Best Stuffing Recipe and Tutorial (from my mom!) (2024)

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Welcome to my best stuffing recipe and tutorial. Stuffing is one of those essential holiday dishes and my mom’s is the best. That’s why I watched her make a batch and asked her to tell me her secrets. Once you know the steps to make my mom’s basic stuffing recipe, you can switch it up with different ingredients and flavorings.

I’ve heard that stuffing was invented to stretch a meal. Meat was expensive and hard to come by. Making a well-flavored carbohydrate-based dish supplemented the meat by adding something extra to the plate. Today when meat is often easier to come by and more plentiful, we make stuffing just because we love it.

I don’t know why stuffing caught on the way that it did, but for me, it’s the browned crunchy exterior and moist interior that acts as the best sponge for gravy.

Jump To:

  1. Video: Stuffing Recipe and Helpful Tips
  2. How To Make Stuffing
  3. More Thanksgiving Recipes
  4. Podcast Episode: Making Homemade Stuffing
  5. Best Stuffing Recipe

Video: Stuffing Recipe and Helpful Tips

The method for making stuffing that I’m sharing with you today comes from my mom. Her stuffing recipe is the best I’ve ever had. And other people agree with me. For years she and my dad had restaurants and did a lot of catering throughout the holiday seasons. Her stuffing was raved about – I’m positive that it was the stuffing that made their lines for second helpings so long. Although, you should check out the roasted turkey recipe that I learned from her too, because it is the best I’ve ever had!

When I was in Canada a few years ago, I watched my mom make a batch of her stuffing recipe and had her explain every step of her process to me. This is what I learned from my mom about how to make the best stuffing ever.

How To Make Stuffing

Step #1: Sauté lots of onions in lots of butter until very well softened.

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Step #2: Cut or tear bread into bite-sized pieces.

The bread can be day old but need not be. Whatever you do, do not use breadcrumbs. My mom once read that breadcrumbs make a nice stuffing and gave it a try. She says it was the worst stuffing she’d ever had. Toss the buttery onions with the bread. Make sure to scrape all the butter and onions onto the bread pieces.

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Step #3: Add moisture mixed with beaten egg.

You want to add enough liquid that when you take a ball of the uncooked stuffing into your hand and squeeze, liquid actually drips out in small droplets. It’s this moisture that keeps your stuffing… well… moist. If there’s not enough liquid, it will be dry. Don’t worry that the stuffing will be too moist. If you cook it correctly, the outside will be crisp and browned while the inside is soft and tender.

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Step #4: Season well. VERY well.

You can use store-bought or homemade poultry seasoning for your stuffing.

If you put your face about 6 inches above the bowl of stuffing, you should be able to smell the seasoning. That’s how you know there’s enough.

Step #5: Transfer the stuffing to a cooking vessel.

You can stuff a chicken or turkey with this stuffing recipe. However, that won’t yield the crisp exterior I’ve mentioned. For that, you need to cook the stuffing outside of the bird.

These days my mom cooks hers in muffin tins. She likes the presentation on her holiday buffet table and she likes that the portions are easy for everyone to transfer to their plates. But most importantly, she likes that everyone gets a bit of crunchy exterior as well as some tender insides. You can instead bake it in a casserole dish but it will require a longer cooking time.

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Step #6: Bake the stuffing and then serve.

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I usually make something similar to my mom’s basic stuffing recipe. But I sometimes switch it up by adding different ingredients and flavors. What do you love to add to your stuffing? Scroll down to the comment section and tell me and the other readers all about your delicious stuffing recipe.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

Now that you know how to make delicious stuffing to go with your turkey, what else do you need for your holiday meal? Try these amazing Thanksgiving recipes.

  • Homemade Green Bean Casserole
  • Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberry
  • Brussel Sprouts Gratin Recipe
  • Corn Pudding Recipe
  • Easy Cranberry Relish

Podcast Episode: Making Homemade Stuffing

Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this Amazing Stuffing Recipe, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:

Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.

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Best Stuffing Recipe and Tutorial (from my mom!) (7)

Best Stuffing Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Christine Pittman
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

DESCRIPTION

Stuffing is one of those essential holiday dishes and my mom’s is the best. That’s why I watched her make a batch and asked her to tell me her secrets. Once you know the steps to make my mom’s basic stuffing recipe, you can switch it up with different ingredients and flavorings.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1/4 cup butter or margarine
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 2 tsp. poultry seasoning, divided
  • 2 tsp. salt, divided
  • 2 tsp. black pepper, divided
  • 15 thick slices of bread (day old is best), in 1-inch cubes
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups milk or chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 12 non-stick muffin cups (size 2 and 1/2″ by and 1/4″).
  2. Warm the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the onions, 1 teaspoon of the poultry seasoning, 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1 teaspoon of the pepper and cook stirring occasionally until the onions are very well softened but not browned, 6-8 minutes.
  4. Put the bread cubes into a large bowl. Scrape all of the onions and butter onto the bread. Stir well.
  5. Combine the eggs and milk. Pour about half over the bread and stir.
  6. Snag a handful of moistened bread and squeeze. If droplets of liquid come out, you’ve added enough liquid. How dry the bread was to start and the type of bread used affects how much liquid you’ll need. If necessary, add more liquid until the bread is saturated enough to yield small drops when squeezed.
  7. Stir in the remaining teaspoon of poultry seasoning, of salt and of pepper. Smell the stuffing. It should have a strong herby and peppery scent. If not, you may want to taste the stuffing. My mom and I taste it raw but you can alternatively microwave a bit until heated through and then taste it. Add more seasoning as needed.
  8. Divide the stuffing among the muffin tins. They will be well-mounded.
  9. Bake until brown and crunchy on top and heated through, 30-40 minutes.
  10. Run a plastic knife around the edges of each muffin cup and then gently remove the portions of stuffing.

Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!

This post originally appeared in November 2013 and was revised and republished in November 2023.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

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Best Stuffing Recipe and Tutorial (from my mom!) (2024)

FAQs

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

Is it better to make stuffing the night before? ›

Absolutely. Most Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made at least partially in advance since: A) They're easily assembled a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving Day; and B) They're often baked using a two-step process (once covered with foil to cook through, then uncovered to achieve a crispy top).

What is the best kind of stuffing? ›

Our Top Store-Bought Stuffing Picks
  • Best Overall: Arnold Herb Seasoned Premium Cubed Stuffing.
  • Best Classic: Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing.
  • Best Instant: Stove Top Turkey Stuffing Mix.
  • Best Gluten-Free: Williams-Sonoma Gluten-Free Stuffing Mix.
  • Best for Celiac: Trader Joe's Gluten Free Stuffing Mix.
Nov 13, 2023

Is homemade stuffing better than store bought? ›

Homemade is healthier. Stove Top packs a hefty sodium punch, in addition to containing high-fructose corn syrup, caramel coloring, disodium iosinate, and other synthetic additives not necessarily welcome at my Thanksgiving table.

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Classic stuffing made with bread cubes, seasonings, and held together with chicken stock and eggs. A holiday staple!

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Stuffing is not strictly a healthy food, because it is typically high in calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates. 1 But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it, All foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation.

How soggy should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

Because stuffing is an excellent medium for bacterial growth, it's important to handle it safely and cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer. Here are some common ques- tions consumers ask. Stuffing should not be prepared ahead.

Does stove top stuffing taste good? ›

The verdict: It's often said that we eat with our eyes first, and Stove Top's Traditional Sage stuffing was far and away the most visually appealing. Tasters appreciated that there was a a decent crunch in each bite, but we were most impressed by its seasoning.

What can I add to stuffing for more flavor? ›

Fruit, especially dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, figs and apricots can seriously improve a dreary box of stuffing. That bit of sweetness plays beautifully with other flavors on the table. I've found that fresh fruits like apples and pears are stellar as well.

Why is stove top stuffing banned in Europe? ›

The EU requires warning labels on dyes, and countries like Austria, Finland, and Norway have banned Twinkies​​. Stove Top Stuffing: Contains a combination of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), leading to its ban in countries like Japan, the UK, and several European nations​​.

Does Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix go bad? ›

You have to UNDERSTAND food safety and what conditions make different foods unsafe to eat. Sometimes expiration dates need to be taken seriously, and sometimes food is safe to eat passed that date. If you mean the kind you buy in the store dry (such a Pepperidge Farm, no, it does not. It will last practically forever.

What is traditional stuffing made of turkey? ›

Stuffing most often uses dried bread, herbs, and vegetables that are reconstituted with liquid, stuffed into the turkey cavity, and baked until it is firm and finished cooking. In addition, stuffing can also be cooked separately in a casserole dish in the oven, which would then be considered dressing.

Is chicken broth or chicken stock better for stuffing? ›

Homemade stock is the best, but if you don't have homemade, a good store bought stock will work as well. If you use a store bought stock, try to buy one with no/low sodium. I personally have started using bone broth in my stuffing and LOVE it.

Is white or brown bread better for stuffing? ›

You can use any kind; store-bought white bread works well and would probably be my #1 suggestion for stuffing. You could also try using cut up dinner rolls, sourdough bread (actually this would be my personal first pick), challah, or anything else you want to experiment with.

Why use an egg as a thickener? ›

Creamy desserts such as crème brûlée also benefit from eggs' ability to emulsify and produce smooth, satiny, hom*ogeneous mixtures. Their ability to hold up to four times their weight in moisture makes eggs a good thickener for sauces, custards and curds. The proteins in eggs coagulate or set at different temperatures.

What can I use instead of egg to bind stuffing? ›

Some common egg substitutes include:
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

How do you keep stuffing moist? ›

Typically, baking the stuffing inside the bird helps keep the mixture moist. “I prefer stuffing (in the bird) to dressing (outside of the bird) because all those delicious drippings that come off the turkey gets absorbed right into the stuffing,” Bamford says.

Why do we need to apply egg yolk in some dressing? ›

1. **Emulsification**: Eggs or egg yolks act as emulsifiers, helping to bind together the oil and vinegar or lemon juice into a creamy and smooth dressing. This emulsification creates a stable mixture that prevents the oil from separating from the other ingredients.

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