This herb stuffing recipe is a delightful addition to any meal, especially during the holiday season. The combination of fresh herbs and savory ingredients creates a flavorful and aromatic dish that pairs perfectly with roasted meats or can be enjoyed on its own. The crispy top and moist interior make it a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
While most of the ingredients in this herb stuffing recipe are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up fresh herbs like parsley, sage, and thyme if you don't already have them on hand. Fresh herbs can be found in the produce section of your supermarket. Additionally, make sure you have day-old bread or toasted bread cubes ready, as these form the base of the stuffing.
Ingredients For Herb Stuffing Recipe
Bread cubes: Day-old or toasted bread cubes provide the base for the stuffing, giving it structure and texture.
Onion: Chopped onion adds a sweet and savory flavor to the stuffing.
Celery: Chopped celery contributes a crunchy texture and a subtle, fresh taste.
Butter: Melted butter adds richness and helps to bind the ingredients together.
Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note to the stuffing.
Sage: Fresh sage provides an earthy, slightly peppery flavor that is classic in stuffing recipes.
Thyme: Fresh thyme adds a subtle, minty flavor that complements the other herbs.
Chicken broth: Chicken broth moistens the bread cubes and adds depth of flavor.
Salt: Salt enhances the overall flavor of the stuffing.
Black pepper: Black pepper adds a hint of spice and balances the flavors.
Technique Tip for Herb Stuffing
When preparing the bread cubes for this herb stuffing, ensure they are day-old or toasted to achieve the best texture. Fresh bread can become too soggy when mixed with the butter and chicken broth. To toast the bread, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and crisp. This step helps the bread absorb the flavors of the herbs and broth more effectively, resulting in a stuffing with a perfect balance of moisture and crunch.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
day-old or toasted bread cubes - Substitute with cornbread cubes: Cornbread adds a slightly sweet flavor and a different texture that can complement the herbs.
chopped onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, slightly sweeter taste compared to onions.
chopped celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel adds a subtle anise flavor and a similar crunch to celery.
melted butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a healthier fat option and adds a rich flavor.
chopped fresh parsley - Substitute with chopped fresh cilantro: Cilantro offers a fresh, citrusy flavor that can brighten the dish.
chopped fresh sage - Substitute with dried sage: Dried sage is more concentrated, so use half the amount to achieve a similar flavor.
chopped fresh thyme - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme is more potent, so use half the amount to maintain the same flavor profile.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a great vegetarian alternative that still provides a rich, savory base.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a depth of umami flavor and can enhance the overall taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different heat profile and can add a subtle complexity to the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Stuffing
How to Store or Freeze Your Stuffing
- Allow the stuffing to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the bread cubes soggy.
- Transfer the cooled stuffing to an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Ensure you press out as much air as possible to maintain freshness.
- Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of its storage time.
Refrigeration
- Store the stuffing in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure it is in the coldest part of the fridge to keep it fresh.
- When ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffing in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and heat for about 20-30 minutes, or until warmed through. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to crisp up the top.
Freezing
- For longer storage, freeze the stuffing. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- To freeze, place the stuffing in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Again, remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- When ready to use, thaw the stuffing in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) as described above, adding a bit of chicken broth if the stuffing seems dry.
Tips for Best Results
- If you plan to freeze the stuffing, consider undercooking it slightly before freezing. This way, it won't become overcooked when you reheat it.
- For added flavor, sprinkle some extra fresh herbs like parsley, sage, or thyme on top before reheating.
- If you prefer a crispy top, uncover the stuffing for the last few minutes of reheating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the stuffing evenly in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for about 20-30 minutes until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to restore that delightful crispy top.
For a quicker method, use the microwave. Place the stuffing in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
If you prefer the stovetop, melt a bit of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the stuffing and stir occasionally for about 5-10 minutes until thoroughly warmed and slightly crispy.
For an air fryer, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffing in the basket in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
To add a bit of moisture back into the stuffing, drizzle a small amount of chicken broth over it before reheating using any of the above methods. This will help keep it from drying out and enhance the flavors.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the stuffing at a consistent temperature of 350°F (175°C).
Mixing bowl: A large bowl to combine all the ingredients together.
Chopping board: Provides a surface to chop the onion, celery, parsley, sage, and thyme.
Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the vegetables and herbs finely.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the bread cubes, chicken broth, and chopped vegetables accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt, pepper, and chopped herbs precisely.
Baking dish: A dish to transfer the stuffing mixture into for baking.
Aluminum foil: Used to cover the baking dish for the initial baking period.
Wooden spoon: Useful for mixing the ingredients together in the mixing bowl.
Microwave or stove: To melt the butter before adding it to the mixture.
How to Save Time on Making Stuffing
Use pre-chopped vegetables: Save time by buying pre-chopped onion and celery from the store.
Pre-made bread cubes: Purchase pre-toasted bread cubes to skip the toasting step.
Melt butter in microwave: Quickly melt the butter in the microwave instead of using a stovetop.
Use dried herbs: Substitute dried herbs for fresh ones to save on chopping time.
Preheat oven early: Start preheating the oven while you prepare the ingredients to save time.
Herb Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 cups bread cubes day-old or toasted
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup butter melted
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine bread cubes, onion, celery, parsley, sage, and thyme.
- Pour melted butter and chicken broth over the mixture. Add salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and cover with foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
Nutritional Value
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