This Is The Only Stuffing Recipe You'll Ever Need (2024)

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Ingredients Directions FAQs

The best stuffing can mean something different to everyone, but here at Delish, this recipe is our perfect version of the Thanksgiving side. Let’s also clarify that when we say stuffing, we’re actually referring to dressing. Traditional stuffing should be stuffed inside the turkey and cooked in there, but that isn’t the ideal or even recommended way to cook your Thanksgiving turkey (or stuffing). We’ve found that you’ll achieve much better results by cooking them separately. By cooking your stuffing in a baking dish, you get crunchy, buttery pieces of bread on top and soft, bread pudding-esque pieces underneath.

Keep reading on for all of our top tips on how to perfect this side, and refer to our article on how to make the best stuffing of your life for even more of our golden rules:

The best bread for stuffing:
Our ideal stuffing is made with a crusty loaf of sourdough. The bread holds up well with all of the liquid and dries out beautifully to get the best results. Brioche is another option that will give stuffing a bit of a sweetness, which adds a nice balance to the heavy savory seasoning. If you’re looking to get a bit creative, cornbread stuffing (or our gnocchi stuffing 😉) is another great option.

How to make the best stuffing:
Do I have to use day-old bread? We want to use a dry loaf of bread here so it can soak up all of the added liquid we put into this dish. To achieve this, many recipes will call for using one or two-day-old bread that's grown stale. While you can follow that method, if you're in a pinch, you can also dry out your bread the day of. Simply bake your bread pieces, tossing halfway through, until the edges are just starting to turn golden, and the pieces feel dry and crispy.
Can I add meat to the stuffing? Sure! We debated adding Italian sausage to our stuffing recipe, but wanted to keep it as classic and simple as possible (checkout our sausage stuffing if that's more your thing). A few links of cooked hot or sweet Italian sausage crumbled in would amplify your stuffing and help the side serve even more people.
The key to a crispy top. Our ideal stuffing has crunchy, crispy top pieces and a soft middle. To achieve this, we suggest covering your stuffing at first while baking, for around 20 minutes. After, uncover and continue to bake until the top is that gorgeous golden-brown color and has a crisp texture, around 25 to 30 minutes more.

Can I make the stuffing ahead of time?
Stuffing is a great Thanksgiving side to prep ahead of time. The bread can be toasted up to 3 days ahead of time; once cooled, store it in an airtight container. You can also assemble your stuffing right before being baked and keep covered in the refrigerator overnight. If you're looking for more of a hands-off approach on the big day, checkout our crockpot stuffing.

How do I store leftover stuffing?
Keep any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the oven at 350° until crisp and warmed through. Looking for leftover ideas? Our Thanksgiving leftovers casserole and Thanksgiving potato skins are here for you.

Made this classic recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

Yields:
10 - 12 serving(s)
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Cal/Serv:
245

Ingredients

  • 2 lb.

    crusty country bread (about 2 loaves), preferably sourdough, cut into 1 1/2" pieces

  • 6 tbsp.

    unsalted butter, divided, plus more for dish

  • 1

    large yellow onion, chopped

  • 2

    medium leeks, tough outer layer removed,thinly sliced into half-moons

  • 4

    cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • 2

    large eggs

  • 2 1/2 c.

    low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 1/2 c.

    whole milk

  • 2 tbsp.

    mixed chopped fresh herbs, such as sage, rosemary, and/or thyme

  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

    1. Step1Preheat oven to 350°. Spread bread between 2 baking sheets. Bake bread, tossing halfway through, until crispy and feels dry and the edges are just starting to turn golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
    2. Step2Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Cook onion and leeks, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more; season with salt and black pepper. Let cool slightly.
    3. Step3In a medium bowl or large glass measuring cup, whisk eggs, broth, milk, herbs, and red pepper; generously season with salt and black pepper.
    4. Step4Increase oven temperature to 375°. Grease a 13" x 9" baking dish with a thin layer of butter.
    5. Step5Transfer bread to a very large bowl. Add onion mixture and egg mixture and toss to combine. Let sit at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour.
    6. Step6Transfer bread mixture to prepared dish and spread in an even layer, making sure all liquid makes it into dish. Cut remaining 3 tablespoons butter into small pieces and dot over top. Cover with foil.
    7. Step7Bake stuffing 20 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until top is golden brown and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes more. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This Is The Only Stuffing Recipe You'll Ever Need (2)

