Christmas Stuffing: 7 Secrets for a Delicious Feast Recipe

Introduction

This classic Christmas stuffing recipe is a flavorful and comforting addition to your holiday feast. With a perfect blend of herbs, celery, and onion, it brings warmth and tradition to your table. Whether you serve it alongside turkey or as a hearty side dish, it’s sure to please a crowd.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf of bread, cubed
• 1 cup of celery, chopped
• 1 cup of onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of dried sage
• 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
3. Step 3: Add the chopped celery and onion to the skillet and sauté until soft.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, dried sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Step 5: Pour in the chicken broth and mix gently until the bread is evenly moistened.
6. Step 6: Stir in walnuts and dried cranberries if using, ensuring they are well distributed.
7. Step 7: Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and spread evenly.
8. Step 8: Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp.

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old or slightly stale bread for better texture absorption without becoming mushy.
• Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth to make this stuffing vegetarian-friendly.
• Add cooked sausage or apples for extra flavor and a festive twist.
• Cover the baking dish with foil for the first 20 minutes to keep the stuffing moist, then uncover to brown the top.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through for best texture, or microwave in shorter intervals to avoid sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the stuffing ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffing a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. Let it come to room temperature before baking to ensure even cooking.

Is it necessary to use dried herbs?

Dried herbs provide concentrated flavor, but you can substitute fresh herbs if preferred. Use about three times the amount of fresh sage and thyme to maintain the same intensity.

Christmas Stuffing: 7 Secrets for a Delicious Feast Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.7 from 88 reviews

• Author: Harper
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

This classic Christmas stuffing recipe combines fresh bread cubes with savory herbs, sautéed vegetables, and optional walnuts and dried cranberries for a flavorful, moist stuffing perfect for holiday feasts. Slow-baked to a golden brown, it’s a comforting side dish that complements any Christmas dinner.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 loaf of bread, cubed
• 1 cup of celery, chopped
• 1 cup of onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of dried sage
• 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper

Optional Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup of dried cranberries

---

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the stuffing dish.
2. Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped celery and onion and sauté until they become soft and fragrant, usually about 5-7 minutes.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread, sautéed celery and onion, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix evenly to disperse the herbs and vegetables throughout the bread.
4. Add Broth: Pour in the chicken broth gradually, stirring gently to moisten the bread mixture without making it soggy. Ensure the bread absorbs the broth well.
5. Add Nuts and Fruit (Optional): If using, fold in the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries to add texture and a touch of sweetness.
6. Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Transfer the bread mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.
7. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the stuffing is heated through.

Notes

• For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
• Day-old bread works best as it absorbs the broth better without becoming mushy.
• Adjust seasoning to taste; you can add more herbs if desired.
• Adding nuts and dried cranberries gives additional texture and flavor but is optional.
• Ensure not to over-saturate the bread with broth to keep stuffing texture ideal.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas stuffing, holiday stuffing, bread stuffing, baked stuffing, savory stuffing, Thanksgiving side, Christmas side dish