Bread Stuffing with Fresh Herbs

Especially on Thanksgiving, skip the packaged stuffing mix and use day-old bread and fresh herbs for great flavor.
For a homemade holiday, visit the Guide to Thanksgiving Dinner for hundreds of recipes for turkey, pie, stuffing, and sides. 
Feeling inspired? Use the Bread Stuffing Recipe Maker to create a custom bread stuffing recipe.

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  1 lb. crusty Italian or French bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (10 to 12 cups)
  
  


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  2 oz. (4 Tbs.) unsalted butter; more for the pan
  
  


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  2 medium-large yellow onions, cut into medium dice
  
  


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  2 medium celery stalks (or 3 celery heart stalks), cut into medium dice (3/4 cup)
  
  


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  2 to 3 cups lower-salt chicken broth
  
  


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  1/3 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  
  


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  1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh sage
  
  


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  1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh thyme
  
  


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  2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  
  


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  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
  

Tip:

For the best stuffing, let the bread dry overnight so it can absorb all the other delicious flavors that make it stuffing; toasting the bread also boosts flavor.

Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Let dry overnight.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 400°F. Bake the bread cubes until light golden-brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

Heat the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool. (The recipe may be prepared to this point up to 6 hours ahead.)

In a large bowl, mix the bread cubes with the cooked vegetables, 2 cups of the broth, the parsley, sage, thyme, eggs, 3/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. If the liquid isn’t immediately absorbed by the bread, toss occasionally for a few minutes until it is. If the liquid is immediately absorbed, toss in another 1/2 cup broth. The bread should be moist but not soggy. If necessary, add the remaining 1/2 cup broth.

Butter a 3-quart baking dish (13x9-inch works well). Transfer the bread mixture to the dish, cover with foil, and bake at 400°F until heated through, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the top is slightly browned and crusty, about 20 minutes more.