1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Best Stuffing Recipe

Best Stuffing Recipe

Featured in Easy Family Meals.

Brought this stuffing to Thanksgiving and everyone wanted the recipe! Used good sourdough bread and lots of fresh herbs. The leeks made it taste extra special. Let the bread get really crispy before mixing everything together. People kept sneaking bites before dinner was ready. Had to make more for leftovers cause it disappeared so fast. Now my family says regular stuffing just isn't the same. Perfect mix of soft inside and crusty top bits.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Mina cooking in her kitchen
Updated on Thu, 09 Jan 2025 18:06:37 GMT
A wooden spoon stirs a mixture of toasted bread cubes, chopped celery, and herbs in a pot. Pin it
A wooden spoon stirs a mixture of toasted bread cubes, chopped celery, and herbs in a pot. | lastminrecipes.com

The Most Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing You'll Ever Make

I've perfected this Thanksgiving stuffing recipe over years of holiday cooking. It starts with crusty sourdough bread and gets loaded with tender leeks celery and fresh herbs all bathed in rich buttery broth. The top gets perfectly golden and crispy while staying wonderfully moist inside. My family says it's not Thanksgiving without this stuffing on the table.

Why This Thanksgiving Stuffing Always Gets Compliments

The magic of this stuffing comes from combining those classic holiday flavors with fresh ingredients that make everything pop. I love that I can prep it ahead so there's less stress on Thanksgiving day. Everyone asks for seconds and the recipe whenever I serve it at holiday gatherings.

Everything You Need

  • Crusty sourdough bread: Day old works best or pop fresh cubes in the oven to dry them out.
  • Butter: Don't skimp here it adds so much flavor.
  • Leeks: They add such a lovely sweet onion flavor.
  • Celery: For that classic stuffing crunch.
  • Fresh herbs: Sage rosemary thyme and parsley make it taste like the holidays.
  • Vegetable broth: Keeps everything moist and flavorful.
  • Eggs: Help hold everything together.
  • Garlic salt and pepper: Just enough to make all the flavors shine.

Let's Make Some Stuffing

Start With Your Bread
Tear your bread into chunks if using fresh dry them in the oven for about 15 minutes.
Cook Your Veggies
Melt your butter and cook those leeks celery and garlic until they're soft and fragrant.
Mix It All Up
Toss your bread with the veggies herbs and broth then mix in your eggs. Add more broth if needed everything should be nicely moistened.
Time to Bake
Put it all in your baking dish drizzle with butter and cover with foil. Bake until hot then uncover for that perfect crispy top.
A close-up of cooked bread cubes mingled with chopped celery and herbs in a dark pot. Pin it
A close-up of cooked bread cubes mingled with chopped celery and herbs in a dark pot. | lastminrecipes.com

My Thanksgiving Stuffing Secrets

Stale bread is your friend here it soaks up all those amazing flavors without getting mushy. If you want that picture perfect golden top make sure to uncover it for the last bit of baking. This recipe doubles easily for bigger gatherings and the leftovers might be even better the next day.

Plan Ahead Tips

You can get this Thanksgiving stuffing ready a day before just keep it in the fridge until you're ready to bake. Leftovers stay good for about three days. When you reheat it add a splash of broth to keep it moist and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why use day-old bread?

Stale bread absorbs liquids better without getting mushy, creating the perfect stuffing texture.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, prepare everything up to baking, cover with foil, and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.

→ Why toast fresh bread?

If your bread isn't stale, toasting helps dry it out so it can better absorb the flavors without getting soggy.

→ Can I use different herbs?

While sage, parsley, rosemary, and thyme create classic flavor, you can adjust herbs to your taste.

→ How do I know if I need more broth?

The bread should feel quite wet but not swimming in liquid. Add more broth if the mixture feels dry.

Best Stuffing Recipe

A classic sourdough bread stuffing loaded with leeks, celery, and fresh herbs. Made with day-old bread for the perfect texture.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Mina

Category: Family Dinners

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 dish)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 pound sourdough bread, day-old.
02 1/2 cup salted butter, plus 1 tablespoon melted.
03 2 leeks, sliced (2 cups).
04 4 celery stalks, diced (1¾ cups).
05 3 garlic cloves, chopped.
06 3/4 teaspoon sea salt.
07 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
08 1/4 cup fresh sage, chopped.
09 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped.
10 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped.
11 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves.
12 1½ to 2 cups vegetable broth.
13 2 large eggs, beaten.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F and grease baking dish.

Step 02

Tear bread into 1-inch pieces.

Step 03

Melt butter in skillet over medium heat, cook leeks, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper for 5 minutes.

Step 04

Pour vegetables over bread, add herbs and toss well.

Step 05

Pour in 1½ cups broth, toss to coat, and mix in beaten eggs.

Step 06

Add remaining broth if needed.

Step 07

Transfer to baking dish and drizzle with melted butter.

Step 08

Bake covered for 30 minutes, uncover and bake 5-10 minutes more if needed.

Notes

  1. Use crusty sourdough, not sandwich bread.
  2. Toast fresh bread 10-15 minutes if not stale.
  3. Can prepare ahead and refrigerate before baking.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 baking dish.
  • Large skillet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter).
  • Wheat (bread).
  • Eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 280
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 32 g
  • Protein: 8 g