Easy Cranberry Stuffing Recipe [Video]

Name: Easy Cranberry Stuffing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter (cubed); 1 small red onion (diced); 1 celery rib (chopped); 12 cups seasoned stuffing cubes; 1 green apple (finely chopped); 1 red apple (finely chopped); 2 cups cooked wild rice (or wild rice mix); 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries; 1/2 cup dried raisins; 1 cup pecans (roughly chopped); 2 teaspoons dried parsley; 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 1/2 to 2 cups chicken broth or veggie broth; 1/4 cup slivered almonds

By Catalina Castravet

Updated: Jun 18, 2021

Published: Oct 5, 2020

5 from 9 reviews

Christmas Recipes Recipes Side Dishes Thanksgiving Recipes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Last updated on June 18th, 2021 at 10:37 pm

Easy Cranberry Stuffing is a festive take on a classic holiday dish. It’s loaded with chewy and tart cranberries, wild rice, and crunchy apple bits. Savory with fruity notes, even meat lovers go crazy for this stuffing!

Make your Thanksgiving table extra special this year. This Cheesy Baked Green Beans is the perfect appetizer before the start of the show: the most tender and flavorful Perfect Oven Roasted Turkey. Also, for dessert, don’t forget the Sweet Potato Pie!

Best Homemade Cranberry Stuffing

Easy Cranberry Stuffing was such a surprise hit the first time I made it. Meats like sausage have always been a staple in this dish, so making a no-meat version was a kind of risk. And boy, did that risk pay off!

Everyone loved the combination of buttery bread cubes dotted with cranberries, apple bits, and bumped up with wild rice and seasonings. The texture is chewy with a sweet-tart flavor, thanks to the dried cranberries.

So this Thanksgiving, why not make cranberry stuffing for a lovely fruity variation on what’s otherwise a completely classic recipe.

Aside from tasting amazing, this recipe is also a godsend during the holiday cooking rush. There’s no complicated step, just sauté and bake. It also freezes and reheats well so you can make it ahead of time.

Cranberry stuffing ingredients:

Prepare around 12 cups of bread cubes, seasoned. For the fruits, you’ll need dried cranberries and chopped apples.

Cooked wild rice bulks up the dish further. Or, you could use regular white or brown rice.

As for the seasonings, you need the usual salt and pepper plus poultry seasoning and parsley flakes. Celery and onion are the main aromatics that will be sauteed in butter. Get some chicken broth ready as well.

How to make Cranberry Stuffing?

Get the oven ready for baking. Preheat it to 350F.
Sauté. Melt butter in a 6-qt. stockpot and sauté the celery and onion. Then, add the rest of your ingredient including the seasonings, and toss together. Pour just enough broth to reach your preferred moistness
Bake. Next, transfer the mixture to a baking dish coated with non-stick spray. Bake for 30 minutes covered,. Then, uncover, and bake until lightly browned for another 10 to 15 minutes.
Serve. Garnish with more dried parsley flakes, and serve warm.

Cranberry stuffing variations and substitutions:

The basic savory-sweet profile of this dish is incredibly versatile! Feel free to swap out ingredients according to your taste. Here are a few delicious variations:

Add meat: Great with crumbled up Italian sausage, bacon, seasoned ground beef, chicken, turkey, or ham cubes.
Substitute with other bread: Feel free to use other bread variety. Sourdough boule, beer bread, Irish soda bread, and whole wheat bread is a great alternative.
Use other fruits: Also, try using pineapple chunks, raisins, grapes, or any of your favorite fruits.
Try other herbs and spices: Use ginger, rosemary, sage, red pepper flakes, and other flavorings to taste.
Make it vegan: Swap out the butter with a vegan alternative and use vegetable broth and veggie seasoning.

Can I use fresh cranberries for stuffing?

I love the chewiness that dried cranberries add to this dish, but yes, you can absolutely use fresh. Just make sure to drain well before using to eliminate excess moisture.

cranberry stuffing with dried cranberries

What to serve with homemade cranberry stuffing?

Anything you’d serve during the holidays, really! For mains, it goes well with Slow Cooker Pineapple Ham, the Perfect Dry Brined Turkey, and this easy Instant Pot Red Wine Beef Roast.

If you’re looking for other side dishes, try it with Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Cheesy Broccoli Casserole.

Storing instructions:

Cooked stuffing can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days and up to 1 month frozen. Ensure to cool it down first, then store in air-tight containers.

To heat, moisten with some broth and melted butter. Follow the steps for different reheating methods:

On the stovetop: heat oil or butter in a pan, then add the stuffing. Flatten like a pancake and cook each side until golden brown.
In the microwave: use a microwave-safe dish. Then, microwave for up to 3 minutes, stirring every minute for even heating.
In a baking dish: heat oven up to 350F. Place the stuffing in an aluminum-covered dish. Bake for 30 minutes uncovered, then uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes.
In a muffin tin: this method is great for individual servings! Scoop stuffing into a greased muffin tin. Bake at 350F until hot.

More cranberry recipes:

Recipe tips:

Pay attention to how much broth you’re pouring in. You can less or more than the amount in the recipe. Use only until the texture is moist enough for your taste.
Also, feel free to use your favorite apples. Any kind will work, but go with what you like the most.
If using other types of bread, tear into pieces and keep them out for a day or two for better structure.

Made This Recipe?

Show me what you made on Instagram or Facebook and tag me at @sweetnsavorymeals or hashtag it at #sweetnsavorymeals.

Easy Cranberry Stuffing Recipe [Video]