Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (2024)

41K Shares

Jump to Recipe

This traditional bread stuffing recipe made from white sandwich bread is guaranteed to be a hit this Thanksgiving!

It’s a simple yet flavorful recipe that is made with basic ingredients.

Serve it alongside other classic Thanksgiving foods such as baked ham and green beans.

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (1)

Who else agrees that holiday recipes are the best?

I guess it’s because it’s food that we only eat once or twice during the year.

Another one of my favorite recipes from Thanksgiving is the gravy.

I put that stuff on everything! On my mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, everything!

I don’t have my Nana’s gravy recipe but I found another delicious one from Restless Chipotle.

This stuffing recipe is inspired by my Nana.

It’s very hard to get an exact recipe from her.

If you ask her for one she’ll just say some of this and some of that which isn’t always helpful.

So a few years ago I decided to watch her make it and even then I couldn’t get exact measurements!

I guess she doesn’t need them since she’s been making the same stuffing for decades now.

Thankfully the recipe I’m sharing today taste just as good as hers.

What is traditional stuffing made of?

  • white bread loaves
  • celery
  • yellow onion
  • poultry seasoning
  • chicken broth
  • butter
  • salt
  • pepper

Can I use white sandwich bread for stuffing?

Yes, and in my opinion it is the best kind of bread to use as it has a light flavor that won’t over power the other flavors. Aside from that it’s also the most readily available bread.

What is the key to good stuffing?

I think the key to good stuffing is all about balance.

The stuffing shouldn’t be soft and mushy nor dry and crunchy.

Nor should one of the seasonings used be the dominate flavor.

All the ingredients should work together to compliment each other.

How to make traditional bread stuffing

Chop the onion and celery.

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (2)

Now melt the butter in a skillet

Then add celery and saute until it is softened. About 8 minutes.

Once the celery is soft add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Saute until onions are translucent.

Turn the heat off and set aside the celery and onion mixture.

Preheat the oven to 350. Now we are going to toast the bread.

Tear the bread into pieces and place on a baking sheet.

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (6)

Bake for about 10 min or until the bread is toasted.

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (7)

You may have to do this in two batches. Or you can use two baking sheets.

Not every piece has to get toasted.

I usually just let the top layer get toasted and leave the bread on the bottom a little soft.

After toasting place the bread pieces in a large bowl or two if all the bread doesn’t fit.

Pour the celery, onion, and butter mixture over the bread. Next spread the poultry seasoning evenly over the bread.

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (9)

Season with more salt and pepper.

Add the chicken broth and mix everything together really well with your hands.

Transfer the bread over to a baking dish and shape into a loaf.

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (10)

Cover it with foil and bake for about 35-40 min on 350.

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (11)

When done it will be a nice brown color.

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (12)

Isn’t the bread supposed to be stale?

No, it definitely doesn’t have to be. I know a lot of people use stale bread but my nana never has.

While I do like to toast my bread she just uses the bread straight from the bag and it’s always good.

If you prefer a drier stuffing you can always toast the bread a little longer and in a single layer.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs?

For this recipe I’ve found that it really doesn’t matter.

My grandmother does actually use an egg or two in her stuffing.

I however don’t find it necessary to use. I’ve made it both ways and couldn’t tell the difference.

Old fashioned bread stuffing recipe

You’ve got to try this delicious old fashioned traditional bread stuffing this Thanksgiving!

I find this to be a rather uncomplicated and simple recipe compared to other stuffing recipes out there.

While it may be easier and simpler compared to others it is by far the best stuffing I’ve ever tried.

A good Thanksgiving stuffing recipe doesn’t need to have a long list of ingredients.

It just needs the right ingredients.

And this recipe has just that.

It would not be Thanksgiving without this stuffing on our plates.

I’d love to hear what you think of this recipe in the comments below and don’t forget to leave it a rating!

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (13)

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (14)

4.18 from 73 votes

Print

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe

This is an easy and delicious traditional bread stuffing recipe that everyone will love!

CourseThanksgiving

CuisineAmerican

Keywordold fashioned stuffing, stuffing with white sandwich bread, traditional bread stuffing

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Servings 10 servings

Calories 47 kcal

Author Carissa

Ingredients

  • (3) 20ozloaves of bread(torn into pieces)
  • 6celery ribschopped
  • 1yellow oniondiced
  • 1 3/4tsppoultry seasoning
  • 32ozof chicken broth
  • 2sticks of butter
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Melt two sticks of butter in a skillet over medium heat.

