This simple Apple Stuffing recipe is filled with fresh herbs, garlic, onion, and celery to make a savory dish that perfectly complements your Thanksgiving turkey. Juicy apples combined with a mix of sage, thyme, and parsley creates a deliciously cozy flavor that everyone will love!
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What’s in this Apple Stuffing Recipe?
Tart, sweet apples and savory herbs add a pop of flavor and texture to this homemade stuffing recipe!
- Crusty Bread: Any kind of crusty bread will do. I especially like to use this rosemary bread for an extra herb-y kick.
- Unsalted Butter: Helps the veggies cook without burning.
- Onion: Adds a sweet and earthy flavor to the dish.
- Celery: Adds a fresh, vegetal, salty flavor, and a nice crunchy texture.
- Apple: Adds a touch of sweetness and tartness.
- Garlic: Adds an earthy flavor and a pungent aroma.
- Salt + Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
- Fresh Herbs: Parsley, sage, and thyme add a fresh and herbaceous flavor to this apple stuffing.
- Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and umami flavor to the stuffing.
- Eggs: Helps bind the stuffing together.
Pro Tip: For this recipe, any apple you like will do! We especially like Honeycrisp, fuji, or gala. You can also use green apples for something more tart.
Variations on Stuffing with Apples
This herb and apple stuffing recipe is easy to adapt to your personal tastes. Try making it with sourdough bread and tart Granny Smith apples for a lighter version, or swap some of the crusty bread for cornbread for a sweeter version. Fold in some dried cranberries or chopped nuts for even more textural contrast.
An egg helps bind the stuffing together so that it doesn’t crumble apart once it’s been baked. It also adds extra moisture.
You want your stuffing to be the perfect balance of moist but not soggy, and definitely not dry!
To keep your stuffing from getting mushy, be sure to toast the bread first and only add enough broth to moisten the stuffing (not enough to pool in the bottom of the baking pan).
Yes! Covering the apple stuffing with foil helps to seal in all that moisture. You can uncover it later in the baking process to help crisp up the top.
Oven-baked stuffing is done when it is golden brown on top, and the middle does not jiggle when you gently shake the baking pan.
How to Store and Reheat
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.
How to Freeze
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
Serve this savory herb-filled apple stuffing with Thanksgiving turkey, turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, crockpot sweet potato casserole, creamed corn, cranberry sauce, soft dinner rolls, and other favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
Apple Stuffing Recipe
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound crusty bread cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 onion diced
- 4 ribs celery diced
- 1 apple chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 large eggs beaten
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 pound 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 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Once the bread is done, 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 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, 1 teaspoon 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.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the top is golden.
- Garnish with more herbs, if desired, and serve warm.
Video
Becky’s Tips
- You can also use turkey or vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth. Vegetable broth will make this recipe vegetarian.
- For this recipe, any apple you like will do! We especially like Honeycrisp, fuji, or gala.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
