Old-Fashioned Bread Stuffing

44.4K
2.7K
1.1K
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

What Not to Cook in Cast Iron, A Top Chef Winner Weighs In
49.1K
491
142

What Not to Cook in Cast Iron, A Top Chef Winner Weighs In

Avoid these foods to keep your cast-iron skillet in great shape.
What Is Butterscotch? Discover How It's Different From Caramel, Toffee, and More
13.3K
1.2K
120

What Is Butterscotch? Discover How It's Different From Caramel, Toffee, and More

What is butterscotch, exactly? We asked food experts to explain what is butterscotch, how butterscotch got its name, and what makes butterscotch different from its cousins, caramel, toffee, and dulce de leche. Then once you’re well-versed in the variances, we’re dishing up our best butterscotch recipes to try at home.
Oven Beef and Barley Stew
46.6K
466
46

Oven Beef and Barley Stew

Although this looks like a traditional beef stew recipe, it's not made like one. While the beef braises in the oven, the carrots, mushrooms, and onions roast on a sheet pan alongside for a caramelized flavor.
Lime Chicken Tortilla Soup
28.2K
1.7K
253

Lime Chicken Tortilla Soup

Keep the prep time speedy while making this healthy soup recipe by using purchased rotisserie chicken or other pre-cooked chicken product you love. Or, next time you're baking a chicken dish, throw an extra breast or two on the pan to use later in the week.
24 of Our Favorite and Most Delicious Classic Italian Recipes
31.9K
3.2K
1.2K

24 of Our Favorite and Most Delicious Classic Italian Recipes

Start with classic Italian pasta recipes and end with a homemade dessert like you'd get in a trattoria for the ultimate Mediterranean meal.
14 Side Dishes for Steak Including Veggies, Potatoes, and More
26.1K
261
112

14 Side Dishes for Steak Including Veggies, Potatoes, and More

Balance your savory meal with one of our side dishes for steak. From homemade fries to edamame salad, we've got all the recipes you'll need to put together a steakhouse-worthy dinner.
15 Side Dishes for Spaghetti Including Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad, and More
15.5K
618
265

15 Side Dishes for Spaghetti Including Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad, and More

These side dishes for spaghetti are the perfect pairing for your next Italian dinner. Whether you're looking for simple salads, roasted vegetables, bread, or meatballs, these sides are the answer to "what goes with spaghetti."
Hasselback Squash
7.6K
381
76

Hasselback Squash

Make butternut squash even more delicious by stuffing it with goat cheese or caramelized onions.
Our Best Side Dishes for Pork Chops Are the Ultimate Way to Round Out Your Meal
24.5K
489
215

Our Best Side Dishes for Pork Chops Are the Ultimate Way to Round Out Your Meal

Side dishes for pork chops can go far beyond applesauce. (Although that is a delightful pairing, and an applesauce recipe is definitely included among our best side dishes for pork chops!) Try roasted vegetables, buttery biscuits, salads, and casseroles to complement your top-notch chops.
14 Side Dishes for Chicken to Complete Your Meal
2.3K
137
46

14 Side Dishes for Chicken to Complete Your Meal

When it comes to chicken dinners, the spotlight may not always be on side dishes. But, they are most certainly the co-stars that make an entire meal shine even more brightly. These side dishes for chicken are amazing sidekicks to a variety of main course ideas.
The Best Sugar Cookies
2.8K
255
63

The Best Sugar Cookies

Making decorated sugar cookies with the best sugar cookie recipe is a must. Whip up a batch of these sugar cookies from scratch and decorate them with royal icing—the best sugar cookie icing recipe to match any special occasion.
Pavlova with Lemon Curd and Fresh Berries
9.7K
194
85

Pavlova with Lemon Curd and Fresh Berries

Light and airy meringue complements tart lemon curd and fresh berries perfectly for a sweet dessert option.
How to Cook Steak in the Oven
37.3K
2.6K
365

How to Cook Steak in the Oven

Have you always wanted to learn how to cook a steak in the oven? Follow this guide and become a master!
Baked Eggplant Parmesan
10.8K
325
130

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

This crispy eggplant Parmesan is short on calories but big on flavor.
Kiwi-Pineapple Smoothies
27K
2.2K
388

Kiwi-Pineapple Smoothies

Whether you blend it up for breakfast or as a snack, this healthy smoothie with spinach will become your new favorite green drink. Yogurt and banana give this pineapple smoothie its rich, satisfying texture.
Cranberry Mulled Wine
1.1K
21
3

Cranberry Mulled Wine

Utilize leftover cranberry sauce to make this warm and cozy beverage.
The Bicicletta Will Make You Feel Like You’re Summering in Italy with Every Sip
48.1K
1.4K
216

The Bicicletta Will Make You Feel Like You’re Summering in Italy with Every Sip

A mixture of an Aperol Spritz and negroni, the Bicicletta is satisfyingly bitter and refreshing. Plus, the low-proof cocktail brings the Mediterranean to you.
Cherry Sangria
21.2K
1.3K
216

Cherry Sangria

Brighten up a bold bottle of red wine by mixing it with cherries, orange liqueur and fruit juice. This might just be the best sangria recipe you'll ever taste!
The Best (and Worst) Ways to Hold a Wine Glass, According to Sommeliers
22.5K
1.3K
269

The Best (and Worst) Ways to Hold a Wine Glass, According to Sommeliers

Discover how to hold a wine glass to maximize your enjoyment of the wine. These tips for the best ways to hold a wine glass will also help you look like a pro and keep the wine at the optimal temperature for longer. We’re also revealing the worst way to hold a wine glass.
The 3-Ingredient Ranch Water Is Sure to Be Your Go-To Casual Cocktail This Summer
14.7K
294
67

The 3-Ingredient Ranch Water Is Sure to Be Your Go-To Casual Cocktail This Summer

Light and refreshing, the ranch water cocktail needs just 3 ingredients, and it's so easy to make yourself, so it's the perfect casual drink to sip on all summer long.