Thanksgiving Turkey Stuffing (One Pot)

Quick and easy Thanksgiving turkey stuffing recipe, made with simple ingredients in one pot on stovetop. This 30 minute side dish is loaded with butter and herbs.

This is the ultimate Thanksgiving turkey stuffing recipe and guide. It's moist, tender but firm and loaded with butter and herbs. This recipe can also be easily be adjusted, based to your preference. You can serve it on the side or enjoy it stuffed in a turkey. You must also check out these other classic Thanksgiving sides One Pot Homemade Cranberry Sauce and  One Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes and this One Pot Homemade Brown Gravy

Stuffing should be moist and loosely sticking together and NOT sticking together into a soggy "mushy"  paste. Dried bread is used because it absorbs a lot of moisture and flavor and creates the best texture.

How to make easy one pot turkey stuffing recipe from scratch on stovetop?

1. Saute onion, garlic, celery, red peppers in butter.
2. Add dried herbs and broth and bring to a boil.
3. Mix in dried bread.
4. Turn off heat, cover and allow the breads to absorb the moisture.
5. Fluff with a fork, prior to serving and you are done.

How to stuff a turkey?

Spoon the prepared stuffing mixture inside the turkey's cavity. DON'T tightly pack it in because that will make the too soggy. The rule of thumb is you need about ¾ cups of stuffing per 1 pound of turkey.

When to stuff turkey?

This should be done just prior to baking the turkey or else bacteria can grow.

Is it safe to stuff turkey? Stuffed turkey vs. Unstuffed Turkey

There is a huge debate surrounding this issue. My family always served this bread stuffing on the side but I did some research and found that if you stuff a turkey with stuffing, you have to use a long thermometer to ensure that the center of the stuffing cooks to 165 degrees. Only at that temperature, the stuffing is considered safe for consumption. Check out the USDA's detailed safety guidelines for stuffing turkey.

That being said, I don't like stuffing cooked inside a turkey because it becomes very soft and moist and almost soggy. I prefer my stuffing a little firmer and cooking on the side on stovetop ensures that it's not too soft.

What do you put inside the turkey?

Some people add the prepared stuffing inside the turkey. Other people add a combination of oranges, lemons, onions and fresh herbs instead of the stuffing.

Key ingredients

• Butter
• Dried bread
• Herbs
• Broth
• Onion
• Garlic
• Celery
• Red peppers

Bread stuffing for turkey

You have to use dry bread because that allows it to absorb all the flavors from the spiced broth. Any type of the following breads can be used: Cornbread, Whole wheat or white sandwich bread, Rustic artisan loaves and breads, French bread, Sourdough bread and even bagels. You can even use gluten free bread cubes or croutons.

Stuffing Add-ins

• Nuts (Walnuts, pecans, pine nuts)
• Apples (Roughly chopped)
• Various herbs and spices such as Parsley, Sage, Oregano, Thyme, Marjoram
• Dried cranberries
• Mushrooms (Roughly chopped)

How to make dried bread cubes?

I usually buy them because it's quick, easy, cheap and a time-saver. However, they can be made at home too.

Classic Method (Room temperature)

1. Cut fresh white sandwich bread (or any other bread of your choice) into 1 inch cubes and put them in a large bowl.
2. Let the bread cubes sit at room temperature, uncovered, away from any moisture for 48 hours so they dry out and become stale. Toss them once or twice a day so that they dry evenly. They don't have to be crispy dry.

Oven Method (Baking)

1. Place 8- 10 slices of white sandwich bread evenly on a sheet pan and toast in the oven at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
2. Then, flip the slices and toast the other side until golden brown. This takes about 5-6 minutes.
3. Remove the bread from the pan and cut into into ½ inch- 1 inch cubes.

Spicy turkey stuffing

Add some red chili flakes and paprika. You can also add some spicy sausage.

Turkey stuffing with sausage

Use whatever sausage you like. Cook it with the vegetables. Then, add herbs and broth.  Mix in the dried bread and you are done.

Turkey stuffing meatballs

This is an awesome way to use up leftover stuffing. It helps to bind the meatballs together like glue and also adds flavor from all the spices and herbs that were added in the stuffing.

Turkey stuffing meatloaf

This is another great way to use up leftover stuffing. It helps to bind the meatloaf together like glue and also adds flavor.

Turkey stuffing casserole/ Leftover turkey casserole

Use leftovers in a casserole the next day with shredded turkey, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes and lots of cheese.

Chicken stuffing

You can use this stuffing for roasted chicken too. It works great with Italian chicken and Greek chicken. Once again, I prefer serving the stuffing on the side rather than putting it inside the chicken but it's a personal choice.

Use this recipe for Christmas turkey stuffing too!

Tips and techniques for stovetop turkey stuffing

• Use low sodium broth and unsalted butter to prevent this stuffing from becoming too salty.
• This is optional: Transfer the stuffing to an oven-safe dish and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes to make it a little toasty and crispy on the top.
• If stuffing is too soggy, add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. You will have to add some more spices
• If the stuffing is too dry and crumbly, add more broth and toss gently until it starts to clump together.  Please remember that it takes some time for the liquid to get absorbed in the dried bread cubes. DON'T RUSH!  Wait for a few minutes before adding more broth. Only add a little at a time because this will prevent it from becoming soggy.
• The amount of herbs can be adjusted, based on your preference.
• To make this recipe suitable for vegetarians, use vegetable broth.

More one pot Thanksgiving side dishes

• One Pot Boiled Corn on The Cob with Milk and Butter
• One Pan Oven Roasted Green Beans
• One Pan Oven Roasted Broccoli
• One Pan Oven Roasted Asparagus

Recipe