Irresistible Gluten-Free Stuffing with Sausage & Apples: Your Ultimate Thanksgiving Side
Elevate your holiday table with our incredible Gluten-Free Stuffing with Sausage and Apples. Crafted with homemade bread cubes that authentically capture the beloved herbed flavor of a Pepperidge Farm mix, this recipe is a game-changer. It’s the perfect, flavorful side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time you crave a truly delicious, comforting homemade stuffing!
This post contains affiliate links for products I’m obsessed with, meaning if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Let’s be honest, for a long time, I wasn’t the biggest fan of traditional bread-based stuffing. While I absolutely adore my Instant Pot Stuffing with Brown Rice and Sausage, when it came to classic bread stuffing, I often found myself underwhelmed. Perhaps it was the texture, or maybe the flavor often fell flat for me.
However, I know how much many of you cherish stuffing, especially during the holidays. When I asked for your top requests for a Healthy Thanksgiving Feast, a delicious gluten-free stuffing was high on your list. And because your feedback truly matters, I took on the challenge. I dove headfirst into testing countless easy, homemade stuffing recipes, determined to create something truly exceptional. And I believe I’ve succeeded in crafting a dish that’s not only incredibly flavorful but also surprisingly easy to make and universally loved!
Before I share all the secrets, another confession: throughout my many years of enjoying Thanksgiving dinners, the stuffings I *have* loved were almost always the boxed or bagged varieties. There’s something undeniably nostalgic and comforting about that classic herbed flavor. Can anyone else relate?
The Secret to Perfect Gluten-Free Stuffing: Homemade Bread Cubes
The foundation of any great stuffing lies in its bread cubes. For this gluten-free version, my primary goal was to replicate that distinctive taste and texture found in classic boxed stuffing mixes, specifically the Pepperidge Farm kind. Achieving this meant focusing on two key elements: the right gluten-free bread and the perfect seasoning blend.
I started with my absolute favorite Canyon Gluten-Free bread, which has a fantastic texture that holds up well. I sliced it into uniform cubes, then spread them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. The magic truly happens when these cubes are toasted in the oven with a generous drizzle of melted butter and a careful blend of classic spices: poultry seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and a touch of salt and pepper. The aroma alone will transport you! After a slow toast in the oven, these cubes emerge perfectly crisp and bursting with flavor – honestly, they taste just like those delicious boxed stuffing cubes you grew up with. This crucial step ensures your stuffing has a delightful texture, avoiding any mushiness.
Crafting Your Flavorful Gluten-Free Stuffing
Once your perfectly seasoned gluten-free bread cubes are ready, the rest of the stuffing comes together with incredible ease. This recipe marries the traditional elements of stuffing with a delightful blend of savory and sweet, creating a truly memorable side dish.
Beyond the classic celery and onions, I’ve incorporated spicy Italian chicken sausage and diced apples into this mix. The savory richness of the sausage, coupled with the sweet and slightly tart notes of the apples, creates a flavor profile that is simply divine. It’s a combination that adds both depth and a festive touch, making it ideal for holiday gatherings. The apples soften slightly during cooking, adding bursts of natural sweetness that complement the herbaceous bread cubes and the savory sausage beautifully. For those who prefer a milder flavor, a sweet Italian chicken or turkey sausage works just as well.
Assembling the stuffing is straightforward: simply sauté your sausage, celery, onions, and apples until fragrant and tender. Then, combine this delicious mixture with your homemade gluten-free bread cubes in a baking dish. The final crucial step is adding chicken broth – start with 1½ cups and add up to 2 cups, ensuring the bread cubes are just barely soaked. The goal is moist, flavorful stuffing, not soggy! A little extra melted butter brushed on top before baking guarantees that beautiful golden-brown, crispy crust.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top achieves that perfect golden crispiness. For an extra-crunchy finish, a quick minute or two under the broiler on low heat can work wonders – just be sure to watch it very carefully to prevent burning!
