This heavenly Cranberry Apple Stuffing is the perfect blend of savory and sweet that will elevate any meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Made in a slow cooker, this hands-off stuffing combines crisp apples, tart cranberries, and fragrant herbs for a dish that’s bursting with fall flavors. It’s so simple yet so impressive, you’ll find yourself making it long after the holiday season ends!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Stress-Free Cooking: Using the slow cooker frees up your oven and stovetop for other dishes – perfect when you’re juggling multiple recipes for a big meal.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the ingredients the night before, then simply toss everything in the crockpot when you’re ready to cook.
- Perfect Texture: The slow cooking method ensures your stuffing has that perfect balance of moisture and texture – never dry, never soggy!
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The combination of tart cranberries, sweet apples, and savory herbs creates a stuffing that everyone will want seconds of.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dried bread cubes: The foundation of any good stuffing. They soak up all the delicious flavors while maintaining their structure. Day-old bread works best!
- Chicken broth: Provides moisture and savory depth. Choose low or no sodium so you can control the salt level yourself.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create that irresistible golden crust on top. Don’t skimp here!
- Eggs: Act as a binding agent to hold everything together while adding moisture and richness.
- Celery: Provides that classic stuffing flavor and essential crisp texture.
- Yellow onion: Adds sweet, savory depth that’s the backbone of the flavor profile.
- Apple: Brings a delightful sweetness and pleasant texture contrast. Firm varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work wonderfully.
- Dried cranberries: These little jewels add bursts of tartness and beautiful color throughout the dish.
- Sage: The quintessential stuffing herb that brings warmth and earthiness.
- Thyme: Adds a subtle lemony note that brightens the entire dish.
- Parsley: Brings freshness and color to balance the richer flavors.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to customize this stuffing to make it your own? Here are some delicious options:
- Protein Addition: Mix in some cooked and crumbled sausage or bacon for a heartier version.
- Nut Lover’s Version: Add 1/2 cup of toasted pecans, walnuts, or chestnuts for delightful crunch.
- Fruit Swap: Replace cranberries with dried cherries or golden raisins for a different sweet note.
- Bread Varieties: Try cornbread cubes or a mixture of whole grain and white bread for interesting flavor and texture.
- Vegetarian Option: Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a completely vegetarian stuffing.
How to Make Cranberry Apple Stuffing
Step 1: Prepare the Liquid Base
In your crockpot, whisk together the eggs, chicken stock, and 3 tablespoons of melted butter until well combined. This creates a rich, flavorful liquid that will infuse the bread cubes.
Step 2: Add Main Ingredients
Add the bread cubes, chopped celery, diced onion, and chopped apple to the liquid mixture. Stir thoroughly until all the bread cubes are completely coated with the egg and broth mixture.
Step 3: Incorporate Cranberries and Herbs
Gently fold in the dried cranberries, diced sage, thyme, and parsley. Make sure everything is evenly distributed throughout the mixture for consistent flavor in every bite.
Step 4: Add the Final Touch of Butter
Take your remaining tablespoon of butter, slice it into three thinner pieces, and place them on top of the stuffing. This will melt down into the stuffing, creating irresistible richness and helping form a golden top.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour, then stir with a fork to ensure even cooking. Reduce the heat to LOW and continue cooking for another 2 hours until the stuffing is heated through and the flavors have melded beautifully.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Bread Preparation: For the best texture, use bread that’s a day or two old. If your bread is too fresh, cut it into cubes and lay them out on a baking sheet overnight to dry out a bit.
- Even Chopping: Try to keep your apple, celery, and onion pieces fairly uniform in size for even cooking and consistent texture in every bite.
- Don’t Overmix: After the initial thorough mixing, be gentle when stirring during cooking to maintain some texture rather than creating mush.
- Moisture Control: If your stuffing seems too dry during cooking, add a splash more broth. If it’s too wet, cook with the lid slightly ajar for the last 30 minutes.
