Sheet Pan
What We Call Stuffing: Challah, Mushroom & Celery
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Recipe by: MrsWheelbarrow
Popular on Food52
174 Reviews
Andrew M.
November 25, 2020
This has been my go to stuffing for the past three years. It's amazing. A few of the holiday prep tips I've picked up:
You can prep the butter, herb, and veg mixture the night before and hold it in the fridge. Take it out in the morning, let it come to room temp, and mix with your bread, melted butter, and stock.
I bake it for the initial bake before I do a turkey. Keep it out at room temp, loosely covered, while the turkey cooks, then pop it back in for 15 minutes to warm through and crisp while the turkey rests. If it seems a little dry on top from the resting, I'll add some thinly sliced cold butter to the top so it melts in the oven. (Even if it doesn't seem dry, I add it, because butter)
One of my guests doesn't like mushrooms in large pieces, so I blitz the mushrooms and onions in a food processor to very fine pieces before cooking, almost like making a duxelles. I actually prefer it this way, because the mixture coats the bread rather than staying as definable pieces. Celery, I still use in small dice, because I like the texture contrast.
If you aren't adverse to the joys of MSG, a teaspoon or two added to the broth is fantastic.
You can prep the butter, herb, and veg mixture the night before and hold it in the fridge. Take it out in the morning, let it come to room temp, and mix with your bread, melted butter, and stock.
I bake it for the initial bake before I do a turkey. Keep it out at room temp, loosely covered, while the turkey cooks, then pop it back in for 15 minutes to warm through and crisp while the turkey rests. If it seems a little dry on top from the resting, I'll add some thinly sliced cold butter to the top so it melts in the oven. (Even if it doesn't seem dry, I add it, because butter)
One of my guests doesn't like mushrooms in large pieces, so I blitz the mushrooms and onions in a food processor to very fine pieces before cooking, almost like making a duxelles. I actually prefer it this way, because the mixture coats the bread rather than staying as definable pieces. Celery, I still use in small dice, because I like the texture contrast.
If you aren't adverse to the joys of MSG, a teaspoon or two added to the broth is fantastic.
Kathy C.
November 26, 2019
How many Trader Joe’s loaves of challah to use. I think I get the amount of bread wrong. Thx!!!!!
MrsWheelbarrow
November 26, 2019
Two, maybe two and a half! My homemade challah is denser than the TJs loaf
Kathy C.
December 2, 2019
I made it with 11 cups bread, 1-1/2T Thyme, 1T Rosemary plus other ingredients and it turned out so good. Rave reviews from guests! Thx for the exact measurements!!
rbg915
November 24, 2020
Hi can you use sourdough instead of challah? What about mixing the two? And if you add celery leaves as one comment or suggested, should you add them all from the celery or just a little and chop it up? Thanks!
MrsWheelbarrow
November 25, 2020
I've never used another bread and challah is kinda the reason for this stuffing recipe. :) I use a lot of celery and the leaves but I LOVE celery.
Zoe
November 24, 2019
I have been using this stuffing for years now, been meaning to thank you for sharing! The challah gives it such a delightful texture. I do add a little more herbs for an extra punch as well as some crumbled vegetarian sausage for some protein and even more flavor. It’s a forgiving recipe but letting the bread get stale and not breaking it up too finely is key. Highly recommend this one since it is delicious if you play around with it or serve exactly as is! I’ve assembled fully then traveled a few hours to bake it, made it fully the night before and reheated, and of course enjoyed fresh out the oven. Always a hit. Thanks again for my thanksgiving tradition :)
MrsWheelbarrow
November 24, 2019
Awwww. Thanks so much! I just set out all the challah. Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving!
Fogdweller
November 27, 2019
Zoe, in case you see this late on the eve before Thanksgiving .... what was your re-heating strategy. I spaced out and assembled the whole thing tonight (doh!) and will now need to reheat tomorrow. Thanks for any counsel!
Valerie O.
November 22, 2019
I've made this stuffing for the last five Thanksgivings, and it's just the right thing to feed a crowd of mixed dietary needs. It's vegetarian, but also so jam-packed with flavor that it satisfies even the meatiest of eaters. I always throw in an extra bit of herbs as I do think that's what makes this stuffing pop. Otherwise, I follow the recipe as-is. I have pre-made the stuffing the day before, placed in baking dish, covered with parchment, then baked the next day. It's been perfect thus far.
MrsWheelbarrow
November 22, 2019
So nice to hear this! Very happy and delicious wishes to you this Thanksgiving.
Susan U.
November 17, 2019
Can this be made ahead and frozen? Assuming that the cook doesn't help herself to all of it 'just to taste'.
