This easy Thanksgiving stuffing recipe is the very definition of comforting, crowd-pleasing holiday food. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, bursting with the inviting flavors of autumn, and serves as a perfect companion to your holiday turkey, slow-cooker ham, or even roasted chicken any time of year. Its versatility makes it a staple beyond just the big holidays.

Here’s a detailed look at all the ingredients you’ll need to create this amazing dish:

Herb-Seasoned Cubed Stuffing: The foundation of this recipe! Using a good quality store-bought herb-seasoned stuffing mix, like Mrs. Cubbison’s, saves a tremendous amount of time without sacrificing flavor. These pre-seasoned cubes absorb liquid beautifully and crisp up perfectly. If you enjoy the convenience of boxed stuffing, you’ll also love my Chicken and Stuffing Casserole.

Apples: Granny Smith apples are my top choice here. Their firm texture holds up well during cooking, preventing them from becoming mushy, while their natural tartness provides a wonderful counterpoint to the sweet craisins and savory herbs. This balance of flavors is key to the stuffing’s irresistible appeal. Scroll down to the Recipe FAQS section for tips on other excellent apple varieties you can use. If you find yourself with an abundance of apples, be sure to try my Fresh Apple Cake too!

Celery, Onion, and Mushroom: This aromatic trio forms the traditional, savory base that gives stuffing its signature flavor. Sautéing them until tender in herb-infused butter creates a rich depth of flavor that permeates every bite of the baked stuffing. The mushrooms, while optional, add a delightful earthy umami that elevates the dish further.

Fresh Sage and Thyme: These two fresh herbs are the true secret to this recipe’s exceptional flavor. By infusing the butter with sprigs of fresh sage and thyme before adding the vegetables and apples, you extract and amplify their distinct, delicious essence. This simple step ensures every component of the stuffing is imbued with classic holiday aromas and tastes.

Craisins (Dried Cranberries): Dried cranberries are not just for adding a touch of sweetness; they contribute a distinctive holiday flair with their vibrant color and chewy texture. Their tartness beautifully complements the sweetness of the apples and the savory notes of the herbs and vegetables, creating a complex and satisfying flavor profile in this baked stuffing recipe. They are especially delicious when paired with the sliced apples!

📖 Creative Substitutions & Variations for Your Stuffing

This Cranberry Apple Stuffing recipe is wonderfully adaptable, offering plenty of great options to customize it and make it uniquely perfect for your family’s preferences and your holiday table!

• Add Protein: For a heartier stuffing with an extra savory punch, brown and drain a pound of cooked ground sausage (pork or turkey sausage works well) and mix it in with the other ingredients before baking. The sausage adds incredible depth and richness.
• Nutty Crunch: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans for a delightful texture and earthy flavor. Blend about ½ cup of chopped nuts with the stuffing mixture, then sprinkle a few additional tablespoons on top before baking for added crunch. For even more flavor, lightly toast the nuts in a dry pan before adding them.
• Alternate Dried Fruits: If craisins aren’t your preference, you can easily substitute with other dried fruits like golden raisins, chopped dried apricots, or even dried cherries. Each will lend a slightly different sweet and tangy note to the stuffing.
• Boost the Veggies: Enhance the vegetable profile by adding finely diced carrots, bell peppers, or leeks to the sautéed mixture. This not only adds more nutrients but also layers of flavor and color.
• Citrus Brightness: For an extra burst of fresh flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of orange or lemon zest to the stuffing mixture. Citrus zest beautifully complements the cranberries and apples.
• Spice it Up: A pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice can further enhance the fall flavors, especially if you prefer a sweeter, more spiced stuffing. Start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust to taste.

⭐ Pro Tip: Achieving the Perfect Stuffing Consistency

To ensure your stuffing achieves that ideal moist-but-not-soggy consistency, always avoid pouring all the chicken or vegetable broth into the stuffing mixture at once. Instead, sprinkle about ½ cup of broth at a time over the ingredients in the bowl. Stir gently after each addition and give the stuffing cubes a few seconds to absorb the broth. This gradual approach allows you to control the moisture level precisely, ensuring your stuffing is perfectly damp and flavorful without becoming waterlogged.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection. Transfer the stuffing mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper across the top for an extra layer of flavor. Cover the dish with foil and bake as directed in the recipe card below. Removing the foil for the last portion of baking allows the top to become wonderfully golden and slightly crispy.

Absolutely! This is one of the best features of this recipe, making holiday meal prep much easier. Prepare the stuffing completely according to the recipe instructions, but stop before baking. Cover the unbaked dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, let the dish sit on the counter for 30-45 minutes at room temperature to take off the chill before placing it in the preheated oven. You might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time.

While Granny Smith apples are fantastic for their tartness and firm texture, other varieties like Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp apples also work wonderfully. Golden Delicious apples will offer a sweeter profile, while Honeycrisp will provide a delightful crispness and a good balance of sweet and tart. Fuji or Gala apples can also be used if you prefer a sweeter stuffing with a slightly softer texture after baking.

Yes, you can! You can freeze either baked or unbaked stuffing. For unbaked, prepare the stuffing, place it in a freezer-safe baking dish, cover tightly with foil and then plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed. For baked stuffing, cool completely, then transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container or wrap individual portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat covered in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, adding a splash of broth or water to prevent dryness.

To achieve a beautifully golden and crispy top, make sure to remove the foil cover for the last 15-20 minutes of baking. For an extra-crispy topping, you can lightly mist the exposed top with cooking spray or brush with a little melted butter before the final uncovered baking. You can also briefly place it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

🥘 What to Serve with Cranberry Apple Stuffing

This Cranberry Apple Stuffing is a truly versatile and endlessly delicious side dish that perfectly complements a wide array of traditional and savory holiday recipes. Its sweet and savory notes make it an ideal pairing for almost any main course.

• Roast Turkey or Chicken: The classic pairing! The stuffing’s flavors beautifully complement the rich taste of roasted poultry.
• Holiday Ham: The sweetness of the apples and cranberries in the stuffing provides a wonderful contrast to the salty, savory notes of a glazed ham.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes, like Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, are a perfect comforting match for the texture and flavor of the stuffing.
• Cranberry Sauce: For the ultimate tangy topping, my Cranberry and Orange Sauce adds a bright, zesty counterpoint that’s fantastic over everything from sliced turkey to generous servings of this stuffing and mashed potatoes!
• Green Bean Casserole: A holiday table isn’t complete without it! Serve with my Elegant Green Bean Casserole for a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
• Homemade Creamed Corn: My Homemade Creamed Corn is a wonderfully cozy, sweet corn side dish that simmers in a rich, buttery cream sauce, offering a fantastic balance to the savory stuffing.
• Sweet Potato Casserole: Orange-Spiced Sweet Potatoes are a delicious and festive option; the sweet and creamy potatoes, often topped with puffy marshmallows and orange zest, are a fantastic counterpoint to this savory stuffing.
• Gravy: Don’t forget the gravy! A rich, homemade gravy ties all the holiday flavors together beautifully.

👩🏻‍🍳 Leftovers & Storage Tips for Your Stuffing

Storing your delicious Cranberry Apple Stuffing properly ensures you can enjoy its festive flavors for days after your meal. Store any leftover stuffing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To Reheat in the Oven: For best results and to maintain a tender interior with slightly crisp edges, warm leftover stuffing covered in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until it is heated through, typically about 15-20 minutes.

Reheating in the Microwave: If you’re short on time, simply sprinkle a teaspoon or two of water or chicken broth over the stuffing before microwaving. Cover loosely and warm it up in short bursts until heated through. The added liquid helps keep it moist.