Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing is everything you want in a holiday side dish—flavorful, comforting, and aromatic. The combination of sautéed onions, celery, and herbs, along with the richness of butter and broth, gives the stuffing its signature savory taste. The bread cubes soak up the flavors beautifully, and when baked inside the turkey, the stuffing gets a crispy, golden top with a soft and flavorful interior. It’s the perfect side to complement your turkey and other Thanksgiving favorites. The best part? It’s a recipe that will make your house smell like Thanksgiving as it bakes!
Ingredients
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1 loaf of day-old bread (white or whole wheat), cubed
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½ cup unsalted butter
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1 large onion, diced
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3 celery stalks, diced
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 ½ cups chicken or turkey broth
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1 tsp dried sage
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1 tsp dried thyme
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½ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
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1 large egg, beaten
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Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you’re baking the stuffing outside the turkey, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread, sautéed onion, celery, and garlic mixture. Add the dried sage, thyme, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
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Pour the chicken or turkey broth over the bread mixture, and stir to ensure the bread cubes are evenly moistened.
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Add the beaten egg to the mixture and mix until everything is well incorporated.
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If you’re stuffing the turkey, carefully spoon the mixture into the turkey cavity, making sure not to pack it too tightly. If baking separately, transfer the stuffing to the prepared baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.
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If baking outside the turkey, bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy.
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If baking inside the turkey, roast according to the turkey’s cooking instructions, ensuring the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Let the stuffing rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 8-10
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Prep time: 15 minutes
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Cook time: 30 minutes (if baked outside the turkey)
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Total time: 45 minutes (outside the turkey) or as long as your turkey requires (inside the turkey)
Variations
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Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, simply use vegetable broth in place of chicken or turkey broth.
- Herb Variations: Feel free to experiment with other herbs like rosemary or marjoram to enhance the flavor.
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Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free version of this stuffing.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Freezing: You can freeze the stuffing for up to 1 month. To freeze, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Reheating: To reheat, place the stuffing in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. If frozen, allow it to thaw overnight and then reheat.
FAQs
1. Can I prepare the stuffing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the stuffing a day ahead. Simply assemble it up until the point of baking, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake it the next day as directed.
2. Should I stuff the turkey with the stuffing?
You can stuff the turkey with this stuffing, but ensure that the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety. If you’re stuffing the turkey, make sure not to pack it too tightly to allow for even cooking.
3. Can I make this stuffing gluten-free?
Yes, just use gluten-free bread in place of regular bread. The rest of the recipe remains the same.
4. Can I bake this stuffing without a turkey?
Absolutely! You can bake the stuffing in a casserole dish outside of the turkey. It will bake to a golden, crispy top and be just as delicious.
5. How do I keep the stuffing moist?
Be sure to add enough broth to the bread mixture so that it is moist but not too soggy. If the stuffing is too dry before baking, you can add a little more broth to achieve the desired consistency.
6. Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes, you can use fresh herbs if you prefer. For this recipe, use about three times the amount of fresh herbs as the dried variety (for example, 1 tbsp fresh sage for 1 tsp dried).
7. How do I know when the stuffing is done?
If you’re cooking the stuffing outside the turkey, it’s done when the top is golden brown and crispy. If it’s stuffed inside the turkey, check the internal temperature to make sure it has reached 165°F (74°C).
8. Can I make this stuffing in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make stuffing in a slow cooker. Simply place the prepared stuffing mixture in the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
9. Can I make this stuffing without eggs?
Yes, you can omit the egg or substitute it with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes) if you want to make it egg-free.
Conclusion
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing is a tried-and-true classic that brings the flavors of the season together in a dish that’s warm, savory, and comforting. Whether stuffed inside the turkey or baked on its own, this stuffing will quickly become a holiday favorite. With its perfect balance of herbs, vegetables, and just the right amount of moisture, it’s the ideal side dish to complement your turkey and make your Thanksgiving meal unforgettable.
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing is a cherished family recipe that combines the savory flavors of sautéed vegetables, herbs, and butter-soaked bread. This classic stuffing, whether baked inside the turkey or on its own, is the perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving feast. Its comforting aroma and golden crispy top will have everyone coming back for more!
Ingredients
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1 loaf of day-old bread (white or whole wheat), cubed
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½ cup unsalted butter
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1 large onion, diced
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3 celery stalks, diced
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 ½ cups chicken or turkey broth
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1 tsp dried sage
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1 tsp dried thyme
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½ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
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1 large egg, beaten
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If baking outside the turkey, grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and celery, sautéing for about 5-7 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine cubed bread with sautéed vegetables, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
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Pour chicken or turkey broth over the bread mixture, stirring to ensure even moisture.
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Add the beaten egg and stir to combine.
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For stuffing inside the turkey: Spoon mixture into the turkey cavity, but don’t pack tightly. For baking separately: Transfer to the prepared baking dish and cover with foil.
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If baking outside the turkey, bake for 30 minutes, remove foil, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden and crispy.
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If baking inside the turkey, roast according to turkey’s instructions, ensuring the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Let the stuffing rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Vegetarian Version: Use vegetable broth in place of chicken or turkey broth.Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread for a gluten-free version of this stuffing.Fresh Herbs: Replace dried herbs with fresh, using about three times the amount (e.g., 1 tbsp fresh sage for 1 tsp dried).
