How Many Calories Are in One Cup of Homemade Stuffing?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

Did you know that depending on the recipe, a single cup of homemade stuffing can range from under 250 to over 400 calories? The exact number of calories in one cup of homemade stuffing varies significantly based on the type of bread, amount of butter, and additions like sausage.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for homemade stuffing varies widely based on ingredients. Factors like butter, sausage, and bread type can increase or decrease the per-cup total.

Key Points

Calorie Range is Variable: A single cup of homemade stuffing can range from approximately 250 to over 400 calories, depending on the ingredients used.
Ingredient Choice is Key: The type of bread, amount of butter, and high-fat additions like sausage are the primary drivers of calorie content.
Control Over Calories: Making stuffing from scratch gives you full control to create a healthier, lower-calorie version by adjusting fats and adding vegetables.
A Standard Recipe Benchmark: For a basic homemade bread stuffing, a good benchmark is around 342 calories per cup.
Reducing Calories is Simple: You can lower the calorie count by using less butter, choosing leaner proteins, and incorporating more vegetables and herbs.
Calculating Your Own Recipe: A straightforward five-step process can be used to calculate the specific calorie count of your unique homemade stuffing recipe.

The Variable Nature of Homemade Stuffing Calories

Calculating the precise calorie count for homemade stuffing is not as straightforward as with a pre-packaged box mix. Unlike a commercial product with a standardized recipe and ingredients, a homemade version is entirely dependent on what you put into it. The primary ingredients that dictate the final calorie count are the type of bread, the amount of fat used (typically butter), and any high-calorie additions such as sausage, nuts, or dried fruit. This is why a simple bread-based stuffing will be on the lower end of the calorie spectrum, while a recipe loaded with fatty sausage and butter will be significantly higher.

Average Calories in a Standard Homemade Stuffing

For a traditional, straightforward homemade bread stuffing recipe—made with basic white bread, butter, celery, onions, and broth—a good benchmark to consider is the data provided by Nutritionix. Their entry for homemade bread stuffing lists 342 calories per cup, offering a solid starting point for comparison.

Key Ingredients That Impact the Calorie Count

Your ingredient choices have a profound effect on the total calories per serving. The following factors are the most significant:

Bread Type: The foundation of most stuffing recipes, the bread's calorie density matters. While not a huge swing, using a whole-wheat bread can increase fiber and provide a slight variation compared to standard white bread.
Fat Content: Butter is a major contributor. Many recipes call for a large quantity of butter to sauté vegetables and moisten the mixture. You can reduce calories by cutting back on butter or using a lower-calorie, unsalted vegetable broth for moisture instead.
High-Calorie Additions: Ingredients like sausage, bacon, and certain nuts will dramatically increase the calorie count. For instance, a sausage-based stuffing can exceed 400 calories per cup. Conversely, adding extra vegetables or herbs can boost flavor without adding many calories.
Liquid: Using chicken or vegetable broth instead of a large amount of butter or other fats for moisture is a great way to keep calories in check.

Calorie Comparison: Homemade vs. Boxed Stuffing


Feature	Homemade Stuffing	Boxed Stuffing Mix (e.g., Stove Top)
Calorie Control	High. You can directly control ingredients to lower calories.	Low. Limited control over ingredients.
Calorie Range (per cup)	~250–450+ calories, highly variable.	~300+ calories, often high in sodium.
Sodium Content	Low to high, depending on broth and seasoning.	Generally high due to pre-packaged seasoning.
Fat Content	Highly variable, depends on butter and additions.	Often includes pre-packaged fats.
Additives	None, with fresh ingredients.	May contain artificial flavors and preservatives.
Freshness	High, using fresh bread and produce.	Low, uses dried bread cubes.

Tips for Reducing Calories in Homemade Stuffing

Use More Vegetables: Increase the ratio of low-calorie ingredients like celery, onions, and carrots to bread. Sauté them in less oil or butter.
Select Leaner Protein: If you like meat in your stuffing, opt for lean chicken or turkey sausage instead of pork sausage.
Go Whole Grain: Use a whole-grain bread with higher fiber content. It will be more filling, and you may eat less.
Reduce Butter: Swap some or all of the butter for a lower-fat, high-flavor vegetable or chicken stock.
Experiment with Herbs: Herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary add significant flavor without adding calories. Don't be shy with them.
Include Fruit and Mushrooms: Dried cranberries, apples, and mushrooms can add moisture and a different texture, making the stuffing more satisfying without relying on high-fat ingredients.

How to Calculate Calories for Your Specific Recipe

For those who want a precise calorie count for their unique homemade recipe, the process is straightforward:

List All Ingredients: Make a complete list of every ingredient and the exact amount used in your recipe.
Find Calorie Counts: Look up the calorie information for each ingredient using online tools or food databases. Be sure to use the specific type and form of the ingredient (e.g., butter, lean sausage, white bread).
Adjust for Quantity: Calculate the total calories for the amount of each ingredient used in your recipe.
Sum Total Calories: Add up all the individual calorie counts to get the total for the entire batch.
Divide by Serving Size: Divide the total recipe calories by the number of one-cup servings to find the final calorie count per cup.

Conclusion

The number of calories in one cup of homemade stuffing is not a fixed figure, but rather a spectrum based on the cook's choices. A basic recipe might fall around 342 calories per cup, but that number can easily climb with the addition of fatty meats and butter or decrease with a focus on lean proteins and vegetables. The ultimate benefit of making stuffing from scratch is the power to control your ingredients, allowing you to tailor the flavor and calorie profile to your exact preferences. While some packaged mixes offer convenience, homemade stuffing gives you the healthiest, most flavorful, and most satisfying result.

The Best Simple Stuffing Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard, homemade bread stuffing is typically around 342 calories per cup, but this figure can range widely. A leaner, vegetable-heavy stuffing may be under 250 calories, while a sausage-based recipe could exceed 400 calories per cup.

Yes, homemade stuffing is generally healthier. It allows you to control the amount of fat and sodium, and avoid the preservatives and artificial additives found in many boxed stuffing mixes.

The main calorie culprits are butter, fatty meats like sausage or bacon, and nuts. Reducing the amount of these ingredients is the most effective way to lower the calorie count.

Yes, you can significantly lower the calories by substituting ingredients. Use more vegetables, less butter, and a lean protein or vegetarian base. Some recipes with sweet potato, for example, can be much lower in calories.

To calculate the calories for your specific recipe, list all ingredients and their quantities. Find the calorie count for each, sum them up for the recipe's total, and divide by the number of one-cup servings.

The calorie difference depends entirely on the specific recipe, not just the bread type. For instance, some recipes for cornbread dressing have been noted to be lower in calories per serving, but with added sausage or butter, it can become just as calorie-dense as a bread-based stuffing.

Baking stuffing inside the turkey can affect the calorie count slightly, as it will absorb some of the juices and fat from the bird. However, for a minor variation, it is generally considered negligible for calorie tracking purposes.

To reduce fat, try using a rich, low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth instead of butter to moisten the stuffing. You can also boost flavor with a generous amount of herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary, and use low-fat vegetables like celery and onions.