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A close-up of a white baking dish filled with golden-brown homemade stuffing, garnished with fresh parsley. This is a classic stuffing recipe.

How to Make Stuffing Recipes Like a Pro (2025)

Learn to make delicious turkey stuffing with this guide. It covers ingredient selection, preparation steps, and common mistakes to avoid for a perfect holiday side dish.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Drying Bread 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Stuffing Base
  • 8 ounces Homemade garlic croutons or sturdy bread like French or Italian, cubed
  • 4 tablespoons Butter 57g
  • 1 Onion chopped
  • 1 Celery stalk chopped
For Flavor and Moisture
  • 1.75 cups Chicken or vegetable broth 415ml
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh herbs chopped (e.g., sage, thyme, parsley)
  • 1 teaspoon Poultry seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
Optional Additions
  • 1/2 cup Ground sausage cooked
  • 1 Egg beaten, if using for binding

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • Baking dish

Method
 

  1. Prepare your bread cubes. If using fresh bread, leave it out for 1-2 days to dry, or toast cubes at 250°F (120°C) for 45-60 minutes until dry.
  2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a large bowl. Add the dry bread cubes, chopped fresh herbs, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to combine.
  4. Gradually add the chicken or vegetable broth, starting with 1/2 cup, and mix until the stuffing is moist but not soggy. Add more broth if needed, a little at a time.
  5. If using, stir in cooked ground sausage and the beaten egg.
  6. For baked stuffing: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
  7. For stuffed turkey: Fill the turkey cavity loosely just before roasting. Ensure the stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Notes

Avoid using fresh bread, as it can make the stuffing mushy. Ensure your stuffing reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety, whether baked in a dish or inside the turkey. Do not overfill the turkey cavity.

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