Sausage, apple, and cranberry stuffing is a savory and slightly sweet twist on classic stuffing that brings incredible flavor and texture to any holiday table. It perfectly balances the richness of savory sausage with the sweetness of apples and the tart pop of dried cranberries, creating a dish that’s hearty, satisfying, and full of fall flavors.
This stuffing starts with good-quality bread, typically cubed and slightly dried out so it can soak up all the delicious flavors. A rustic loaf like sourdough, French bread, or even cornbread works wonderfully. The bread cubes are combined with browned sausage, which adds savory depth and a rich, meaty flavor that anchors the dish.
Diced apples bring a subtle sweetness and a tender bite, while dried cranberries offer little bursts of tartness that brighten up every forkful. Aromatics like sautéed onions, celery, and garlic add savory flavor, while fresh herbs like sage, thyme, and parsley infuse the dish with a warm, earthy fragrance that feels perfectly festive.
Once all the components are mixed, they’re moistened with a mixture of chicken or turkey broth and melted butter, binding everything together without making it soggy. The stuffing is then baked until the top is golden and slightly crisp, with a soft, flavorful interior that’s rich but not too heavy.
This sausage, apple, and cranberry stuffing is incredibly versatile. Serve it alongside roast turkey, chicken, or pork, or enjoy it as a standalone dish with a simple green salad. The combination of sweet and savory makes it a standout side that complements just about any main course on the holiday table.
It pairs beautifully with wines like Pinot Noir or a lightly oaked Chardonnay, and even a crisp apple cider enhances the flavors. Whether served for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any fall gathering, this stuffing is a dish guests will ask for year after year.
Ingredients
- 1 pound sausage use your favorite type
- 10 cups cubed bread preferably stale
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups chopped apples such as Granny Smith
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon pepper or to taste
- 2 teaspoons sage dried
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned. Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the onion and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add apples and cook for an additional 3 minutes, then stir in the dried cranberries.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes and sausage with the cooked vegetable mixture.
- Pour chicken broth over the mixture and add salt, pepper, sage, and thyme. Mix well to combine.
- Transfer stuffing to a greased baking dish. Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
Nutrition
Never thought of adding cranberries and apple. My mom always made plain stuffing. I might give it a try!
I’m glad you’re open to trying it! The cranberries really add a nice touch to the stuffing. Let us know how it turns out!
This recipe is amazing! I made it for Thanksgiving and everyoneLoved it. The apples add such a nice sweetness!
I don’t know about using apples in stuffing. Seems weird to me. Traditionally it’s just bread and sausage. Where’s the authenticity?
What are you talkin’ about? Just throw in some extra sausage and call it a day. This is just fancy talk for bread mush.
Bread mush? Nah, this stuffing is bomb! You just gotta add a little seasoning, and it’s delish. 😋
I guess if you want to keep it simple, just load it up with sausage! But I think the apples and cranberries give it a nice twist. 🍏🍖
This stuffing was DELICIOUS! The balance of flavors is remarkable. Will definitely make again!
Pretty good overall, but I think it needs a bit more broth. Mine came out slightly dry even after mixing well. Next time I’ll start with 1.25 cups broth instead of 1.
Really? Cranberries and apples together? Sounds weird but I tried it and wow, it works! Who knew!
Ok, but I substituted the cranberries with raisins, turned out fine but a bit too sweet. Still, it worked!
Idk, sounds kinda risky to sub ingredients like that. Cranberries add a tangy flavor, no way it can be same with raisins!
Raisins instead of cranberries? That’s interesting! I guess it would be sweeter. Glad it turned out okay for you!
Absolutely delicious! I made this for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. Will definitely be making this again!
Easy recipe, but can you use fresh cranberries instead? I think fresh would taste better.
I dunno, it just didn’t taste right to me. Maybe too many apples? Or not enough spices? Can’t put my finger on it.
Amazing recipe, but I used cranberry sauce instead of dried cranberries, and it turned out great! Sometimes you gotta improvise, you know?
