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
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
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the stuffing dish.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Nuts and Fruit (Optional): If using, fold in the chopped walnuts and dried cranberries to add texture and a touch of sweetness.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Transfer the bread mixture into the dish and spread it evenly.
- 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
