You will want this easy Turkey Stuffing recipe with sage, thyme, and rosemary on your Thanksgiving table this year and every year after that!
Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without stuffing (or dressing!) for the turkey on the table. In either form, stuffing the turkey or baking it in the oven, turkey stuffing is an important part of any Thanksgiving meal.
I gave you my recipe for the savory Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and lots of fresh herbs last year. This year I wanted to go back to the basics and give you this quick and easy version.
I’ve heard from some of you that making homemade stuffing from scratch is a little intimidating. When I was younger, I felt the same way before I tried making my own turkey stuffing. I soon learned that it is one of the easiest things you can make! Promise!
Simple ingredients are all you need to make this classic turkey stuffing recipe! Here is a quick list of what goes into this tasty Thanksgiving side dish. See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
Turkey stuffing is a beloved staple that graces many holiday tables. Who doesn’t love those aromatic bites of turkey-flavored bread, onion, celery, and herbs? While we look forward to enjoying this side dish each year, not everyone understands what goes into making it. What exactly makes the stuffing taste so savory and delicious? Let’s explore the key components that give this Thanksgiving tradition its distinctive character.
The Bread Base
Bread forms the hearty base of turkey stuffing, giving it bulk and soaking up the surrounding flavors. Dry, somewhat stale bread works best to prevent a soggy texture. Sourdough, French bread, Italian bread, wheat bread, cornbread, and croutons can all be used. White bread makes traditional stuffing, but whole grain and multigrain varieties add extra texture and nutrition. The bread should be cut or torn into small cubes and left out to dry for a day or two before making the stuffing.
Onions and Celery
No stuffing would be complete without the aromatic contribution of onions and celery. When sautéed in butter, onions and celery provide a wonderful savory sweetness. Roughly chop one large onion and a few celery stalks to yield about 2 cups of each. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft and translucent. This builds incredible flavor depth.
Chicken or Turkey Stock
The right broth or stock ties everything together and moistens the bread cubes. Chicken stock is most common, but turkey stock can be used as well. Use about 1-2 cups of stock or broth to achieve a moist but not soggy consistency. The stock adds savoriness from the bones and aromatics used to make it.
Melted Butter
Butter plays a couple of key roles in turkey stuffing. First, it provides rich, irreplaceable flavor as the base for sautéing the vegetables Butter also helps keep the finished stuffing moist and luxurious. Melt a few tablespoons of high quality butter to start cooking the onions and celery
Fresh Herbs
No stuffing is complete without fresh herbs. Popular choices include sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, marjoram, and oregano. The herbs can be used dried or fresh. If fresh, add them toward the end to preserve their vibrant flavors. Herbs give stuffing its signature seasonal scent and taste.
Spices and Seasonings
Beyond just herbs, stuffing relies on spices for balanced, appetizing flavors. Salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, sage, and nutmeg are often used. The spices add layers of aroma and just the right savory notes. Go light on seasonings at first, then adjust to taste after mixing everything together.
Optional Enhancements
While the ingredients above form the base, many cooks add their own special touches. Common enhancements include:
- Diced apples or dried cranberries for pockets of sweetness
- Cooked sausage or bacon bits for hearty richness
- Pecans or walnuts for crunch
- Mushrooms or diced potatoes for additional textures
- An egg or two to bind the stuffing and make it less crumbly
Get creative and make the stuffing your own with flavors your guests will love!
Preparation Methods
There are several ways to prepare turkey stuffing:
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Baked as a casserole in the oven – This allows you to control the moisture and doneness.
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Stuffed inside the raw turkey cavity – Takes on flavor from the turkey juices but can dry out.
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Sautéed on the stovetop – Crispy top and bottom with a soft, moist center.
Whichever method you use, proper seasoning and cooking are key to achieving stellar turkey stuffing. With its integration of flavors and textures, great stuffing requires care and attention.
The Significance of Stuffing
Turkey stuffing holds a special place at Thanksgiving. The dish represents family bonds, cherished recipes handed down through generations, and fond memories around the table. Mothers teach their daughters how to prepare the Thanksgiving feast, imparting lessons on how to make the perfect stuffing. The shared effort of crafting this traditional side dish fosters connections.
Despite evolutions in recipes over the years, turkey stuffing remains an anchor of the classic Thanksgiving meal. The immediately recognizable blend of aromas reminds us of childhood holidays and time with loved ones. For many families, it just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the familiar sight and smell of steaming stuffing.
