Old Fashioned Stuffing Recipe
A cozy, made-from-scratch stuffing recipe passed down from my mom’s kitchen —
Bring back the nostalgia of holiday dinners from the past with this old-fashioned stuffing made from scratch with bread cubes, butter, onion, and celery.
A Story from My Kitchen
Every time a holiday dinner rolls around, I think of my mom a little more.
After I got married, I moved a long way from my hometown, and I wasn’t able to spend many holidays at her house after that. If I could go back in time and thank her for all those beautiful holiday dinners she prepared while I was growing up, I would.
I especially think of her when I’m making the turkey — because honestly, that’s a task that still feels like it should be a “mom” job! (But, surprise! I AM the mom…)
One thing I do remember vividly is standing in my own kitchen as a newlywed, phone in hand, as my mom talked me through how to make her old-fashioned stuffing.
She didn’t have a written recipe. Like so many home cooks of her generation, she cooked some things “by feel.” She’d say things like, “Add enough spice until it tastes right.”
And that’s exactly how this recipe came to life — simple, savory, and seasoned with love.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s a true old-fashioned classic, just like mom made.
- Made with simple pantry ingredients you probably already have.
- A classic recipe alongside roast turkey dinner.
- Perfect for making ahead during the busy holiday season.
- Comforting, nostalgic, and full of flavor.
Ingredients for Homemade Stuffing
For exact measurements and instructions, scroll to the full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Bread cubes from 2 loaves of bread
- Onion and celery sautéed in butter
- Salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and sage
- Chicken broth
You can use day-old bread, sandwich bread, or even a mix of white and whole wheat for extra texture.
Step by Step Instructions for Homemade Stuffing
1.Chop onion and celery. 2. Cube 2 loaves of bread. 3.Saute onions and celery in butter. 4. Add sauted veggies to bread cubes. 5. Add broth. 6. Mix well.
7. And not pictured: Transfer to a casserole dish, cover with foil and bake. Or, if you want to bake it like my mom did, she stuffed it in the turkey!
Helpful Tips When Making This Recipe
- Most recipes recommend drying the bread cubes first as it is said to absorb the flavor better. I know my Mom did that sometimes, too. However, I have never dried the bread first! (Are you shocked??)We like our stuffing soft after it is baked, so I like it better without drying the bread first. But, you do you…;)
- If you want your stuffing more “crunchy” than soft, add less broth.
- I use chicken boullion powder to make my broth, but if you have homemade broth, that works great, too.
- Taste test the stuffing after it is mixed and adjust the seasoning to what you like. I remember my mom telling me that that was her secret. “Just keep tasting it and add more spices if you want more. Start with a little and keep adding until it’s just right!”
Substitutions and Add ins for Stuffing
Although my mom (and I) stuck to the basics, here are some optional substitutions & add ins if you’d like to give them a try:
- Use vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.
- Add chopped apples, sausage, or mushrooms for variety.
- Replace sage with thyme or rosemary for a different flavor profile.
Grandma Rita’s Holiday Kitchen Tips
Put all your favorite holiday recipes in one handy place so you can find them easily when a holiday rolls around. I’ve given you a head start to make that step easier! I put together a holiday dinner guide that has 29 classic holiday recipes plus lots of helpful tips & tricks– perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Grab yourself and copy and add your own notes and favorite recipes to it!
What to Serve with Old-Fashioned Stuffing
This recipe pairs beautifully with:
- Roast turkey
- Mashed potatoes and turkey pan gravy
- Baked carrot casserole
- Homemade cranberry sauce
It’s also delicious as a base for bacon-wrapped stuffing balls!
Pin it to find it later!
Don’t lose track of this recipe! Save it on Pinterest so it’s ready when you need it. Follow me on Pinterest for even more meal ideas and inspiration for your home.
Old Fashioned Stuffing with Onion & Celery
This old-fashioned stuffing recipe is the kind your mom or grandma made — simple, buttery, and full of holiday flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 loaves of bread, cut into cubes (about 12–14 cups)
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 stalks celery, diced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sage
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2–2½ cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Cut bread into cubes. If you want to use dry cubes (I don't, but most people do!) let them dry overnight or bake at 250°F for 25 minutes until lightly crisp.
- In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté onion and celery until softened and translucent.
- Stir in poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper. (Start with a little seasoning. You can always add later if you want.)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine bread cubes and sautéed vegetables. Pour chicken broth gradually while stirring until the mixture holds together but isn’t soggy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake 10–15 minutes longer for a golden, crisp top.
- Serve warm with turkey and gravy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 68Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 181mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g
DON’T MISS A THING!
Join my list for more ideas for you and your home…