Perfect Homemade Stuffing Recipe
This homemade stuffing recipe is the heart of any holiday feast, featuring savory herbs, sweet cranberries, and perfectly toasted bread. With easy-to-follow instructions and customizable variations, this recipe guarantees a memorable and delicious side dish that everyone will love.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Baking sheets
- Large skillet
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Whisk
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2-3 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound bulk sausage, removed from casings optional
- 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup chopped fresh sage
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Cube the bread into roughly 1-inch cubes.
- Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on baking sheets. Let them sit out overnight, or bake them in a low oven (200°F) for about 1 hour, flipping halfway through, until they're dry and slightly crusty.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- If using sausage, add it to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- In a very large bowl, combine the dried bread cubes, sautéed vegetables and sausage (if using), cranberries, parsley, sage, thyme, and poultry seasoning.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and eggs. Pour the mixture over the bread mixture and gently toss to combine. Be careful not to overmix.
- Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the stuffing is heated through. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil.
Notes
To avoid soggy stuffing, dry the bread thoroughly and don't add too much liquid. For dry stuffing, add more broth or cover the dish while baking. For a more flavorful stuffing, use high-quality ingredients and season generously. Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through. Variations include Mushroom & Walnut, Apple & Sage, Cornbread, and Gluten-Free.