Easy Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing Recipe

Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing is a flavorful side dish usually served during Thanksgiving and other holidays. Savory sausage, sweet apples, and tart cranberries combine to form the perfect side dish to compliment roasted turkey and compliment any holiday meal. A stuffing that’s delicious for your Thanksgiving table.

This Cranberry Stuffing is as classic as it gets with seasoned sausage, tart apples, and dried cranberries baked to make one delicious holiday side dish.

Sausage Stuffing with Cranberries and Apples is a recipe that only takes a few short minutes to pull together. It is always perfect as a side dish for holiday gatherings and is made with simple ingredients– Browned sausage, dried cranberries, Granny Smith apples, and bread to bring this delightful dish to life. 

Recipe Origin

When it comes to the holidays, there is nothing I like better than the sides. Yes, turkey and ham are great, but the sides make the meal. You get the idea: pineapple casserole, chicken and dressing, sweet potato casserole.

The use of sausage, apples, and cranberries are ingredients commonly found in a good stuffing recipe. This recipe calls for dried cranberries instead of fresh cranberries, that some might use in their stuffing recipes.

The one thing you can always count on showing up on the table during the holiday season is the dressing or the stuffing. Usually, it’s one or the other, and sometimes it’s both.

Why Sausage Apple Cranberry Stuffing is the Best Stuffing for Thanksgiving and Christmas

People in the south usually have dressing made with cornbread. I am always in charge of making the Chicken and Dressing for the holidays, but it’s always nice to have another option as a side dish. This is where the stuffing comes into play. 

Flavorful Combination: A combination of flavors and textures with a mix of savory and sweet and goes perfectly with your Thanksgiving turkey.

Textures: A variety of textures can be found in this dish. Chunky sausage, sauteed vegetables, and thick bread cubes make each bite satisfying.

Versatility: This dish is famous around Thanksgiving but simple enough to be enjoyed year-round for other holidays or Sunday dinners. 

Moist and Delicious: Chicken stock and melted butter ensure moist and flavorful stuffing.

Holiday Tradition: It’s traditional for stuffing or dressing to show up around the holidays, and this recipe adds a twist to your basic Thanksgiving stuffing recipe.

Dressing vs. Stuffing? The Great Debate.

Growing up, we always had dressing for Thanksgiving. Depending on what part of the country you’re from would depend on whether or not you had dressing or stuffing. 

Is there a difference? If you were to ask anyone living in the south, the answer would be an immediate YES! But No matter where you are from, this stuffing is amazing.

What is Dressing? 

Dressing is a mixture of ingredients like stuffing, but it is not placed inside the bird. The dressing is a seasoned mixture that is usually served alongside your turkey. It’s cooked in another dish from your turkey. The dressing is made to “dress” up your meals. In the south, it is typically made with cornbread. 

What is Stuffing? 

Stuffing is a mixture of bread, seasonings, fruit (cranberry and apples), and butter. It’s typically stuffed inside the turkey and cooked. Although, some choose to serve it on the side. The sausage mixture adds flavor and moisture to the meat.

What Kind Of Bread Is The Best For This Stuffing?

You are looking for a good thick cubed bread that will hold up to the liquid and not get soggy. Several bread options will work well for this homemade stuffing. These make good stale bread options and are good choices in this classic stuffing recipe.

Italian Bread: Italian bread has a slightly chewy texture and can work well in this stuffing. It’s hearty and holds up well in this stuffing.

French Bread: French Bread is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. It holds up well to the moisture without becoming a mushy stuffing. 

Sourdough Bread: Sourdough holds its shape and texture nicely. 

How to Toast the Bread Cubes

1. Start by cubing your bread. I like to keep the bread in 1-inch cubes or around that size.
2. Place cubes on a baking sheet and toast in a 350-degree oven for 7-10 minutes. This should dry the bread out nicely and make it slightly crunchy. Also, drying the bread will allow it to soak up all of those good juices.

For more Holiday Sides, be sure to check out 23 Southern Side Dishes for Thanksgiving.

What Are The Best Apples for Stuffing?

When selecting apples for this recipe, choose fresh apples that are sweet-tart and complement the other ingredients in this dish. The choice of apple depends on your taste and preferences. You can mix and match for your own flavor combination. Some good options might be:

Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith apples work the best in this stuffing recipe.

Ingredients Needed for The Best Stuffing Recipe

See the printable recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and amounts. 

Each of these ingredients plays a vital role in flavors and textures. From the crusty bread to the savory onion, they all make this a Thanksgiving side dish worthy of the holiday table.

Bread— Good Bread is needed for this stuffing recipe. Italian, sourdough, or French bread will hold up to the liquid in this stuffing mixture.

Sausage— Sausage is the star of this dish and adds depth and savory flavor. Choose your favorite brand. Pork sausage adds more fat, which provides more flavor. Use turkey sausage if you prefer. It will be leaner.

Onion and Celery are two essential ingredients in any stuffing that provide an aromatic base and crunch. The onions will soften and become sweet as they cook, adding flavor. Use white, sweet, or yellow onions. The celery will add an earthy taste and complement the other ingredients.

Apples and Cranberries— Granny Smith Apples are my favorite for this stuffing recipe. They hold their shape and add tartness and sweetness. Cranberries add a burst of flavor and chewy texture to each bite. They add freshness to this stuffing by adding them right into the mix.

Eggs— The eggs act as a binder and hold the stuffing together.

Stock– Turkey, chicken stock, or even vegetable stock will work for this stuffing. Use what you have on hand. 

Butter— Everything is better with butter. You will need to melt the butter for this recipe.

Seasonings— Salt, black pepper, poultry seasoning, and Rosemary add simple seasonings with a huge taste.

How to Make Cranberry Sausage Stuffing

1. Prepare: Toast the bread cubes.
2. Brown the sausage.
3. Saute the onion and celery with seasonings.
4. Mix ingredients in a large bowl.
5. Pour into the casserole dish.
6. Bake until golden brown on top.

How to Store Leftover Stuffing

If you find yourself with leftover stuffing from your holiday dinner, store them in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. This will keep for 3-4 days and reheats nicely in the oven or microwave.

How to Reheat Stuffing

To reheat leftover stuffing: Bake in a 350-degree oven until warmed through.

Tips

• Use Golden Delicious, Honey Crisp, or Granny Smith apples. These seem to work the best in this stuffing recipe.

• Use fresh herbs.

• Use Italian sausage instead of regular sausage. 

• Toast bread cubes in the oven.

• Add enough liquid to keep the stuffing moist. Start with 2 cups and add more if needed to keep the dressing wet.

• Keep the crust on the bread.

• Use the turkey or chicken broth for more flavor.

• Use bread that will hold up to the broth. You don’t want bread that will get soggy. I bought a loaf (14oz) of Italian bread, cubed it up, and put it in the freezer. Then when I was ready to make the stuffing, all I had to do was toast it up a little bit. I used almost the whole loaf of bread for this recipe. French Bread will also work nicely for this stuffing. 
• Swap out the apples for pears, or use a combination of both.
• Add some sauteed mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
• Serve with homemade cranberry sauce.

For more Sausage Recipes, be sure to check out my Sausage and Mushroom Pizza.

Recipe FAQs

More Easy Holiday Side Dishes Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas:

Green Bean Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole

Corn Casserole

Chicken and Dressing

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Holiday Desserts:

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

No Bake Pumpkin Pie

Cranberry Orange Bread

Chocolate Pecan Pie