Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing

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Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing is a time machine for your taste buds, taking you back to the comforting, familiar flavors of holidays past. This timeless dish from my grandma is easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests.

A bowl of Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing.

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About Sage and Onion Stuffing

Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing is bursting with savory flavors, it’s like a warm hug from Grandma herself. Perfectly seasoned with fragrant herbs and tangy onions, this recipe will transport you back in time while delighting your taste buds in the present. Bring tradition back to your holiday table with this irresistible side dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Why This Easy Stuffing Recipe is a Keeper

Discover why this easy stuffing recipe is cherished in countless households. From its timeless flavors that evoke fond memories to the simplicity of preparation that eases holiday cooking, this stuffing has secured its place as a beloved classic. It has a crispy top perfect for any roast dinner.

  • Great for Holidays: This stuffing is the ultimate companion to your holiday turkey or roast, adding a delightful blend of flavors and textures to your feast.
  • Easy Ingredients: With just a handful of common kitchen staples, you’ll create a flavorful stuffing that will impress your family and guests.
  • Family Friendly: This stuffing appeals to all taste buds, making it perfect for both kids and adults

If you’re looking for more stuffing inspired recipes, try these Slow Cooker Mushroom Stuffing, Jiffy Cornbread Dressing and Old Fashioned Sausage Stuffing with Apples.

What is the best bread for stuffing?

A close up of the sage stuffing with fresh rosemary on top.

Choosing the best bread for stuffing is essential. It’s best to opt for stale or dried bread, as it absorbs the flavors and moisture better, resulting in a more satisfying stuffing. Avoid fresh bread, as it can become mushy during baking.

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Ingredient Notes for Traditional Sage and Onion Stuffing

You will love this recipe for roast chicken for a Sunday dinner or use this sage and onion stuffing recipe for Christmas dinner, Make in a baking dish or prepare stuffing and stuff the bird.

Bread crumbs, celery, onions and broth for the stuffing.
  • Bread: Stale or dried white bread works best for stuffing, as it provides the ideal texture and absorbs the flavors well. You can use a bag breadcrumb cubes to make this recipe.
  • Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor to the stuffing, creating a delicious balance with the other ingredients.
  • Chopped Onion: Onions and celery bring a savory and aromatic element to the dish, enhancing its overall taste.
  • Sage: Sage is the star of this recipe, imparting a robust and earthy flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly. Fresh sage or dried sage.
  • Poultry Seasoning: Poultry seasoning adds depth and a traditional holiday taste to your stuffing.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions to Make this Sage and Onion Recipe

If you’re eager to put your own spin on this classic sage and onion stuffing, these variations and creative twists offer exciting possibilities. It is the perfect side for turkey or chicken filled with sage flavor.

  • Gluten Free Bread: To make a gluten free version, replace traditional bread with gluten free bread. Ensure it’s dry or toasted for the best results.
  • Add Meat: Dice some sausage meat or cooked meat such as chicken or turkey of your choice and mix it into the stuffing for extra flavor.
  • Fresh Herbs: Chopped Fresh parsley adds a great flavor to the dressing. Or season to taste, add salt and pepper.

How to Make Old Fashioned Stuffing with Sage and Onion

These are the basic steps for making Old Fashioned Stuffing with Sage and Onion. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Prepare the vegetables for the sage and onion stuffing.

STEP 1: Prep Bread for the Stuffing Mix

First, preheat the oven, cut the bread into one-inch cubes and let them sit out to dry overnight, or toast them in a 300 degree F. oven for 20 minutes.

STEP 2: Heat the Butter and Cook Veggies

Then melt butter in a large skillet, add the onions, celery, sage, and poultry seasoning. Sauté until the vegetables become translucent and tender.

STEP 3: Combine Bread and Onion Mixture

Next add the sautéed onion mixture to the dried bread cubes and stir to combine.

Preparing the bread cubes and broth for the stuffing mixture.

STEP 4: Add Remaining Ingredients

Then incorporate the broth, remaining poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper into the mixture. Stir well to ensure even distribution of flavors.