This Is The Only Stuffing Recipe You'll Ever Need (4)

This Is The Only Stuffing Recipe You'll Ever Need (2024)

FAQs

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

Some people insist that it should be called dressing when it hasn't actually been stuffed inside a bird. But many people insist on one term or the other regardless of how it's prepared or what's in it. The term dressing is most commonly used in the South, but it's popular in pockets throughout the US.

In what did recipes did people originally use stuffing? ›

The earliest documentary evidence is the Roman cookbook, Apicius De Re Coquinaria, which contains recipes for stuffed chicken, dormouse, hare, and pig. Most of the stuffings described consist of vegetables, herbs and spices, nuts, and spelt (a cereal), and frequently contain chopped liver, brains, and other organ meat.

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Classic stuffing made with bread cubes, seasonings, and held together with chicken stock and eggs. A holiday staple!

What do the French call stuffing? ›

The word “stuffing” dates back to 14th Century English, when it was used synonymously with the more uncomfortable sounding forcemeat. Soon after, Anglos borrowed the slicker French word, farce (from the Latin verb facire or “to stuff”).

What is stuffing called in the South? ›

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.

Did Stove Top Stuffing exist? ›

Stove Top is a stuffing that was introduced by General Foods in 1972.

Why use day old bread for stuffing? ›

dry!" The reason for this is that stale or dry bread will hold up better after cooking and keep its texture even after adding your broth or liquid. If you use soft, fresh bread, you'll ultimately wind up with a soggy, mushy stuffing. So, how do you dry bread for stuffing? There are two ways to go about it.

Who invented cornbread stuffing? ›

African American Heritage

The earliest ancestor of cornbread dressing as we know it is a dish called “kush.” Food writer and historian Michael Twitty says the word hails from Islamic West Africa and is related to the term “couscous,” a popular dish made from tiny balls of grains like semolina wheat or millet.

Is it better to make stuffing with fresh or dry bread? ›

Any attempts to make stuffing with soft, fresh baked bread will result in a bread soup with a soggy texture. Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing.

Is it better to make stuffing with fresh or stale bread? ›

To achieve the necessary texture for a stuffing or bread pudding recipe, you'll need to dry or stale your bread beforehand.

What is the flat bread with pocket that is perfect for stuffing called? ›

Pita bread, also known as Arabic bread, Syrian bread, or pocket bread, is a round flatbread that is typically made from wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt. Its unique feature is the pocket that forms when baked, making it perfect for stuffing with all sorts of fillings.

Should eggs go in stuffing? ›

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. Seasonings: This turkey dressing recipe is seasoned with salt, pepper, rubbed sage, and garlic powder.

What is British stuffing made of? ›

Stuffing consists of a mixture of savoury ingredients such as breadcrumbs, herbs, fruit, nuts, sausagemeat and onion which are bound together with egg or liquid to form a semi-solid mixture. It is usually cooked with roast meat such as chicken, pork or lamb and is served as an accompaniment to the sliced, cooked meat.

Does stuffing need eggs? ›

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).

Does stuffing have to go in the turkey? ›

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.

What is dressing vs stuffing? ›

"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.

Why is it called dressing instead of stuffing? ›

The term dressing, per the History Channel, originated around the 1850s, when the Victorians deemed stuffing too crude for the dish to be named. This happened around the same time that the term “dark meat” began to refer to chicken legs and thighs.

Do they have stuffing in America? ›

Variations abound, and they venture well beyond the choice of breads — white, corn or Pepperidge Farm — and even beyond such decisions as whether to add oysters or giblets. Americans can't even agree on a name or preparation: Some call it stuffing and bake it inside the turkey (except when they don't).

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