Stuffing
A classic stuffing recipe, perfect for elevating your holiday meals. This dish combines crumbled day-old bread with sautéed onions and celery, seasoned perfectly with poultry seasoning and parsley. Ideal for turkey or chicken, it brings warmth and flavor to any festive gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt margarine and sauté the onion and celery until light yellow.
- Add bread crumbs and remaining ingredients.
- Toss lightly with a fork to mix.
- Makes enough stuffing for a small turkey, 8 pounds.
- Use half for a roasting chicken.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using butter instead of margarine and add sautéed garlic or mushrooms. To make this stuffing vegan, substitute margarine with a plant-based butter and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth if desired. You can also add nuts or dried fruits for added texture and flavor. If you prefer a more herby stuffing, try incorporating fresh thyme or rosemary.
Serving Suggestions
This stuffing pairs beautifully with a roasted turkey or chicken and is perfect for holiday meals. Serve it alongside traditional American sides like mashed potatoes and gravy, or a refreshing Rhubarb Salad for a contrast in flavors. For a hearty meal, consider serving with a side of Vegetable Rice Salad to complete the plate.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, spread it in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-30 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions until hot.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Stuffing contains roughly 940 calories, with 15g protein, 160g carbohydrates, and 31g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (41% of the Daily Value), iron (39% of the Daily Value), and protein (30% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1806mg per serving (79% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare this stuffing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the stuffing a day in advance. Simply follow the recipe up to the point of mixing the ingredients, then cover and refrigerate. When ready to cook, you can bake it straight from the fridge or let it come to room temperature before baking.
Can I use fresh bread instead of day-old bread?
While day-old bread is preferable for better texture, you can use fresh bread. Just cut it into cubes and let it sit out for a few hours to dry a bit before using it in the recipe. This will help prevent the stuffing from becoming too soggy.
How can I make this stuffing gluten-free?
To make this stuffing gluten-free, substitute the day-old bread with gluten-free bread. There are many brands available that work well for stuffing. Be sure to check the seasonings and margarine for gluten-free labels to ensure the entire dish meets gluten-free standards.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).