Description
A classic, savory stuffing recipe perfect for holiday gatherings, featuring a blend of fresh herbs, sautéed vegetables, and day-old bread for the ideal texture. This recipe is flavorful, comforting, and sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 lb day-old bread, cubed
Vegetables & Herbs
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (or substitute with olive oil)
- 2 cups chopped yellow onion (or a mix of onion and shallots)
- 1 1/2 cups chopped celery (including celery leaves if desired)
- 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley (or fresh thyme)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh sage
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary (or dried rosemary)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
Seasoning & Liquids
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 large eggs (or flaxseed meal mixed with water as vegan substitute)
- 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread Cubes: Cut the day-old bread into uniform cubes for even cooking and allow it to dry out slightly if needed to ensure a perfect texture in the stuffing.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add chopped onions and celery, cooking until softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Seasoning: Stir in the chopped Italian parsley, minced sage, rosemary, thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes so the flavors blend well with the sautéed vegetables.
- Combine with Bread Cubes: Transfer the toasted bread cubes to a large mixing bowl. Pour the vegetable and herb mixture over the bread and toss gently to combine thoroughly.
- Add Eggs and Broth: Beat the eggs and add them along with the reduced sodium chicken broth to the bread mixture. Stir gently until the bread is moistened but not soggy. Adjust broth quantity if necessary.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake the Stuffing: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake uncovered for about 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy, and the stuffing is heated through.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving as a perfect side dish for your holiday meal.
Notes
- Using day-old bread is essential to absorb the liquids well without becoming mushy.
- Substitute unsalted butter with olive oil for a slightly different flavor and dairy-free option.
- For a vegan version, replace eggs with flaxseed meal mixed with water and chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Feel free to add nuts like pecans or cranberries for texture and flavor variations.
- Adjust salt quantity carefully, especially when using table salt instead of kosher salt, as table salt is saltier.
