This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
The bacon in this Onion and Bacon Stuffing recipe gives the traditional side dish a serious upgrade. It’s savory, smokey and salty with a nice kick from the extra onion. You need this bacon stuffing on your holiday table!
Side dishes are my favorite part of Thanksgiving and I know I’m not alone! I could eat Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Orange Sauce with or without the Best Thanksgiving Turkey all year long!
Bacon Stuffing Recipe
I’m a firm believer that stuffing isn’t just for Thanksgiving. It’s got so much potential for different flavor combinations that it can go with so many different meals.
As someone who loves food, Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays during the year. The spices and herbs just taste like home so I love to incorporate those into the dishes we eat for Thanksgiving.
This Bacon and Onion Stuffing is filled with wonderfully earthy and warming spices that make your home smell amazing. There’s also bacon so that smells good no matter what!
How to Make Bacon Onion Stuffing
- I used a Ciabatta bread to make this stuffing for the extra crunch that the crust gives. Any type of Italian or French loaf should work well, but the toasting time might need to increase depending on how soft the bread is.
- The great thing about this stuffing is that it makes a great base for anything you want to try. I’m a huge fan of the flavors on their own and the bacon and onion compliment just about any flavor combination you can think of.
- I added in a little celery just for more crunch and flavor. You can add carrots for more of a traditional flavor. Maybe try mushrooms and fennel for a great earthy taste!
- The thick cut bacon is definitely the way to go. It holds up more against the large bread chunks and soft veggies. I cut them into about ½ inch slices so they weren’t too small when it was cooked down and mixed together with everything else. It’s honestly hard not to take a bite of the bacon, onion, and celery mixture when you mix it all together. Just having that cook when your guests walk in will impress them immediately!
Serving Suggestions
Of course bacon stuffing is one of the best side dishes ever for your Thanksgiving feast, but it goes with other year round dishes, too.
Don’t forget the turkey!
Get the best roast turkey recipe, plus TONS of tips!
What to do with leftovers
If you have leftover Bacon and Onion Stuffing, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
PRO TIP: Wet a paper towel and over the dish when you reheat your stuffing in the microwave to keep it moist.
More Thanksgiving Side Dishes
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Creamy Cornbread Casserole
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Classic Sausage Stuffing
Bacon and Onion Stuffing
Ingredients
- 9 ounce loaf Ciabatta bread cut into 1″ squares
- 1 pound thick cut bacon diced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 sweet onion diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 egg beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Place bread cubes on a large cookie sheet with a silicon mat or lightly spray. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the bread becomes golden brown and toasted all the way through mixing half way through.
- While the bread is in the oven, cook bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove cooked bacon bits from skillet using a slotted spoon and place on a plate with a paper towel. Drain the rest of the bacon grease.
- Add butter to skillet and let melt. Add onion and celery and coat with butter. Mix in sage, parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper to the veggie mix. Continue to cook until onions and celery are soft, about 6-8 minutes. Add chicken broth to skillet to deglaze the pan.
- In a glass 9×13 pan, add in toasted bread. Mix in the veggies, bacon (reserve a little for topping if desired) and chicken broth until all bread pieces are coated. Mix in egg and continue to gently blend together. Let sit until all chicken broth is soaked up, about 5 minutes.
- Bake for about 25-30 minutes until top of the stuffing is golden brown and is heated through.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
A loaf comes in many different shapes and sizes, so is it 500g, 5 cups…???
A loaf is about 9 ounces. The shape and size won’t affect the weight.
Thank you!
You are so welcome Robert. Thanks for stopping by.
I plan on making this again but doubling the recipe. Can I make it all in one pan?
I really don’t think you could fit double the recipe in one 9×13 pan. You could use an extra large pan (maybe grab an aluminum pan at the store), or use 2 pans. Judge what you need based on how much you end up with.
Can this be prepared ahead of time? Would you bake it first and then reheat it?Thanks in advance.
You could make and reheat, but keep in mind it could dry out. cover tightly with foil and reheat at a lower temperature and only until it’s just warmed.
sorry, when do we add the bacon back in? =)
When you add the veggies and bread. I updated the recipe – good catch!