Name: Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 18 to 24 ounces bread cubes (about 12 to 14 cups), preferably toasted or stale; 3 cups diced sweet onion (roughly 2 large onions); 2 cups diced celery; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary; 1 cup unsalted butter; Kosher salt and pepper, to taste (about 1 teaspoon each for cooking); 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock; 2 large eggs; A mixture of fresh herbs for sprinkling (optional)

There’s nothing quite like that warm, buttery scent filling the kitchen when you’re making this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe. It’s comfort food at its finest, full of fresh herbs and rich butter that come together perfectly to make every bite a cozy celebration.

A white baking dish filled with a golden brown stuffing, showing small chunky pieces throughout with a mix of light and darker toasted edges. The stuffing has visible bits of celery and herbs scattered evenly, giving it a varied texture with both soft and crispy parts. The top layer looks crunchy and uneven, with a rich color variation from light beige to deep golden brown. The white marbled surface underneath adds a clean contrast to the dish’s warm tones. 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 Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made countless stuffing recipes over the years, but this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe always gets rave reviews at the dinner table. It’s the perfect balance of savory herbs, buttery richness, and that satisfying texture you want in stuffing. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to customize and truly feels like a hug on a plate.

Herb-Forward Flavor: The fresh sage, rosemary, and parsley pack a flavorful punch that makes every bite memorable.
Buttery Goodness: Generous butter brings richness and moisture that keep the stuffing perfectly soft, not dry.
Texture You’ll Crave: Cubed bread that's toasted or slightly stale creates the ideal base—crispy around the edges, tender inside.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep this recipe a day ahead, making your holiday prep less stressful without sacrificing taste.

The image shows a close-up view of a dish filled with several layers of golden-brown toasted bread pieces mixed with small bits of green celery and seasoning black pepper sprinkled on top. The textures vary from crunchy and crispy to soft, with a few shiny herb sprigs, including rosemary and thyme, placed on the top left side of the dish. The food sits inside a simple white bowl, and the background is a smooth white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe relies on fresh, simple ingredients that complement each other beautifully. The key is quality bread and fresh herbs—their aromas really boost the dish. A good chicken or vegetable stock adds the right amount of moisture and subtle flavor to pull everything together.

Flat lay of a mix of fresh sourdough and Italian bread cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of unsalted butter chunks, a small white ceramic bowl of diced sweet onion, a small white ceramic bowl of diced celery, six peeled garlic cloves, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped fresh sage, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped fresh parsley, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped fresh rosemary, a small white ceramic bowl of golden chicken stock, and a small white ceramic bowl with a scattering of fresh herb sprigs, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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 m7354615311229779997

Bread cubes: Using toasted or stale bread helps the stuffing soak up flavors without getting soggy. I like mixing sourdough and Italian bread for a nice variety in texture.
Unsalted butter: Makes it easy to control salt levels while adding rich, creamy depth.
Sweet onion: Adds sweetness and balance to the savory herbs and butter.
Celery: Provides a bit of crunch and fresh, herbal brightness.
Garlic cloves: Bring warmth and extra flavor complexity.
Kosher salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning, don’t be shy here to get that perfect taste.
Fresh sage, parsley, rosemary: These herbs are the star players that fill the stuffing with that unmistakable, fresh-herb flavor.
Chicken or vegetable stock: Moistens the bread and infuses it with savory depth.
Eggs: Help bind everything so your stuffing holds together without drying out.
Fresh herbs for sprinkling: Optional, but I love adding a little extra on top for color and fragrance.

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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

One of the things I love most about this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Whether you want to switch up the herbs or add in extras like toasted nuts or dried cranberries, it’s a flexible base that welcomes your creativity.

Variation: I often swap half the chicken stock for mushroom broth to add a deeper, earthier flavor. It’s delicious and changes things up without losing that classic stuffing soul.
Dietary modification: Use vegetable stock and olive oil instead of butter to make it vegetarian-friendly with still plenty of flavor.
Texture twist: Add chopped cooked sausage or mushrooms for a heartier version perfect for crowd-pleasing holiday feasts.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Bread Cubes

Start with about 18 to 24 ounces of bread, cubed. I usually use a combination of sourdough and Italian breads, cut into bite-sized cubes. You can let these cubes sit out overnight loosely covered to stale, or toast them in a 350°F oven until golden and crisp—about 15 minutes. Stale or toasted bread is key; fresh bread tends to get mushy when mixed with the wet ingredients.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics in Butter

Melt a cup of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in diced sweet onion, celery, and minced garlic, seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper (I usually add about a teaspoon of each here). Cook until softened and fragrant—eight to ten minutes works well. Then stir in those fresh chopped herbs: sage, parsley, and rosemary. Let everything mingle for another minute, then add 1 cup of your stock to deglaze the pan and bring it all together.

