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Cozy Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Apples

Cozy Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Apples - featured image
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A comforting, gluten-free stuffing featuring savory sausage, tart apples, and fresh herbs. This recipe uses toasted gluten-free bread to ensure a fluffy texture with a crispy, golden-brown top, making it a perfect holiday side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large loaf gluten-free bread (sourdough-style), cubed (approx. 10–12 cups)
  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage or breakfast sausage, casings removed
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 large yellow onions, diced
  • 3–4 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut gluten-free bread into 1-inch cubes and spread on baking sheets. Bake for 10-15 minutes until dry to the touch but not browned. Let cool completely.
  2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage until browned and crumbly (5-7 minutes). Drain excess grease if necessary, then remove sausage from pan and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until translucent. Add apples and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
  4. Return sausage to the skillet. Stir in sage, thyme, black pepper, and nutmeg. Let herbs bloom in the fat for 30 seconds.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine dried bread cubes with the sausage mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with broth. Pour liquid over bread and gently fold to coat without crushing. Let sit for 5 minutes to absorb liquid.
  6. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until top is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Let stuffing rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not skip drying the bread cubes to prevent mushy stuffing. Be gentle when mixing to avoid crushing the gluten-free bread. If making ahead, prepare mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate; add 10-15 minutes to baking time if baking from cold. Leftovers store in the fridge for up to 4 days or can be frozen unbaked for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: gluten-free stuffing, Thanksgiving side dish, sausage and apple stuffing, gluten-free bread recipe, holiday cooking, easy stuffing

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/cozy-gluten-free-thanksgiving-stuffing-with-sausage-and-apples/