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.

Ingredients

Scale

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)

Instructions

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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