This herb stuffing is a delightful addition to any meal, bringing together the comforting flavors of bread, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for holiday feasts or a cozy dinner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
While most of the ingredients for this herb stuffing are common pantry staples, you might need to pick up fresh parsley and dried sage and thyme if they are not already in your spice rack. These herbs are essential for achieving the classic stuffing flavor.
Ingredients for Herb Stuffing Recipe
Bread: Cubed and preferably stale, this forms the base of the stuffing.
Vegetable broth: Adds moisture and flavor to the stuffing mixture.
Onion: Chopped and sautéed, it provides a savory depth.
Celery: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh flavor.
Garlic: Minced for a subtle aromatic kick.
Parsley: Fresh and chopped, it adds a bright, herbaceous note.
Sage: Dried, it contributes a warm, earthy flavor.
Thyme: Dried, it offers a slightly minty, lemony taste.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors.
Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and complexity.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When preparing this herb stuffing, make sure to use stale bread rather than fresh. Stale bread absorbs the vegetable broth better, resulting in a more cohesive and flavorful stuffing. If you don't have stale bread on hand, you can dry out fresh bread by spreading the cubes on a baking sheet and toasting them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are dry but not browned. This will help the bread cubes soak up the broth and seasonings more effectively, ensuring a delicious final dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cubed bread - Substitute with cubed gluten-free bread: This is a great option for those who are gluten intolerant or have celiac disease.
vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth adds a rich, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the stuffing.
onion - Substitute with leek: Leeks provide a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can be a pleasant variation.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Fennel adds a subtle anise flavor that pairs well with the herbs in the stuffing.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter taste compared to garlic, which can be a nice change.
fresh parsley - Substitute with fresh cilantro: Cilantro gives a different but equally fresh and vibrant flavor to the stuffing.
dried sage - Substitute with dried marjoram: Marjoram has a similar earthy flavor and can be used as a direct replacement.
dried thyme - Substitute with dried oregano: Oregano has a robust flavor that complements the other herbs in the stuffing.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty, umami flavor that can enhance the overall taste.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a slightly different heat and flavor profile, which can be a nice twist.
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How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the herb stuffing to cool completely at room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the stuffing soggy.
Transfer the cooled stuffing to an airtight container. If you don't have a container, use heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap to tightly seal the stuffing.
For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The stuffing will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
For longer storage, consider freezing the stuffing. Place the stuffing in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness.
When ready to use, thaw the stuffing in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the stuffing to an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.
For a crispier top, remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of reheating. This will give your stuffing that delightful golden-brown finish.
If you prefer using a microwave, transfer a portion of the stuffing to a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or wrap and heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated.
Avoid reheating the stuffing multiple times, as this can degrade its quality. Only reheat the amount you plan to consume.
If you have leftover vegetable broth, you can drizzle a bit over the stuffing before reheating to add moisture and enhance flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the leftover stuffing evenly in a baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.
For a quicker method, use the microwave. Place the stuffing in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly warmed.
If you prefer a crispy texture, reheat the stuffing on the stovetop. Add a small amount of vegetable broth or olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the stuffing is heated through and has a nice, crispy exterior.
For an air fryer option, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffing in the basket in a single layer. Heat for 5-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the stuffing is hot and crispy.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the stuffing until the top is golden brown.
Large skillet: Essential for sautéing the onion, celery, and garlic until they are soft.
Chopping board: Provides a stable surface for chopping the onion, celery, and parsley.
Knife: Necessary for chopping the vegetables and mincing the garlic.
Large bowl: Used to combine the bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, and other ingredients.
Measuring cups: Helps to measure the vegetable broth and other ingredients accurately.
Baking dish: The container in which the stuffing is baked.
Wooden spoon: Useful for tossing the bread cubes and vegetable mixture to ensure even coating with the broth.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Use pre-chopped vegetables: Save time by buying pre-chopped onion and celery from the store.
Stale bread shortcut: If you don't have stale bread, toast fresh bread cubes in the oven for 10 minutes.
Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.
One-pan method: Sauté the vegetables in an oven-safe skillet, then mix in the bread cubes and broth to save on dishes.
Pre-made broth: Use store-bought vegetable broth to cut down on prep time.
Herb Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups cubed bread (preferably stale)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, sauté onion, celery, and garlic until soft.
- In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour vegetable broth over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 45 minutes, until top is golden brown.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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