Thanksgiving-Stuffing

Thanksgiving Stuffing

Healthy Fact of the Day

Traditional stuffing can be high in calories and sodium. To make it healthier, use whole grain bread for added fiber and nutrients. Consider reducing butter and using more broth for moisture. Turkey or chicken sausage can replace pork sausage for less fat. Adding more vegetables like mushrooms or butternut squash increases nutrients and fiber. The apples and cranberries provide antioxidants, while pecans offer healthy fats and protein. For a lighter version, use egg whites instead of whole eggs and reduce the amount of butter. While this is a special occasion dish, portion control helps make it part of a balanced holiday meal. Consider serving alongside plenty of roasted vegetables and lean turkey.

Ingredients

 

  • 1 large loaf crusty bread, cubed (about 12 cups)
  • 1 lb sage sausage, casings removed (optional)
  • 2 large onions, diced
  • 4 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh sage, chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup pecans, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes. Spread on baking sheet and let dry overnight.

  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.

  3. If using sausage, cook in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.

  4. In same skillet, melt butter. Add onions and celery, cook until softened.

  5. Add garlic, apples, and fresh herbs. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

  6. In a very large bowl, combine bread cubes with vegetable mixture.

  7. Add sausage, cranberries, and pecans. Toss gently.

  8. Pour in broth gradually, stirring until bread is moist but not soggy.

  9. Add beaten eggs and mix well.

  10. Season generously with salt and pepper.

  11. Transfer to prepared baking dish.

  12. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

  13. Uncover and bake additional 20-30 minutes until top is golden brown and crispy.

Scoop into this Thanksgiving Stuffing and savor the perfect balance of textures – crispy top giving way to tender, herb-infused bread beneath! Each forkful delivers a magnificent medley of savory herbs, sweet fruit, and earthy vegetables that captures the very essence of the holiday season. Whether you’re hosting the big feast or bringing a dish to share, this stuffing promises to be the soul of your Thanksgiving spread. So cube that bread, chop those herbs, and get ready to create the side dish that’ll have everyone fighting over the crispy corners!

Recent Recipes

Tajín Watermelon & Cucumber Bites

  • July 19, 2026
  • 15 min read

Szechuan Peanut Chicken & Rice Noodle Bowls

  • July 19, 2026
  • 14 min read

Lemon Poppy Seed Cottage Cheese Baked Cups

  • July 19, 2026
  • 15 min read

Easy Peach Cobbler

  • July 19, 2026
  • 18 min read

The Case for Eating the Whole Animal

  • July 19, 2026
  • 11 min read

Spinach Ricotta Chicken

  • July 19, 2026
  • 6 min read

McDonald’s Is About to Drop a New

  • July 18, 2026
  • 3 min read

Cinnamon Roll Skillet Bread

  • July 18, 2026
  • 12 min read

The Instant Pot Meals Worth Actually Making

  • July 18, 2026
  • 4 min read

The Cook Who Changed Everything: Julia Child

  • July 18, 2026
  • 10 min read

Tip of the Day

“Always let your meat rest before slicing.”

Whether you're roasting a chicken, grilling steak, or baking pork tenderloin, letting cooked meat rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing allows the juices to redistribute evenly. This simple step keeps your meat juicy and tender, ensuring every bite is flavorful and moist. Bonus: It gives you a moment to plate your sides or garnish for a perfect presentation!

Our Latest Recipes

Meal Prep
Amelia Grace

Tajín Watermelon & Cucumber Bites

Watermelon and cucumber together make one of the most hydrating snack combinations available—both are over 90% water by weight, and both deliver meaningful amounts of vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants alongside their extraordinary water content. This is a snack that actively replenishes rather than merely sustains.

Read More »
Asian
Benjamin Brown

Szechuan Peanut Chicken & Rice Noodle Bowls

Peanut butter in a stir-fry sauce is not an indulgence—it is a nutritional asset. Natural peanut butter contributes heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, niacin, and a meaningful dose of plant-based protein that supplements the chicken’s complete amino acid profile, while its fat content improves the bioavailability of the fat-soluble flavor compounds in the Szechuan sauce surrounding it.

Read More »
Breakfast
Aurora Wright

Lemon Poppy Seed Cottage Cheese Baked Cups

Cottage cheese as a baking ingredient delivers a protein return that most muffin batters can’t approach—its whey and casein proteins contribute structure, moisture, and staying power that flour alone cannot provide. The result is a baked cup that keeps you genuinely full longer than a standard muffin, without the density that protein-forward baked goods often carry as a trade-off.

Read More »

Get your daily dose of delicious!

Skip to content