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Easy Bread Stuffing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 511 reviews

This easy bread stuffing recipe features a classic combination of fresh herbs, celery, onions, and bread cubes moistened with chicken broth. Optional add-ins like pecans and cranberries add delightful texture and flavor. Baked until golden and fragrant, this stuffing is perfect for holidays or any comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 stalks celery, sliced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh herbs (sage, rosemary finely chopped, thyme, parsley) or 2 teaspoons dry poultry seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 16 slices fresh bread cut into cubes (approx. 1 loaf)
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth (plus more as needed)

Optional Ingredients

  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • 1 cup cranberries (dried or fresh)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish or something similar to prevent sticking.
  2. Sauté Vegetables and Herbs: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the sliced celery and diced onions, cooking for 10-12 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the onions become translucent. Stir in the fresh herbs and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Combine with Bread: Remove the skillet from heat. If the skillet isn’t large enough to hold all the bread cubes, transfer the cooked vegetables and herbs mixture into a big bowl. Add the bread cubes and stir gently to combine.
  4. Add Broth and Optional Ingredients: Pour in one cup of chicken broth and mix. Slowly add the remaining broth ½ cup at a time until the stuffing is moist but not soggy, to your preference. If desired, fold in the chopped pecans and cranberries for added flavor and texture.
  5. Bake Stuffing: Transfer the stuffing mixture into the prepared casserole dish and cover it. Bake covered for about 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the top is golden and the stuffing is cooked through to your liking.
  6. Alternative Turkey-Stuffed Method: Optionally, stuff the dressing inside the turkey cavity and bake the turkey as usual. If some stuffing does not fit inside, put the leftover stuffing into a small greased casserole dish and bake it covered for 25 minutes, then uncovered for 15 minutes.

Notes

  • Use day-old or slightly stale bread for best texture; fresh bread can cause sogginess.
  • You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth to make it vegetarian-friendly, but moisture adjustment might be needed.
  • Adjust herbs to your preference; poultry seasoning works well if fresh herbs aren’t available.
  • For a crunchier topping, sprinkle additional bread crumbs or nuts before the last 20 minutes of baking uncovered.
  • Make ahead by assembling the stuffing a day before and refrigerating it; increase baking time slightly if cold from the fridge.

Keywords: bread stuffing, classic stuffing, holiday side dish, easy stuffing recipe, savory stuffing, pecan stuffing, cranberry stuffing

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/easy-bread-stuffing-recipe/