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    Home » All-Recipes » Sides

    Apple Cranberry Stuffing {vegan & gluten-free}

    Published: Nov 21, 2015 · Modified: Jan 11, 2022 by Margaret · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 13 Comments

    Think you can't enjoy stuffing if you're avoiding gluten? Think again! This vegan and gluten-free Apple Cranberry Stuffing recipe is moist and flavorful!

    Apple Cranberry Stuffing - a healthier version of a Thanksgiving favorite recipe - who knew a vegan gluten-free stuffing could taste so good? | VeggiePrimer.com
    Jump to:
    • Adapted From an Old Family Recipe
    • Simple Ingredients
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Adapted From an Old Family Recipe

    While tasty gluten-free bread can be tough to find—it tends to be dry—that not-so-good bread is great for stuffing! This Apple Cranberry Stuffing is adapted from a favorite pre-gluten-free family recipe. And I have to say; I think it might be better than the original!

    In addition to switching out the bread, I also had to rethink the fat. I use to make this stuffing with a stick and a half of butter! I opted to replace the butter with olive oil and vegetable broth. It worked like a charm.

    While I usually avoid processed oil, I figured I could relax my standards just a little for the holidays. I wouldn’t suggest any kind of stuffing be considered health food. But I’m satisfied I’ve made a healthier version of a Thanksgiving favorite.

    Simple Ingredients

    Apple Cranberry Stuffing - a healthier version of a Thanksgiving favorite recipe - who knew a vegan gluten-free stuffing could taste so good? | VeggiePrimer.com

    This Apple Cranberry Stuffing is moist and flavorful.

    Apples and cranberries add a touch of sweetness. (You can replace the cranberries with raisins for a slightly different twist.)

    Walnuts create texture and a lovely nutty flavor.

    Fennel seeds evoke the essence of sausage stuffing without the meat.

    Sage and thyme build on the overall taste in a delightful way.

    Go ahead and indulge! Who knew vegan and gluten-free stuffing could taste so good?

    Apple Cranberry Stuffing - a healthier version of a Thanksgiving favorite recipe - who knew a vegan gluten-free stuffing could taste so good? | VeggiePrimer.com

    📖 Recipe

    Apple Cranberry Stuffing - a healthier version of a Thanksgiving favorite recipe - who knew a vegan gluten-free stuffing could taste so good? | VeggiePrimer.com
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Apple Cranberry Stuffing{vegan & gluten-free}

    This recipe is a healthier version of a Thanksgiving favorite recipe - who knew a vegan gluten-free stuffing could taste so good?
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    Servings 10

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
    • 1 ½ cups celery chopped
    • ¾ cup onion chopped
    • 3 cups apple chopped, about 2 medium apples, leave skin on if organic
    • ¾ cup dried cranberries or raisins
    • ½ cup chopped walnuts
    • 1 tsp. fine sea salt
    • 1 tsp. fennel seeds
    • ½ tsp. ground sage
    • ½ tsp. dried thyme
    • ¼ tsp. pepper
    • ¼ tsp. garlic granules or garlic powder
    • ⅛ tsp. paprika
    • ⅛ tsp. turmeric
    • ⅛ tsp. onion powder
    • 8 cups gluten free bread sliced into ½ inch cubes

    Instructions

    • Warm olive oil in a Dutch oven or 5-quart sauté pan over medium heat.
    • Add onion and celery and cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to turn translucent and celery begins to soften.
    • Reduce heat to medium low and add remaining ingredients (except bread) and stir and cook for another minute.
    • Turn off heat and add half of the bread. Stir to mix and then add the remaining bread. Continue to stir until all of the bread appears moist.
    • Spoon the mixture into a large casserole dish, cover and bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.
    • Keep warm until ready to serve.

    Notes

    Recipe makes about 5 cups of stuffing. Serving Size is approximately ½ cup.
    Nutrition information is a rough estimate per serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 776kcal | Carbohydrates: 118g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 988mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 628IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 289mg | Iron: 2mg
    « Acorn Squash Soup with Rosemary and Pecans
    Easy Orange Cinnamon Cranberry Sauce »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chris

      November 28, 2015 at 3:09 pm

      I eagerly pulled the serving bowl filled with the apple cranberry stuffing closer to me so I could ladle a pile onto my plate. Too bad I had to share with others. Sad to see the serving bowl empty......a forlorn tiny chunk of apple the lone indicator of the moist tastiness that until recently had occupied the now empy vessel.........Then I was really grateful when Margaret said there was a full second bowl of stuffing on the counter.

      Another triumph for Veggie Primer!

      Reply
      • Margaret

        November 28, 2015 at 3:25 pm

        🙂

        Reply
    2. Jennifer

      November 06, 2016 at 4:33 pm

      I have never found a store-bought vegan, gluten-free bread. Does this exist???

      Reply
      • Margaret

        November 07, 2016 at 9:01 am

        FoodforLife.com makes vegan gluten-free bread. 🙂

        Reply
      • Elizabeth

        November 27, 2016 at 4:12 pm

        Yes Sprouts has gluten free vegan bread

        Reply
      • Karen

        November 17, 2018 at 5:48 pm

        Knead bread is a great gluten free and vegan bread!

        Reply
        • Margaret

          November 19, 2018 at 9:55 am

          Good to know. Thanks for sharing!

          Reply
    3. Angel

      November 23, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      Does the bread need to be stale?

      Reply
      • Margaret

        November 24, 2016 at 9:47 am

        No - I use fresh bread.

        Reply
    4. Christa Ragas

      November 21, 2017 at 3:46 pm

      Is this something you can make the night before?

      Reply
      • Margaret

        November 21, 2017 at 7:05 pm

        Absolutely. I usually make it the night before! 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply
    5. Dana

      December 24, 2020 at 10:49 am

      5 stars
      Okay - this was incredible!

      I made the stuffing this morning, a day early because I thought it'd be even more delicious if it marinated in the herbs, spices, and vegetable stock overnight... but now my concern is that I will have eaten all of it before Christmas dinner tomorrow.

      Instead of using French bread, I used the Country Harvest Ancient Grains that had been sitting in my freezer. And instead of using only cranberries, I used half cranberries and half raisins. I also opted out of the walnuts because I forgot to buy them at the store...

      As for apples, I suggest using Honeycrisp - they're a little on the pricey side, but worth it!

      You can bet I'll be making this one again.

      Reply
      • Margaret Helthaler

        December 28, 2020 at 11:38 am

        Thank you, Dana. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! 🙂

        Reply

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