There’s something undeniably comforting about the smell of butter and herbs wafting from the oven on a holiday morning. This classic butter herb stuffing is the dish my family waits all year for, and for good reason. It’s rich with golden, buttery cubes of bread, flecked with sautéed onions and celery, and layered with the warm flavors of thyme, sage, and parsley. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or just craving something cozy, this stuffing brings back memories with every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Butter Herb Stuffing
This stuffing is soft in the center, perfectly crisp on top, and soaked with buttery flavor throughout. It’s easy to prepare, ideal for making ahead, and pairs beautifully with all your holiday favorites. The fresh herbs add brightness while the savory base creates that nostalgic flavor everyone hopes for on Thanksgiving. If you’ve ever felt unsure about homemade stuffing, this one’s practically foolproof.
Ingredients for Classic Butter Herb Stuffing
This stuffing keeps things simple, just fresh, everyday ingredients layered with buttery flavor and savory herbs. You can find everything at a standard grocery store, and the prep is easier than you’d expect.
Pantry & Fresh
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Day-old French bread, cubed | 12 cups |
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup (2 sticks) |
| Yellow onion, chopped | 1 large |
| Celery stalks, diced | 3 |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | ¼ cup |
| Fresh sage, minced | 2 tablespoons |
| Fresh thyme leaves | 1 tablespoon |
| Chicken or vegetable broth | 2½ to 3 cups |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
Learn more about safe broth use from the CDC if using homemade stock.
Substitutions
You can swap French bread for sourdough or Italian bread, just make sure it’s dry and slightly stale. Use gluten-free bread for a celiac-friendly version. Vegetable broth works just as well as chicken broth, and dried herbs can replace fresh in a pinch, just reduce the amount by one-third. For extra richness, stir in one beaten egg before baking.
How to Make Classic Butter Herb Stuffing
Making a classic butter herb stuffing from scratch is easier than most home cooks expect. Follow these quick phases from prep to bake:
- Toast the Bread for Herb Stuffing
Set your oven to 350°F and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. Spread your cubed bread on a baking sheet and toast it in the oven for 10–15 minutes if it isn’t already dry.
- Sauté the Veggies
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and celery, and cook until softened, about 8–10 minutes. Stir in the herbs and cook for another minute.
- Build the Butter Herb Stuffing Mix
In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the buttery vegetable mixture. Slowly pour in the broth, stirring gently to coat. Add enough to make it moist but not soggy.
- Bake the Classic Stuffing to Finish
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp.
Pro Tips
Use bread that’s at least a day or two old, this helps it absorb the broth without getting mushy. Warm your broth before mixing to avoid cooling the butter mixture. Don’t skip the fresh herbs; they bring brightness to the rich flavors. Letting the stuffing rest for 10 minutes before serving allows the flavors to settle. If prepping ahead, assemble it without baking and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
Variations & Substitutions
Make it gluten-free by using your favorite GF loaf. To go dairy-free, swap the butter with vegan butter or olive oil. Add cooked sausage, mushrooms, or even chopped apples for a twist. For a nostalgic twist, check out Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing, pure comfort in a pan.
Serve It With
This stuffing is perfect alongside roast turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and gravy. It also works well with pork tenderloin, rotisserie chicken, or even a vegetarian mushroom roast. Want to compare styles? Add this Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe to your lineup.
Storage & Reheat
Cool leftovers completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, place stuffing in a baking dish, splash with a bit of broth, and warm covered at 350°F for 20 minutes. You can also microwave individual servings with a damp paper towel on top to keep moisture. According to FDA food safety guidance, leftovers should be chilled within 2 hours.
Nutrition
Each serving (about 1 cup) contains approximately 280 calories, 14g fat, 33g carbohydrates, and 5g protein. Based on USDA data, this stuffing offers a balance of carbs, fat, and protein for a holiday meal without being overly heavy.
FAQs About The Classic Butter Herb Stuffing
Start with dry bread cubes, then sauté onions and celery in melted butter until tender. Add herbs and broth, mix everything together, and bake until golden. It’s all about balancing moisture with crispness.
Using fresh bread is a top mistake, it turns mushy. Over-mixing, under-seasoning, or drowning the bread in broth can also ruin texture. Always taste your broth mix before baking to adjust seasoning.
Dry bread, lots of butter, and a generous hand with fresh herbs. Cooking the veggies until soft and layering flavor with warm broth makes the stuffing rich and deeply savory without being greasy.
You’ll typically find cubed bread, butter, onions, celery, broth, and a mix of herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley. Some versions may include eggs, garlic, or added proteins like sausage.
More Like The Classic Butter Herb Stuffing
Prefer a different spin? Try the Perfect Homemade Stuffing, simple and crowd-pleasing. Make it a one-pan meal with Southern Green Bean Casserole. Need a lighter version? The Root Vegetable Gratin is always a hit. For gluten-free needs, bookmark this Grandma’s Thanksgiving Stuffing.
Print
Classic Butter Herb Stuffing Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yield: 10 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and buttery with crispy edges, this classic herb stuffing is the holiday side dish everyone asks for every year.
Ingredients
- Day-old French bread, cubed – 12 cups
- Unsalted butter – 1 cup (2 sticks)
- Yellow onion, chopped – 1 large
- Celery stalks, diced – 3
- Fresh parsley, chopped – ¼ cup
- Fresh sage, minced – 2 tablespoons
- Fresh thyme leaves – 1 tablespoon
- Chicken or vegetable broth – 2½ to 3 cups
- Salt and pepper – To taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Toast bread cubes if needed until dry.
- Sauté onion and celery in butter until soft. Stir in herbs.
- Toss bread cubes with butter mixture and broth until moist.
- Transfer to baking dish, cover, bake 30 mins. Uncover, bake 20 more until golden.
Notes
- Use day-old or toasted bread to avoid soggy texture.
- Fresh herbs offer the best flavor, but dried can work in a pinch.
- Assemble ahead and bake just before serving for easy prep.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Save This Recipe for Later
Planning your Thanksgiving menu? Save this recipe to Pinterest so you’ll have it ready when the holidays roll around. You can also share it with friends or drop a comment below if you try it, this classic butter herb stuffing belongs on your holiday table. Or browse our Unique Thanksgiving Recipes for more festive ideas.