The Best Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

Stuffing — or dressing, depending on where you grew up — is the soul of the Thanksgiving table. The best Thanksgiving stuffing recipe balances a crisp top with a soft, savory interior, plenty of sage, and just enough broth. Here's the classic, plus variations.

Ingredients

One loaf of sturdy bread (sourdough, French, or cornbread), cut into cubes and toasted; 1 large onion and 3 ribs celery, diced; 1/2 cup butter; 2–3 cups good stock; 2 eggs; a generous handful of fresh sage, plus thyme and parsley; salt and pepper. Sausage, apples, or mushrooms make great add-ins.

Method

Sauté the celery and onion in butter until soft, then stir in the herbs. Toss the toasted bread cubes with the sautéed vegetables, moisten with enough stock to soften but not drown them, and bind with beaten egg. Bake in a buttered dish at 375°F (190°C) for 40–45 minutes until the top is golden and crisp. For a Thanksgiving stuffing recipe with sausage, brown the sausage first and fold it in.

Variations & Make-Ahead

Try a cornbread-and-sausage stuffing, a mushroom-and-apple vegetarian version using vegetable broth, or a gluten-free version with GF bread. Stuffing is an excellent make-ahead Thanksgiving side: assemble it the day before and bake it while the turkey rests. It's also a natural for Thanksgiving potluck ideas because it travels so well.