Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (2024)

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by Kara Cook 10 Comments

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Sage Stuffing Recipe . . . this herb stuffing has been a family tradition for decades. It is simple and delicious!

Homemade is definitely a must at our house for Thanksgiving. Yummy rolls, homemade stuffing, and garlic mashed potatoes are on our table every year!

Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (1)Sage Stuffing Recipe (for Turkey)

Stuffing is one of those dishes that we eat only at Thanksgiving. My mom has been making the same stuffing since I was a little girl. It’s a tradition, so we never change it up.

The strange thing is, even though I’ve eaten it dozens of times, I had never actually made it before. I didn’t even have a recipe for stuffing. Crazy, right? Well, now I have the recipe, and I’m sharing it here so I’ll never lose it. 🙂



When I got together last week with four local food bloggers for a Thanksgiving dinner, (which I will be sharing tomorrow!), I was assigned the stuffing. So I promptly called my mom and got her recipe for herb stuffing.

Turns out, making homemade stuffing is a cinch! If you’ve never made it before, you should give it a try. So much better than the stuff that comes in a box!

Now I must tell you that I am not a fan of wet bread. This stuffing is pretty dry. . . as in it doesn’t clump together. If you like a more wet stuffing, you can add a little chicken broth with the melted butter. We can still be friends. We have always had it with sage, but you can feel free to use thyme, marjoram, or any other herb that your family likes.

How to make Sage Stuffing

  1. Start by cubing your bread. Sometimes you can find pre-cubed bread at your local bakery, that works fine too. Sprinkle the seasonings evenly over the bread cubes and set aside.
  2. Saute the onion and celery in melted butter till they are barely tender. Drizzle the mixture slowly over the bread, stirring often to coat evenly.
  3. Pour the stuffing into a casserole dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350° for about 20 minutes.

More Thanksgiving recipes:

  • Creamy Cranberry Salad
  • Banana Cream Pie
  • Sesame Green Beans
  • Homemade Fruit co*cktail
  • Sweet Glazed Carrots

Recipe for Bread Stuffing with Sage

Yield: 16 servings

Easy Thanksgiving Sage Stuffing Recipe

Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (5)

Simple homemade stuffing recipe with celery, onions, and sage.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time30 minutes

Total Time40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup finely diced onion
  • 1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery
  • 12 cups cubed bread- I use French bread
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 Tbsp dry sage

Instructions

  1. Cube your bread and place it in a very large bowl. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and sage over the bread cubes. Make sure you stir as you add the seasonings so they will cover the bread evenly!
  2. Melt butter in a skillet or large saucepan. Add onion and celery and cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes or till veggies are barely tender.
  3. Slowly drizzle the melted butter mixture over the seasoned bread, stirring often so the butter covers evenly. Make sure mixture is well combined.
  4. Pour into one large or two smaller casserole dishes or pans. Cover with foil and bake at 350° for about 20 minutes, or till heated through.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 200Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 348mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 3g

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment below and pin the recipe to Pinterest!

Enjoy!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (7)Krissy Allori

    I might have to try this stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner this year! Looks so good!

    Reply

  2. Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (8)Kim

    I was surprised to learn it’s so easy to make too! And we also only have it at Thanksgiving…. why is that?

    Reply

  3. Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (9)Bree

    Looks like a very moist and scrumptious stuffing! Definitely trying this one out!

    Reply

  4. Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (10)Emily Hill

    I need an easy homemade stuffing recipe for hosting Thanksgiving and this looks like a keeper! Thank you! Totally pinning. 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (11)Kara Cook

      You’re welcome. Hope your family enjoys it!

      Reply

  5. Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (12)Kimberly

    I love stuffing and nothing beats homemade!

    Reply

    • Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (13)Kara Cook

      You are so right, homemade is the best, especially over the holidays!

