Dinner

Cranberry Apple Sourdough Stuffing Recipe

Name: Cranberry Apple Sourdough Stuffing Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 loaf artisan sourdough bread (cut into cubes, about 9-10 cups); 6 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 1/2 cups diced celery; 1 cup diced yellow onion; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 2 Honeycrisp apples (diced); 3/4 cup dried cranberries; 1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley; 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (finely chopped); 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped); 1 tablespoon fresh sage (finely chopped); 1 egg; 2 cups low sodium chicken broth (plus extra as needed)

ByCharlotte Montgomery November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

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Introduction

Cranberry Apple Stuffing is a delightful twist on a classic side dish, blending tart cranberries and sweet apples with fresh herbs. Perfectly toasted sourdough cubes bring a satisfying texture that complements holiday meals or cozy dinners.

A white rectangular dish filled with a baked stuffing made of golden toasted bread cubes mixed with small pieces of light orange apple and red dried cranberries. The stuffing is garnished with finely chopped green herbs scattered evenly. A large wooden spoon rests in the top left corner of the dish, slightly covered by the stuffing. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 loaf artisan sourdough bread (cut into cubes, about 9-10 cups)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups diced celery
1 cup diced yellow onion
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 Honeycrisp apples (diced)
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (finely chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh sage (finely chopped)
1 egg
2 cups low sodium chicken broth (plus extra as needed)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 300° F. Spread the cubed sourdough bread on one or two baking sheets and bake for 25 minutes, tossing the cubes halfway through to toast evenly. Remove and set aside. Increase oven temperature to 325° F.
Step 2: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, celery, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until the vegetables soften.
Step 3: Stir in the diced apples, dried cranberries, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes to meld the flavors.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the sautéed vegetable and fruit mixture.
Step 5: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and chicken broth. Pour over the bread mixture and gently toss to combine. Add extra broth as needed until the stuffing is moist but not soupy. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Transfer the stuffing to a 9×13 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until golden and heated through.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
Use day-old bread for better texture and less sogginess.
Add toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
Fresh herbs can be replaced with 1 teaspoon each of dried thyme, rosemary, and sage if needed.

Storage

Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350° F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also freeze the stuffing for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a white baking dish filled with a layered stuffing mix. The bottom layer is made of golden-brown toasted bread cubes with a crunchy texture. Mixed throughout are small, cubed pieces of light yellow and pale orange apples adding a juicy look. Scattered on top and within the bread pieces are dried cranberries with a deep red color. Fresh green herbs are sprinkled evenly over the top, adding a touch of color contrast. The mixture looks moist with small bits of onion or similar vegetable pieces visible. A wooden spoon rests on the upper left side inside the dish, partially covered by the stuffing. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the stuffing and assemble it in the baking dish the day before. Keep it covered in the refrigerator and bake just before serving.

Can I use a different type of bread?

Absolutely! While sourdough adds great flavor and texture, you can substitute with French bread, Italian bread, or even multigrain loaves depending on your preference.