Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing

47.2K
1.9K
377
2025-11-15
Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing
Prep Time:
15 mins
Bake Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
12

You found our most popular recipe for traditional bread stuffing. This recipe is not about cornbread stuffing made with sausage and veggies. It’s about celery and onion that’s been sautéed in butter and seasonings and then combined with dry bread cubes and chicken broth. You can bake the entire recipe of stuffing in a casserole or use it to stuff a 10- to 12-pound turkey. No matter which method you choose to make, just follow the specific instructions in the recipe to make sure the stuffing is heated thoroughly. Plus, there's no need to stress about buying the best stuffing bread because our Test Kitchen's top bread picks for making bread cubes are included in the recipe. Also, be sure to check out our Test Kitchen's recommendations for additional stuffing options to add to the stuffing. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, you're sure to find this bread stuffing recipe a hit with your family and friends.

Making Dry Bread Cubes Step-By-Step

  1. Slice loaf into ½-inch-thick slices; slice crosswise into ½-inch-wide strips. Cut the strips into ½-inch cubes.
  2. Spread bread cubes in a single layer in a shallow pan. Let them sit overnight on the counter or bake in a 300°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Stuff It

If you like your stuffing in the turkey, spoon it loosely (don't pack it) into the cavity of a 10- to 12-lb. turkey. This will add about 45 minutes to the roasting time. The stuffing must reach 165°F if it's baked in the cavity.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups chopped or sliced celery (3 stalks)

  • 1 cup chopped onion (1 large)

  • ½ cup butter or margarine

  • 1 tablespoon snipped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning or ground sage

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • 12 cups dry bread cubes

  • 1 - 1 ¼ cups chicken broth*

  • Sage leaves (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. In a large skillet cook celery and onion in hot butter over medium heat until tender but not brown. Remove from heat. Stir in sage and pepper.

  2. Place bread cubes in large bowl; add onion mixture. Drizzle with enough chicken broth to moisten; toss lightly to combine.

    Test Kitchen Tip: If using to stuff a turkey, reduce broth to 3/4 to 1 cup. Try a mix of whole wheat, white, and multi-grain bread cubes for extra flavor.

  3. Place stuffing in a 2-qt. casserole dish. Bake, covered, for 30 to 45 minutes or until heated through. Top with fresh sage. Makes 12 to 14 servings.

Stuffing Addition Options

• Stir 2 medium cored and chopped apples into bread cubes.

• Omit 1 cup of the celery and substitute 2 cups sliced mushrooms. Cook mushrooms with the celery in Step 1, above.

• Stir one 15-ounce can chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped, into bread cubes.

• Stir 1 cup cooked wild rice into bread cubes.

Bread Options

Here are some of our favorite types of bread to use in our old-fashioned stuffing (choose one): white or wheat bread, corn bread, focaccia bread, Italian bread, multigrain bread, and sourdough bread.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

181 Calories
10g Fat
20g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 181
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 22mg 7%
Sodium 342mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin C 1.2mg 1%
Calcium 50.5mg 4%
Iron 1.3mg 7%
Potassium 111mg 2%
Folate, total 40.3mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.1mcg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Article "tagged" as:

Related Article

Stovetop Peach-Blackberry Crisp
5.1K
408
61

Stovetop Peach-Blackberry Crisp

No need to heat up your whole house by turning on the oven to make dessert! For a taste of summer, start with a skillet and ripe fruit. The only thing that can make this easy peach crisp better is a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Smoothie Pops
21.6K
862
198

Smoothie Pops

Use a frozen smoothe pop as a grab-and-go breakfast or light dessert idea.
12 Sweet-Tart Lemon and Citrus Desserts to Brighten Up Winter
17.6K
882
132

12 Sweet-Tart Lemon and Citrus Desserts to Brighten Up Winter

Next time you crave a sweet and zingy treat, choose one of the great orange, lime, grapefruit, or lemon desserts in this collection.
Mushroom Fricassee with Fresh Herbs
31K
2.2K
1K

Mushroom Fricassee with Fresh Herbs

Traditionally, fricassee recipes involve sautéing and simmering meat in a creamy sauce. Here, we transform the same technique into a side dish format with a mushroom fricassee recipe that's topped with plenty of fresh herbs.
Swiss Vegetable Medley
2.7K
53
11

