Last Updated on August 20, 2024 by Lori Walker
The holiday season means it’s time to wow folks with mouth-watering stuffing from a big chicken or turkey. This yummy treat boosts the taste of loads of meals, like **vegetables** and **seafood**.
But the perfect stuffing usually lies on the bread used. So, what is the best bread to use for stuffing?
Our team conducted thorough research and interviewed moms, grandmoms, and professional chefs to find the most recommended bread types for stuffing. Stay tuned!
Top 10 Bread Types To Use For Stuffing
1. White Bread
Flavor: Slight sweetness with a neutral flavor profile
Texture: Tight crumb with a natural fluffy texture
Our Verdict: When making stuffing, white bread is the best choice for delicious stuffing as it absorbs the butter and the broth better.
Even if you decide to add other ingredients to your stuffing, white bread will make it the star of the dish. Instead of using regular or stale bread, try white bread.
2. Cornbread
Flavor: unsweetened, but there are pre-seasoned store-bought cornbread
Texture: Tight texture with small holes
Our Verdict: For cornbread fans – did you know that cornbread is one of the best bread for stuffing (chicken or turkey)?
We usually bake our cornbread loaf using our oven (or cast-iron pan) to make stuffing. This way, we get to achieve the flavors we want, and we’re assured of making the best stuffing.
This includes the addition of poultry seasoning, celery, and onion, then cooked in a combination of olive oil and butter.
Read: How Many Sandwiches Does A Loaf Of Bread Make?
3. Bagel
Flavor: Mild
Texture: Tight and dense
Our Verdict: A good quality slice of bread is a must for absorbing meat juices. Bagel is the right choice as these are mild in savor and incredibly dense.
You might think a bagel is too heavy for a stuffing recipe, but it’s our preference. If you prefer something a little more fluffy, try something else.
4. Whole Wheat Bread
Flavor: Sweet and nutty
Texture: Fluffy andtight texture
Our Verdict: Whole Wheat is one the best bread for stuffing recipes for its tight crumb and fluffy consistency.
It’s easy to control the absorption of mostly water than juices using this dough, and you can prevent the stuffing from being soggy or too dry.
If you love stuffing that’s a little moist; we suggest using whole wheat. But how long will wheat bread last in the fridge?
5. Sourdough
Flavor: Sour and tangy
Texture: Open crumb and crisp crust
Our Verdict: If you are a fan of sourdough bread, then you should try it in your homemade stuffing.
Sourdough has tangy flavors and a crisp crust with a unique open structure preventing it from absorbing other flavors and juices.
“The smell of good bread baking, like the sound of lightly flowing water, is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight.”
– Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher, American Food Writer
Although it tastes a bit sour, it’s a good alternative to regular bread if you have too many sweet recipes on the Thanksgiving table, like a sweet potato casserole dish or glazed carrots.
You might also like to read about the things to do with leftover sourdough bread here.
6. Challah
Flavor: richer than white bread
Texture: Stingy, tight crumb/ soft and airy
Our Verdict: Compared to white bread, Challa has added eggs to the dough, giving a built-in airiness and a tight crumb with a pudding-like feel.
It adds a richer flavor to other stuffing ingredients.
7. Martin’s Stuffing Cubes
Flavor: Buttery, potato-rich
Texture: Slightly toasted and cubed
Our Verdict: Martin’s Stuffing Cubes is potato bread with a creamy taste. If you want to prepare an easy stuffing recipe, use Martin’s, as it’s already bite-sized and created specifically for Thanksgiving stuffing.
This alternative is a cost-effective ingredient for your favorite stuffing, always ready to be baked freshly in an oven.
8. Brioche
Flavor: Rich
Texture: Very tight texture with low hydration
Our Verdict: Similar to white bread and Challah, Brioche has an enriched, tight texture, which makes it a good stuffing bread. Unlike other bread cubes, we like how it’s easier to find in the market.
Its rich flavors make for a great stuffing bread, whether for a Thanksgiving dinner or something for the happy holidays.
9. Baguette
Flavor: Flavorful yet dry
Texture: Open crumbs and a dry bread
Our Verdict: Using baguette bread in a stuffing recipe is new for us. Yet, we gave it a try (cause we want to deviate from the classic stuffing), and the results taste good.
The open structure (big holes) isn’t ideal for absorbing juices but still produces a flavorful and slightly dry stuffing. Try French baguettes, as it’s a great alternative if you want something different.
10. Focaccia
Flavor: Sweet and savory
Texture: Fluffy, bread-like loaf with high hydration
Our Verdict: Focaccia bread has strong flavors, so it’s the perfect choice if you like stuffing with powerful spices.
This might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this is a good bread for stuffing. It doesn’t have the neutral flavor of traditional bread for stuffing, so it gives a twist.
Chef Tip: Aside from the best bread listed above, you can experiment with French bread, any day-old bread [1], and English muffins. These types of bread can give different results that might suit your taste buds.
Read: Top 10 Rolls For Philly Cheese Steak
FAQs
What is the best soft bread for stuffing?
The best soft bread for stuffing is Italian or French bread, Challah, Brioche, or cornbread. You might want to avoid any white sandwich bread or highly hydrated bread and dough.
Can you use Italian bread for stuffing?
Yes, you can use Italian bread for stiffing. You can use any high-quality bread as long as it suits your style and budget.
Is stale or toasted bread better for stuffing?
Stale is the best bread for stuffing compared to toasted bread. Although you can use a wide range of bread types, such as frozen waffles [2], cornbread, and bagels, to make stuffing, it’s important to first dry or “stale” the ingredients. Doing so will prevent the stuffing from becoming a soggy mess.
Is dense bread good for stuffing?
Dense bread is good for stuffing if you prefer drier stuffing. But if you’re like us, you better use freshly-baked white sandwich bread or French bread.
Key Takeaways
Our research shows that the best bread for stuffing is Sourdough, Whole Wheat, Focaccia, Brioche, Baguette, Bagels, Martin’s Cubes, Challah, and White Bread.
Depending on the consistency and dryness or moisture level you prefer, there is surely one or two bread that might suit your style.
References:
- https://www.yahoo.com/now/column-really-day-old-bread-110350967.html#
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/waffle
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