Stuffing is a must at the holiday dinner table. This Rosemary Sage Homemade Bread Stuffing recipe made with fresh bread. This homemade stuffing is one of our favorite holiday recipes. Made with fresh bread, onions, celery, broth, and fresh herbs, this turkey stuffing recipe is perfect for stuffing a turkey or serving as a side dish baked in the oven.
Rosemary Sage Homemade Bread Stuffing
I love Thanksgiving and all the foods that go along with it. Of course, I love the turkey and the homemade turkey gravy, but the sides are my favorite part of the meal.
In our house the stuffing (or dressing) whichever you call it is the most important. Stuffing is a side dish that can not be skipped in our house and this classic stuffing recipe is so easy to make.
This homemade stuffing recipe takes only a bit more time to prep and cook than making stuffing from a box, but the extra time is so worth it. This stuffing recipe is full of flavor that compliments the turkey and all the other holiday dinner side dishes.
Even though this stuffing recipe is mainly used for a holiday dinner, it is easy enough to make to go along with a weeknight dinner too!
This classic holiday side dish is a must for any holdiay. With this recipe you can make it as a dressing and cook it in the oven, or you can use it to stuff your turkey.
It all depends on my mood. I make this easy homemade stuffing or my Apple Sausage stuffing. You really can not go wrong with either one.
If you are going to venture out to making homemade sides instead of canned or packaged and are looking for an easy place to start, making homemade stuffing is one of the easiest holiday side dishes to make homemade.
Make The Holiday Easier!
Why You will love this recipe
- Easy to make. There is very little prep needed for this recipe that is hands on. First you bake the bread in the oven to dry it out. Then cook the veggies on the stove-top and then mix everything together and pop it in the oven to bake or use it to stuff the turkey.
- Full of Flavor. No one wants a tasteless dish and this stuffing recipe is full of flavor even if you don’t cook it in the turkey which gives stuffing extra flavor.
Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
- Oven Roasted Parmesan Asparagus
- Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Lemon Roasted Asparagus
- Green beans with bacon
- Cheesy Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
- Pearl Onions In Cream Sauce
- Apple Cider Roast Brussel Sprouts
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower
What is the difference between stuffing and dressing?
Basically, stuffing and dressing are the same thing. The ingredients are the same. Stuffing is stuffed into the turkey and then cooked while the turkey cooks, and dressing is cooked in the oven in a separate dish.
What is the Best Bread for making homemade stuffing?
When you are making homemade stuffing, you have a few options regarding the bread you use. You will dry the bread in the oven before using it to make the actual stuffing. You can leave the bread out still in the bag for a day or two beforehand if you would like to, but it is not necessary.
When you are picking the bread you are going to use, you want to make sure it is not overly flavored. You want it to have a smooth flavor that will absorb all the other flavors of the stuffing.
- Country or Artisan Bread. It is dense and chewy with a hearty texture. It is great for absorbing broth and seasonings without becoming mushy. It is often used for traditional or rustic stuffing recipes.
- Sourdough Bread has a tangy flavor that adds complexity to the stuffing. The firm crumb holds up well to moisture, making this type of bread Ideal for savory stuffing recipes.
- French or Italian Bread. Its soft interior is complemented by a slightly crusty exterior. The neutral flavor pairs well with various seasonings, making it a versatile choice for classic stuffing.
- Brioche or Challah. Rich, buttery, and slightly sweet. Perfect for a decadent or holiday-themed stuffing. Best when combined with savory ingredients for balance.
Tips and Variations of This Recipe
- Day-Old or Stale Bread: Slightly dried-out bread absorbs liquid better, so use day-old bread or toast fresh bread in the oven.
- Avoid Pre-Sliced Sandwich Bread: It tends to be too soft and can become mushy when combined with broth.
- Mix and Match: Combining different bread types (e.g., sourdough and cornbread) can add layers of flavor and texture to your stuffing.
- Customize moisture level. Add broth gradually to adjust the stuffing’s consistency to your preference—soft and moist or drier with crispy edges.
- Crispy Topping. Top with a sprinkle of breadcrumbs or grated cheese before baking for extra texture.
- Add other spices and seasonings. Along with the spices in this recipe poultry seasoning and parsley are other spices and herbs that work well with this stuffing recipe.
How to use this recipe to stuff a turkey
If you are a turkey stuffer, you can use this recipe to make stuffing for a turkey. Follow the directions until you get to the baking step. Instead of baking the dressing, use it to stuff the turkey, and it will cook while the turkey is cooking.
How to Store Leftover Stuffing
After cooking, allow the stuffing to cool to room temperature. To prevent bacterial growth, avoid leaving it out for more than 2 hours. Place the stuffing in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Press out as much air as possible. Store in the refrigerator if you plan to eat it within 3–4 days.
For refrigerated stuffing, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Add a little broth or butter if it seems dry.
Rosemary Sage Homemade Stuffing Ingredients
- Crusty-style bread
- Onions
- Celery ribs
- fresh chopped thyme
- dried sage
- fresh rosemary
- unsalted butter
- chicken broth or turkey broth
- water
- salt
- black pepper
How to make Homemade Stuffing
Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Cut the bread into small pieces and place the bread cubes on a baking sheet for 25 minutes to 30 minutes, just until they are dried out.
While the bread is in the oven dice the onions and wash and chop the celery.
When the bread is done drying out in the oven remove the bread from the oven and put the dried bread cubes into a large mixing bowl.
Place a large skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add the butter and heat until the butter is melted.
Once the butter is melted, add the diced onions, celery and spice and cook until the celery is softened. It will take 5-10 minutes, and stir every so often so the vegetables do not stick to the bottom of the skillet.
Once the vegetables are done cooking add them to the large bowl with the dried bread.
Pour in the broth and water into the mixing bowl with the dried bread and cooked vegetables. Add the salt and pepper and mix well to combine all of the ingredients.
If you are going to bake this classic bread stuffing recipe in a baking dish spray a baking dish or casserole dish with non stick cooking spray. Pour the stuffing mixture in to the baking dish and spread evenly and bake for 20 minutes.
If you are going to use this stuffing to stuff your turkey (or a chicken), allow the mixture to cool a bit so you can use your hands to stuff the stuffing into the turkey or chicken.
Easy Holiday Dessert Recipes
- Best apple pie
- Lemon Meringue Pie
- Puff Pastry Apple Pie
- Blueberry Pie
- Boston Cream Pie
- Sweet potato pie with marshmallow
- Crustless pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Pie from Scratch
Herb Fresh Bread Stuffing
Ingredients
- 10 cups crusty-style bread – about 1.5 loaves of bread cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 medium onions chopped
- celery ribs thinly sliced crosswise
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or turkey broth
- 1/2 cup water
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Cut the bread into small pieces and place the bread on a baking sheet for 25 minutes to 30 minutes just until they are dried out.
- While the bread is in the oven chop your onions and wash and chop the celery.
- After the bread is done pour the bread into a large mixing bowl.
- In a skillet over medium heat add the butter, once the butter is melted add the onions, celery, herbs and cook until the celery is softened. This will take about 10 minutes, stir the mixture every so often.
- In the large bowl add the cooked vegetables and mix well.
- Then add the broth, water, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Pour the mixture in to a 13×9-inch baking dish, bake at 350 for 20 mins.
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