STEP 5: Bake the Stuffing Recipe

Finally, transfer the stuffing to a buttered casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees F. for 30 minutes, or until it’s beautifully golden and aromatic.

Recipe FAQs to Make Stuffing Side Dish with Onion and Sage

Stale bread is better for stuffing because it absorbs the flavors and moisture more effectively, resulting in a superior texture.

Yes, you can freeze this simple recipe for stuffing for up to 2 months, allowing you to prepare it in advance for holiday dinners or other occasions. you can reheat the leftover stuffing on low heat or use an air fryer. Add a little chicken broth if it needs a little moisture.

While butter enhances the flavor, you can substitute it with a suitable butter alternative for this particular recipe. It can even be done ahead of time in a large mixing bowl, then transfer to a baking dish and bake when ready.

A heaping bowl of the side dish.

Expert Tips for Making the Best Stuffing with Dried Ground Sage

For the best sage and onion stuffing that truly stands out, our expert tips will guide you through the process, helping you achieve the perfect texture and flavor. These tips will elevate your homemade bread stuffing to culinary excellence.

  • Add an Egg: To increase moisture, you can beat an egg and mix it into the homemade sage and onion stuffing before baking.
  • Nuts: For added crunch and flavor, add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
  • Dried Fruit: Use dried fruit such as cranberries in the recipe.
  • Make in Turkey: If you prefer, you can use this stuffing recipe to stuff the cavity of a turkey, infusing it with rich, savory flavors during roasting. Prepare the homemade stuffing for Christmas dinner or any holiday meal.
  • Dry: If the stuffing is dry add more chicken stock, if you have soggy stuffing, cook more .
A bowl of Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing.
4.50 from 18 votes

Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing

Yield: 10 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing is a time machine for your taste buds, taking you back to the comforting, familiar flavors of holidays past. This timeless dish is easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests.
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⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!

Ingredients

  • 3 Loaves sandwich bread
  • 12 tablespoons Butter
  • 4 Onions, diced
  • 1 Head of celery, diced
  • 2 tablespoons Dried sage
  • 4 teaspoons Poultry seasoning, divided
  • ½ cup Turkey broth, or chicken broth
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Cut bread into one inch cubes and allow to sit out and dry, preferably over night. Or you could toast them in a 300 degree oven for 20 minutes.
  • Melt butter in a large skillet.
  • Add onions, celery sage and 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning.
  • Saute until vegetables are translucent and tender.
  • Add dried bread to a large mixing bowl. Add onion mixture to bread cubes and stir to combine.
  • Add broth, remaining poultry seasoning and salt and pepper; stir to combine.
  • Place stuffing in a greased 13×9 baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
  • Stuffing can also be placed inside the turkey cavity and roasted with your turkey.

Expert Tips

 
  • Apple: For a sweet surprise. add some apple.
  • Short cut tip: Forgot to leave out the bread then, toast them in a 300 degree oven for 20 minutes.
  • Variation tip: Giblets,sausage or oysters can be added for flavor.
  • Dietary consideration tip: Gluten Free bread can be used in this recipe.
  • Mix: Change up or mix the type of bread. A mix of white, sourdough and cornbread are wonderful.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 205mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 484IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 51mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

23 thoughts on “Old Fashioned Sage and Onion Stuffing”

  1. 5 stars
    I have been trying to recreate my grandmother’s stuffing for ages! This is soooo close, I think it must be the extra sage that you added to your recipe.

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    My mom used to always make the stuffing from scratch and now that she’s gone, I have NO idea how to do it and usually resort to *gasp* boxed stuffing. Thanks for posting this. I can’t wait to make it!

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    I love that this delicious holiday stuffing was passed down through the generations in your family. Recipes like this are some of the very best gifts we could ever have. I made your grandma’s savory stuffing last night and it was a real winner! It had the perfect texture and flavors. Yum!

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    Great stuffing – I’m so glad that you posted it as I was looking for something easy to make and this was perfect. Quick and I had all of the ingredients to hand.

    Reply

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