Made this for my family, and they were like, ‘What is this?’ but then they ate it all, so I guess it was good 😂
Sounds like a hit! Sometimes the surprise dishes are the best ones. 😂
Idk, mixing apple with sausage seems weird to me. But if they liked it, then cool I guess.
Pretty good, but I think it needed more broth—mine came out a little dry even after the full hour. Otherwise the flavor is solid and the sage/thyme balance is nice.
Good call—stuffing bread can drink up more broth than expected. I usually start with a little less, then add more until it’s just moist (not soggy). Thanks for the note!
Way too salty for me—maybe my broth was already seasoned and I didn’t adjust. I’ll reduce the added salt next time. Otherwise the flavor profile is great.
Oh wow, I feel you. Stuffing gets salty fast, especially if the sausage is seasoned and your broth has salt too. Next time I’d start with like 1/2 tsp salt and adjust after it’s baked.
5 stars. So easy and tastes like you worked all day. My oven browned it perfectly and the cranberries popped. A+ stuffing!
I didn’t have dried sage/thyme, used fresh instead and honestly it still worked. Also I accidentally used sweet apples (like Gala) and it was still good—just more dessert-y. Don’t roast me, it was tasty.
I wouldn’t roast you 😂. But quick question: did you use the same amounts for fresh sage/thyme? I feel like fresh is stronger/weaker depending on the bunch.
Honestly that sounds like it would be even better—fresh herbs have a lot more punch. And using sweet apples makes total sense if you like a more dessert-y stuffing vibe.
5 stars just for how easy it is! Can’t mess it up, really.
I don’t like fruits in my stuffing. Apples just ruin it for me. Sorry, but I won’t be trying this again.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried? I had some thyme in the garden. Just wondering.
Easy to make and everyone liked it for Thanksgiving! #winning
This stuffing was a hit at our Thanksgiving dinner! Everyone loved the sausage and cranberries. Will definitely make it again!
Is it really stuffing if you don’t stuff a turkey with it? Just saying 🤔.
Not gonna lie, I was skeptical about stuffing with apples and cranberries, but it actually tastes balanced. I used hot sausage and it added a nice kick. Would definitely make again.
I was the same—apple + cranberry stuffing sounds kinda weird—until I tried it. The sweet/savory balance is real. Hot sausage is such a good move!
Not sure I buy it, but I guess sausage makes everything better. Did you bake it covered the whole first 30? Mine usually stays a little dry if I do that.
Yum! Stuffing is my fave part of the meal. This one’s going in my cookbook. 🌟
I tried making this but I forgot the cranberries. It still ended up pretty good, maybe next time I won’t forget!!
Easy recipe! I made this for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! Will make it again for sure.
Ehh… didn’t taste very good! Also, my mom never made it like this. Just plain boring stuffing!
The flavors sound good, but mine came out kinda bland even with “to taste” seasonings. Maybe my sage and thyme were old? Also, I think 10 cups bread might be too much unless the bread is truly dry.
Ugh, that sounds like exactly what happens when the herbs have lost their punch. Sage/thyme go stale pretty fast—did yours smell strong at all? I bet boosting them (or adding fresh) would fix it.
10 cups bread might be the culprit, yeah. If your bread wasn’t actually stale/dry, it’ll drink up the broth differently and end up tasting flat. Next time I’d use less bread or add a bit more broth + salt.
Not bad, but a little too salty for my taste. Might cut back on the salt next time.
I totally agree! It was a bit salty for me too. Maybe the broth contributed to it? Next time I’ll try less salt for sure!
Nah, I think the salt is perfect! It makes it taste better, but I guess everyone has their own preference.
I did this with chicken broth and it came out super flavorful. Also, browning the sausage first is key—don’t skip that part.
Yes! Browning the sausage really makes a difference—more flavor and that nice savory base. I like using chicken broth too for extra richness.
I thought this recipe would be better. It turned out kinda bland, and I had to add some extra spices. Not my favorite stuffing.
I totally get what you mean! Sometimes recipes just don’t hit the mark. I added garlic powder and it was way better. Maybe try that next time!
