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Traditional Bread Stuffing Recipe

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 on a red plate.

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.

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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.

chopped onion and celery

Now melt the butter in a skillet

melting butter for stuffing

Then add celery and saute until it is softened. About 8 minutes.

celery

Once the celery is soft add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Saute until onions are translucent.

celery and onion

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.

White sandwich bread torn into pieces.

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

Toasted sandwich bread pieces in a large bowl.

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.

toasted bread

Pour the celery, onion, and butter mixture over the bread. Next spread the poultry seasoning evenly over the bread.

Making traditional bread stuffing.

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.

Thanksgiving traditional bread stuffing in a casserole dish.

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

casserole dish covered with foil

When done it will be a nice brown color.

Baked traditional bread stuffing.

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!

Classic bread stuffing made from white sandwich bread on a red plate.
thanksgiving stuffing recipe
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!

Course Thanksgiving
Cuisine American
Keyword old 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) 20 oz loaves of bread (torn into pieces)
  • 6 celery ribs chopped
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1 3/4 tsp poultry seasoning
  • 32 oz of chicken broth
  • 2 sticks 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 47 Calories 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.
thanksgiving stuffing recipe
Recipe Rating




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Nik

Thursday 21st of December 2023

Hi...can you clarify the amount of bread loads used...pic looks like 2...recipe says 3...comments say 3 is too much...the whole magic would be getting the portions right...right?...so if you could make that a bit more detained that would really complete my confidence in this recipe thanks!

Carissa

Thursday 21st of December 2023

Hi Nik, I use 3 bread loaves.

Christina

Thursday 30th of November 2023

Do I have to agree to letting the ads on this site? Why ? All they do is make my computer constantly scrolls and jump around the page I am trying to look at.

Marta Lydia

Saturday 11th of November 2023

Can I bake this dressing and freeze it and then take out the night before and just put it into the oven at 350 degrees covered with foil to heat it up? Or I’m wondering if it would be better just to mix it up and freeze it, then bake it on Turkey day? I can always add a bit of stock to the dressing before I bake it. Help!

Carissa

Saturday 11th of November 2023

I wish I had an answer for you but I’ve never done either of those before so I’m not sure exactly how it would turn out. The dressing taste just as good the next day so I would just make it the night before Thanksgiving and reheat it the next day.

Kim

Friday 27th of October 2023

So happy to find your recipe. This is the recipe my has used for over 50 years. I made her stuffing (filling as we call it) for the first-time last year as my mom was in the hospital. It came out great. Unfortunately, I could not find the recipe this past weekend, so I began searching the internet. So very fortunate to come across your recipe. Can't wait to make it for Thanksgiving. Have a blessed holiday season!!

Carissa

Friday 27th of October 2023

I hope you and your family will enjoy it as much as we do!

Kc

Friday 20th of November 2020

Have you ever use croutons instead of bread. Its great.

Carissa

Monday 30th of November 2020

No, I've never tried that.

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