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Bread Stuffing

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  • Prep 15 min
  • Total 60 min
  • Servings 10
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When it comes to Thanksgiving sides, our homemade stuffing is always on the must-make list. It's no wonder Bread Stuffing is a classic, as it boasts the perfect blend of herbs, pillowy soft bread, veggies and butter. Plus, our Thanksgiving stuffing comes together in just three easy steps, and between us, it smells almost as good as it tastes. Our flavor-packed Bread Stuffing works in tandem with a juicy turkey to make the meal beyond incredible. Whether you like your Thanksgiving stuffing on the side or in a sandwich, we think you'll love this recipe.
Updated Nov 14, 2023
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What is The Best Bread for Stuffing?

Breads such as sour dough, French bread or Italian loaves are for the best bread for stuffing. Their soft-but-sturdy interiors are the perfect texture for stuffing. The pieces retain their shape without crumbling. Sandwich bread is not recommended, as it is too soft, causing it to crumble when tossed with the other ingredients.

How Can I Make My Bread Stuffing Really Moist?

If you’re a fan of really moist bread dressing (the kind that the pieces clump together well), then try these tips: make the stuffing just before you bake it, so that the bread stays moist. Also, after mixing it, gently toss with a few tablespoons to 1/4 cup of chicken or vegetable broth to soften the bread even more before baking.

Can I Stuff My Turkey with Bread Stuffing?

For optimal food safety and even doneness, the USDA recommends baking bread stuffing separately from turkey. However, if you do choose to stuff turkey, you’ll need an accurate food thermometer to make sure the center of the stuffing in the turkey is reaches a safe minimum temperature of 165°F. Roasting home-stuffed turkey is riskier than roasting those that are not stuffed. Even if the turkey has reached the safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F, the stuffing may have not. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165°F, possibly resulting in foodborne illness.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 2 large celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
  • 9 cups soft bread cubes (15 slices)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps

  • 1
    Grease 3-quart casserole or rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches.
  • 2
    Melt butter in 4-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook celery and onion in butter 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Remove Dutch oven from the heat.
  • 3
    Gently toss celery mixture and remaining ingredients, using spoon, until bread cubes are evenly coated.
  • 4
    Place stuffing in casserole. Cover with lid or aluminum foil and bake at 325°F for 30 minutes; uncover and bake 15 minutes longer.

Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens

  • tip 1
    Anticipate making stuffing to accompany holiday or even everyday meals (go beyond partnering with turkey, think stuffed pork chops or a crisply browned roast chicken). Designate a large resealable freezer bag as your bread “pantry”, adding pieces of leftover bakery bread that’s beginning to dry out or the heels of your favorite sliced breads. Store it in the freezer. Thaw and tear or coarsely chop the bread into chunks when you’re ready to make stuffing.
  • tip 2
    Explore the variety of bread options available for making a batch of Bread Stuffing. Most groceries now carry an almost unlimited assortment of artisan-style breads—sourdoughs, rye, whole-grains or garlicky herb. Switch up what you use, depending on the rest of your menu or your personal taste.
  • tip 3
    Looking to add a little more color to your stuffing? Chopped fresh Italian parsley added with the other ingredients not only adds color but also adds a fresh note to the earthy flavors of thyme and sage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Bread Stuffing Different Than Bread Dressing?

Bread stuffing and bread dressing are names for the same kind of dish! This highly-seasoned dish usually starts with bread cubes, but it could also be rice or wild rice. Herbs, seasonings and vegetables are added. Originally, this mixture was stuffed inside poultry, however, for food safety reasons, it’s best to cook it separately.

Can I Bring Bread Stuffing to Thanksgiving Dinner?

Yes! This recipe would be a great one to either take and bake at the hosts house (just be sure to check that their menu will allow them to have room in their oven for you). Just before traveling, prepare it; cover as directed. Place it in a cooler with cool packs. Bake it when you arrive. If you’re going somewhere that’s only 1/2 hour away or less and you’ll be eating as soon as you arrive, you can bake it at home; cover and wrap it in towels until you arrive.

How Can I Add More Veggies to My Stuffing?

It’s best to use a recipe that calls for more veggies, rather than trying to bulk up an existing recipe, as adding additional veggies can throw the seasoning level of the recipe off as well as change the moisture of the dish. We recommend Mushroom Stuffing or Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Collard Greens or any of our delicious Stuffing & Dressing Recipes.

Nutrition

250 Calories, 15 g Total Fat, 10 g Protein, 20 g Total Carbohydrate

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1/2 Cup
Calories
250
Calories from Fat
135
Total Fat
15 g
Saturated Fat
9 g
Cholesterol
35 mg
Sodium
540 mg
Potassium
100 mg
Total Carbohydrate
20 g
Dietary Fiber
1 g
Protein
10 g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
10%
10%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
4%
4%
Iron
6%
6%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 1 Vegetable; 3 Fat;
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

More About This Recipe

  • Whether you call it dressing or stuffing, this is the quintessential side dish that always shows up on the Thanksgiving table. Frankly we love the leftovers as much as we do eating it on turkey day! Check out the delicious stuffing and dressing recipes to fit every taste and menu. And if you find yourself with amazing leftovers, use these recipes and tips to turn them into yummy new meals.
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