How to Make Sourdough Stuffing: Perfect for Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving! There’s so much amazing food, but honestly stuffing is my favorite. This sourdough stuffing is a must-try recipe that brings together the rich, tangy flavor of sourdough bread with savory, buttery goodness.

My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Make sure your bread cubes are fully dried before mixing them with the broth—this helps the stuffing achieve that perfect balance of crispness on top and softness underneath.

A white casserole dish filled with golden-brown sourdough stuffing, garnished with rosemary and parsley, with a wooden spoon resting in the dish.

Sourdough Stuffing

This sourdough stuffing combines the tangy flavor of sourdough with fresh herbs and veggies for a perfectly balanced, savory side dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Serving Size 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 loaf sourdough bread cut into cubes and dried
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 medium carrots chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic smashed and chopped finely
  • 2 celery stalks
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon sage
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 cups chicken broth stock or bone broth
  • ¼ cup salted butter cut into cubes

Instructions 

  • Cube and dry bread overnight. The night before, cut the sourdough bread into cubes and place them on a large baking sheet in a single layer allowing them to dry out.
  • Prep for baking. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with a layer of baking spray and set aside.
  • Sautee veggies. Place a large saucepan over medium heat and drizzle the olive oil. Allow the olive oil to warm slightly. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the saucepan and allow the vegetable mixture to saute until the onions become slightly translucent about 5 minutes.
    Chopped onions, carrots, and celery in a large white saucepan, with small bowls of seasonings, herbs, and garlic arranged around it.
  • Add garlic and herbs. Next, add the garlic and season the vegetable mixture with salt and pepper. Add the fresh parsley, rosemary, and sage to the vegetable mixture, stirring to combine. Allow the vegetable mixture to sweat for 1 minute.
    Three-step collage showing chopped vegetables being sautéed and mixed with fresh herbs in a white saucepan.
  • Add broth. Add the chicken broth and stir to combine.
    A white saucepan with sautéed vegetables and herbs, with a glass bowl of cubed sourdough bread on the side.
  • Mix in bread cubes. Take the pot off the heat and add the cubed bread. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir to combine making sure everything is well incorporated.
    Cubed sourdough bread being mixed into the vegetable and broth mixture in a white saucepan.
  • Assemble in a casserole dish. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Top with the cubed butter.
    A white casserole dish filled with sourdough stuffing mixture topped with cubes of butter, ready for baking.
  • Bake. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake at 400 degrees F for 30 minutes.
  • Cool and serve. Remove the stuffing from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
    A baked dish of sourdough stuffing, with a portion served in a small white bowl, garnished with fresh rosemary and parsley.

Notes

Depending on the size of your sourdough loaf you may need to add more chicken broth to the mixture. This was the perfect amount for a standard-size loaf.
The top of this stuffing is buttery and crisp while the bottom is soft and savory. If you prefer a softer stuffing, cover the baking dish with foil and bake with it covered.
Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 618mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2889IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 3mg

Like I said, stuffing has always been my favorite during the holidays. But I find myself craving this recipe even after the holidays are over. But hey, sourdough is healthier right? The way the bread soaks up all the flavors but still has a satisfying crunch…YUM!

A close-up of baked sourdough stuffing in a white casserole dish, with a sprig of rosemary as garnish.

I hope it becomes a favorite in your home too!

Tips For The Best Sourdough Stuffing

  • Use Stale Bread: If you’re short on time, you can use stale bread instead of drying fresh sourdough overnight. This will save time and still give you that perfect texture.
  • Cut Veggies Uniformly: To ensure even cooking, make sure to chop your vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This way, everything cooks evenly, and you won’t have some veggies overcooked while others are underdone.
  • Taste the Broth: Before adding the bread, taste the broth and adjust the seasoning if needed. The broth is the base of your stuffing’s flavor, so it’s important to get it right.
  • Avoid Overmixing: When you add the bread cubes to the broth mixture, gently fold everything together. Overmixing can cause the bread to break down too much and turn mushy.
  • Make Ahead: You can prepare the stuffing up to the point of baking and store it in the fridge for a day. Just bring it to room temperature before baking to ensure even cooking.

Key Ingredients and Tools

When making this recipe, a few key ingredients and tools can make all the difference in the final dish. Here are some that stand out:

  • Sourdough bread. The tangy flavor of sourdough adds a unique depth to the stuffing that you won’t get from regular white bread. Make sure it’s well-dried to achieve the best texture.
  • Fresh herbs. Using fresh parsley, rosemary, and sage gives the stuffing a vibrant, earthy flavor. If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried ones can work, but use about half the amount since they’re more concentrated.
  • Chicken broth. This is the base of your stuffing’s flavor, so choose a good-quality broth. If you prefer, you can substitute vegetable broth to make the dish vegetarian. Did you know sourdough bread is already vegan?
  • Large saucepan. A large enough pan is crucial for sautéing the vegetables evenly without overcrowding them. This ensures everything cooks properly and evenly.

These simple, whole ingredients and basic cooking tools will help you create a stuffing that’s flavorful, perfectly textured, and memorable.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with roasted chicken or turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and gravy.

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I use store-bought cubed stuffing bread instead of sourdough?

You can, but the sourdough really gives this stuffing a unique flavor. If you’re in a pinch, store-bought cubed bread will work, just make sure it’s not too soft or it might get mushy.

What if I don’t have fresh herbs?

No worries! You can use dried herbs instead. Just remember that dried herbs are more concentrated, so use about half the amount listed in the recipe.

Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffing up to the point of baking and store it in the fridge overnight. Just bring it to room temperature before baking to ensure it cooks evenly.

How do I know if my bread is dry enough?

Your bread cubes should feel hard and slightly crisp to the touch. If they’re still soft, they might not hold up well in the stuffing, so it’s worth giving them a bit more time to dry out.

Can I use a different type of broth?

Definitely! If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, vegetable broth works just as well. Just be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning, as different broths can have different flavor profiles.

Storing Leftovers

  • Refrigerate: After the stuffing has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, cover the stuffing with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
  • Freezing: Unfortunately, this stuffing doesn’t freeze well. The texture of the bread can become soggy when thawed, so it’s best to enjoy it fresh or within a few days of making it.

These simple storage tips will help keep your stuffing fresh and delicious for as long as possible!

I hope this sourdough stuffing is the only stuffing you’ll be making from now on. This comforting dish brings out the best in simple ingredients, creating a side that’s perfect for any gathering (even after the holidays are over). With a few easy steps and some fresh herbs, you’ll have a delicious stuffing that everyone will love.

A portion of sourdough stuffing served in a small white bowl, with rosemary, parsley, and seasoning containers in the background.
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Delicious! I made this tonight to prep for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I used all dried herbs as I didn’t have any fresh ones on hand. J used half the amount on the recipe and it turned out perfect.

  2. Sounds yummy instead of stovetop stuffing in a box Do you by any chance have one for homemade dressing I’ve always loved it but don’t know how to make it ?