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Best Homemade Apple Cranberry Herb Stuffing Recipe

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This Wholesome Apple Cranberry Herb Stuffing is the perfect balance of sweet apples, tart cranberries, and fragrant herbs. It’s a crowd-pleasing side dish that’s healthier than traditional stuffing and can be made ahead of time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large loaf whole wheat bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 10 cups)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 medium apples, diced (about 2 cups) (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith recommended)
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 celery stalks, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher salt recommended)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated if possible
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Toast them for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until dry but not hard.
  2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucent.
  3. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the diced apples. Cook for another 3 minutes until the apples start to soften but still hold their shape. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the fresh cranberries, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir together and cook for 2 minutes. The cranberries will start to pop slightly.
  5. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the broth, beaten egg, and maple syrup until fully incorporated.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes and the cooked fruit and vegetable mixture. Toss gently with your hands or a wooden spoon.
  7. Pour the broth mixture over the bread mixture. Toss again until everything is evenly moistened. The bread should be wet but not swimming in liquid.
  8. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Spread it out evenly without pressing down.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  10. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Toast bread cubes properly to avoid soggy stuffing. Don’t overmix. Season in layers. For make-ahead, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours; add 10 minutes to baking time. For freezing, assemble unbaked, wrap tightly, freeze up to 3 months; thaw overnight and bake with 10-15 extra minutes. Fresh or frozen cranberries are preferred over dried for better texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing, apple cranberry stuffing, herb stuffing, Thanksgiving stuffing, whole wheat stuffing, healthy stuffing, make-ahead stuffing

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/best-homemade-apple-cranberry-herb-stuffing-recipe/