      Reply

  6. Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (14)Pam Walker

    This is so simaler to my dad’s recipe, but dad took the neck and everything else that was in the turkey and boiled it down. Using the butter and flavorings from neck and things poured it over bagged stuffing. (Chopped onion, celery. Plus spice.)Stuffed the turkey and cooked the rest

    Reply

    • Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (15)Kara Cook

      His version sounds delicious as well!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Thanksgiving stuffing recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Turkey stuffing was popularized in the early days of Thanksgiving, as it is written in many 16th-century Boston area documents. Stuffing most often uses dried bread, herbs, and vegetables that are reconstituted with liquid, stuffed into the turkey cavity, and baked until it is firm and finished cooking.

What's the difference between stuffing and dressing for Thanksgiving? ›

"Stuffing is cooked in the cavity of the turkey, so the juices soak into the ingredients, making it more flavorful. Dressing gets cooked on its own and needs extra liquid to make it flavorful." So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.

Is it better to make stuffing the day before Thanksgiving? ›

Absolutely. Most Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made at least partially in advance since: A) They're easily assembled a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving Day; and B) They're often baked using a two-step process (once covered with foil to cook through, then uncovered to achieve a crispy top).

Should I put an egg in my stuffing? ›

The most important ingredient of stuffing may be the binder, which keeps all the other elements in place. For a fluffy texture, use eggs. Stock is the most-used binder. Less conventional possibilities include fruit juice (such as apple or orange) and alcohol (wine or liqueur).

Is it better to stuff the turkey or make the stuffing on the side? ›

Should I stuff my turkey? Stuffing cooked inside the turkey cavities is delicious, but it does slow down the cooking time and could be a potential health hazard if done incorrectly. For perfect no-worry results, opt for "dressing" instead – stuffing cooked alongside the bird instead of inside.

Why put eggs in turkey stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

What's the difference between stuffing and filling? ›

Although most people in America debate on whether the dish should be called stuffing or dressing the people of Pennsylvania call it filling. Essentially filling is the same as stuffing or dressing. The name suggests that it will fill something like stuffing does.

What bread is best for stuffing? ›

The best bread for stuffing is a sturdy loaf with a tight crumb. Bakery French bread, Italian bread, Challah, and Sourdough are all good choices. When you cut up a 1-pound loaf into cubes, it should fit in an even layer on a single half-size rimmed baking sheet.

What is the difference between stuffing and dressing black folks? ›

The stuffing mixture may be cooked separately and served as a side dish, in which case it may still be called 'stuffing', or in some regions, such as the Southern US, 'dressing'. This is from Wiki. Basically, everyone except a tiny percentage of Black people with family in Alabama calls it stuffing.

What do southerners call stuffing? ›

But for the Thanksgiving side dish in the South, the term dressing was adopted in place of stuffing, which was viewed as a crude term, during the Victorian era. Although dressing and stuffing are interchangeable terms, the signature ingredient of this Thanksgiving side dish in the South is cornbread.

What is stuffing called when it's not in a turkey? ›

Stuffing and dressing are commonly used as different names for the same thing—a dish consisting of bits of bread (or other starchy things) and various seasonings. The dish can be made by stuffing it (hence the name) inside a turkey or other bird that will be roasted, or by baking or cooking it separately.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing. Why? Remember, stuffing can harbor bacteria, and though bacteria grow slower in the refrigerator they can cause problems because stuffing is a good medium for bacteria growth, therefore a higher risk food in terms of cooking safely.

Can you prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate? ›

Do not refrigerate uncooked stuffing. If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.

How soggy should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Is homemade stuffing better than boxed? ›

The Foodie picked: Homemade. "The texture of the homemade is really superior, mostly moist and tender but with those crispy, crunchy, buttery edges, almost like French toast.

Is Trader Joe's stuffing good? ›

This stuffing held together pretty decently. The flavor was also good. This is very good dressing. I added celery and onion plus a little bit of sage.

Does pepperidge farm stuffing mix go bad? ›

Sometimes expiration dates need to be taken seriously, and sometimes food is safe to eat passed that date. If you mean the kind you buy in the store dry (such a Pepperidge Farm, no, it does not. It will last practically forever.

Do you cook stuffing before putting it in the turkey? ›

Fully cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood ingredients before adding to stuffing. Combine the ingredients and place them in your bird immediately before cooking. Don't stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. In addition to the turkey, the stuffing's center needs to reach 165 F.

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