MrsWheelbarrow
November 17, 2019
It doesn’t freeze perfectly but you can do it. I prefer to freeze the bread cubes and the. Chop the veg and herbs a day or two in advance. I put it all together thanksgiving morning.
Margaret L.
November 17, 2019
Just remember that air is the enemy of food in the freezer, and this stuffing in the pan has plenty of air pockets. Freezing will pull the water out of ingredients, leaving it in the dish as little ice crystals. This will change the texture of the ingredients, and the longer it is frozen, the more marked the change you will notice. But since it doesn't have any never-freeze ingredients, you could freeze it for a few days. Just wrap it as tightly as possible and be prepared to accept a slight deterioration in the texture.
Vi H.
November 21, 2018
Love this recipe and have used it 3 years running- it is always declared the best dish! Question: could you par-bake this for 45 min and then finish baking without the parchment about an hour later? Will need to transport it a distance this year.
Christa
November 21, 2018
I made this last year and it was sooooo delicious! This year I need it to be gluten free, was thinking of using corn bread....thoughts? Thanks so much!
Lizzy C.
November 22, 2018
I make this recipe gf every year! It comes out great - just buy really good gf bread and toast the cubes rather than letting them go stale over 2 days
Michelle
November 21, 2017
Hello, does anyone have a good idea for replacement of mushrooms in this recipe?
Carrel R.
November 19, 2017
I would like to add dried sage to this recipe, instead of the other herbs. Could you recommend how much, please? Thank you so much!
MrsWheelbarrow
November 19, 2017
Start with 1/2 teaspoon and taste. Sage can get very medicinal if overused!
Carrel R.
November 19, 2017
Thank you so much for your quick reply! And the sage is the "rubbed sage" variety...correct? Thanks, again!
FrugalCat
November 15, 2017
Challah is a great bread for stuffing. I also throw in some shredded carrots. And for the celery, use the leaves too- great flavor.
Margaret L.
November 8, 2017
This wonderful recipe is very similar to the pan dressing (I don't stuff the bird) I've made for about 35 years. My additions: a bit of dried sage and a tablespoon or two of good-quality sherry. Simple and sublime!
Jeannine D.
October 11, 2017
This is almost exactly how I make stuffing, only different is I use Turkey stock, do half Challah and half Italian bread and add chopped pistashios
Anne E.
November 25, 2016
Made this for Friendsgiving and it was a smash hit. Everyone kept coming up to me asking if I indeed was the one behind the stuffing—will be making it again and again!
MrsWheelbarrow
November 27, 2016
Hi Anne, I'm so pleased to hear this! I wait all year for this stuffing. (Geez, I wonder why I don't make it more often?????)
Anne E.
November 27, 2016
I was also the very happy recipient of the leftovers, so I have been living off of it for DAYS now. Very happy I used the expensive brioche for it ;)
Marisa A.
December 2, 2015
I have to say, this was the best I've had. My sister and brother-in-law are vegan. With hosting thanksgiving this year, it posed a minor challenge--appeasing the meat eaters while killing it with some vegan crossover recipes. They bring a delicious vegan pot pie for their main dish, so that was no big. But the sides--it was important to punch it with flavor.
I found a recipe for a vegan challah bread and made that the weekend before. I let it sit and get stale. I used homemade veg broth and earth balance in place of butter. Doubled the recipe and it was a total smash! No one knew it was vegan and my sis was beyond stoked. It'll be on repeat for a while I think.
I found a recipe for a vegan challah bread and made that the weekend before. I let it sit and get stale. I used homemade veg broth and earth balance in place of butter. Doubled the recipe and it was a total smash! No one knew it was vegan and my sis was beyond stoked. It'll be on repeat for a while I think.
Alyssa
November 27, 2015
Made this for thanksgiving yesterday also and everyone LOVED it. Fried an egg on it this morning and it was just as good if not better! This one is a winner
caitlin
November 27, 2015
Woooo! I made this for Thanksgiving yesterday and it was the star of the show - and also very simple to make. Such a keeper.
MrsWheelbarrow
December 2, 2015
So glad you enjoyed it. I hosted for the first time in three years and it was so nice to have this stuffing again!
Catherine
November 25, 2015
I'm not clear on the quantity of herbs. You say 8-10 sprigs or 3 sprigs, I need to see what that looks like. Can you give a typical measurement amount, such as 2 tablespoons of chopped thyme or whatever the herb? I guess I'm not clear on how much a sprig is.
MrsWheelbarrow
November 25, 2015
It's about 1-1/2 tablespoons of thyme, 1 tablespoon of rosemary. Very herby.
Ella
November 22, 2015
Sounded great when I looked at the recipe, decided to give and try but used vegetable oil instead of butter and it was awesome! Now will definitely make it for Thanksgiving. Thank you :)
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