Homemade Classic Vegetable Stuffing Recipe
This homemade stuffing recipe offers a classic, flavorful side dish perfect for holiday meals or family dinners. Crisped bread cubes mixed with sautéed vegetables, fresh herbs, and vegetable stock create a savory, moist stuffing baked to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Bread and Vegetables
- 1 loaf of white bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 4 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
Seasonings and Herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
Liquids and Binders
- 1 cup vegetable stock
- 2 eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the stuffing later in the process.
- Toast the Bread Cubes: Arrange the cubed bread evenly on a large sheet pan and place in the oven while it preheats. Bake for about 20 minutes until the bread is dry and crunchy, which helps the stuffing hold its texture.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until it shimmers. Add diced onion, chopped garlic, and celery pieces. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender (about 5 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the toasted bread cubes along with the sautéed vegetables into a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Add fresh thyme and parsley, then toss thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Stock and Eggs: Pour the vegetable stock evenly over the bread mixture and toss to coat all cubes. Then fold in the beaten eggs, distributing them evenly throughout the stuffing to help bind the mixture.
- Bake the Stuffing: Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. After that, uncover and if the stuffing is still moist, bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the top is golden brown and crisp.
Notes
- Using day-old bread or toasting fresh bread cubes in the oven helps reduce moisture for better stuffing texture.
- Fresh herbs significantly enhance the flavor but can be substituted with dried herbs at half the quantity if needed.
- Vegetable stock can be substituted with chicken stock for a non-vegetarian option.
- Ensure the stuffing is well combined but not overly packed in the casserole dish to allow even baking.
- Covering with foil prevents the stuffing from drying out during initial baking.
- Removing the foil near the end allows the top to crisp up beautifully.