Bland? I thought it was good! Maybe you just didn’t use fresh herbs? That really makes a difference.
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was a big hit. The apples + cranberries make it feel way less heavy than regular stuffing. I used turkey sausage too and it still worked great.
Sausage and apple? Just ain’t right for stuffing. Sticking with my grandma’s recipe.
Grandma’s recipes are the best, but don’t knock it till you try it! This stuffing sounds unique and maybe worth a taste. 🤷♂️
Yummy meal but I forgot to add the broth. Still turned out decent! Gonna try again with broth.
Took too long to make! I just wanted something quick. Not really worth the effort for me.
Why do you have to use stale bread? I used fresh and it worked fine, no need for old bread. Still, it tasted ok.
Sausage and apples? Genius! 😍 I’m making this for Thanksgiving, and I’m soooo excited!
Not bad, but I accidentally burned the top. Next time, I’ll watch it more closely.
Sausage cooks up great and the celery/onion base smells awesome. I will say 350°F for 30 + 30 felt like a long time—my top browned earlier so I pulled it at 45 minutes total.
Totally agree—the celery/onion combo is what makes this stuffing smell like Thanksgiving before you even taste it. And yeah, 350°F can brown faster depending on your oven/baking dish, so pulling at ~45 makes sense!
It’s okay, but the instructions are a little confusing with the “salt or to taste” and “pepper or to taste.” I had no clue how much to put so I guessed. Ended up fine though.
Yeah, “salt or to taste” can be annoying—especially in stuffing. I usually start with a smaller amount (like ~1/2 tsp) and then adjust after mixing since the broth + sausage can vary a lot.
I just used like… a heaping 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper and it was perfect. Maybe your sausage was less seasoned? Not sure. Still, “to taste” should be clearer lol.
Yum!!! So good, I could eat a whole tray by myself!!
Honestly, I was skeptical about putting apples in stuffing. But it turned out great! The flavors meshed well together.
I was also unsure about apples in stuffing, but now I want to try it! Thanks for sharing your experience!
umm the instructions say bake 350 for 30 then 30 more. mine took like 20 more bc it was still wet in the middle… but i guess ovens differ. still pretty tasty tho
Super yummy! 😋 I added a bit of garlic too. Great for the holidays, will def make again!
Easy to follow recipe, but I used pork sausage and it was too greasy. I guess I prefer turkey sausage for stuffing. Will try again with turkey!
Meh, too many apples. Should’ve gone easy on the fruit part. Just my opinion.
I don’t really get why you’d put apples in stuffing. Seems weird to me 😕. I stuck to just the sausage and bread.
This was okay, but I think it needed more spices. Wasn’t as flavorful as I’d hoped. I added some garlic powder.
Yeah, I totally agree! It definitely needed a bit more oomph. I usually add cayenne pepper for a kick!
I’m skeptical about putting fruit in stuffing, but wow. The cranberries pop and the apples help it taste fresh. Would totally make again.
I was skeptical too, but the apple + cranberry combo really balances the sausage. That “fresh” thing checks out—great call.
This stuffing was a hit! My family loved it. The sweetness of the apples complements the sausage perfectly. Will definitely make again!
Pretty solid recipe. I used turkey sausage (didn’t have pork) and it still tasted great. I did add a splash more broth because mine seemed a little dry after baking.
I accidentally used fresh cranberries (because I grabbed the wrong bag). It was still decent, just more tart and juicy—like a weird stuffing-casserole hybrid. Wouldn’t do it on purpose, but it didn’t ruin anything.
Sausage food is good food, yes. 😋
I dunno, sausage in stuffing? Seems weird to me. 🤔
Totally agree! Sausage adds so much flavor! Can’t wait to try this recipe. 😍
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit. The apples + cranberries give it this sweet-savory vibe that keeps you going back for more. Browning the sausage first really matters.
Totally agree—browning the sausage makes it way more flavorful. I also loved the apples + cranberries contrast. I’m making it again this year!
