Classic Herb-Infused Turkey Stuffing
Every Thanksgiving, the delightful aroma of this Classic Herb-Infused Turkey Stuffing fills the kitchen, reminding us of cherished family gatherings. This cherished recipe, passed down through generations, combines perfectly seasoned bread cubes with sautéed vegetables, creating a savory, aromatic filling that elevates your holiday turkey to new heights. Whether enjoyed freshly cooked straight from the turkey or savored cold the next day, this stuffing is sure to become a beloved tradition at your table. With enough stuffing to generously fill a 12-pound turkey, this recipe is a must for your holiday feast.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bread cubes
12 cups (cubed (homemade or store-bought))
Unsalted butter
1 cup (melted)
Minced onion
3/4 cup (fresh)
Chopped celery
1 1/2 cups (including stalks and leaves)
Chopped mushrooms
1 cup (optional)
Salt
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Pepper
1 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Ground sage
1 tablespoon (dried)
No-salt-added chicken broth
as needed (optional)
Instructions
1
Begin by gathering all ingredients and preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter.
3
Add the minced onion, chopped celery, and optional chopped mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Stir in the salt, pepper, and ground sage. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5
In a large, deep bowl, place the cubed bread. Gradually pour about 1/4 cup of the sautéed butter and vegetable mixture over the bread cubes. Toss gently to coat the bread evenly.
6
Continue to add the remaining butter mixture in increments, tossing after each addition until all the bread cubes are well coated.
7
For the desired moisture level, if you prefer a moister stuffing, gently mix in enough no-salt-added chicken broth until the mixture is lightly moistened but not overly soggy.
8
Allow the stuffing to cool slightly before using it to fill your turkey, or transfer to a greased baking dish if you prefer to bake it separately. If baking separately, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes to achieve a golden crust.
9
For a slow-cooker option, transfer the stuffing to a greased crockpot, mix in chicken broth for moisture, and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
10
Enjoy the nostalgia and warmth this classic stuffing brings to your Thanksgiving celebration!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Classic Herb-Infused Turkey Stuffing?
It is a traditional holiday side dish made with perfectly seasoned bread cubes and sautéed vegetables, designed to fill a turkey or be baked separately.
How many cups of bread cubes are needed?
The recipe requires 12 cups of bread cubes, which can be either homemade or store-bought.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the stuffing.
How much butter is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of melted unsalted butter.
Which vegetables are sautéed for the stuffing base?
The base consists of 3/4 cup minced onion and 1 1/2 cups chopped celery.
Are mushrooms required for this stuffing?
No, the 1 cup of chopped mushrooms is an optional ingredient based on your preference.
How long should I sauté the onion and celery?
Sauté the mixture for about 5-7 minutes until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
What seasonings are used in the herb infusion?
The stuffing is seasoned with 2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper, and 1 tablespoon of dried ground sage.
When do I add the salt, pepper, and sage?
Stir them into the sautéed vegetable mixture and cook for an additional 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
How should I combine the bread cubes and the butter mixture?
Place the bread in a large bowl and gradually pour the butter mixture over them in increments, tossing gently to coat evenly.
How do I make the stuffing moister?
Gently mix in no-salt-added chicken broth until the mixture is lightly moistened but not soggy.
Is the chicken broth mandatory?
No, chicken broth is optional and should be used only as needed to reach your desired moisture level.
Can I cook this stuffing inside the turkey?
Yes, allow the stuffing to cool slightly before using it to fill your turkey.
How large of a turkey will this recipe fill?
This recipe provides enough stuffing to generously fill a 12-pound turkey.
Can I bake the stuffing in a separate dish?
Yes, you can transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and bake it separately.
How long does the stuffing bake if it is in a separate dish?
Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.
What is the benefit of uncovering the stuffing during the last 15 minutes of baking?
Uncovering the dish allows the stuffing to develop a delicious golden crust.
Can I use a slow cooker for this recipe?
Yes, transfer the stuffing to a greased crockpot and cook on the low setting for 3-4 hours.
Should I include the celery leaves?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 1 1/2 cups of chopped celery, including both the stalks and the leaves.
What type of sage is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of dried ground sage.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe calls for unsalted butter; if you use salted, you may want to reduce the additional salt added to the recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for Thanksgiving?
Absolutely, it is a classic Thanksgiving recipe intended to elevate holiday feasts.
What kind of skillet is recommended?
A large, heavy skillet is recommended for melting the butter and sautéing the vegetables.
Can the stuffing be eaten cold?
Yes, the stuffing is savory and delicious whether enjoyed freshly cooked or cold the next day.
How do I prevent the bread cubes from breaking?
Toss the bread cubes gently when mixing in the butter and vegetable mixture.
What size bowl should I use?
A large, deep bowl is best to ensure you have enough room to coat the 12 cups of bread cubes properly.
Does the stuffing need to cool before going into the turkey?
Yes, the instructions recommend allowing the stuffing to cool slightly before filling the turkey.
Can I use fresh pepper?
Yes, the recipe specifically recommends using freshly ground pepper for the best flavor.
Is there an option for vegetarians?
While the recipe uses chicken broth, you could substitute it with vegetable broth to make it vegetarian-friendly.
What is the overall flavor profile of this dish?
It is a savory, aromatic filling characterized by the nostalgic scent of herbs like sage and buttery sautéed vegetables.