Thanksgiving Crouton Dressing Recipe

When it comes to making dressing for Thanksgiving have you ever considered using pre-made dried croutons instead of tearing up day old bread? Not only will it save you time, you will love both the flavor and texture of this classic holiday side dish.

It is a great way to make dressing, especially when you are looking to make a small batch recipe. Let’s be honest, when you are celebrating Thanksgiving with a smaller group, a large pan of stuffing is way too much. 

However, with this small batch recipe, you will have all of the taste of traditional stuffing without having leftovers for days. Plus, the use of croutons makes preparing the classic holiday side dish a breeze.

All you have to do is measure out the amount of croutons that you need and mix it together with some sautéed vegetables, broth and a few seasonings. 

It’s a great way to combine a few simple ingredients to create something that feels and tastes like a traditional Thanksgiving side dish without too much effort. 

Why Use Croutons?

Croutons might not be your first choice for stuffing, but they’re a fantastic shortcut that saves you from having to cube and dry out fresh bread. By using unseasoned croutons, you get a solid base that soaks up all those wonderful flavors. 

Plus, croutons hold up well in the baking process. They create a dressing that’s perfectly moist with just the right amount of crispy edges that we all love. 

Ingredients To Make Crouton Dressing

• 6 ounces of unseasoned dressing croutons: The base of our dressing, these croutons take on the flavor of the homemade seasoning and become perfectly moist as they bake.

• 1 cup of heated chicken broth: This adds flavor and moisture, making sure the croutons become soft without getting too mushy.

• ½ stick of butter (divided): Butter is key in making the dressing take on a slightly rich flavor. However, it also helps to sauté the vegetables and blend with the herbs.

• ½ large yellow onion, chopped: Onion adds sweetness and depth, a classic addition to almost any dressing.

• 1 clove of garlic, minced:  A touch of garlic brings a little warmth to the crouton stuffing. 

• 1 rib of celery, chopped: Celery gives a nice, subtle crunch to the dressing.  

• ¼ cup of fresh parsley, chopped: Fresh parsley adds a hint of brightness and a little color to the dish.

• ¾ tablespoon each of fresh thyme, sage, and rosemary, chopped: These three herbs make up the classic Thanksgiving flavor profile. The earthiness of thyme, the warmth of sage, and the piney taste of rosemary create that classic taste. However, read below for the option to add dried herbs instead of fresh herbs. 

• ¼ teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper and salt to taste

• ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese: The surprise ingredient in this recipe. The Parmesan cheese adds a slightly salty, nutty flavor and gives a crispy topping when left uncovered during the baking process.

Step by Step Instructions

1. Prep and Preheat

First, preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 8 x 8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. 

In a medium size pot, add the chicken broth and heat over medium-low heat. While the broth is warming dice the onion and celery and set aside. 

2. Sauté the Vegetables

Start by melting two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and celery, and sauté them until they’re soft—about five minutes. This cooking step releases the sweetness in the onions and softens the celery, making both easier to blend into the stuffing.

After the vegetables have softened, add the minced garlic, remaining butter, fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary), and black pepper. Cook for another two minutes to allow the herbs to release their oils which will make the dressing taste even better.

3. Combine the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add your croutons. Pour the heated chicken broth over the croutons, giving them a gentle stir so they can start absorbing the broth. This step helps soften the croutons just enough for the perfect dressing texture.

Add the butter and herb mixture to the croutons, stirring everything together until well combined. Taste the mixture and add salt if needed. Remember that the parmesan cheese, which will be added next, has some saltiness, so add salt sparingly.

4. Add The Parmesan Cheese

Transfer the crouton mixture into a prepared baking dish. Top the mixture with shredded parmesan cheese, which will melt into the dressing as it bakes and add a slight crunchy topping. 

5. Bake

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25 minutes. You have two options at this stage: cover the dish with aluminum foil if you prefer softer dressing or leave it uncovered if you enjoy a crispy crust on top. Both methods work beautifully, so it’s just a matter of personal preference.

Tips for Making Crouton Dressing

Experiment with Add-ins: Want a little extra flavor? Consider adding a handful of dried cranberries or chopped pecans to the mix for a hint of sweetness or crunch. Or add in ground sausage for a more filling dressing. 

Substitute for Fresh Herbs: If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can use dried ones. Use ¾ teaspoon of poultry seasoning or ¼ teaspoon each of dried sage, rosemary, and thyme. 

Adjust for Saltiness: Croutons vary in salt levels, so taste as you go. Parmesan cheese also adds a touch of salt, so add extra salt cautiously.

Customize the Texture: The choice to cover the dish or leave it uncovered affects the texture of your dressing. Covering it creates a softer, more traditional dressing, while leaving it uncovered gives a slightly crunchy top layer.

Serving Suggestions

This small-batch crouton dressing makes three generous servings. It’s perfect as a side to turkey, chicken, or even roasted pork if you’re making a smaller holiday meal. For a simple dinner table presentation, spoon the dressing into a small serving dish and garnish with a bit of fresh parsley.

If you’re serving this alongside a traditional Thanksgiving spread, pair it with mashed potatoes, green beans, or cranberry sauce for a well-rounded meal.

And, if you have a little extra time, try drizzling a small amount of gravy over the top. The gravy adds not only more moisture but also great flavor that’s hard to beat, especially when served alongside of Herb Roasted Turkey Breast.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

This dressing is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but if you have leftovers, they can be stored and reheated for later.

Storage: Let the dressing cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheating: To reheat, place the dressing in an oven-safe dish, cover it with foil, and bake at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings for a quicker option, though it may lose a bit of its crispness this way.

Thanksgiving Crouton Dressing

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

yield: 3 servings

• 6 ounces stuffing croutons unseasoned
• 1 cup chicken broth heated
• 1/2 stick butter, divided
• 1/2 large yellow onion chopped
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1 rib celery chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
• 3/4 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
• 3/4 tablespoons fresh sage chopped
• 3/4 tablespoons fresh rosemary chopped
• 1/4teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• Salt to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. 

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and sauté onions and celery until soft, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic, remaining butter, herbs, and black pepper, then cook for two more minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.

Add croutons to a large bowl and pour chicken broth over top. Then add the mixture from the skillet and toss to combine.

Taste for salt and add as needed.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with parmesan cheese. Place the crouton stuffing in the oven for 25 minutes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil for softer stuffing or leave uncovered for a crispy crust.

Remove the dish from the oven and serve warm.

Enjoy! Mary

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