Grandma’s Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe

Introduction

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Dressing is a comforting classic that brings rich, savory flavors to your holiday table. Made with tender turkey giblets, seasoned bread, and buttery sautéed vegetables, it perfectly complements your Thanksgiving feast.

Ingredients

• Turkey neck and giblets
• 8 cups water
• 2 loaves Italian bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
• 1–2 tablespoons Thanksgiving seasoning (see note)
• 2 sticks butter
• 1 cup diced celery leaves and top stalks
• 1 cup diced onions (about 1 medium onion)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium pot, add 8 cups of water along with the turkey neck, giblets, and 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes or more to create a flavorful stock.
2. Step 2: While the stock simmers, toss the torn bread pieces with 1 to 2 tablespoons of Thanksgiving seasoning, making sure the bread is evenly coated.
3. Step 3: In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced celery and onions, cooking until they become very soft and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Pour the butter, celery, and onion mixture over the seasoned bread pieces and toss well to combine.
5. Step 5: Ladle about one cup of the turkey stock at a time over the bread mixture, tossing after each addition to keep the bread moist but not soggy.
6. Step 6: Press the mixture firmly into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 40 minutes, until the edges are browned and the center is golden.
7. Step 7: Serve warm alongside gravy and your favorite Thanksgiving side dishes.

Tips & Variations

• Use day-old bread for better texture and to avoid sogginess.
• Add chopped fresh herbs like sage or thyme for extra depth of flavor.
• For a richer taste, substitute half the butter with bacon drippings.
• If you prefer a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock instead of turkey stock and skip the giblets.

Storage

Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, adding a splash of broth if it seems dry.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dressing up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake it just before serving.

What is Thanksgiving seasoning?

Thanksgiving seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices like sage, thyme, rosemary, and poultry seasoning that adds traditional holiday flavor to the dressing.

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 220 reviews

• Author: Rafael
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x

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Description

Grandma’s Thanksgiving Dressing is a classic, comforting side dish made from savory Italian bread, aromatic turkey stock, fragrant Thanksgiving seasoning, and sautéed celery and onions in rich butter. This traditional recipe yields a moist, flavorful dressing that’s baked to golden perfection, making it a perfect accompaniment to your holiday feast.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Broth

• Turkey neck and giblets
• 8 cups water
• 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning

Dressing

• 2 loaves Italian bread, torn into 1-inch pieces
• 1–2 tablespoons Thanksgiving seasoning
• 2 sticks butter (1 cup)
• 1 cup diced celery leaves and top stalks
• 1 cup diced onions (about 1 medium onion)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Turkey Stock: In a medium pot, add 8 cups of water along with the turkey neck and giblets, plus 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook gently for at least 20 minutes to develop a flavorful stock.
2. Season the Bread: While the stock simmers, place the torn Italian bread pieces in a large bowl. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of Thanksgiving seasoning over the bread and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the spices.
3. Sauté Vegetables: In a medium skillet, melt two sticks (1 cup) of butter over medium heat. Add the diced celery leaves and stalks along with the diced onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are very soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Combine Bread and Vegetables: Pour the melted butter with the sautéed celery and onions over the seasoned bread pieces. Toss well to coat all the bread evenly with the butter and vegetables.
5. Add Turkey Stock to Bread Mixture: Ladle about one cup of the hot turkey stock at a time over the bread mixture, tossing gently after each addition to ensure the bread is moist but not soggy. Continue adding stock and tossing until the desired moistness is achieved.
6. Bake the Dressing: Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Press the moist bread mixture evenly into the dish, smoothing the top. Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes if you want the top to brown slightly. The dressing is done when the edges are nicely browned and the center is golden.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with gravy and your favorite Thanksgiving sides for a traditional holiday meal.

Notes

• Thanksgiving Seasoning typically includes herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. You can use a store-bought poultry seasoning blend if preferred.
• For best texture, add turkey stock gradually to prevent the dressing from becoming overly wet.
• You can substitute Italian bread with a rustic country loaf if desired, but avoid highly dense or sweet breads.
• Save the turkey neck and giblets from your Thanksgiving bird for the stock to maximize flavor.
• Butter is essential for richness and moisture; do not substitute with margarine to maintain traditional flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Thanksgiving dressing, turkey dressing, traditional holiday side, stuffing, Italian bread dressing, holiday recipe, Thanksgiving sides