  2. Add celery and saute until soft about 8-10 min.

  3. Add onion to the skillet and cook until translucent and season with salt and pepper.remove from heat.

  4. Preheat oven to 350.

  5. Place torn bread pieces on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 min or until bread is toasted. Use two baking sheets if needed.

  6. After toasting place the bread pieces in a large bowl or two if all the bread doesn't fit.

  7. Pour celery, onion, and butter mixture over the bread.

  8. Sprinkle the poultry seasoning evenly over the bread.

  9. Season with salt and pepper.

  10. Slowly add in the chicken broth while you mix everything together with your hand.

  11. Make sure there are no dry pieces of bread, everything should be moist.

  12. Transfer bread mixture to a casserole dish and cover with foil and bake at 350 for 35-40 min.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 47Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Sodium 91mg4%

Potassium 171mg5%

Carbohydrates 7g2%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 115IU2%

Vitamin C 1.6mg2%

Calcium 30mg3%

Iron 0.6mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

41K Shares

Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional stuffing made of bread? ›

BREAD STUFFING INGREDIENTS

Classic dried bread cubes, butter, celery, onion, herbs, and chicken broth or chicken stock is all you need for this moist bread stuffing. The recipe itself is very basic, but make no mistake, it does not skimp on flavor, presentation, sturdiness, or everything Thanksgiving.

Should I put an egg in my stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

How many days old should bread be for stuffing? ›

If you don't want to take up space in the oven, you can always leave the bread out on the counter to dry. A day or two before you assemble your stuffing, cut the bread into cubes. Then, lay the cubes onto sheet pans and let them dry out at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours.

What is the best bread to dry for stuffing? ›

You can use any kind; store-bought white bread works well and would probably be my #1 suggestion for stuffing. You could also try using cut up dinner rolls, sourdough bread (actually this would be my personal first pick), challah, or anything else you want to experiment with.

How to keep stuffing moist when baking? ›

I butter a covered casserole dish, load the stuffing in, put the cover on and bake it alongside the roaster. I use about a quarter to a half cup of chicken stock to make up for the pan juices this batch would be missing. You could mix that with a little white wine if desired.

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.

Are you supposed to cook the stuffing before putting it in? ›

Fully cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood ingredients before adding to stuffing. Combine the ingredients and place them in your bird immediately before cooking. Don't stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. In addition to the turkey, the stuffing's center needs to reach 165 F.

How soggy should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Why is my stuffing always mushy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

Can I eat 2 week old stuffing? ›

Stuffing/dressing: If stored properly in the fridge, stuffing or dressing is good to eat up to three to four days after you cooked it. But it'll last about a month in the freezer.

Is it better to make stuffing the day before? ›

Just mix the stuffing ingredients together and store in the fridge, freeing up time and reducing stress on Thanksgiving Day, when you're dealing with all the other prep! Try make-ahead stuffing this Thanksgiving to save time and oven space. Who doesn't love a low-maintenance side dish?

Should you toast bread for stuffing? ›

It's okay if the bread gets slightly toasted—that caramelization is just going to add a little more toasty flavor to your stuffing.

What is bread stuffing called? ›

Stuffing and dressing are commonly used as different names for the same thing—a dish consisting of bits of bread (or other starchy things) and various seasonings.

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

Pita bread is the perfect, soft, fluffy companion for dozens of meals and cuisines. Pita bread is simple to make and requires just a few, staple ingredients. This naturally vegan flatbread is great for dipping into hummus, adorning mezze platters, wrapping a gyro sandwich, or sopping up warm, spiced soups and stews.

What is a good bread for diabetics? ›

Unlike refined white bread, which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, whole grain, and whole wheat bread contain complex carbohydrates and fiber. These components slow down glucose absorption, leading to a more gradual and steady rise in blood sugar, making them a better choice for individuals with diabetes.

What was stuffing originally made of? ›

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 Thanksgiving stuffing made of? ›

The BEST traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is easy to make dried bread cubes, sausage, diced vegetables, and chicken broth. It's a great side dish to make ahead of time and it definitely tastes best homemade! Pair this easy homemade stuffing with our popular turkey recipe, homemade rolls, and Thanksgiving pie.

Is cornbread the same as traditional stuffing? ›

Dressing and stuffing are staples of a Thanksgiving dinner. While dressing is more of a Southern affair, stuffing is a Northern spin on the dish. The significant difference between the two is the bread. Dressing is made from cornbread, and stuffing is made from other breads.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 6575

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.