The smell of buttery bread and fresh herbs always takes me straight back to Christmas mornings. There’s something grounding about homemade stuffing — warm, soft inside, and crisp around the edges. This homemade stuffing recipe is simple, cozy, and brings everyone to the table with that unmistakable holiday comfort.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Stuffing
This homemade stuffing recipe is a timeless classic. It has a golden, crispy top and a soft, buttery center that tastes like the holidays. You’ll love it because it uses real butter, quality bread, and fresh herbs that fill your kitchen with the best aroma. It’s easy to make ahead, doubles perfectly for big gatherings, and reheats like a dream for leftovers the next day.
What You’ll Need (Ingredients)
You’ll need:
- Cubed stale or oven-dried bread
- Butter, onion, and celery
- Fresh herbs like sage, parsley, and marjoram
- Eggs and broth to bind everything together
Choosing the Right Bread
Thick-cut, hearty bread is key here. Use brands like Sara Lee Artesano or Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse. The bread must be slightly dry so it soaks up the butter and broth without turning soggy.
How to Make Bread Cubes
You have two ways to get that perfect stale texture.
- Air-dry: Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and leave uncovered overnight.
- Oven-dry: Bake at 250°F for 30 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes, until crisp and dry.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Homemade Stuffing
- Prepare Bread Cubes – Start with completely dried bread cubes. They should feel firm, not soft.
- Butter the Baking Dish – Coat your 9×9 pan generously with butter.
- Sauté Vegetables – Melt ¾ cup butter in a skillet. Add chopped onion and celery. Cook over medium heat for 20–30 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings – Turn off the heat. Stir in salt, black pepper, poultry seasoning, marjoram, chopped sage, and parsley. The scent here is amazing.
- Mix Liquids – In a small bowl, whisk the eggs and chicken broth until smooth.
- Combine Everything – In a large bowl, add the bread cubes. Pour the onion mixture and egg mixture on top. Stir until the bread soaks up all the flavor.
- Bake – Transfer to the prepared pan. Dot the top with small cubes of butter. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F. Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes. For an extra crisp top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
Tip: For the best golden top, use a light drizzle of melted butter before broiling. It adds that extra crunch everyone loves.
Doubling the Recipe
Feeding a crowd? This recipe doubles perfectly. Use a 9×13 or 10×15 dish and bake for the same amount of time. It still comes out golden and perfect every time.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days. When reheating, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 325°F until hot. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave. Add a pat of butter before reheating to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Homemade Stuffing Recipe Card
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Homemade Stuffing Recipe | Ultimate Holiday Favorite
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
Description
Homemade Stuffing that tastes like the holidays. Buttery cubes of hearty bread soak up savory herbs, onion, and celery. The center stays soft and tender while the top turns golden and crisp. Simple steps, make ahead friendly, and perfect for Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
12 cups stale white bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (about 1 lb 4 oz), hearty thick cut like Sara Lee Artesano or Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse
3/4 cup salted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for topping
1 large yellow or white onion, chopped
2 cups celery, chopped, leaves included
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
3 tablespoons heaping fresh sage, chopped
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 large eggs
1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
Instructions
1. Prep the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9×9 inch baking dish.</p}
2. Dry the bread completely. Air dry overnight or oven dry at 250°F for about 30 minutes, tossing every 5 to 10 minutes.</p}
3. Melt 3/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery. Cook 20 to 30 minutes until very tender.</p}
4. Turn off the heat. Stir in salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, marjoram, sage, and parsley.</p}
5. In a bowl, whisk eggs and broth until smooth.</p}
6. Add bread cubes to a large bowl. Pour in the skillet mixture and the egg mixture. Stir until the bread absorbs the liquid.</p}
7. Spread into the buttered dish. Cube the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and dot over the top.</p}
8. Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes.</p}
9. Remove foil. Bake 15 minutes more. For extra crisp, broil 1 to 2 minutes while watching closely.</p}
Notes
For best texture, dry the bread fully to avoid soggy stuffing.
Eggs help the stuffing hold together while staying soft inside.
Fresh herbs bring classic flavor. Use both sage and parsley for balance.
To double, use a 9×13 or 10×15 inch dish and keep the same bake time.
Store leftovers up to 5 days in the fridge. Reheat covered in the oven or in the microwave. Add a small pat of butter to refresh.
Optional add ins: a handful of chopped celery leaves, extra sage, or a splash more broth if the mixture looks too dry before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Christmas Dinner Ideas
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
More Such Recipes
If you’re building your holiday menu, try pairing this homemade stuffing with these delicious recipes:
- Easy dinner roll recipe without yeast
- Southern-style potato salad for holiday meals
- Super flavorful gravy without drippings
- The best cherry pie for your holiday table
- Classic fried green tomatoes recipe
- Red, white, and blue cheesecake bars dessert idea
FAQ: Homemade Stuffing
Q1: Can I make stuffing ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it up to one day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
Q2: Can I use broth instead of stock?
Absolutely. Chicken or vegetable broth both work well. Stock just adds a deeper flavor.
Q3: How do I make it vegetarian?
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. If needed, use plant-based butter to keep it dairy-free.
Final Thoughts
Homemade stuffing brings warmth and nostalgia to any holiday table. It’s buttery, herby, and comforting in every bite. Once you try making it from scratch, boxed versions won’t compare. Play around with your favorite herbs, or swap in sourdough for a twist. However you make it, this dish always tastes like home.
For more festive recipes and cooking inspiration, visit Kai Recipes on Pinterest or follow along on Facebook.