The Best Classic Brioche Stuffing Recipe

Brioche Stuffing is a classic rich and comforting side dish that deserves a spot on every holiday table. With buttery brioche, fresh herbs and savory vegetables, it bakes up soft and tender inside with a crisp golden topping that everyone will love.

classic brioche stuffing in a white pan.

This is the kind of recipe that feels both classic and a little elevated. It's perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any festive gathering where you want to serve something special. The brioche adds a touch of sweetness that balances beautifully with garlic, onion and fresh herbs. This dish is one that family and friends will ask for again and again.

If you're looking for a cozy, flavorful side that's simple to prepare yet impressive on the table, this brioche stuffing is it. For more Thanksgiving recipes, try our: Green Beans with Bacon, Crunchy Winter Kale and Pomegranate Salad or Italian Sausage Stuffing.

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Why We Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions and Variations
Equipment
Top Tips
FAQ
Pairing
The Best Classic Brioche Stuffing Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe

Rich Flavor: Buttery brioche bread adds a slightly sweet and rich flavor that really makes this stuffing stand out.
Perfect Texture: Soft on the inside with a crisp, golden topping. It really is the best of both worlds!
Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses everyday pantry staples plus fresh herbs that add a festive touch. Perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you will need for this brioche stuffing recipe:

Brioche: Use a fresh loaf and cut it into cubes before toasting. If brioche isn't available, challah or French bread are good substitutes.
Butter: You'll use butter twice in this recipe. Unsalted butter to toast the bread and salted butter to sauté the vegetables.
Celery: Be sure to finely dice the celery so it softens nicely.
Onion
Garlic: Fresh garlic will give you the best flavor.
Salt & black pepper
Herbs: Use fresh sage and fresh thyme for the best flavor and color. Dried herbs can be used if fresh aren't available, but use less.
Eggs
Chicken stock
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan cheese provides the best flavor.

See recipe card below for quantities.

Instructions

Let's make this stuffing recipe together!

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toss the brioche cubes with melted butter and spread them across two sheet pans. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly toasted.

Step 2: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the celery and onion and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened.

Step 3: Stir in the garlic, salt, black pepper, sage, and thyme. Add the chicken stock, then remove from heat.

Step 4: Add the toasted bread cubes and beaten eggs to the pot in batches. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and stir gently until combined.

Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 6: Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until golden on top. Serve warm as a festive side dish.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this dish.

Brioche: Swap brioche with challah, French bread, sourdough, or even cornbread.
Butter: Use olive oil or dairy-free butter for a lighter or dairy-free version.
Herbs: If fresh herbs aren't available, substitute with dried (use about ⅓ the amount).
Chicken Stock: Vegetable stock works in place of chicken stock for a vegetarian option.
Cheese: Replace Parmesan with Gruyère, cheddar or leave it out entirely if preferred.
Additions: Add cooked Italian sausage or breakfast sausage. Stir in sautéed mushrooms. Mix in dried cranberries and toasted pecans.
Mini Stuffing Cups: Portion the stuffing into a muffin tin for individual servings with extra crispy edges.

Equipment

Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this delicious side dish. You can find all of these products on Amazon.

Baking sheet: Use two good quality sheet pans for toasting up the bread cubes!
Large pot: A large pot is essential for sautéing the vegetables and mixing the stuffing together. It's also great for cooking soups, stews, or other big-batch recipes.
Baking dish: Use a sturdy 9x13-inch baking dish that heats evenly to bake the stuffing through while keeping the top golden and crisp. It holds the full recipe perfectly and makes cleanup simple.

Top Tips

Here are some expert tips to make this recipe:

Toast the Bread Well: Make sure the brioche cubes are lightly toasted before mixing. This keeps the stuffing from turning mushy.
Fresh Herbs Make a Difference: Sage and thyme bring classic holiday flavor, and using them fresh is what really makes this dish.
Crispy Top Tip: Bake covered first to set the stuffing, then uncover to let the top turn golden and crisp.
Make Ahead: Assemble the stuffing up to a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.

FAQ

Do I need to toast the bread first?

Yes, toasting the brioche is important because it helps the bread hold up to the liquid without becoming mushy. Lightly toasting also adds flavor and gives the stuffing the perfect soft-meets-crispy texture.

Can I add meat like sausage or bacon to this recipe?

Absolutely! Cooked Italian sausage, breakfast sausage or even crumbled bacon can be stirred in with the bread mixture for extra flavor and heartiness. Just make sure the meat is fully cooked before adding it to the stuffing.

Can I make individual portions of stuffing?

Yes, you can scoop the stuffing into a greased muffin tin. This creates mini stuffing cups with lots of crispy edges, perfect for serving at gatherings.

Pairing

Here are some recipes to serve alongside this brioche stuffing recipe:

Christina Musgrave of Tasting with Tina holding a fork.

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