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A photo of a delicious homemade Thanksgiving dressing, fresh out of the oven, in a ceramic baking dish.

Thanksgiving Dressing

A traditional Thanksgiving side dish made with bread, vegetables, and herbs.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large Spanish onion peeled and diced
  • 2 ribs celery cleaned and diced
  • 2 tart apples (e.g. Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 cup peeled chestnuts roughly chopped
  • Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme stems removed, leaves chopped
  • 1 dozen fresh sage leaves stems removed, leaves chopped
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 dash hot-pepper sauce (or to taste)
  • 1 loaf decent-quality bread (1–2 days old) torn into small pieces
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • ½ cup chopped parsley
  • 1 to 2 cups turkey or chicken stock (low-sodium if store-bought)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. Melt 4 tablespoons of the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add the 1 large Spanish onion, 2 ribs celery, 2 tart apples, 1 cup peeled chestnuts, Kosher salt, black pepper, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 dozen fresh sage leaves, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, and 1 dash hot-pepper sauce to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables have softened and the herbs have wilted, approximately 5 minutes.
  4. Transfer the cooked mixture to a large bowl.
  5. Add the 1 loaf decent-quality bread (torn into small pieces), 2 large eggs (beaten), and ½ cup chopped parsley to the bowl with the vegetable mixture.
  6. Pour in 1 to 2 cups turkey or chicken stock, adding enough to ensure the dressing is well moistened. Blend all ingredients well and check for seasoning, adjusting salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Grease a baking dish with the remaining 1 tablespoon unsalted butter.
  8. Spoon the dressing mixture into the prepared baking dish.
  9. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes or until the top is beginning to brown. Check to ensure the interior is moist; if it appears dry, add a splash more turkey or chicken stock and return to the oven for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.