Grandma’s Show-Stealing Thanksgiving Stuffing: A Timeless Recipe for Holiday Magic

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe That Will Steal the Show

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing wafting through your home as family and friends gather. This classic recipe is guaranteed to steal the show at your holiday table. With a perfect blend of savory herbs, toasted bread, and hearty vegetables, the stuffing is crowd-pleasing, easy to prepare, and flexible enough to suit any family tradition.

Flavor-Packed, Timeless Stuffing

What makes this stuffing truly special is its irresistible combination of flavors and textures—crispy on top, tender inside, with sage, thyme, and parsley delivering that unmistakable holiday taste. Whether you serve it baked inside the turkey or as a comforting casserole, it’s sure to satisfy guests and bring nostalgic warmth to your celebration.

Essential Ingredients for Grandma’s Show-Stealing Stuffing

The key to unforgettable stuffing is using quality, dried bread cubes and a harmonious blend of fresh herbs and vegetables. This recipe also allows for easy customization: add sausage, cranberries, or nuts if desired, making it adaptable for your family’s unique preferences.

Ingredients

1 loaf (about 1 lb) day-old country bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 10 cups)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups yellow onions, diced (about 2 medium)
1 1/2 cups celery, diced (about 4 stalks)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2–3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
2 large eggs
Optional: 1 cup cooked sausage, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless holiday planning!

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Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a large casserole dish (9×13 inches works well).
  2. If your bread isn’t already dry, spread the cubes out on a sheet pan and bake for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally until crisp but not browned. Set aside to cool.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced onions and celery, and cook until soft, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Transfer bread cubes to a large mixing bowl. Pour cooked vegetables and butter over the bread and toss together.
  5. If using, mix in sausage, cranberries, or nuts.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups broth and eggs. Drizzle over bread mixture, tossing gently to combine. Add more broth as needed to moisten everything without making the mixture soggy (the bread should absorb the liquid but still hold its shape).
  7. Spread stuffing evenly in your prepared casserole dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
  8. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving for best texture.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is not only ideal for the main event—it’s also a superb choice for make-ahead weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal planning tool to seamlessly plot out your feast and organize all your shopping in one smart list.

Planning Benefits:

  • Accurately calculates total ingredient amounts across all planned recipes
  • Organizes your grocery list by store section for faster shopping
  • Prevents overbuying, duplicate purchases, and forgotten items
  • Keeps weekly and holiday meal planning stress-free and streamlined

Pro tip: Planning stuffing plus other sides? Schedule your recipes together to spot overlapping ingredients—great for saving money and reducing food waste!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Conclusion: The Stuffing That Always Performs

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing is more than a side—it’s the nostalgic centerpiece that brings everyone together. With its savory flavors, foolproof instructions, and meal planning ease, this recipe is destined to steal the show at every holiday meal you host.

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