Description
This Cornbread Stuffing with Apples recipe is a deliciously moist and flavorful side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday feast. Combining sweet-tart apples with savory herbs and cornbread, it offers a beautiful balance of flavors and textures that complement poultry and other main dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 6 cups cornbread, cut into cubes and lightly toasted or day-old
Vegetables & Fruit
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs & Spices
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Fats & Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 large egg, beaten
Optional Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for baking.
- Cook Vegetables and Fruit: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and butter. Add the diced onion and celery and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until softened. Stir in the diced apples and cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until they are just tender. Add garlic, dried thyme, sage, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon if using. Cook everything together for another minute, then remove from the heat.
- Mix Stuffing: Place the toasted cornbread cubes into a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked vegetable and apple mixture and mix gently. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken or vegetable broth with the beaten egg. Pour this liquid mixture over the cornbread mixture. Toss gently to combine thoroughly, ensuring all the bread is moistened without becoming soggy.
- Bake the Stuffing: Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover it with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle the top of the stuffing with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm as a delicious side dish.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can stir in 1/2 cup cooked sausage or chopped pecans into the stuffing mixture before baking.
- This stuffing can be prepared a day ahead and baked just before serving to save time on the day of your meal.
- Use gluten-free cornbread to make this dish gluten-free, accommodating dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
