Name: Herb Butter 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 (1.5 loaves, about 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; 1 cup unsalted butter; 2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock; 2 large eggs; Kosher salt and pepper; A mixture of fresh herbs for sprinkling

There’s something incredibly comforting about classic, buttery stuffing fresh from the oven, and this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe nails that cozy vibe with every bite. You’ll love how the medley of fresh herbs and buttery richness blends perfectly with tender bread cubes—it’s the kind of side dish that feels like a warm hug on your plate.

A close-up view of a baked stuffing dish in a white ceramic Staub baking dish, showing a single textured layer made of golden brown toasted bread pieces mixed with finely chopped celery and herbs. The bread chunks have crispy edges with a soft, crumbly inside, and the celery bits add a light green color scattered evenly throughout. The surface looks slightly uneven with a crunchy, browned texture contrasting the moist interior. The baking dish sits on a white marbled texture background with a few green leaves partially visible. 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 Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When I first tried this herb butter stuffing, it felt like a game-changer—simple to pull together but packed with fresh, vibrant flavors. It’s one of those dishes that brings the whole table together, whether it’s a holiday feast or a cozy family dinner.

Fresh Herb Explosion: The combination of sage, rosemary, and parsley adds a bright, aromatic punch that elevates the whole dish.
Butter Makes It Irresistible: A generous amount of butter ensures every bite is moist and flavorful, never dry.
Customizable Bread Texture: Using a mix of stale and toasted bread cubes creates the perfect balance between crispy edges and soft centers.
Easy to Make Ahead: You can prepare it a day early, store it in the fridge, and still get that fresh-baked taste when reheated.

The image shows a close-up of a white bowl filled with chunks of golden brown bread stuffing mixed with small pieces of green celery. The stuffing has a rough, crispy texture with some darker toasted spots and is seasoned with visible specks of black pepper. On top of the stuffing, there are fresh, green sprigs of rosemary and thyme, adding a touch of green contrast. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, and the photo captures the warm, inviting colors and textures of the dish very closely. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe plays a special role, creating a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Investing in fresh herbs really pays off here, and choosing the right bread makes all the difference in the final texture.

Flat lay of a generous pile of rustic sourdough and Italian bread cubes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden unsalted butter, a white ceramic bowl overflowing with diced sweet onions, a white bowl containing bright green diced celery, a small white bowl with minced garlic cloves, three neat piles of freshly chopped sage, parsley, and rosemary leaves, a small white bowl holding light golden chicken stock, and two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a few sprigs of mixed fresh herbs scattered nearby, all arranged with 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: I like using a mixture of sourdough and Italian bread to get a rustic texture; stale or toasted cubes hold up better when baking.
Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted gives you control over seasoning and adds rich creaminess with every forkful.
Sweet Onion: Adds natural sweetness and depth; cooking them until soft brings out their mellow flavor.
Celery: Provides a fresh, subtle crunch and classic stuffing flavor balance.
Garlic: Just the right amount to brighten the stuffing and deepen its savory profile without overpowering.
Fresh Sage, Parsley, Rosemary: These herbs bring that irresistible earthy aroma and vibrant color you want in a traditional stuffing.
Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Keeps everything moist and infused with savory goodness; homemade or store-bought both work.
Eggs: Bind all the ingredients together and add a delicate fluffiness once baked.

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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 playing around with this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe. Sometimes I swap out the herbs depending on what’s fresh, or add toasted nuts for crunch. It’s a recipe that really invites you to make it your own.

Variation: One time, I tossed in dried cranberries and pecans—turned it into a festive, sweet-savory delight that everyone raved about.
Dietary Modification: For a vegetarian twist, I use vegetable stock and skip the eggs or replace them with a flaxseed egg.
Texture Tweak: If you prefer your stuffing a bit saucier, pour in an extra half cup of stock but be careful not to make it too soggy.

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

Step 1: Prep the Bread Cubes

Start by choosing your bread—stale or toasted works beautifully. I often cut about 1.5 pounds into bite-sized cubes and let them sit loosely covered overnight to dry out. If you’re short on time, toasting them in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes does the trick. This drying step is key so your stuffing isn’t gummy but has wonderful texture.

Step 2: Cook the Aromatics

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the diced onions, celery, and minced garlic with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is soft and fragrant. Stir in fresh sage, parsley, and rosemary and cook for another minute to toast the herbs and bring out their depth.

Step 3: Combine, Bind, and Bake

Once your aromatics are ready, pour the butter-herb mixture over the bread cubes and toss everything together to coat well. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining stock and eggs, then fold that into the bread mixture. Transfer to your prepared baking dish and bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes. You want it golden on top and cooked through—an internal temperature of 160°F means you’re good to go!

Top Tip

From my many holiday experiments, I’ve learned that the timing and moisture control are pivotal for perfect stuffing. These small tweaks make your Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe shine every time.

Perfect Bread Cubes: Don’t skip drying your bread—this prevents soggy stuffing and gives that signature cuddle of soft and crispy pieces.
Herb Freshness: Always use fresh herbs if possible; dried ones just can’t compete with the bright flavor and aroma.
Season Well: Be generous with salt and pepper during the aromatics stage because bread soaks up flavor and you don’t want it bland.
Foil Tenting: If the top browns too fast, tent it loosely with foil to avoid burning and keep the inside perfectly moist.

How to Serve Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe

Herb Butter Stuffing - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a handful of fresh chopped parsley or even a few sage leaves right before serving. It adds a pop of color and that fresh-herb aroma that makes everyone’s mouth water.

Side Dishes

This stuffing pairs beautifully with roast turkey or chicken, roasted root vegetables, and a bright cranberry sauce. It’s also wonderful alongside green beans tossed in garlic butter or a crisp fall salad.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like making individual mini stuffing casseroles using ramekins—it feels fancy but is easy to serve. You can also stuff it inside a hollowed-out pumpkin for a festive fall centerpiece that’s edible and impressive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover stuffing? Yes, please! I store mine in an airtight container in the fridge and usually enjoy it within 3 days. It keeps its flavor well and reheats beautifully.

Freezing

I’ve frozen batches of this stuffing before, and it holds up great. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer baking it covered with foil at 325°F until warmed through, about 20–25 minutes. This method keeps it moist without drying out or getting overly crisp before the inside is heated.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of bread in this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe?

Absolutely! Mixing different breads, like sourdough and Italian, adds wonderful texture and flavor contrast to your stuffing. Just make sure the bread cubes are dry or toasted.

Can I prepare this stuffing a day ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffing and store it in the fridge overnight. Take it out about an hour before baking to come to room temperature, then bake as usual for fresh, delicious results.

Is it necessary to use fresh herbs, or can I use dried?

Fresh herbs definitely give this stuffing that vibrant, aromatic quality I love. Dried herbs can be used in a pinch, but use about one-third of the amount and add them earlier during cooking so their flavor blossoms.

Can I make this Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe vegetarian?

Yes! Simply use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and either omit the eggs or replace them with a plant-based binder like flaxseed meal mixed with water. The flavor and texture will still be fantastic.

Final Thoughts

This Herb Butter Stuffing Recipe has become a favorite in my kitchen because it’s reliable, adaptable, and downright delicious. It captures all those warm, nostalgic flavors we crave and lets you customize it to make it feel truly yours. I really hope you give it a try—you’ll find it’s easier to make than you think and utterly rewarding to share.