Easy Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays (2024)

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4.58 from 7 votes

Posted by Andrea Updyke

on Nov 10, 2020, Updated Oct 13, 2023

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Our traditional homemade stuffing recipe is easy & comforting. Cook inside turkey for a delicious side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Make it ahead the night before to make prep easy!

I love homemade stuffing. In fact, I was raised on it. And I’ll be honest. I’m not that picky. Stove Top is great. Homemade stuffing is great. Give me more stuffing. Fork it over, as they say.

Easy Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays (2)

So this post truly comes from the heart. Making my own turkey stuffing had me a little nervous at first but now it’s one of my favorite easy Thanksgiving sides to make.

Try this roasted butternut squash for another tasty side dish.

You see, I never actually made my mom’s homemade stuffing until a few years ago, when I cooked my very first turkey.

I was totally overwhelmed and almost caved, but my family threatened encouraged me to make the real thing. So I did! And you can too.

This easy stuffing recipe was seriously the easiest part of my Thanksgiving dinner meal prep and would also be delicious in these leftover turkey eggrolls.

Table of Contents

  • Keep it Simple and Easy with Traditional Stuffing
  • How to Make Stuffing from Scratch
  • Can You Make Stuffing Ahead of Time?
  • Stuffing Recipe Recipe

Keep it Simple and Easy with Traditional Stuffing

Tradition is important to me, especially during the holidays. I do love trying new recipes and making fun little Thanksgiving treats with my kids.

But when it comes to the big meal, I’m all about the comfort food. (see also: slow cooker spicy meatballs)

There are probably a million different ways to make homemade stuffing, but today I decided to share our family recipe (with permission from my Mama). Thanks Mama!

Classic, traditional stuffing cooked inside the turkey is so easy and simple. You’ll wonder why you ever made it any other way.

The holidays are a time for nostalgia and I have no shame in admitting the fact that some of my best memories are directly related to food.

As I type, I can almost smell this delicious homemade stuffing warm and fresh from the oven. Yes, it’s that good!

And really, if you’re going to the trouble of roasting your own turkey, you might as well stuff it! Should that be on an apron? I kinda feel like that should be on an apron.

Of course you CAN bake this stuffing recipe in a casserole dish and it’s still good. But nothing beats the flavor after roasting in the turkey.

How to Make Stuffing from Scratch

Homemade stuffing is so easy to make. You will need the following ingredients:

  • White Bread
  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Sage
  • Egg
  • Butter
  • Garlic Salt
Easy Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays (3)

Chop the vegetables by hand or using a chopper and melt the butter. You will also want to whisk your egg. Then simply tear your bread into small pieces (this is the fun part!) and squish it all together

Easy Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays (4)

Can You Make Stuffing Ahead of Time?

I love that you can make our stuffing recipe ahead of time because the holidays are busy enough. I’m down with any way I can cut down on cooking Thanksgiving or Christmas morning.

This stuffing is so easy to make ahead because it’s really just a bunch of chopping when all is said and done.

Easy Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays (5)

Prepare your ingredients the night before and once your stuffing is mixed together, cover it and put it in the fridge.

Then, when it’s time to cook your turkey, just add your pre-made stuffing and you’re ready to roast.

Then you’ll have plenty of time to do things like make these fun Thanksgiving crafts for kids. My favorite is the thankful tree! Everyone can do it.

Easy Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays (6)

Some people prefer casserole style stuffing. My family tradition has always been to actually stuff the turkey, so that’s how I make it. Letting the stuffing cook inside the turkey is so easy and simple, I really can’t imaging making it any other way.

When you cook your stuffing inside the turkey, you eliminate the need for broth in the recipe because the turkey does all the work.

You can still scoop it out an serve the stuffing in a pretty dish at the table if you want to. It’s a win all around.

Easy Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays (7)

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Stuffing Recipe

4.58 from 7 votes

My family stuffing recipe is easy and so comforting at the holidays. We cook ours with the turkey and it’s delicious! Make this easy stuffing recipe for Thanksgiving or Christmas or any other time you feel like stuffing a turkey! Make ahead the night before so you’ll be ready to go in the morning.

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Yield: 8 servings

By: Andrea Updyke

Ingredients

  • 1 whole loaf of white bread, crumbled
  • 1/2 stick melted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 TBS sage

Add to taste:

  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tsp garlic salt

Instructions

  • Tear the entire loaf of bread into small pieces (kids love helping with this!)

  • Chop veggies and add to the bread mixture. I use about a cup each but you can adjust to taste.

  • Stir egg and pour over mix

  • Add butter and seasoning

  • Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. I’ve found that using my hands is faster and more effective than a spoon but it is messy.

  • (If mixture feels too sticky, just add more bread)

  • Stuff mixture into your raw turkey and cook as you normally would.

