If you’ve only ever had stuffing from a box, this is your sign to make it from scratch. Once you do, you’ll never go back. Homemade Stuffing is buttery, herby, and perfectly crisp on the top while soft and moist underneath. Every bite tastes like the holidays and it’s the kind of side dish that is actually fought over.

It’s nostalgic, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make. Whether you serve it with roast turkey, chicken, or on its own with a drizzle of gravy, it’s going to be a hit.

There’s something about Homemade Stuffing that feels like the soul of the holiday table. It’s golden and buttery, crispy on top yet soft inside, and it tastes like pure comfort food. Forget the boxed mix; this version is loaded with onions, tender celery, and just the right amount of herbs to make the whole kitchen smell like a nostalgic trip down memory lane. I love that it’s simple but never boring. Whether you make it with white bread, sourdough, or a mix of whatever bread you’ve got on hand, it turns out perfect every single time. Don’t forget the French Onion Dip and Roasted Brussels Sprouts for your holiday menu too.

😍 Why You’ll Love This Homemade Stuffing

Holiday essential: the buttery, herby side dish that everyone loves and for good reason.
Perfect texture: crisp on top, soft in the middle, and never soggy thanks to the toasted bread and just the right amount of broth.
Better than the box: rich, real ingredients and no mystery flavours.
Customizable: make it your own with any mix of breads, herbs, or add-ins like sausage, apples, or mushrooms.

🍞 Ingredients To Make This Homemade Stuffing Recipe

White sandwich bread: this forms the base of this stuffing. Toasting them first gives structure and that amazing crispy-soft contrast.You can also mix in sourdough or whole wheat for extra depth.
Salted butter: the secret to rich, golden flavour. It coats every cube of bread and ties everything together. If you only have unsalted, just add a generous pinch of salt.
Yellow onions: finely chopped and sautéed until tender for that sweet, aromatic foundation every great stuffing needs.
Celery: adds crunch and freshness, balancing the richness of the butter and herbs. It’s the unsung hero of classic stuffing.

Fresh sage: slightly peppery, sage gives stuffing its signature holiday taste.
Fresh thyme: bright and aromatic, thyme adds depth without overpowering.
Fresh rosemary: a small amount goes a long way. It brings an earthy, piney note that feels cozy and festive.
Black pepper: just enough to add warmth to the buttery mix.
Chicken broth: use salted broth for full flavour. It moistens the bread without making it soggy and carries all those infused herb flavors through every bite.
Garlic: simmered whole in the broth to gently flavour the entire dish.

✔ How To Make Stuffing Homemade

To start, preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare the bread by toasting each slice until lightly golden brown. Once toasted, cut the bread into small, uniform cubes, about ¼ inch in size. Add the cubes to a large mixing bowl.

While the bread cools, make the broth. In a small pot, add the chicken broth along with the garlic cloves, sage, thyme, and rosemary. Set the pot over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Once it reaches a simmer, remove the heat and set aside.

Next, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over to medium heat. Once melted, add the finely chopped onions, celery, sage, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper. Cook slowly for about 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, but not browned. Remove and discard the herb sprigs before using.

🤝 Sammy’s Tips for Homemade Stuffing

• Discard any loose crumbs – ensuring they aren’t added to the bowl.
• You want the consistency of the stuffing to be wet but not fully saturated. You can add up to an additional cup of broth if required, this will depend on your bread selection.

Pour the buttery vegetable mixture over the toasted bread cubes. Toss gently to combine so every cube gets a little coating of that buttery flavor. Then, gradually pour in the warm broth, about one cup at a time.

Transfer the stuffing to a deep 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with a pinch of black pepper and about ¼ teaspoon dried thyme. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and crisp but the inside remains soft and moist.

🗒 Variations

Add sausage: brown some sausage and mix it in before baking for a heartier version.
Add some sweetness: stir in diced apples, dried cranberries, or chopped pecans.
Vegetarian twist: swap in vegetable broth instead of chicken broth

🗒 Substitutions

Bread swap: use sourdough for some tang, whole wheat for nuttiness, or mix both for variety.
Dairy free? use a quality vegan butter substitute.
No chicken broth? Veggie or mushroom broth work great, just be sure it’s well-salted.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky You.

Leftover homemade stuffing might just be better the next day. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat it in the oven or in the microwave with a splash of broth to bring back that moisture.

🤔 FAQ’S

👩🏻‍🍳 Hungry For More? 

If you loved this Homemade Stuffing recipe, then make sure to check out a few of my other favourites you may also love:

• Honey Roasted Carrots with Whipped Feta & Crispy Garlic
• Crispy Roasted Potatoes
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Lemon Dill & Chive Dressing
• French Onion Dip
• Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this homemade stuffing recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.