Hmm, I didn’t brown the sausage first (kinda skipped that step) and it still tasted okay… but maybe that’s why mine came out a bit soggy. Also I used sweet apples and it was more sweet than savory. Next time I’ll follow it closer 😅
Made it for Thanksgiving last minute and it was a hit. I used sage and thyme a bit heavier than the recipe (because…why not). Texture was perfect—moist but not mushy.
Love hearing this! The sage + thyme boost is totally the move—stuffing can handle it. 🙌
Not gonna lie, it smelled amazing while baking, but the bread stayed kind of firm in the middle. I covered it the whole first half like it says—maybe my bread wasn’t stale enough?
Not bad, but mine felt slightly dry even though I added the full broth. Next time I’ll probably use a touch more broth or cover it longer. Flavor is still good though.
Good call—stuffing can definitely come out dry if the bread soaks up broth differently. I usually do a quick check at the 30-minute covered mark and add a splash more broth if it looks dry. Glad the flavor still worked!
The steps are straightforward and the ingredients are easy to find. I added a little extra pepper and it tasted better the second day.
This was EASY. Like, dangerously easy. I don’t usually bake stuffing but following the steps worked. My only mistake was I forgot to cover for the first 30 mins, so it got too brown early.
This stuffing is amazing! The apples add a sweetness that pairs perfectly with the sausage. I made it for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it!
my kids eatin it!!! they love it. I add some nuts too. Must try!
That’s awesome! I’m glad your kids loved it! Adding nuts sounds like a great idea, I might try that too!
My kidz dont like applez in stuffin. I think its weird. But glad yurs like it!
This turned out so flavorful—sweet apples + tart cranberries with that savory sausage is a great combo. Followed the bake time and the top actually browned nicely. Will make again!
Yes!! The apple-cranberry combo with sausage is honestly such a flavor bomb. Glad the bake time worked for you—mine always browns a little faster in my oven but “golden brown” is the right target.
It’s just bread and meat, why all the fuss? I can make stuffing my own way, way easier!
I followed the recipe mostly, but I only had sweet apples so it came out a bit too sweet for my taste. Next time I’ll get Granny Smith like suggested.
I don’t know… It sounds weird to put apples in stuffing. I think I will stick to the classic.
Okay but real talk: 10 cups of bread cubes is a lot. I measured with my heart and it came out fine, but I can see how others might end up with too much bread and not enough liquid. Still tastes amazing.
Two words: way better. I didn’t have sage so I used Italian seasoning and it was still pretty tasty. Would recommend.
Italian seasoning?? Hm. Sage is kinda the point of stuffing, but glad it still worked. Did you change the amounts or just sub 1:1?
Love that you tried Italian seasoning—great save! 🎉 I always forget sage, so this is super helpful.
I don’t eat sausage, so I used mushrooms instead. It turned out great! Vegan option rocks! 😃
This stuffing is delicious! The combination of sausage, apples, and cranberries is a game changer!
Hmm, sounds good, but I don’t know about the cranberries. Aren’t they too tart for stuffing?
Totally agree! I never thought apples and sausage would work together, but it’s amazing. Thanks for sharing!
I’m skeptical about stuffing with fruit, not gonna lie. But the cranberries actually tasted nice and the apples weren’t overpowering. Still… I would cut the cranberries next time if I’m being honest.
The seasoning proportions are solid. I was worried 1 lb sausage + 10 cups bread would be too heavy, but it balanced out well. Next time I’ll sauté the celery a bit longer for more softness.
I’m skeptical about stuffing with apples, but omg. The granny smith really cut through the richness. My family asked for the recipe immediately.
This is the kind of stuffing my grandma would love… BUT 10 cups bread is HUGE lol. I had to add extra ingredients because I didn’t cube enough bread. Still, good flavor.
Mine turned out bland. I used the full seasonings, so not sure if my bread absorbed everything? Maybe I should have salted the broth more. Still edible, just not exciting.
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit. The apple + cranberry combo is perfect, and the sage/thyme smell during baking is unreal. Followed the bake times exactly and got a great golden top.
Love hearing this! Apple + cranberry is such a good combo for stuffing. The sage/thyme smell is seriously the best part.