Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (2024)

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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

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When done it will be a nice brown color.

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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

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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.

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Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe - Thrift and Spice (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

The BEST traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is easy to make dried bread cubes, sausage, diced vegetables, and chicken broth.

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? ›

Typically, baking the stuffing inside the bird helps keep the mixture moist. “I prefer stuffing (in the bird) to dressing (outside of the bird) because all those delicious drippings that come off the turkey gets absorbed right into the stuffing,” Bamford says.

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.

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.

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.

How wet should stuffing be before cooking? ›

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.

Can I eat 2 week old stuffing? ›

Leftover Stuffing and Gravy

Stuffing — which is often soaked through with meat drippings — shouldn't be consumed after a maximum of two days in the fridge. The same two-day rule should be applied to the gravy, which should always be brought to a rolling boil to properly kill bacteria before serving again.

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.

Should you cook stuffing the day before? ›

Absolutely. Most Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made at least partially in advance since: A) They're easily assembled a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving Day; and B)

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, also Pitta, breads, also called Arabic bread, balady, shamy, Syrian bread, and pocket bread, are circular, leavened double-layered flat breads that originated in the Middle East. It is prepared with flour, water, baker's yeast, and salt.

What is English stuffing made of? ›

This sage, onion and sausage meat stuffing is probably my favourite ever. However many others I've made or tried, the combination of the sage, onion and sausage meat is unbeatable! Use whatever sausages you like, I prefer to use chicken.

What does stuffing contain? ›

Stuffing consists of a mixture of savoury ingredients such as breadcrumbs, herbs, fruit, nuts, sausagemeat and onion which are bound together with egg or liquid to form a semi-solid mixture. It is usually cooked with roast meat such as chicken, pork or lamb and is served as an accompaniment to the sliced, cooked meat.

What is the difference between Thanksgiving dressing and stuffing? ›

"Stuffing is cooked in the cavity of the turkey, so the juices soak into the ingredients, making it more flavorful. Dressing gets cooked on its own and needs extra liquid to make it flavorful." So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.

What is stuffing mix made of? ›

In a large bowl or large plastic food storage bag, combine ​breadcrumbs with dried parsley, minced onion, celery flakes, thyme, pepper, sage, and marjoram. To prepare stuffing, bring 1 1/4 cups of water or chicken broth and 3 tablespoons of butter to a boil.

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