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–+ servings
A close-up of a baking dish filled with Ultimate Homemade Stuffing, topped with fresh herbs and chives.

Ultimate Homemade Stuffing Recipe

This classic and easy stuffing recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving. It uses sourdough bread, leeks, celery, and fresh herbs for a savory and comforting side dish.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Make Ahead Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Side Dish, Thanksgiving
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Stuffing
  • 1 loaf day-old crusty sourdough bread about 1 pound, not sandwich bread
  • 0.5 cup salted butter plus 1 tablespoon melted butter for topping
  • 2 leeks halved, thinly sliced, and rinsed well (about 2 cups)
  • 4 stalks celery diced (about 1¾ cups)
  • 3 garlic cloves chopped
  • 0.75 teaspoon sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 0.25 cup fresh sage chopped
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1.5-2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 large eggs beaten

Equipment

  • 8x11 or 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Large bowl

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x11 or 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Tear the bread into 1-inch pieces and place them in a very large bowl.
  3. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes, reducing the heat to low halfway through. Pour this mixture over the bread in the bowl. Sprinkle with sage, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Toss everything with your hands until the bread is coated.
  4. Pour 1½ cups of the vegetable broth evenly over the stuffing and toss to coat. Add the beaten eggs and toss again. The bread should feel quite wet. If it still seems dry, mix in the remaining ½ cup of broth. The exact amount of broth needed depends on how dense and dry your bread was.
  5. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish. If you are making this ahead, cover the dish with foil and store it in the refrigerator. You will bake it later.
  6. When ready to bake, drizzle the 1 tablespoon of melted butter over the top of the stuffing. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. If the stuffing is still very wet, uncover the dish and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to help crisp the top.

Notes

This stuffing can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. Ensure it is covered tightly with foil.

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