Choosing Top-Quality Ingredients
To make sensational turkey stuffing, it all starts with the best ingredients:
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Find an artisan bread with texture that won’t get too mushy as it absorbs the surrounding liquids.
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Look for firm, fresh onions and celery with bright, pronounced flavors.
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Use a flavorful chicken or turkey broth with a balanced savory taste.
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Opt for high quality butter instead of margarine or oil to achieve the richest flavors.
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Stick to dried herbs like sage and thyme to retain potency when baked.
With outstanding core ingredients and proper techniques, your turkey stuffing will become the stuff of legend at the holiday table. Pass down your recipe and cooking lessons to delight future generations with this cherished side!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best bread for turkey stuffing?
A French or Italian white bread works perfectly. The sturdy structure stands up well to absorbing liquid without getting mushy. Sourdough, wheat, or cornbread are other good options.
How much stuffing does a 10 lb turkey hold?
Figure about 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup stuffing per pound of turkey. So a 10 lb bird will hold 5 to 7 1⁄2 cups of stuffing. Adjust amounts for larger or smaller turkeys.
Should eggs be added to turkey stuffing?
Eggs are optional but can help bind stuffing for a less crumbly texture. 1-2 large eggs per batch is sufficient. Omit eggs for a looser, more bread-like stuffing.
How do you prevent dry or mushy stuffing?
Use very dry stale bread to prevent mushiness. Add broth gradually, tasting frequently, until desired moistness is reached. Avoid overpacking the turkey, which hinders moisture absorption. For optimal moisture control, cook stuffing separately.
What are some good add-ins for turkey stuffing?
Dried cranberries, raisins, sausage, pecans, mushrooms, diced apples, and potatoes are all tasty options. Get creative with your family’s favorites!
Conclusion
Turkey stuffing deliciously showcases how complementary ingredients like aromatic vegetables, savory stock, and fresh herbs combine to create a memorable dish. The preparation offers room for personal touches to tailor it to each family’s tastes. With quality components, proper seasoning, and care not to over-moisten, you can craft an exceptional stuffing recipe to pass down for generations to enjoy.
Best Bread For Stuffing
Using slightly old and dry bread will help the stuffing stay together better when baked with the other ingredients and keep it from getting soggy and mushy. It’s possible to make fresh bread from scratch for the stuffing, or you can buy a loaf of bread that weighs 1 pound. If you want good stuffing, you need to use bread that is at least a day old. We also bake the bread to make it even drier.
At least one day in advance, cut the bread into 1/2-inch cubes. Arrange on a baking sheet and allow to sit, uncovered on the counter, to dry out. When you’re ready to make the stuffing, put the baking sheet with the dried bread crumbs in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the bread starts to brown.
It is very helpful to do as much preparation as you can ahead of time when you are making a holiday meal. Here are some simple ways to save time on this stuffing by making it ahead of time!.
- Dry your bread out up to two weeks in advance. You don’t have to spend much time on this step, but since you want to use old bread, it’s best to do it ahead of time.
- Get your stuffing casserole ready and put it in a casserole dish. You can store it in the fridge for up to two days without baking it. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. When you’re ready to bake it, take it out of the fridge, uncover it, and bake it as directed in the recipe.
- Prepare the stuffing and put it in a disposable or aluminum baking dish if you want to make it more than two days ahead of time. Put plastic wrap and foil over the top and freeze for up to three months. If you are going to freeze this recipe, I don’t think you should put it in a glass or ceramic baking dish because it might break when you bake it. If you bake the stuffing from frozen, you will need to add more time.
Turkey Stuffing Variations and Additions
You can make this turkey stuffing recipe your own by changing a few things. You can make it your own by changing the herbs, adding things like sausage, walnuts, and cranberries, or leaving out the celery and onions. The possibilities are endless! To make stuffing without chicken, just use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You only need to know that this simple, traditional stuffing for turkey made with bread is easy to make and everyone loves it!
Yes, but make sure you use gluten-free bread and check all of your other ingredients to make sure they are also gluten-free.
Yes! See my steps above for making this stuffing recipe ahead of time.
Absolutely! This recipe can be doubled if you are serving a larger group or want to guarantee leftovers. Just be sure to use a larger baking dish.