Name: Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 13-15 cups dry bread cubes (about 2 1-pound loaves, preferably heavier bread like French bread); 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter; 1 cup chopped celery; 1 cup diced yellow onion; 2 1/4 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 1/2 tablespoons poultry seasoning; 1 1/2 cups chicken stock (low sodium preferred); 2 large eggs

There’s something deeply comforting about the aroma of herbs, butter, and toasted bread filling the kitchen on Thanksgiving. This Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe captures that nostalgia and delivers it in every bite — simple, savory, and full of tradition.

A white oval plate filled with a single layer of golden brown bread stuffing made up of uneven chunky bread pieces mixed with small bits of green celery. The stuffing has a slightly crispy texture on top with a mix of soft and crunchy bread, speckled with black pepper and herbs. There are two sprigs of fresh green herbs, one rosemary and one thyme, placed on the right side of the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a brown and white striped cloth napkin partially visible on the lower left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this recipe is a keeper because it’s the one stuffing recipe that always brings everyone to the table during the holidays. I remember Grandma pulling it out as a sacred tradition—and now I’m passing it along to you. It’s just that good.

Classic Comfort: The flavors are traditional and familiar, bringing that cozy, warm feeling every Thanksgiving.
Perfect Texture: Using a heavier bread like French bread helps the stuffing soak up all those buttery, savory juices to get moist without soggy.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples on hand, making it easy to prep without stress.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The bread cubes can be prepped days in advance, saving you precious holiday morning time.

The image shows a white oval plate filled with golden brown bread stuffing. The stuffing is made of many irregular chunks of bread with crispy browned edges and softer inside parts mixed with small bits of green celery. On top and to one side of the plate, two sprigs of fresh green herbs, rosemary and thyme, rest as decoration. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a red and white striped cloth partially under it. The textures of the stuffing look crunchy and soft in different places, with a warm, toasted color palette. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe plays its role perfectly, balancing richness with a touch of herbaceous flavor. Choosing the right bread and seasoning sets the foundation for this beloved dish.

Flat lay of a pile of irregular, golden-brown dried bread cubes, a few whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small mound of pale yellow unsalted butter, a handful of fresh green celery stalks with crisp leaves, a small pile of diced bright yellow onion, a small white ceramic bowl filled with coarse salt crystals, another small white bowl holding freshly ground black pepper, a small white bowl containing poultry seasoning powder in warm brown tones, and a small white bowl filled with golden chicken stock, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Bread Cubes: I recommend French bread because it’s denser and soaks up the butter and broth without turning mushy—plus, homemade dried cubes add an extra rustic touch.
Unsalted Butter: Butter is your flavor booster here, giving richness and helping soften the onions and celery beautifully.
Celery: Adds that subtle crunch and freshness, balancing all the heavier flavors.
Yellow Onion: Sweet and mild, sautéed till tender which deepens the stuffing’s flavor.
Salt: Essential to bring out all the flavors, but adjust to taste especially if your broth is already salty.
Ground Black Pepper: Adds a gentle bite and warmth to complement the herbs.
Poultry Seasoning: The magic mix of sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram that makes this unmistakably Thanksgiving.
Chicken Stock: Use low sodium if you want to control seasoning; it moistens the bread cubes and marries everything together.
Large Eggs: These bind the stuffing together so it holds its shape when baked.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love most is how you can tweak this recipe to fit your family’s tastes without losing the soul of Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing. Don’t be afraid to make it your own.

Variation: I sometimes add chopped apples or dried cranberries for a sweet contrast—my family loves the unexpected pop of flavor.
For a Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free bread cubes or cornbread as a substitute—just make sure they dry out well beforehand.
Herb Boost: Feel free to freshen it up with chopped sage or rosemary from your garden instead of poultry seasoning.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies Until Tender and Aromatic

Start by warming your butter over medium-high heat, then add the celery and onion. I like to let them soften for about 10 to 12 minutes until they’re translucent and fragrant but not browned. This step really brings out their natural sweetness, which balances the savory notes in the stuffing. Stir occasionally to avoid burning—patience here pays off in flavor.

Step 2: Combine Bread Cubes with Flavorful Mixture

Place those perfectly dried bread cubes in a big bowl. Pour the warm butter, onion, and celery mix over them to soak in all that richness. Then sprinkle in salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. At this point, I always take a moment to make sure everything looks well coated before adding the chicken broth and eggs. Toss it gently; you want that broth absorbed but not soggy.

Step 3: Bake Until Golden and Irresistible

Spread your stuffing evenly in a lightly greased 9×13" baking dish. This ensures it cooks through and crisps just right on top. Pop it into a 350°F oven for about 30-35 minutes. When it comes out golden and bubbling around the edges, you know you’ve hit the jackpot. Let it rest a few minutes before serving—this helps it set perfectly.

Top Tip

From all the times I’ve made Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe, these simple tips helped me avoid trouble and achieve that just-right texture and flavor balance every time.

Dry Your Bread Cubes Thoroughly: Two days of air drying, stirring occasionally, helped me get bread that soaks up juices perfectly without turning mushy in the oven.
Don’t Rush the Sauté: Taking the time to sweat the onions and celery until soft really deepens the flavor; skipping this step will show.
Press Your Bread Cubes Into the Measuring Cup: I learned that loosely packed bread throws off the balance of liquid and bread—packing firmly ensures the texture turns out just right.
Bake Uncovered: Covering can trap moisture and make your stuffing soggy—leave it uncovered for that golden top with a bit of crisp.

How to Serve Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe

Thanksgiving stuffing - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle fresh parsley over the top right before serving — it adds a lovely splash of green and freshness that brightens each bite. Rosemary sprigs make a beautiful, fragrant garnish if you want something more rustic and festive.

Side Dishes

This stuffing pairs beautifully with classic turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce. Honestly, it’s the centerpiece that ties all those other traditional dishes together on the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve baked the stuffing in individual ramekins for each guest — it feels so cozy and fancy at the same time! You can also hollow out a seeded pumpkin or butternut squash and bake the stuffing inside for a stunning presentation that doubles as a side dish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to cool leftover stuffing completely, then transfer it into an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge up to four days, which is perfect for snacking between holiday meals or a quick side the next day.

Freezing

Freezing works great too—I freeze portions in zip-top bags, flattening them for easy stacking. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat (below) for that fresh-baked feel.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, spread them in a baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and warm at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, uncovering the last five minutes for a crisp top. I avoid microwaving because I want to keep that delightful texture intact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this stuffing without eggs?

Yes! You can omit the eggs if you want a looser stuffing texture. Some people use a flax egg or an extra splash of chicken stock to help bind it together instead.

How do I make homemade bread cubes for the stuffing?

Simply cut up your bread into 1-inch cubes and leave it uncovered in a large bowl or baking sheet for about 48 hours, stirring once or twice each day until the cubes are dry but still slightly soft inside.

Can I bake the stuffing inside the turkey?

You can, but it's crucial to ensure the stuffing reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F to avoid foodborne illness. Baking it separately in a casserole dish is often safer and easier for controlling texture.

What if I like crispier stuffing?

Try spreading the stuffing thinner in your baking dish, increasing baking time by 5-10 minutes, or placing it under the broiler for a minute or two at the end—just watch closely to avoid burning.

Final Thoughts

This Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe isn’t just about food — it’s about tradition, family, and those little moments that make the holidays feel special. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, sharing warmth and smiles around your own dinner table. Trust me, your guests will be asking for this recipe year after year!