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); 2 1/4 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 1/2 tablespoons poultry seasoning; 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter; 1 cup chopped celery; 1 cup diced yellow onion; 1 1/2 cups chicken stock (low sodium recommended); 2 large eggs

There’s something about that cozy aroma of sage, butter, and warm bread that just screams holiday comfort. This Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe always brings those nostalgic feelings flooding back — it’s the kind of stuffing that fills the room with warmth and makes every bite taste like family 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

This isn’t just any stuffing — it’s the heart and soul of a Thanksgiving meal, passed down from grandma’s kitchen to yours. The balance of flavors, the buttery richness, and the perfect texture make it an absolute showstopper. I’ve made this recipe countless times, and it never fails to impress.

Classic Comfort: The blend of celery, onion, and poultry seasoning creates that unmistakable holiday flavor you remember.
Buttery Goodness: Plenty of butter to make sure every bite is moist and rich without being soggy.
Easy to Make: Just a handful of simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean you won’t be stuck in the kitchen all day.
Customizable: Whether you add sausage, nuts, or dried cranberries, this stuffing adapts beautifully to your family’s taste.

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

The magic of Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe lies in simple, quality ingredients that complement each other beautifully. Each plays a vital role — from texture to flavor — and together they create that perfect holiday classic.

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

Dry bread cubes: I prefer using a heartier French bread because it soaks up the butter and stock wonderfully without turning mushy.
Unsalted butter: This adds a rich creaminess and helps soften the vegetables, giving that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Chopped celery: Adds a subtle crunch and just the right fresh, slightly bitter note.
Diced yellow onion: Sweetness and depth come from sweating these until tender.
Salt and ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning the stuffing perfectly.
Poultry seasoning: The star spice blend that brings that classic Thanksgiving flavor we all love.
Chicken stock: Moistens the bread and infuses it with savory goodness; low sodium gives you control over saltiness.
Large eggs: They bind the stuffing together for easy slicing and serving.

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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

I’ve always loved this stuffing as is, but I know everyone has their own twist. Feel free to play around — add sausage for extra flavor, toss in dried cranberries or nuts for some texture, or even swap the poultry seasoning for fresh herbs if you want a brighter flavor. Making it yours is part of the fun!

Sausage Addition: Adding cooked, crumbled sausage gives a savory richness that my family can’t get enough of.
Herb Swap: Sometimes, I swap poultry seasoning for fresh sage and thyme, which adds a lovely, vibrant herbal note.
Vegetarian Version: Just use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock and skip the eggs if you want a plant-based option.

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

Step 1: Prep and Sauté the Veggies

Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF and greasing your baking dish — I usually use a 9×13" pan or a 2-quart casserole. While that warms up, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in diced onions and chopped celery, and sauté for about 10-12 minutes until everything is tender and the onions are translucent but not browned. This step builds the base flavor, so don’t rush it.

Step 2: Mix the Stuffing Base

Put your bread cubes in a large bowl — make sure they’re just dry enough to soak up liquid but not too crunchy. Pour the buttery veggie mix over and stir gently so every piece gets coated. Add salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, chicken stock, and eggs, then mix again until everything is thoroughly combined. The eggs help everything hold together, especially if you like slicing your stuffing.

Step 3: Bake Until Golden

Transfer your mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Pop it in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the top is beautifully golden brown and the edges are slightly crisp. This bake time ensures a perfect balance of moist interior and a lovely crust on top.

Top Tip

Through years of making this stuffing, I've found a few tricks that take it from good to unforgettable. Here’s what I recommend:

Dry Your Bread Properly: Don't skip drying your bread cubes! I like to cut the bread into cubes two days before Thanksgiving and let it air-dry, stirring every day. This soaking ability is key to moist stuffing that isn’t mushy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Spreading the stuffing out in a shallow dish helps it bake evenly and develop a crunchy crust on top.
Butter is Your Friend: Plenty of butter ensures richness; don’t skimp here unless you want dry stuffing. Just balance it with the bread quantity.
Season Well: Taste-test your mix before baking (I get it — raw stuffing is a weird idea, but it works!). Adjust salt, pepper, or herbs to your liking so you don’t end up with bland stuffing at the table.

How to Serve Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe

Thanksgiving stuffing - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle fresh parsley over the top right before serving for a pop of color and a hint of herbaceous brightness. Sometimes I mix in a little fresh rosemary or thyme depending on what I have on hand—it adds that lovely fresh aroma that makes the whole meal feel extra special.

Side Dishes

This stuffing pairs beautifully with classic sides like roasted Brussels sprouts, creamy mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. I often serve it alongside my grandma’s turkey recipe, so the flavors truly meld together on the plate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, try baking the stuffing in individual ramekins or stuffing it inside half a hollowed-out pumpkin or acorn squash for a stunning centerpiece. You can even stuff it inside the bird itself for that classic presentation if you prefer.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the fridge, where it keeps beautifully for up to 4 days. To keep it fresh, I let it cool completely before sealing it, which helps avoid sogginess.

Freezing

This stuffing freezes well, which is a lifesaver after the big feast. Just cool it completely, freeze portioned in airtight containers or freezer bags, and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you thaw it, do so overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I like to pop the stuffing in the oven at 350ºF, covered with foil, for about 20 minutes to warm through without drying out. For a crispy top, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes. Microwave works in a pinch but can make the texture a bit soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffing mixture a day ahead and keep it refrigerated, then bake it fresh on Thanksgiving day for best texture and flavor.

Is it okay to use store-bought bread cubes?

Yes, store-bought bread cubes work fine, but I find making your own gives better control over dryness and texture. If using store-bought, you might want to increase the bread quantity a bit since they’re usually crispier.

Can I stuff this inside the turkey?

You can, but keep in mind food safety. The stuffing must reach 165ºF inside to be safe, which can sometimes mean longer cooking times. Baking it separately ensures the best texture and safer cooking.

What can I add to customize the stuffing?

I love adding cooked sausage, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, or fresh herbs like sage and thyme to personalize your stuffing. Just mix them in before baking for extra flavor and texture.

Final Thoughts

This Grandma’s Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing Recipe holds a special place on my holiday table, reminding me of family, warmth, and those simple flavors that never go out of style. I hope you make it your own and create some delicious memories along the way. Trust me, your turkey dinner won’t be complete without it!