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I like to make this simple Apple Stuffing recipe filled with crusty bread, chopped apples, fresh herbs, garlic, onion, and celery for a side dish to complement my Thanksgiving turkey. I love how the juicy apples combined with a mix of sage, thyme, and parsley create a deliciously cozy flavor that everyone loves.
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Pin ItEasy Apple Stuffing Recipe
Tart, sweet apples and savory herbs add a pop of flavor and texture to this homemade stuffing recipe. I find it’s the perfect way to celebrate both the holidays and enjoy apple season. I get all the goodness I know and love from the traditional stuffing ingredients, with a hint of sweetness from the apples.
This stuffing recipe is easy to adapt to your personal tastes. You can use any apple you like, but I especially enjoy Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala for their balance of sweetness and texture, though tart green apples like Granny Smith work well if you prefer a more tangy flavor. I’ll sometimes use sourdough bread instead of the crusty bread or even cornbread for a sweeter twist. I’ve also been known to fold in dried cranberries or chopped nuts to add even more flavor and texture.
Apple Stuffing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. crusty bread cut into 1-inch cubes, store bought or homemade
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 onion diced
- 4 ribs celery diced
- 1 apple chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth turkey or vegetable also work
- 2 large eggs beaten
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or melted butter. Set aside.
- Spread the bread out on an ungreased sheet pan. Bake for 20 minutes.1 lb. crusty bread
- While the bread cooks, melt the butter in a large sauté pan set over medium heat.½ cup unsalted butter
- Add in the onion, celery, and apple. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, but not browned, about 5 minutes.1 onion, 4 ribs celery, 1 apple
- Add in the garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.2 cloves garlic, ¾ tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper
- Once the bread is toasted, take it out and increase the oven temperature to 350°F.
- Add the bread, parsley, sage, thyme, chicken broth, and eggs to the large bowl. Toss well until the bread is coated and has absorbed some of the liquid.2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh sage, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 large eggs
- Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350°F.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the middle does not jiggle when you gently shake the baking pan.
- Garnish with more herbs, if desired, and serve warm.
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Pan
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Apple Stuffing Step by Step
Get the oven going and prepare a baking pan: Preheat your oven to 200°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or melted butter. Set aside.
Toast the bread: Lay 1 lb. of cubed, crusty bread on an ungreased sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes. Once the bread is nicely toasted, take it out and increase the oven temperature to 350°F.
Cook the veggies and apple: While the bread is in the oven, melt ½ cup butter in a large sauté pan set over medium heat. Stir in 1 onion, 4 ribs of celery, and 1 apple and cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 5 minutes. Do not brown.
Add 2 cloves of garlic, ¾ tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper, cook for another minute, and then transfer to a large bowl.
Prepare the stuffing: Add the toasted bread, 2 tbsp parsley, 1 tbsp sage, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth, and 2 large eggs to the bowl with the cooked veggies and apple. Toss until the bread is coated with seasoning and has absorbed some of the liquid.
Bake: Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes, until the top is golden.
Garnish and serve: Garnish with more herbs, if desired, and serve warm.
How to Store
Store leftover apple stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until hot.
Freeze apple stuffing whole or in individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this herb-filled apple stuffing with traditional Thanksgiving turkey, along with all the other usual fixings like turkey gravy and mashed potatoes. If I’m hosting a big crowd, I’ll add a few more sides like green bean casserole or crockpot sweet potato casserole.