Swiss Vegetable Medley

Frozen vegetables make this side dish casserole recipe super simple to assemble. Choose from several combinations of vegetables.
19 Vegetarian Summer Recipes to Showcase the Flavors of the Season
38.5K
1.5K
677

19 Vegetarian Summer Recipes to Showcase the Flavors of the Season

When it comes to easy-prep, fresh vegetarian summer recipes, these are the dishes you'll crave all season.
10 High-Protein Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes to Power Your Day
37.5K
1.9K
243

10 High-Protein Vegetarian Breakfast Recipes to Power Your Day

These high-protein vegetarian breakfasts are delicious and pack in at least 9 grams of protein, courtesy of eggs, yogurt, beans, and nut butters.
Is a Pinch of Salt the Secret to Your Best Cup of Coffee Yet?
39.3K
785
125

Is a Pinch of Salt the Secret to Your Best Cup of Coffee Yet?

Our experts weigh in on when (and when not) to add salt to coffee.
Pineapple-Spinach Smoothies
13.2K
1.2K
283

Pineapple-Spinach Smoothies

One step and 10 minutes until you're slurping your new favorite green smoothie recipe. Greek yogurt and chia seeds help give the healthy smoothie its thickness while spinach, pineapple, and banana load it with nutrition..
Make This Refreshing Apple Cider Punch for a Taste of Fall
25.4K
761
175

Make This Refreshing Apple Cider Punch for a Taste of Fall

Made with apple cider, juice and sparkling white grape juice, this apple cider punch is the perfect for the whole family. For an adult punch, switch out sparkling grape juice for a chilled champagne to give your sparkling cider a kick.
Beat the Trend By Shaking Up a Kalamata Olive Martini Before Everyone Else
43K
2.6K
1.3K

Beat the Trend By Shaking Up a Kalamata Olive Martini Before Everyone Else

Here’s how to make a kalamata olive martini at home. Instead of green olives, this easy kalamata olive martini recipe features black kalamatas, which lend eye-catching color (if you make your martini dirty) and layer on extra briny flavor.
Strawberry Gin Slushies
21.1K
1.7K
355

Strawberry Gin Slushies

A sweet strawberry slushie with gin makes a grown-up version of a classic summer treat.
Puffed Oven Pancake with Brown Sugar-Banana Sauce
32K
3.2K
447

Puffed Oven Pancake with Brown Sugar-Banana Sauce

Yes, you can enjoy a warm breakfast without a lot of effort! Make the tasty banana sauce the night before, then reheat it as you bake your puffy oven pancake in the morning.
Blueberry Oat Chia Seed Muffins
36.3K
3.3K
816

Blueberry Oat Chia Seed Muffins

These sweet mini muffins are delicious and surprisingly healthy! Get your day started off on the right note with these blueberry muffins that come with a few health upgrades (including oats and chia seeds).
Bacon-Asparagus Strata
22.8K
455
45

Bacon-Asparagus Strata

When you're looking for a make-ahead breakfast recipe, you can't beat a strata—a casserole recipe that can usually be made up to 24 hours in advance. Here, fresh vegetables and bacon combine with luscious Swiss cheese for a rich and easy egg breakfast your family will love.
Our 22 Best-Ever Egg Casseroles to Perk Up Your Mornings
19.5K
389
70

Our 22 Best-Ever Egg Casseroles to Perk Up Your Mornings

Make your own Martha Stewart-inspired egg casserole with potato, veggies, and shredded cheese. Try sausage-egg casseroles, egg casseroles with bacon or ham, tater tot egg casseroles, and more!
Portobello-Pepper Kale Wraps
18.6K
1.7K
418

Portobello-Pepper Kale Wraps

Hearty kale leaves make a crunchy, lighter wrap option for a vegan meal.
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders
29.7K
593
166

Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders

Make hot Italian sausage subs for a crowd with this easy slow cooker sandwich recipe. This easy Italian sandwich recipe makes enough meat for 12 subs, so it's great for a party or potluck.
Sweet Tortilla Wraps
49.1K
2.5K
735

Sweet Tortilla Wraps

Customize these sweet wraps for any craving or for any ingredients you have on hand. The options are endless for this make-and-take breakfast or snack idea.
18 Toasty Warm Sandwiches for Fall and Winter
30.8K
1.2K
123

18 Toasty Warm Sandwiches for Fall and Winter

To keep you warm this season, we've got some delicious fall sandwiches and winter sandwich ideas perfect for any night of the week.