BEST TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING STUFFING RECIPE

The best tradition Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is made with the perfect mix of crunchy homemade sourdough croutons and soft a herby center.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

This stuffing recipe is everything you want on you’re Thanksgiving table. It’s cozy, buttery, herby, and loaded with holiday flavors . The toasted sourdough gives it that great crispy texture that makes it stand out from other basic versions. In fact, It soaks up all the broth and seasoning beautifully, so every bite is super savory and delicious.

This is one of my favorite stuffings to make for the holidays. The sourdough gives it the best mix of crispy and soft, and the flavor screams nostalgic Thanksgiving . Basically, If you want a true crowd-pleaser, trust me, this is the one to make.

How To Make It

Here’s how to make this delicious side dish. The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 325°

First, chop the sourdough into bite sized pieces and place them onto a large cookie sheet. Place it in the oven for 15 minutes. After that, carefully toss the pieces and place them back onto the oven for another 5 or until they’re lightly toasted. Now, leave them uncovered on the counter overnight to dry out further.

PRO TIP: Place the baking sheet onto the center rack of the oven. It will ensure the bread toasts up evenly.

NOTE: Everyone’s ovens are different so please keep an eye on it. If they’re toasted after the first 15 minutes, no need to put it back into the oven. They should only be lightly toasted because leaving them out overnight will allow them to dry out even more.

Preheat the oven to 350°

Now, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium high heat and add the chopped onion and celery. Season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder and poultry seasoning. Then, sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes or until they are soft, then stir in the chopped garlic, chicken bullion, thyme, rosemary and sage. Sauté everything together for about 2 more minutes. Let them cool slightly.

Then, in a large bowl, add the toasted sourdough, sautéed vegetables and 2 cups of chicken broth. In a small bowl, add the eggs and another half a cup of chicken broth. Beat everything together and stir it into the bread and vegetables.

PRO TIP: Beating the eggs together with chicken broth will give the stuffing a lighter texture while helping it bind other better, too.

NOTE: Some people like a “wetter” stuffing. In that case, feel free to add an addition ¼-1/2 a cup of chicken broth.

Next, add the mixture to a greased baking dish and spread it out so that it’s even. Evenly distribute the pats of butter on top and place it in the oven for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and toasted. Serve warm and enjoy!

NOTE: If the stuffing is getting too browned and theres still more cooking time left, tin foil tent it.

What Kind Of Bread Should I Use?

I like sourdough for this recipe but French/Italian, traditional white or even brioche bread are all great options.

Can I Put The Stuffing Inside The Turkey?

You technically can put the stuffing inside the turkey to cook. Simply put, that’s the old school traditional way but it’s not the safest or most reliable method. The stuffing inside the turkey has to reach 165°F to be safe to eat. Sometimes the turkey meat finishes cooking before the stuffing hits that temp, which can dry out the bird or leave the stuffing unsafe. I recommend just baking it separately.

What To Serve This With?

This is a classic dish that’s usually served along side a turkey or Holiday Ham. It would also be great alone side Sweet Potato Casserole, Sautéed Green Beans With Bacon and Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake for dessert.

Storage

Let the stuffing cool completely then place it into an air tight container. It will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. This recipe freezes well, too. Just place it into an air tight freezer safe container and it will last for up to about 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Other Easy Stuffing Recipes

If you like super easy to make recipes with stuffing like this one, you have to try Chicken And Stuffing Casserole, Easy Cornbread Stuffing, and Traditional Sausage Stuffing.