Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipes

I like to read recipes for new and different Thanksgiving stuffing recipes - but I never try them. I always make stuffing the simple and easy way my mom makes it. It is so good - the best turkey stuffing recipe ever. I can't imagine that any of the fancy Thanksgiving stuffing recipes could possibly improve on this one!

turkey stuffing



Stuffing is the favorite Thanksgiving food of every member of my family.

All measurements are approximate. Once you've made this once or twice you won't need to measure at all.

This amount will stuff a good-sized bird (about 15 lbs/7 kg).

Did I mention that we love stuffing?



Check that you have these staples at home

  • in the cupboard

    • whole wheat bread
    • dried sage
    • ground thyme
    • salt
    • pepper

  • in the fridge or freezer

    • butter

Buy these fresh ingredients

  • celery
  • onions

Get out your equipment

  • Essential

    • a very large bowl
    • a cutting board and sharp knife

  • Nice to have but not necessary

    • measuring cups and spoons (if not, just estimate)
    • large spoons (if not, use your hands to mix the stuffing)
    • a butter knife




    The recipe

    1 loaf sliced whole wheat bread

    2 cups/500 mL diced celery

    2 cups/500 mL minced onion

    2 tsp/10 mL dried sage

    1 tsp/5 mL ground thyme

    salt, to taste

    pepper, to taste

    1/4 cup/60 mL butter



    The night before you are going to cook the turkey, get out a very large bowl.
    Using your hands, break the bread into little cubes (about 1/2 inch/1 cm) into the bowl.
    Leave the bowl uncovered overnight so the bread can dry out.

    The next day, while the oven is heating up for the turkey, add the celery, onion, sage, thyme, salt and pepper to the bread cubes.
    Mix well using either your hands or two large spoons.

    Cut the butter into very small cubes, and add them to the bowl.
    Mix well.

    Your stuffing is now ready to go into the turkey!



    Substitutions

    • Use any type of bread in place of the whole wheat bread.

    Ideas for making this recipe your own

    • Experiment with different spices. How about some oregano, rosemary, marjoram, or nutmeg in addition to (or as well as) the sage and thyme?

    • There is no limit to the things that you can add to stuffing! Start with this basic stuffing recipe, and add ingredients to create your own special Thanksgiving stuffing recipes. How about adding some diced apples and pears? Raisins or dried cranberries or diced apricots? Pecans or walnuts or pears? Mushrooms? Sausage or bacon? You are limited only by your imagination!

    Tips

    • You can mix the stuffing ingredients with two large spoons - or use your clean hands.

    • Get your children to break the bread into small pieces. Tearing bread on the night before Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the enduring memories from my childhood. Now I get my own children to do that job!

    • Be sure to use fresh bread - even though you are going to leave it out and let it get dry. You don't want it to taste stale.




    If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like these other Thanksgiving recipes: