The Best Stuffing You’ll Ever Make | Epicurious 101

In this edition of Epicurious 101, professional chef and chef instructor Frank Proto demonstrates how to level up your roasts this Holiday season with his ultimate guide to making the best stuffing at home.
Director: Parisa Kosari
Director of Photography: Kevin Dynia
Editor: Rob Malone
Talent: Frank Proto
Director of Culinary Production: Kelly Janke
Creative Producer: Debbie Wong
Culinary Producer: Jessica Do
Culinary Associate Producer: Leslie Raney
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Amanda Broll
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Camera Operator: Jake Robbins
Audio Engineer: Rachel Suffian
Researcher: Vivian Jao
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araujo
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
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[@monstermaniac49]

I really like Frank a lot. He’s not pretentious or arrogant. He tells you what he does, he explains why, but also says do what you like. He just gives great guidelines and technique to go by. I will always watch his videos.

[@CourtyardPigeon]

Not pretentious, or arrogant? The title of the video is literally "The Best Thanksgiving Stuffing You'll Ever Make"..................that is a bit arrogant

[@asign5515]

@@CourtyardPigeondo you think professional chef Frank Proto titled this youtube video?

[@monstermaniac49]

@@CourtyardPigeon are you kidding me? Lol He probably isn’t the person making the title for the video. The pages that post these videos want you to click on it. I think making this the title intrigues people, no? What would you prefer them to title it? “The Worst Stuffing Ever” ?? That was a really stupid comment. Lol

[@DonnaGeraci]

Pop 😊

[@jak7312]

@@CourtyardPigeon. Well…maybe it’s just a fact.

[@R8RsYF]

It brings a tear to my eye reading all the comments about people who love stuffing. You all are my people. 🙌

[@Jaguarr3-0]

Most underrated thanksgiving dish

[@musiclover2.06]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@positivepessimist6853]

😂😂😂😂

[@richrich685]

Love the Frank videos. It would be super helpful if y’all included that grocery list for the dish in the description. 😊😊

[@DariusCrawford-r1b]

Did you find the list

[@ajs11201]

This is essentially how grandma taught me. Two primary differences (probably with no discernable difference in the final product): First, she cooked the sausage and onions as you did, but the celery she boiled in the stock. Second she'd hold back some of the butter and generously grease the dish with it. That layer of butter around the edge of the dish really helps to get some nice crispness on the bottom and edges.

[@beckydietrich808]

Thanks for the helpful tip, I love it.

[@moonblink]

Grandma knows best!

[@deniseheins2133]

Fantastic stuffing tutorial. Southerner here, it's always cornbread stuffing. I use Jimmy Dean sausage, it isn't a super fatty sausage. I use fresh sage and dried sage and poultry seasoning. Celery is a must. I also dot the top with butter before baking. I. Love. Stuffing. 😆

[@darinovre1442]

PEOPLE

[@michellebowen1194]

​@@darinovre1442WHAT

[@Evanthegirl]

My husband sent me a link to this and my response was “that doesn’t look like cornbread”.

[@celticluvr]

Stares at you in Southern Suspicion.... It is Dressing in the South. Stuffing is a Northern word

[@deniseheins2133]

@@celticluvr - LOL. Of course, growing up it was dressing. I am citified now, LOL.

[@eggie1978]

I can eat the stuffing by itself. That's a whole meal for me. Delicious!

[@R8RsYF]

Yes!!

[@positivepessimist6853]

I eat it for breakfast by itself the day after 😄

[@dalethekorean]

Anything with Frank I watch, I know I'll learn something new.

[@suziequzie]

I want to make this stuffing. I hope my sister likes sausage

[@hilariohernandez]

New thing I learned : fond.

[@jillsipocz3582]

I LOVE stuffing, it's the best part of Thanksgiving.

[@J_LOVES_ME]

I grew up on a very simple dressing -- bread, onions & celery sauted in butter, poultry seasoning, an egg, and then my mom would moisten it with just water (mix the egg with the liquid to distribute it evenly). It was simple, but delicious! Over the years I have tried recipes for all sorts of fancy dressings but I always come back to that simple recipe as my favorite. I don't prefer the sausage in it, to me it's too rich, especially when there is other meats, gravy, and so many other rich dishes in the meal. It's nice to have something light for balance. The only thing I have tweaked is I use chicken or turkey stock in place of the water, and I use fresh herbs instead of the dried poultry seasoning.

[@joymurphy8944]

I'm with you on the simplicity. No sausage needed, but the rich stock for moisture is key!

[@positivepessimist6853]

Yes, I agree about the sausage. It's the same thing with people who make greens and vegetable dishes and load them up with ham. It's not necessary, keep it simple.

[@JeffreyTheTaylor]

Fact check, true. I was skeptical as my previous dressing preps were much more involved. But the universal take at the table was this was the best dressing I ever made. I never thought to use baguettes but now that I have, I am never using anything else. Crispy, light but not soggy and still ready for gravy. The key is having a baking dish shallow enough for the edges to get some browning while the middle just is firm. Obviously the oven temp matters and I'd say 350 for 30 min is the baseline, which of course you will have to juggle as the rest of the meal comes together. Just dont rule having to stick it under the broiler for a couple of minutes to finish. Finally, I really suggest using a hot breakfast sausage as the kick really contrasts with smashed potatoes loaded with butter, cream, sour cream, roasted garlic etc.

[@OverlordMaggie]

Always thought stuffing/dressing was the best part of the roast dinners! Still do. Glad to see it getting the love it deserves. I'd be happy just having half the plate being stuffing and the rest a small portion of the rest.

[@R8RsYF]

Same. That's pretty much my plate.

[@dave_clarke]

A note for non-Americans. If you try to dry your bread at 250°C it will burn (as one of the commenters below has discovered). As is the way in USA, this recipe is using Fahrenheit. 250°F is about 120°C.

[@jes00456]

Come on Frank. You were supposed to start by growing wheat, grinding it into flower, and making your own bread.

[@carmenneumann9479]

He was busy churning the butter

[@colleengallo4831]

*flour. I don’t want bread made out of lilacs and marigolds

[@davidk2158]

We expect more Frank!!!!!😢

[@HarryPalmer-P.I.]

Cutting corners

[@even4175]

I know! wrf is he doing??

[@jtaylor6]

I wish I loved anything in life as much as Frank loves butter.

[@Katsem]

I make it just like you. I always feel a little guilty for adding all that butter, rather more stock to get it moist. But you reinforced my belief that all that butter is best. I feel so much better! Thank you.

[@samspetifore9875]

Words cannot describe how much I love Frank videos on this channel.

[@henri-5606]

where do I find the proportions please, how much of each ingredient? Love how Frank delivers and explains- one of my favorite channels!!!

[@Metoobie]

Drooling. What a gorgeous meal! Anything with Frank, I've noticed I'm hitting the like button before I even watch the video.

[@_Toxicity]

My mom discovered that stuffing a pie pumpkin is the best way to keep it perfectly moist, not too wet and not too dry. Plus it comes out tasting like pumpkin! (She also adds sausage (like int he video), fresh cranberries, and walnuts. YUM!)

[@carolrooney3353]

in the oven light on works as well. Great tips thank you Turkey sausage for the win Side note: OVEN CLEANING TIP: Ammonia on a plate, in the oven over night with the light on. In the morning remove plate and wipe out the gunk with paper towel. The slight heat and the smell of the ammonia are a magic cleaning combination. You're welcome =}

[@ReanuKeaves1]

I made this recipe last year and my wife loved it. It was her favorite dish last year.

[@ReanuKeaves1]

I made it again and it was a hit. Definitely gets better after 1-2 days also

[@Negativity808]

Who's here Wednesday night 2024 tryna cram 😂

[@ChangeTheHeartsOfMen]

Amazing. Exactly what I'm doing

[@josuelugo6378]

Thursday morning actually

[@Chris-ux7xb]

Thursday morning about an hour later than the last comment

[@blacksheepsquad9294]

Hey!!aaa

[@PraetorRykard666]

Try Thursday

[@2Bluzin]

I am so glad Frank is doing these videos instead of the other ones where they swap out the ingredients. Hated those because I wanted to see what a real chef does, not some amateur Epicurious queen or alternative strange twists on traditional style recipes.

[@liamcurtis7570]

Honestly the best darn stuffing ever. Such a treat to pull this up and watch whenever I forget the recipe. Thank you!

[@OrganizedasaMother]

I just made this for Thanksgiving and it was an ABSOLUTE HIT! Everyone could NOT stop talking about it. I followed recipe to the T. 10/10 recommend. Will never make stuffing any other way!

[@electronsauce]

I agree its neither here nor there when it comes to putting the stuffing in the turkey, but one point I will argue that agrees with you is that the aromatics (lemon, onion, bundles of herbs) you can shove up the turkey instead of stuffing makes the start of an AMAZING gravy. There's no way that dressing isn't going to be delicious outside the bird.

[@MacPatten-nn3te]

Thanks Frank this an excellent foundation for a stuffing/dressing. Our families recipe has evolved to include items such as tart fresh apple, pear or the dried versions including dried apricots, cranberries or cherries. The addition of nuts such as pistachios, roasted hazelnuts. And as a vehicle for using up items in your pantry of refrigerator such as a lone fennel bulb, purple carrot or a chili (pasilla, anaheim, calabrian or hotter) Then fresh chopped parsley, maybe a little fresh citrus zest making the final dish flavorful and creating eye appeal. And then something i'm thinking about adding this year is a few crushed ginger snaps for that flavor make the dinner pause. The final result doesn't necessarily include all of the above but illustrates to not limit but to expand and discover new flavorful combinations. Thanks again

[@Shimmerin]

Last thanksgiving I made your mashed potatoes, this year I'm making your stuffing. I bet it'll knock my socks off.

[@Swarmandal1025]

Your stuffing is by far the best!! So far I have made it three times and each has been a super hit!! I owe all the credit to you because I used your recipe on the last bit!! Thank you so much!! I will be making it for Christmas again! 🙏💐

[@alexandrosfavros3338]

I will be making it this xmas. Do you know how much chicken stock he put in because he said put half in but half of what. Thank you.

[@JohnnyLREACTS]

This looks incredible, and I like every step he has taken to kick up the flavour at each turn. I am going to make this over the holidays!

[@samuelhailu5492]

Last year I used your recipe and everybody loved it and they ate it all And this year they ask me to do the same and here I am watching your video again lol😂

[@extraart1]

Stuffing is the BEST! Great recipe! Pretty much the same as mine except I add diced apples which everyone seems to like.

[@colleenhathaway8415]

Love this recipe and video. It's my go to for Thanksgiving. Thanks, Frank!

[@mattmcgriff5952]

I made a sausage and cornbread stuffing this year and it was a hit. Will be taking it to the next level in 2024 by using the fresh toasted baguette instead of the cornbread stuffing in a bag. And like the idea of cooking it a little hotter like Frank did. Did mine at 350 and it could have been a little more done. Great video

[@caroczel]

Lovely, common sense cooking and nice portion sizes 😋💖yum

[@MatthewCrocker]

I started making my stuffing with sausage about 10 years ago, then I started getting even fancier, now I'll usually cook up some mushrooms and apples as well. Heck, sometimes I will make the stuffing and just have that as a meal instead of the turkey. My wife got a little tired of it when I was doing that weekly, tho.

[@lisamccartney7573]

Yes to mushrooms and apples. I also like carrots slices.

[@susanolson3611]

Add some toasted pecans and you will have perfection!

[@WhatWhoSays]

Made this tonight. AMAZING flavor! Thank you.

[@janeha2089]

Easy simple well tutorial ~~~ this year thanksgiving I’ve got it thank you

[@AlanDoner]

Wow mouth watering!, THANKS! One question, it might seem like a little thing but if I make this a day or 2 in advance how would you suggest bringing it up to dinner ready to serve, just a low slow heat up in the oven?

[@I8tenapples]

You are a great teacher! Can’t wait to make! Bread toast g now. I usually go traditional thick, Texas toast with the bread.

[@KOZGERFWAD]

“And yes…it IS a lot of butter. But that butter’s gonna soak into that bread and make it delicious!”😂

[@GrecianGoat]

For anybody who's listening but not watching, 400°F

[@TheHelenaSara]

Turned out amazing! Thank you.

[@CarefulCrow]

For everyone complaining about calling it "stuffing": you can put this in a bird cavity if you want; no one's stopping you.

[@ohger1]

If people could be paid for picking nits, some people would be billionaires..

[@Sally-vlado.mitchell]

I'm so happy you kept the crust on. I don't know why people take it off. I think it's wonderful! Thanks! This is a great recipe. Happy thanksgiving!

[@suziesturgill2462]

I love stuffing gonna try yours to the tee😊 thank you?it looks delicious

[@macmanmpls]

Awesome video Frank. You're so adorable. I really enjoy watching your videos. So very informative.

[@Christian-ir9kq]

Whats the measurements for this Recipe? Like how much stock and such

[@craigha7959]

I'm guessing stock amount depends on how dry the bread is. In humid places, it may not need as much.

[@MarcTheUtahan]

My brother, if you have to ask you’ll never know

[@americanprincess851]

It’s in the app that’s linked in the description box.

[@DredgenDaddyDank]

Looks like he starts with about 4c of stock and uses half, but just add it slowly until it gets to where you want it. You can always add more.

[@Iammikenieves813]

Measurements are for puss

[@JoySkydancer]

Best stuffing ever! Thanks for making this Thanksgiving so perfect!

[@pierrengo3731]

i made this. This is the best recipe. And yes you really really need to use 2 sticks of butter and 2 pounds of sausage per 1.4~ store bought brioche bread.

[@roger55es]

Great stuffing make. Thanks a bunch

[@ellietoper8584]

I just made. I dont know how to cook. But..I added a teeny bit of chicken livers to the sausage. I followed to a tee and it is so..YUM !!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ernestomartinez1655]

I really dont like stuffing since usually ive had the one that has apple, raisins, etc. But this one looks amazing for me, def will do it next time! Obligatory I love Frank videos, too!

[@carmenneumann9479]

Frank must own a butter business.

[@jtbaker1789]

Franky. You're my hero.

[@knndyskful]

Uncle Frank is the best ❤

[@rosariocamilo926]

Thank you for demonstrating how to cook the stuffing 🙏

[@jane-cn6nd]

I need measurements for this recipe please, I've never made homemade stuffing and I want it to come out perfect.

[@kerensakaprelian-olson6798]

Great recipe! Made it 3x since TG.

[@bartwhiteman9875]

“ we have a lot of butter here already “ you know, you can make stuff taste great with maybe half the butter

[@kylebeatty7643]

Lol yes. But maybe half as great? Still great!

[@Qbonedawg]

@3:48 "When cooking onions I always add just a little bit of salt" Grabs a 5 FRANK FINGERS Sized mound of salt and dumps it like a construction excavator.

[@Magickfae]

😂

[@randysnyder9591]

For those of us who are paying members, can we get the link to this on the website? I see several stuffing recipes and the "sausage and herb stuffing" recipe is similar, but not exactly the same as what's being done here.

[@JGamv]

love Frank

[@lastbat]

Those crunchy bits are the best.

[@moosey62]

Nice sounding bread.. That's gotta be a first, chef ;-) Thanks for the tips.

[@martelinthekitchen2798]

I love Frank Proto

[@susanleonhart5443]

I make it the exact same way with one additional ingredient… cubed up Swiss cheese. We cube it in case someone does not care for cheese, but we all go fishing for the nugget! 😂

[@kristathehungrymelon]

We put apples in our stuffing, I like the sweetness it adds a lot 🥰

[@robertmalone9292]

I edited this video and am pretty proud of it and it’s awesome to see all this love in the comments. What’s not great is that Condé is proposing to lay off 5% of their workers as we head into the holidays. This includes the people who produce these videos.

[@kylebeatty7643]

Sorry to hear that.

[@yousefishot]

Consider editing in a recipe next time 🤞🏼

[@yoyo-jr5ho]

did you edit out him adding the other 2 cups of stock?

[@charlotte8512]

Definitely making this

[@AnnapolisGirly]

All the carbs, can’t wait.

[@dandy90]

Frank is awesome!

[@ChiliPepperMadness]

Yum! This does look like great stuffing!

[@jsfnnyc]

Looks delish!!!

[@thepugvilleexpress7556]

I made this, I added apples- walnuts/ & raisins, turned out great. Thanks

[@loganhaase5613]

Hint on where to find the exact recipe? I even downloaded the (paid) app he links and I can’t find it.

[@LilianSolorzano19]

Do you know how much stock to add? Thanks

[@adrienne1773]

Great tip about leaving the bread the bread out to dry on its own for a couple of days I use whole wheat and White baguettes I like the different flavors the bread gives the stuffing also by drying the bread on the counter it leaves my oven open to make my pies ahead of time, thanks Frank really enjoy the video Happy Thanksgiving.

[@godsfan13]

This looks absolutely amazing. I’m definitely going to use this recipe for Thanksgiving. Also, I liked your little stuffing versus dressing bit lol

[@CheBellaTelevisione]

I SEE FRANK I CLICK SIMPLE AS

[@ChristyCarney-o8t]

❤ Thank You!! Looks yummie...😊

[@mrohde2067]

nothing better than sausage stuffing! Yours looks fabulous! It's funny that it is such a coveted dish, because, at least for me, I only make it at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas...adding to its special-ness :)

[@ginamcgurk226]

Thamks for sharring your recipe love it ❤

[@jchow5966]

I love putting poultry seasoning in mine.

[@deniseskudlarek5776]

Great teacher!!

[@Crayfish-]

[ @ 0:00 or 0:01 ] Chef Franklin Proto Culinary instructor, May be Displeased with me for this ! But I'll Comment anyway; There is a Combination of Ingredients which are called; " The Cajon Trinity " ( Trinity means a ?~ Unity of 3 in 1 ) ! It consists of " Bell Peppers, Celery & Onions. " Any Combination of these Three will Add an Excellent Flavor Not to mention Aroma to whatever Entre' you include it in ! Celery & Onions is the Basic Flavoring in Bread Stuffing. Bell Pepper & Onions go well ' added ' in Hash brown Potatoes.

[@thomasmurphy2786]

I do a lot of the same for my stuffing, i use JONES breakfast sausage , but i add apple to mine, and i cook it in Muffin Tins . Everyone gets ALL the best parts of the stuffing this way.. try it, they pop out and you can pass a basket of stuffin muffins around the table

[@thihal123]

I love American stuffing. One of the few American foods I like.

[@russh6414]

I know someone who is going to be in a food coma this Holiday - ME! 😋

[@loveforeignaccents]

LOL. Count me in as well!

[@metallica1fan1]

Stuffing, the combination of the four Earth elements. Fire, water, sky, and crumbs.

[@Rochellecastro1]

I add sliced apples and beaten eggs to mine! 😋

[@nadimhussain1041]

Will be making this today

[@robertbeining141]

Thanks Chef. Definitely making your recipe for Thanksgiving this year.

[@veronicasanchez6998]

fist time looking for stuffing recipe. This is the first i found.. seek no more, i’m making it❤❤

[@CJRealHoops1]

As somebody who has always loathed stuffing... I'm actually excited to try this recipe, see if it can change my mind

[@ohger1]

I can't wait until next Friday to read your comment!

[@POGpopipo]

How was it?

[@nancycalderin491]

EXCELLENT!! THANK YOU!!

[@CiaoBello21]

As a French-Italian, that baguette looks so dense

[@toddm9501]

Nice Job! He's a True Chef.

[@gocubs1815]

Can we get an ingredients list? I wanna make this and want to know how much to get

[@starrstylist7441]

That's what I'm saying haha Not sure why people don't add it to their videos :(

[@Engineer_Heathen]

​@@starrstylist7441because they want you to go to their website.

[@CaptainFabulous84]

@@starrstylist7441 Because they want you to pay to access the recipes on the website or app.

[@user-tu3bj8qt4p]

They want you to $subscribe :(

[@brianwhitten6231]

YES PLEASE!!!

[@mattcappelli5822]

Great video! Did you guys ever do a video about selecting quality pots and pans? And what one should have in their kitchen?

[@williamwatson7489]

A few eggs makes it luxurious. Beaten well and tempered, of course.

[@ohger1]

Wow, that's the way I make it although I'll cheat and used the bagged "bread"..