Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, chopped mushrooms, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sautéed vegetable mixture with the dried bread cubes. Add the chicken stock, beaten eggs, poultry seasoning, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until the bread is evenly moistened.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the stuffing mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the stuffing uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
Serve: Let the stuffing rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!