She Strengthens

Fall Flavors Unite: A Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe

The Perfect Pairing

Apples and sage are a match made in heaven, especially during the fall season. The sweetness of aromatic apples like Galas or Pink Ladies pairs beautifully with the resinous, piny scent of fresh sage. This classic combination is the star of our show-stopping Thanksgiving stuffing recipe.

A Stress-Free Celebration

Our recipe eliminates the worry of internal temperatures and harmful bacteria by baking the stuffing outside of the bird. Plus, the top turns golden and crispy, perfect for sopping up all that delicious gravy. And the best part? This stuffing can be completely made ahead of time, cooled, covered, and refrigerated until ready to serve. Simply reheat uncovered in a 350°F oven for about 30 minutes.

Gather Your Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) loaf day-old, unsliced bread (such as Pullman, French, or Italian)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), plus more for coating the baking dish
• 2 medium yellow onions, diced
• 2 medium apples (such as Gala, Pink Lady, or Golden Delicious), diced
• 3 medium celery stalks, diced
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage leaves
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Let’s Get Started!

Step 1: Prep the Bread

Heat the oven to 375°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with butter and set aside. Cut the bread into 3/4-inch cubes and place in a large, heatproof bowl; set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Melt the measured butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until foaming. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they’re just starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the apples, celery, thyme, and sage, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and can be easily pierced with a knife, about 6 minutes.

Step 3: Combine and Season

Add 1 cup of the stock or broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Turn off the heat and add the vegetable-apple mixture to the reserved bread cubes. Season with two or three large pinches of salt and two large pinches of pepper, then stir to evenly combine. If the mixture seems too dry, add more stock or broth 1/4 cup at a time (but make sure it doesn’t get mushy).

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake, uncovered, until the top of the stuffing just starts to get brown and crusty, about 30 to 40 minutes.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 40 minutes, plus 40 minutes baking time
Active Time: 40 minutes