Thanksgiving Stuffing
This classic stuffing recipe combines crispy toasted bread with sautéed onions and celery, infused with fresh herbs, perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
Bread Preparation
- 1 pound bread (white bread, ciabatta, Italian, baguette, etc.) Bread should be torn or cut into bite-size pieces.
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) For sautéing the vegetables and greasing the pan.
- 1 large onion About 3 and 1/2 cups chopped.
- 2 cups celery Cut into 1/4 inch dice.
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley (chopped) Preferably Italian flat-leaf.
- 1/4 cup fresh sage (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (chopped very fine)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt Or 1 and 1/2 teaspoons table salt.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Base Mixture
- 2 cups high-quality chicken or turkey broth Plus 1/2 cup more if necessary.
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon butter (softened) For greasing the pan.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 250°F.
- Tear or cut the bread into bite-size pieces (about 1-2 inches), then spread them on a pan.
- Bake for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally until toasted but not brown.
- Chop the onion and celery into the specified sizes and set aside.
- Once the bread is toasted, preheat your oven to 350°F.
Cooking
- In a large skillet, melt 1 cup of butter over medium heat.
- Add the onions and celery, sauté until soft but not browned (about 7-10 minutes).
- In a bowl, combine the toasted bread, sautéed veggies, and herbs. Add 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper; stir well.
- In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups of broth and 2 eggs. Gradually pour this over the bread mixture, using your hands to blend without soaking the bread. Adjust with more broth if needed.
- Grease a 9x13 inch pan with softened butter, transfer the stuffing and spread evenly.
- Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25-35 minutes until browned and crispy.
Notes
Feel free to adjust the herbs according to your preferences; thyme can be substituted for dill or even oregano. Don't rush the toasting of bread as it enhances the overall texture and flavor of the stuffing. If you'd like a bit of crunch, you can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added depth.