Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing: 9 Reasons to Try

Why Make This Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing

This Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing is a comforting classic with a special touch. It takes traditional flavors and makes them even better, bringing back cozy memories. The fresh herbs and rich broth create an amazing smell that promises a delicious meal.

Say goodbye to dry stuffing! This recipe makes sure you get a crispy, golden-brown outside and a soft, flavorful inside every time. It goes great with roasted turkey or chicken. You can even enjoy it as a vegetarian dish with a small change. Make this stuffing and impress everyone at your next gathering. You will be the holiday hero.

How to Make Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing

Making Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing is easy. You start by getting your oven and baking dish ready. If your bread is not stale, you will need to dry it out first. Then, cook onions, celery, and garlic until soft. Add fresh and dried herbs to make them smell wonderful. Mix these cooked ingredients with your stale bread. Gradually add broth and beaten eggs until everything is moist. If you like, mix in extra items like cooked sausage or cranberries. Spread the mixture in your baking dish, cover it, and bake. Uncover it toward the end to get a golden crust.

Ingredients of: Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing

The Heart of the Stuffing

• Stale Bread Cubes: white sandwich bread, sourdough, or challah
• Unsalted Butter
• Onions: yellow or sweet, finely diced
• Celery: finely diced
• Garlic: minced

The Aromatic Symphony

• Fresh Herbs: sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley, chopped
• Dried Herbs: Poultry seasoning (optional)

Liquid Gold & Seasoning

• Chicken or Turkey Broth: low-sodium
• Eggs: large
• Salt
• Black Pepper

Optional Add-ins for Enhanced Flavor

• Cooked Sausage: mild or spicy, browned and crumbled
• Mushrooms: sautéed
• Dried Cranberries or Apples
• Toasted Pecans or Walnuts

Directions of: Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing

Preparation is Key

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. If your bread is not stale, spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until dry.

Building the Flavor Base

1. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onions and celery. Cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
4. Stir in the fresh chopped herbs and optional poultry seasoning. Cook for 1 minute to release their aromas.

Combining the Components

1. In a large bowl, combine the stale bread cubes with the sautéed aromatic mixture.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken or turkey broth and eggs.
3. Pour the broth and egg mixture over the bread and aromatics. Mix gently until the bread is evenly moistened but not mushy.
4. If using, fold in any optional add-ins like cooked sausage, mushrooms, dried cranberries, or nuts.
5. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Baking to Golden Perfection

1. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly.
2. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
3. Bake for 30 minutes.
4. Remove the foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
5. An internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) ensures it is fully cooked.

How to Serve Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing

Serve Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing hot. It is perfect with roasted turkey and cranberry sauce. You can also pair it with roasted chicken or pork loin for a Sunday meal. For a twist, bake it in muffin tins for individual servings. Leftovers make great stuffing waffles the next day.

How to Store Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing

Store leftover Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Tips to Make Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing

• Do not overmix: Mix ingredients gently to keep the stuffing light and fluffy.
• Adjust broth: Add more or less broth depending on how moist you like your stuffing.
• Taste before baking: Always check the seasoning and add more salt or pepper if needed.
• Rest before serving: Let the stuffing sit for a few minutes after baking. This makes it easier to serve.
• Stale bread is key: Dry bread absorbs flavors better without getting soggy.
• Fresh herbs: Use fresh herbs for the best flavor.
• Do not overcrowd: Give the stuffing space in the pan for even baking and browning.
• Control moisture: Make sure the stuffing is moist but not wet to avoid it being too dry or too mushy.

Variation

• Vegetarian: For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth and leave out any meat. This stuffing is still very flavorful on its own.
• Individual Portions: Bake the stuffing in muffin tins to create fun, individual stuffing cups. Adjust baking time as needed.
• Southern Comfort: Add some crumbled cornbread to your bread mixture for a different texture and flavor.

FAQs

Q1: Can I prepare Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing ahead of time?
A1: Yes, you can. Mix all the ingredients without baking up to one day before. Keep it covered in the refrigerator. Let it warm up a bit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.

Q2: What’s the best type of bread to use for Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing?
A2: Use stale white sandwich bread, sourdough, or challah. The bread needs to be very dry. This helps it soak up the broth and flavors without becoming soft. Do not use fresh, soft bread if you can avoid it.

Q3: How do I prevent my Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing from being too dry or too soggy?
A3: The key is in the bread and the broth. Make sure your bread is truly dry. Add the broth slowly, mixing and checking the wetness each time. You want it moist but not floating in liquid. Cover it first when baking to keep moisture in, then uncover to make it brown nicely.

Golden Crusted Savory Turkey & Herb Stuffing

This comforting stuffing features golden-crusted bread cubes, aromatic vegetables, and fresh herbs, all brought together with savory broth and eggs. A perfect side for any festive meal, easily enhanced with optional sausage or dried cranberries.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 55 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Oven
• 9x13-inch baking dish
• Baking sheet (optional)
• Large skillet
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 8 cups Stale Bread Cubes white sandwich bread, sourdough, or challah
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter 1 stick
• 1 large Onions yellow or sweet, finely diced
• 2 stalks Celery finely diced
• 3 cloves Garlic minced
• 1/4 cup Fresh Herbs chopped (sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley)
• 2 tsp Dried Herbs Poultry seasoning (optional)
• 2 cups Chicken or Turkey Broth low-sodium
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 tsp Salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper or to taste

Optional Add-ins

• 1 cup Cooked Sausage mild or spicy, browned and crumbled
• 1/2 cup Dried Cranberries

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• If your bread is not already stale, spread the cubes on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until they are dry.
• Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the diced onions and celery and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add the fresh chopped herbs and optional poultry seasoning and cook for another minute.
• In a large bowl, combine the stale bread cubes with the sautéed aromatic mixture.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken or turkey broth and the eggs.
• Pour the broth and egg mixture over the bread and aromatics, mixing gently until the bread is evenly moistened but not mushy.
• If using, fold in the cooked sausage and dried cranberries, then season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Transfer the stuffing mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Baking

• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Notes

For the best texture, ensure your bread cubes are thoroughly stale or dried. The stuffing is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Feel free to adjust the amount of salt and pepper to suit your personal taste preferences.