Easy Herbed Stuffing – Flavorful and Buttery Holiday Favorite!
This Simple Herbed Stuffing is packed with buttery goodness and warm sage flavors, making it the perfect side for your Thanksgiving table. Whether you cook it in a casserole dish or use it to stuff a bird, this recipe is guaranteed to have everyone coming back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!). It's so flavorful that you won't even need gravy – it’s “I can’t stop eating it” good! Perfect for holiday gatherings and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
The Best Simple Herbed Stuffing for Thanksgiving (or Dressing—Whatever You Call It!)
There are so many types of stuffing out there—some with oysters, others loaded with veggies—but what I enjoy most is a Simple Herbed Stuffing. It’s a versatile, classic dish that pairs perfectly with almost any meat and is easy to adapt to your specific tastes. Growing up, we’d alternate between calling it stuffing or dressing, depending on our mood. (I know, dressing can also refer to salad dressing, but let’s not overthink it!) Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, one thing's for sure: it’s a must-have for your holiday table. If you’re reading this recipe, chances are you love it too, and you’ve come to the right place for a truly delicious version!
Choosing the Right Bread for Perfect Stuffing
Let’s start off by talking about the most important part of this recipe: the bread. I like to use French or Italian bread and dry it out myself whenever possible. If you’re in a pinch, though, you can easily find pre-dried bread cubes at most grocery stores, or even try making your own with this easy French Bread recipe. While I haven’t experimented with other types of loaf bread, I have used those holiday-season dried bread cubes from the store, which often include a mix of different bread types. Growing up, my mom would use a combination of sandwich bread and those store-bought cubes, and I swear her stuffing was always the best!
The only downside with store-bought cubes is that they’re rock-hard, so you need to add plenty of broth or juices to make sure your stuffing doesn’t turn out too crunchy on the inside. I love a crispy top, but the inside should stay nice and moist. If you want to add some extra flair, try mixing dried cornbread with your bread cubes for a little Southern twist!
Adding Flavor to Your Stuffing: Customize It to Your Taste
Now that we’ve got our bread ready, it’s time to add some flavor! This is where your personal preferences come into play. Personally, I love a stuffing that’s heavy on garlic and sage, but the recipe as written provides a balanced, crowd-pleasing flavor. The best part? There’s plenty of room to make it your own! If you love lots of celery, add more. Want it extra garlicky? Go for it. Prefer a more herb-forward dish? Feel free to add extra herbs.
Another key component that can change the entire flavor of your stuffing is the broth. I typically use chicken broth, but when I’m roasting a turkey, I like to boil the neck and gizzards to make a rich, homemade broth. I’ll even add the shredded turkey meat and gizzards into the stuffing for extra depth. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, veggie broth is also an excellent choice and offers a different but delicious flavor twist!
Suggestion:
Make extra broth in case you need to baste your stuffing in the casserole dish.
Finishing Touches: Elevate Your Stuffing with Garlicky Butter and Add-Ins
Once the stuffing is done baking, I like to finish it off with a drizzle of garlicky butter. Don’t worry about the guilt—how often do you make stuffing anyway? Go ahead and splurge a little! If you’re looking to really “take it up a notch,” there are plenty of delicious additions you can mix in. Try adding country sausage for a savory kick or sweeten it up with fruits and nuts like apples, walnuts, chestnuts, or cranberries. These ingredients add texture and a burst of flavor that will make your stuffing unforgettable. Create this dish today and prepare for happy, satisfied bellies all around!
The Perfect Pairing: Southern Collard Greens and Herbed Stuffing
Want to know what goes best with this stuffing? Try my Southern/Soulfood Collard Greens. The two together are like the perfect marriage—rich, flavorful, and a true comfort food combo. The savory goodness of the herbed stuffing paired with the tender, smoky collard greens create a balanced, soul-satisfying meal that will keep your guests coming back for more. Trust me, these two are like the perfect couple. Create both today and you will thank me later.
How to Dry Bread for Stuffing: Two Easy Methods
Drying your bread properly is key to achieving perfect stuffing, as it helps absorb all the flavorful broth and seasonings. Here are two simple methods to dry your bread for stuffing:
1. Air Drying Method
Cut Bread into Cubes: Cut French or Italian bread into 1 1/2-inch cubes.
Spread Out: Lay the bread cubes out on a baking sheet in a single layer.
Leave Uncovered: Allow the bread to air dry for 1-2 days at room temperature. Make sure to cover loosely with a clean kitchen towel to keep dust off.
Check Readiness: The bread is ready when it's completely dry and feels hard to the touch.
2. Oven Drying Method
Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 250°F (120°C).
Cut and Spread: Cut the bread into 1 1/2-inch cubes and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake: Bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the bread is dry and crisp.
Cool: Let the bread cool completely before using it in your stuffing recipe.
By drying the bread, it will better absorb the broth and seasonings, giving you that perfect moist stuffing with a crispy top!