Step 3: Combine Everything in a Bowl

Pour the buttery vegetable and herb mixture over your bread cubes in a large bowl (this makes mixing easier). Toss well so each piece soaks up that flavorful goodness.

Step 4: Add the Stock and Eggs

In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1½ cups of stock and 2 eggs. Pour this evenly over the bread mixture and gently fold everything together until combined but not mushy. The eggs help bind the stuffing, while the liquid ensures it stays moist while baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish with melted butter or nonstick spray (I sometimes use a foil roasting pan when feeding a crowd). Spread the stuffing evenly in the dish. Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and the top is golden brown. If it starts to get too dark, tent loosely with foil to keep it moist.

Top Tip

From my experiments with this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe, I’ve found a few tricks that really lift it beyond ordinary stuffing. These little details make a noticeable difference whether you’re serving a small family dinner or a big holiday feast.

Mix Bread Types: Combining two kinds of bread (like sourdough and Italian) adds interesting texture and depth of flavor.
Don’t Skip the Fresh Herbs: Dried herbs won’t give the same bright, vibrant taste—fresh is the way to go, even if it means a quick trip to your garden or farmers’ market.
Control Moisture Carefully: Add the stock gradually; too much will make your stuffing soggy, too little will dry it out. It’s about balance!
Let it Rest: Whether serving immediately or reheating, letting the stuffing rest outside the fridge for an hour before heating up helps it warm evenly.

How to Serve Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe

herb butter stuffing - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a sprinkle of extra fresh parsley or sage leaves on top right before serving. Not only does it brighten the dish visually, but those fresh herb notes make each bite pop even more. You can also scatter some toasted pecans or walnuts for an extra crunchy contrast.

Side Dishes

This Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, baked ham, or even a simple roasted chicken. I usually serve it alongside green beans almondine or honey-glazed carrots for a vibrant, balanced meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to bake this stuffing inside hollowed-out acorn squash or individual ramekins for a rustic, charming presentation. It’s a real crowd-pleaser and makes the meal feel extra festive!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover stuffing stores well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I have leftovers, I make sure to cool it completely before sealing to keep it fresh. The flavor actually seems to develop a little more overnight!

Freezing

I’ve frozen portions of this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe wrapped tightly in foil and placed in freezer bags. It holds up well for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating or baking.

Reheating

To reheat, I like to warm stuffing covered with foil at 350°F until heated through—typically 20 to 30 minutes. This keeps it moist and prevents drying out. For leftover crispiness, I sometimes uncover it for the last 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use day-old bread for this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe?

Absolutely! Using day-old or even slightly stale bread is ideal. It soaks up the butter and stock without becoming mushy, which is why many home cooks and chefs recommend it for stuffing recipes.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs on hand?

Fresh herbs are preferred for the bright, aromatic flavor, but if you only have dried herbs, use about one-third the amount and add them earlier in the cooking process to bloom their flavors. However, your stuffing won’t be as vibrant without fresh herbs.

Can I make this stuffing vegan or vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the unsalted butter for a plant-based margarine or olive oil and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. Skip the eggs or use a flaxseed egg substitute to keep it binding nicely.

How do I prevent the stuffing from drying out?

Be sure to add enough stock to keep the bread moist but not soggy. Cover the dish with foil if it browns too quickly in the oven. Also, baking at 350°F rather than higher temperatures helps evenly cook the stuffing without drying it out.

Final Thoughts

This Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe holds a special place in my heart—not only because it’s a recipe I grew up with but because it never fails to bring smiles at the table. It’s deeply satisfying, simple in its ingredients, and endlessly adaptable to what you have at hand. I can’t recommend giving it a try enough, whether for a festive holiday or a comforting weeknight dinner. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll be a go-to that you’ll keep coming back to.