- Herb Freshness: If possible, use fresh herbs for the brightest flavor, but don’t worry if you only have dried – just adjust the quantities as noted in the recipe.
How to Serve
This Cranberry Apple Stuffing pairs beautifully with so many main dishes! Here are my favorite serving suggestions:
Main Dish Pairings:
Serve alongside roasted turkey, chicken, or pork tenderloin for a complete meal that feels like a holiday any day of the week.
Presentation:
Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with a few fresh herb sprigs for a beautiful presentation. A drizzle of turkey gravy on top takes it to the next level!
Make It a Meal:
Complete your plate with green vegetables like roasted brussels sprouts or a crisp salad to balance the richness of the stuffing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Prepping Ahead
You can chop all vegetables and measure ingredients the day before. Store them separately in the refrigerator, then combine everything in the crockpot when you’re ready to cook.
Storing Leftovers
Place cooled stuffing in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop, making leftover stuffing absolutely delicious!
Freezing
This stuffing freezes beautifully. Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
For the best texture when reheating, add a splash of broth to prevent drying out. Warm in the microwave or in a covered dish in a 325°F oven until heated through (about 20 minutes).
FAQs
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Can I make this stuffing in the oven instead of a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Transfer the mixed ingredients to a buttered 9×13 baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and crisp.
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What type of apples work best in this stuffing?
Firmer apples that hold their shape when cooked are ideal. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Granny Smith, or Pink Lady varieties all work wonderfully. Choose based on whether you prefer more sweetness (Honeycrisp) or tartness (Granny Smith).
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Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious. You might want to add a pinch more herbs to compensate for the flavor difference.
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My family doesn’t like dried cranberries. Can I leave them out or substitute something else?
You can certainly omit the cranberries if preferred. Alternatively, dried cherries, chopped dried apricots, or golden raisins make excellent substitutions that still provide that sweet-tart contrast that makes this stuffing special.
Final Thoughts
This Cranberry Apple Stuffing brings together the best of traditional comfort food with bright, fresh flavors that everyone will love. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday feast or a cozy Sunday dinner, it’s sure to become a requested favorite. The slow cooker method makes it practically effortless, giving you more time to enjoy with your loved ones rather than fussing in the kitchen. Give it a try – I promise your kitchen will smell amazing and your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Cranberry Apple Stuffing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side-dishes
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A scrumptious and hearty side dish perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy dinners. This slow-cooked stuffing features savory herbs, sweet cranberries, and crisp apples, creating the perfect balance of flavors to complement any main course.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 10 ounces dried bread cubes
- 2 cups chicken broth (low/no sodium)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 2 large eggs
Vegetables & Fruits
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 apple, chopped
Add-Ins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
Herbs
- 1/2 tbsp fresh sage, diced
- 1/2 tbsp fresh thyme, diced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, diced
Instructions
- Prepare the Liquid Mixture
In a crockpot, combine the eggs, chicken broth, and 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Whisk together to create a smooth mixture. - Mix the Ingredients
Add the bread cubes, celery, onion, and apple to the crockpot. Stir thoroughly to ensure the bread cubes are completely coated with the liquid mixture. Then, gently fold in the dried cranberries and fresh herbs until evenly distributed. - Add Butter and Cook
Slice the remaining tablespoon of butter into three thin slices and place them on top of the stuffing mixture in the crockpot. - Start Cooking
Cook the stuffing on HIGH for 1 hour. Afterward, stir the mixture with a fork to fluff it up. - Continue Cooking and Serve
Reduce the heat to LOW and cook for an additional 2 hours. Once done, serve warm and enjoy this comforting side dish!
Notes
- Fresh herbs were used in this recipe. If substituting with dried herbs, use the following quantities:
- For sage and thyme: ½ teaspoon each
- For parsley: 1 teaspoon
- Ensure bread cubes are dried for the best texture; toast them lightly if needed.
- This stuffing pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 285kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