Notes

If you want to make this stuffing recipe in a casserole dish, add 1/2 cup of water or broth and bake on 350 for about 30 minutes. If it browns too quickly, add a light cover while baking. (Note I have only done it this way once, so keep an eye on it if you decide to do it this way)

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

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About Andrea Updyke

Andrea Updyke is a married mom of two boys living in Raleigh, NC. She is a published author and blogger of more than 18 years and loves to celebrate the little things that make life awesome.

Whether she's sharing tasty recipes, traveling or hanging with the family, Andrea's goal is to help make your days a little easier and a lot more fun! Email inquiries to andreaupdyke@gmail.com.

Read More About Me

Easy Homemade Turkey Stuffing Recipe for the Holidays (2024)

FAQs

What is stuffing made of in Christmas dinner? ›

Easy stuffing

Starting with dried sourdough bread, celery, onion, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, chicken broth and eggs. A whole stick of butter goes in the pan adding onions, herbs and garlic (sausage is optional). Eggs combine everything together before going in the oven on a baking dish.

Why add eggs to turkey stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

Do you cook stuffing before putting it in the turkey? ›

Give stuffing a head start by heating it up before placing inside the turkey. Like the turkey, stuffing needs to reach the 165 degree mark. If the bird is done before the stuffing, remove stuffing from the cavities and continue to cook in a baking dish.

Should I put egg in my stuffing? ›

The most important ingredient of stuffing may be the binder, which keeps all the other elements in place. For a fluffy texture, use eggs. Stock is the most-used binder. Less conventional possibilities include fruit juice (such as apple or orange) and alcohol (wine or liqueur).

What to stuff a turkey with for flavor? ›

Alliums: Add quartered onions, shallots, leeks, or garlic cloves for a delicious, earthy aroma. Fruits: Insert quarters of apple, lemon, orange, lime, or even grapefruit to add moisture and brightness to the turkey. You can even go with dried fruit, like cranberries, to double down on the autumn vibes.

What is the difference between stuffing and filling food? ›

Although most people in America debate on whether the dish should be called stuffing or dressing the people of Pennsylvania call it filling. Essentially filling is the same as stuffing or dressing. The name suggests that it will fill something like stuffing does.

What's the difference between stuffing and filling? ›

It it's to be put inside an animal, it's stuffing. If it's to be put inside a whole vegetable, it also will be called stuffing, but may be called filling in some circ*mstances. If it's to be put inside anything else, it's filling. This is all style based, though - "stuffed ravioli" is a common idiocy.

Why put mayo on turkey? ›

It may sound unusual, but when you cover your turkey with mayonnaise, it bastes it during the roasting process, keeping the meat moist and tender.

What's the difference between stuffing and dressing a turkey? ›

"Stuffing is cooked in the cavity of the turkey, so the juices soak into the ingredients, making it more flavorful. Dressing gets cooked on its own and needs extra liquid to make it flavorful." So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.

Is it OK to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

No matter where you fall, getting a head start on what can be prepared before the big day is essential. One question that always crops up: Can you make stuffing ahead of time? The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350? ›

It's better to cook a turkey at 350°F after preheating the oven to 450°F. This makes the skin crispier and ensures the turkey will get cooked evenly.

What should I put in the cavity of my turkey? ›

Onion, celery and carrot: These chopped vegetables are placed inside the cavity. These help to add flavor and also keep the turkey moist as they steam. Other vegetables you can use are squashes or peppers. Seasonings & Herbs: Salt, pepper, fresh rosemary and sage.

Can you stuff a turkey with uncooked stuffing? ›

Stuffing Safety

Both the turkey and stuffing need to reach a minimal internal temperature of 165°F in order for harmful pathogens in the stuffing to be killed, explains Baker.

What is the stuffing inside turkey? ›

Stuffing is a side dish consisting of dried bread, such as cornbread, croutons, or breadcrumbs, mixed with meat, onions, celery, and sage. The mixture is then inserted into the cavity of the turkey and roasted.

What is the difference between turkey stuffing and turkey dressing? ›

"Stuffing is cooked in the cavity of the turkey, so the juices soak into the ingredients, making it more flavorful. Dressing gets cooked on its own and needs extra liquid to make it flavorful." So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.

What ingredients goes in turkey dressing? ›

directions. Sauté onion and celery in the butter until tender. Combine onion mixture with bread, pepper, eggs, salt, sage and poultry seasoning in a large mixing bowl. Stir in broth until well moistened.

What is stuffing made of Thanksgiving? ›

The BEST traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is easy to make dried bread cubes, sausage, diced vegetables, and chicken broth. It's a great side dish to make ahead of time and it definitely tastes best homemade! Pair this easy homemade stuffing with our popular turkey recipe, homemade rolls, and Thanksgiving pie.

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