Name: Buttery Herb 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 1.5 loaves or 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; kosher salt and pepper, to taste; a mixture of fresh herbs for sprinkling; 1 cup unsalted butter; 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock; 2 large eggs

There’s nothing quite like the cozy, comforting scent of a perfectly baked stuffing filling your kitchen. This Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe combines golden toasted bread with fresh sage, rosemary, and parsley, all wrapped in a buttery embrace that feels like a warm hug on a cool evening.

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 Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This stuffing is my go-to for holiday feasts, family dinners, or whenever I want something that tastes like tradition but feels freshly homemade. Its buttery richness and fragrant herbs create a depth of flavor that’s truly special—plus, it’s surprisingly easy to pull together!

Buttery Flavor: The generous amount of melted butter makes every bite rich and satisfying without being greasy.
Fresh Herb Punch: Using fresh sage, parsley, and rosemary really lifts this recipe and gives it that irresistible aroma.
Texture That Pleases: Toasted bread cubes soak up the moisture perfectly, staying moist inside with crispy edges on top.
Flexible Portions: Whether you’re cooking for a family or a crowd, it’s simple to scale this recipe up or down without losing quality.

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

Each ingredient in this Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe plays a starring role— from the bread that forms the base to the fresh herbs that brighten it up. Here’s why I stick to these choices (and how to pick the best ingredients for your version).

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: Stale or toasted bread works best; it soaks up flavors without turning mushy, and mixing varieties (like sourdough and Italian) adds wonderful texture.
Unsalted Butter: Melts into the veggies, creating a luscious base and keeping control over the salt level.
Sweet Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and depth to the stuffing after sautéing until tender.
Celery: Provides that classic crunch and balances the softness of the bread.
Garlic: Just a hint of savory warmth that complements the herbs.
Fresh Sage, Parsley, Rosemary: These herbs are essential; they bring the iconic earthy freshness that elevates this dish.
Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Keeps the stuffing moist and flavorful without overwhelming it.
Eggs: Natural binders that help everything hold together beautifully during baking.

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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 love to tweak this Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe depending on the season or who I’m serving. You can easily make it heartier, lighter, or more savory—whatever fits your mood.

Variation: For a nutty twist, sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts on top before baking—I did this last Thanksgiving and everyone raved about the added crunch.
Vegetarian: Swap chicken stock for vegetable stock, and it still shines just as brightly.
Extra Herbaceous: Add a little thyme or marjoram if you want an herbal explosion in every bite.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread cubes—just toast them thoroughly to get that perfect texture.

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

Step 1: Prepare the Bread Cubes

Start by cutting about 1.5 loaves of bread into cubes—think roughly 12 to 14 cups. You can let the cubes sit out overnight to get stale, or toast them in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes until golden and crisp. I like to mix different breads, like sourdough and Italian, for a more complex bite.

Step 2: Sauté Your Veggies and Herbs

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 cup of butter. Toss in diced onion, celery, and minced garlic with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything softens and smells fragrant. Then add chopped sage, parsley, and rosemary and cook for another minute to infuse those fresh flavors.

Step 3: Combine and Moisten

Pour that savory vegetable mixture over your bread cubes and toss well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 1½ cups stock with two eggs, then fold this in gently until all the bread cubes are coated but not saturated.

Step 4: Baking to Perfection

Butter or spray a 9x13 baking dish (or two smaller dishes if that’s easier), then spread your stuffing mixture evenly inside. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45-50 minutes or until the top is golden and the internal temp reaches 160°F. If it’s browning too fast, loosely tent with foil.

Top Tip

From my experience, the secret to a stellar Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe is balancing moisture. Too much liquid makes the bread soggy; too little leaves it dry. Here are some tips I always follow:

Choose Your Bread Wisely: Mixing stale and fresh cubes helps soak up flavors without turning mushy.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the stuffing room to bake evenly and crisp slightly on top.
Check the Liquid: If the bread looks dry after mixing, add a splash more stock, but be careful—steady folds help you gauge it better.
Let It Rest: After baking, let the stuffing sit 5-10 minutes before serving so the flavors mingle and it firms up nicely.

How to Serve Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe

buttery herb stuffing - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling fresh chopped herbs—parsley or sage—right before serving. It adds a pop of color and a bright herbal note that makes every bite feel fresh. Sometimes a few toasted pine nuts or a light drizzle of browned butter can make it feel a little fancy, too.

Side Dishes

This stuffing pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, baked ham, or even a simple roast chicken. On the side, creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, or green beans almondine round it out perfectly for a classic, crowd-pleasing meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I like to serve this stuffing in mini casserole dishes or even in hollowed-out small pumpkins or squash—they look stunning and add a seasonal touch. Another trick is layering the stuffing under turkey skin for a juicy, flavorful pop of herb goodness right in the meat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate them. The next day, the flavors have deepened even more. Just remember to reheat gently so it doesn’t dry out.

Freezing

This stuffing freezes surprisingly well. After baking and cooling completely, I portion it into freezer bags or containers. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it in the oven to revive that buttery, herbaceous magic.

Reheating

Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil to keep moisture in. Remove the foil in the last 10 minutes to crisp up the top for that fresh-baked feel. I find this method keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any type of bread for this stuffing?

Absolutely! You can use white, sourdough, Italian, or even multigrain bread. The key is to use slightly stale or toasted bread cubes so the stuffing holds together and gets that perfect texture.

How can I make this stuffing vegetarian?

Simply substitute the chicken stock with vegetable stock. The fresh herbs and butter will ensure it’s still rich and flavor-packed. Just double-check that your stock is vegetarian-friendly.

Can I prepare this stuffing ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the stuffing a day in advance and refrigerate it. Before baking, bring it to room temperature for about an hour then bake as directed. This saves time on busy cooking days.

What if my stuffing gets too dry?

If your stuffing feels dry after mixing, add a splash more stock or melted butter before baking. Stir gently to incorporate the liquid evenly. It’s better to add liquid gradually than all at once.

Final Thoughts

This Buttery Herb Stuffing Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s an easy way to bring people together around the table. It’s cozy, reliable, and truly delicious—like a hug in food form. I hope you give it a try and make it your own family favorite, just like I did.