Fried Onion Thanksgiving Stuffing 🦃🍞

This Fried Onion Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving feast! With a savory blend of herbs, chewy bread, and crunchy fried onions, this stuffing is sure to become a holiday favorite. The mix of textures and flavors adds a comforting, homey touch to your dinner table. Pair it with your turkey and gravy, and enjoy the warmth of family gatherings!

Ingredients

For the stuffing

• 1 loaf of rustic bread (about 16 oz), cubed
• 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup fried onions (plus more for topping)

For the fried onions

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of vinegar)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for a kick!)
• Oil for frying

Instructions

Prepare the Fried Onions

1. Soak the Onions: Place the thinly sliced onions in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) to tenderize them and enhance flavor.

2. Coat the Onions: In another bowl, mix flour and cayenne pepper (if using). Remove soaked onions from the buttermilk and shake off excess liquid. Dredge them in the flour mixture until well coated.

3. Fry the Onions: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the coated onions in batches for about 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove and let drain on paper towels. Set aside some for topping the stuffing later.

Prepare the Stuffing

4. Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion, diced celery, and minced garlic until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

5. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cubed bread, sautéed vegetables, chopped parsley, sage, thyme, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of fried onions. Gently toss to mix.

6. Add Broth: Gradually add the broth to the stuffing mixture, stirring until the bread is evenly moistened but not soggy.

Bake the Stuffing

7. Transfer to Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the stuffing mixture into a greased baking dish.

8. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the top with additional fried onions, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is crispy and golden.

Variations

• Gluten-free: Swap the rustic bread for gluten-free bread and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free. 😊
• Add Cranberries: Mix in 1/2 cup of dried cranberries for a sweet and tart flavor that pairs nicely with savory elements.
• Sausage Stuffing: Brown 1 pound of Italian sausage in the skillet before adding the vegetables for a heartier stuffing.
• Nutty Delight: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts for an added crunch and nutty flavor.

🍂 This Fried Onion Thanksgiving Stuffing can be made a day ahead. Simply prepare the filling, transfer it to the baking dish, cover and refrigerate. On Thanksgiving Day, bake it directly from the fridge, adding 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.

Enjoy this stuffing with your holiday meal, and watch it disappear from the table in no time!