Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (2024)

Diethood » Recipes » Holidays » Thanksgiving » Easy Apple Stuffing Recipe

Jump to RecipeRate This Recipe

Katerina

5 from 10 votes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Are you ready for the best homemade Easy Apple Stuffing recipe to serve at your holiday or Thanksgiving dinner? Sensationally savory and buttery stuffing made with hearty bread chunks, crisp apples and fresh herbs. A delicious turkey dressing you don’t want to miss out on this fall!

Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (2)

Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing Recipe

In my family, the spotlight at Thanksgiving dinner isn’t on the turkey—it’s all about the stuffing! Or is it dressing? I know – stuffing usually finds its home inside the turkey, while dressing bakes to perfection in a separate dish. But no matter how you serve it, my Apple Stuffing recipe steals the show every time. It’s a blissful mix of savory, buttery goodness, hearty bread chunks, crisp apples, and aromatic herbs. This versatile dish is a hit, whether dressed up for the holidays or served simple with a weeknight roast.

Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (3)

Apple Stuffing Ingredients

  • Bread Cubes: I use the Unseasoned Bread Cubes from Pepperidge Farms, but you can make your own homemade bread cubes.
  • Apples: Chopped and peeled, or leave the skins on for added texture.
  • Fresh Parsley: Finely chopped.
  • Butter: A few tablespoons of unsalted butter.
  • Onion: Diced yellow onions work best for this recipe.
  • Celery: Thinly sliced.
  • Salt & Pepper: To taste.
  • Chicken Broth: Low sodium chicken broth lets you control the amount of salt in the stuffing recipe.
  • Sage: Freshly chopped sage for extra flavor in the broth.

How to Make Apple Stuffing

I don’t know if there’s anything better than an apple stuffing that’s simple to make and is as delicious as this is. Follow these steps for a Thanksgiving stuffing that you’ll be inspired to make year-round.

Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (4)
Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (5)
Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (6)
Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (7)
  1. Prep: First, preheat the oven to 350˚F.
  2. Season the Apples & Bread Cubes: In a large, heat-resistant bowl, toss the bread cubes and apples with the chopped parsley. Set this aside for now.
  3. Cook Off the Onions: In a large skillet, melt the butter and add in the onions and celery. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high heat until the veggies are soft and tender.
  4. Add the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth, add the chopped sage and let the mixture come to a boil before removing it from the heat.
  5. Combine With the Bread Cube Mixture: Pour the hot mixture over the seasoned apples and bread cubes and mix everything together until the cubes are evenly coated and moist.
  6. Bake: Transfer the stuffing to a greased baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes.
Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (8)

Recipe Tips And Variations

  • Use Stale Bread: Fresh bread will get soggy, so it’s important to use stale bread that’s been completely dried out. To jumpstart the process, buy pre-cut bread cubes from the supermarket or ask your local bakery for a loaf of yesterday’s bread.
  • Make Your Own Bread Cubes: Let a loaf of bread sit to dry out for a day or two before making the stuffing. Then cut the bread into cubes, arrange the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet, and toast them in the oven at low heat until the bread is completely dried out.
  • Apples: The best apples for stuffing should be sweet, crunchy, and crisp. My favorites are Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, or Granny Smith apples because of their sweet-tart flavor and firm texture.
  • Make It Gluten Free:You can swap out traditional bread cubes for gluten-free cornbread, like myLight Skillet Cornbread. Just remember to let it dry out, too!
  • Cook Your Stuffing Add-Ins:Any additions to the stuffing recipe, including celery and onions, should be cooked in butter or a little oil before they’re added into the stuffing, since they won’t cook as thoroughly when baking.
  • Use Fresh Herbs:The best flavors and smells for this stuffing come from fresh herbs! Add them in later in the process to avoid overcooking.
  • Stuff Your Turkey After It’s Cooked: Fill your bird after both, the turkey and the stuffing, are cooked.
Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (9)

Add Ins

One of the many perks that makes this simple apple stuffing recipe the best is that it’s the most wonderful base for adding all kinds of extras! I like to add them in when cooking the onions and celery so the flavors have a chance to really develop. Here are some suggestions for tasty stuffing add-ins:

  • Chopped pork sausage or bacon
  • Walnuts, pecans
  • Cranberries or raisins
  • Turkey giblets
  • Jalapeños and red peppers
  • Cheddar, gouda, or Monterey Jack cheeses
  • Mushrooms, kale
  • Seasonal squash or pumpkin
  • Grated orange zest

Serving Suggestions

You can serve the apple stuffing at your holiday table alongside Roast Turkey with Maple Gravy and other delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes. However, it also pairs great with everyday dinners like our Oven Baked Chicken Breasts, this Tender and Juicy Pork Loin Roast, or this fantastic Garlic and Rosemary Balsamic Roasted Pork Tenderloin.

Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (10)

Storage

  • To refrigerate: Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the stuffing in the oven before serving.
  • To freeze: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. The stuffing can be frozen cooked or uncooked.

More Stuffing Recipes

  • Traditional Stuffing
  • Cheesy Italian Sausage Stuffing
  • Sweet Potato and Cranberry Stuffing

Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (11)

Easy Apple Stuffing Recipe

Katerina | Diethood

The best homemade Easy Apple Stuffing recipe to serve at your Thanksgiving or holiday table! Deliciously savory and buttery stuffing made with hearty bread chunks, crisp apples, and fresh herbs.

5 from 10 votes

Rate this Recipe!

Servings : 8 Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces unseasoned bread cubes, I use Pepperidge Farms
  • 3 cups chopped red apples, you may peel the apples, but I find it to taste better with the peel – it also adds to the texture
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cups sliced celery
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • ½ tablespoon chopped sage

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.

  • Combine the bread cubes, apples, and parsley in a large heat-resistant mixing bowl; set aside.

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and celery; season with salt and pepper and continue to cook for 4 minutes or until tender. Add the chicken broth and chopped sage; bring the mixture to a boil.

  • Remove the mixture from the heat and add it to the bread cubes mixture; mix until thoroughly combined and evenly moist.

  • Transfer the mixture to the baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. (See notes for stuffing the Turkey)

  • Remove from oven and serve.

Notes

  • Use Dry Bread: Opt for stale, dried-out bread to avoid sogginess. Consider buying pre-cut cubes/croutons.
  • DIY Bread Cubes: Easily make your own by drying out a loaf and toasting the cubes in the oven at low heat until completely dry.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular bread with dried-out gluten-free cornbread for a delicious alternative.
  • Add-Ins: Sauté additions like bacon, pork sausage, nuts, dried fruits, and cheeses in butter or oil before mixing into the stuffing for thorough cooking.
  • Use Fresh Herbs: Incorporate fresh herbs later to retain vibrant flavors and aromas.
  • If stuffing the turkey with this apple stuffing, set aside a few cups of the unbaked stuffing for the bird.

Nutrition

Calories: 210 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30 g | Protein: 6 g | Fat: 8 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g | Trans Fat: 0.2 g | Cholesterol: 15 mg | Sodium: 285 mg | Potassium: 252 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 8 g | Vitamin A: 364 IU | Vitamin C: 5 mg | Calcium: 76 mg | Iron: 2 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Sides

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy stuffing recipe, thanksgiving sides, thanksgiving stuffing

Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

Categories:

  • Christmas
  • Dinner Recipes
  • Holidays
  • Side Dishes
  • Thanksgiving
Sweet And Savory Apple Stuffing - Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

What can I add to stuffing for more flavor? ›

Fruit, especially dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, figs and apricots can seriously improve a dreary box of stuffing. That bit of sweetness plays beautifully with other flavors on the table. I've found that fresh fruits like apples and pears are stellar as well.

How moist should stuffing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Is stuffing better moist or dry? ›

Stuffing should be moist, not dry, because heat destroys bacteria more rapidly in a moist environment. Once the bird is stuffed, it should be placed immediately in an oven set no lower than 325°F. Check out the cooking chart for recommended cooking times for stuffed turkey of various sizes.

Is stock or broth better for stuffing? ›

Homemade stock is the best, but if you don't have homemade, a good store bought stock will work as well. If you use a store bought stock, try to buy one with no/low sodium. I personally have started using bone broth in my stuffing and LOVE it.

How do you moisten cooked stuffing? ›

Add Butter and Broth Before Reheating

Often upon refrigeration, the stuffing will soak up any excess moisture and will appear drier than when originally served. Depending on the amount of stuffing you plan to reheat, drizzle a few tablespoons or up to 1/4 cup of chicken or turkey broth into the stuffing to moisten it.

Is it better to make stuffing the day before? ›

The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes. "Making stuffing ahead saves time, allows stove and oven space for other things, and making it ahead gives time for the flavor to fully develop," Chef David Tiner, Director at Louisiana Culinary Institute in Baton Rouge, tells Southern Living.

Is it better to make stuffing the night before? ›

Absolutely. Most Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made at least partially in advance since: A) They're easily assembled a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving Day; and B) They're often baked using a two-step process (once covered with foil to cook through, then uncovered to achieve a crispy top).

Is it OK to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

You can absolutely make stuffing ahead of time. It's a great way to get a jumpstart on Thanksgiving cooking and it frees up much-needed oven space.

Why is my stuffing gummy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

Because stuffing is an excellent medium for bacterial growth, it's important to handle it safely and cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer. Here are some common ques- tions consumers ask. Stuffing should not be prepared ahead.

Why use an egg as a thickener? ›

Creamy desserts such as crème brûlée also benefit from eggs' ability to emulsify and produce smooth, satiny, hom*ogeneous mixtures. Their ability to hold up to four times their weight in moisture makes eggs a good thickener for sauces, custards and curds. The proteins in eggs coagulate or set at different temperatures.

Why do we need to apply egg yolk in some dressing? ›

You can use boiled egg yolks in scratch-made dressings or whisk them into store-bought dressings for the ultimate creamy upgrade. Boiled egg yolks can thicken a dressing without breaking or clumping while creating a silky consistency that thoroughly coats your salad ingredients.

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Stuffing is not strictly a healthy food, because it is typically high in calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates. 1 But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it, All foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation.

Why do people add eggs to everything? ›

Not only do eggs add an element of creamy indulgence, there's even some science behind their joy. “Eggs are a perfect emulsifier and binder so work really well to make many dishes cohesive,” she continues.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Otha Schamberger

Last Updated:

Views: 5748

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Otha Schamberger

Birthday: 1999-08-15

Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

Phone: +8557035444877

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.