And you know what? I, the former stuffing skeptic, genuinely loved this recipe. The blend of textures and flavors, from the perfectly seasoned crispy bread cubes to the savory sausage and sweet apples, is truly outstanding. I am confident that you will love it too, whether you’re gluten-free or not!
Quick Tips & FAQs for Your Gluten-Free Stuffing Success:
- Make Ahead Magic: You can prepare the gluten-free stuffing cubes several days in advance. Once toasted and cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This significantly cuts down on prep time on the big day!
- Overnight Prep: To make Thanksgiving day even easier, you can assemble the entire stuffing dish (combining the bread cubes with the sausage, veggies, apples, and broth) the day before. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. On Thanksgiving, simply bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking after your turkey is done.
- Not Gluten-Free? No Problem! If gluten isn’t a concern for you, feel free to substitute your favorite regular bread in this recipe. For those following a 21 Day Fix plan, be sure to use a whole grain bread to stay on track.
- Vegan Adaptations: This recipe is incredibly versatile! For a delicious vegan stuffing, simply omit the sausage and swap chicken broth for vegetable broth. The apples, celery, and onions, combined with the savory seasoned bread cubes, will still deliver incredible flavor. You can also use a good quality vegan butter for toasting the bread.
- Moisture Level Control: Do you prefer your stuffing on the wetter, more tender side, or crispier? This recipe allows for customization! If you like your stuffing a little more moist, don’t hesitate to add a bit more broth than suggested in the recipe, slowly incorporating it until you reach your desired consistency. For a crispier topping, ensure your bread cubes are well-toasted initially and consider an extra minute or two under the broiler at the very end (with vigilant watching!).
- Additions & Variations: Feel free to customize with other favorite ingredients! Dried cranberries add a pop of tartness, chopped pecans or walnuts provide a delightful crunch, or sautéed mushrooms can deepen the savory notes. Fresh herbs like sage or rosemary can also be incorporated with the poultry seasoning.
Table of Contents
Toggle
More Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Recipes to Complete Your Feast
Looking to round out your holiday meal with more delicious, health-conscious options? Here are some other fantastic gluten-free Thanksgiving recipes to inspire your menu:
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes [Dairy Free] – Creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes made easy in your Instant Pot.
- Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole [21 Day Fix | Gluten-free | Dairy-free | Paleo] – A naturally sweet and wholesome take on a holiday classic.
- Cauliflower Au Gratin [21 Day Fix | Keto Friendly | Gluten Free | WW ] – A cheesy, comforting, and low-carb alternative.
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Parmesan, and Balsamic – Irresistibly savory and perfectly crispy.
- Maple Cider Holiday Salad [21 Day Fix | 2B Mindset] – A refreshing and vibrant salad to balance your meal.
- Instant Pot Turkey Breast and Potatoes – A quick and easy way to cook your main dish.
- 40+ Gluten Free Thanksgiving Recipes – An extensive collection for all your holiday needs.
Gluten Free Stuffing with Sausage + Apple
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 slices gluten free bread I prefer Canyon Gluten Free
- 3 tablespoons butter or vegan butter divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black pepper I just do a few shakes
- olive oil cooking spray
- 1 lb chicken or turkey sausage removed from casing
- 4 stalks celery sliced thin
- 1 sweet onion
- 2 cups diced apples I love Honeycrisp (~2 large apples)
- 1 ½ – 2 cups chicken broth
- Optional garnish – fresh thyme
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). Slice your gluten-free bread into uniform cubes and spread them out in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This low temperature will help dry them out without browning too quickly.
-
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the melted butter over the bread cubes. Evenly sprinkle the poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper (just a few shakes!) over the cubes. Toss the bread cubes thoroughly to ensure they are well coated with the butter and seasonings. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven for 1½ hours to toast and dry them completely. Let them cool completely after toasting; once cooled, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days until you’re ready to make your stuffing.
-
When you are ready to prepare your stuffing, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly spray a large skillet with olive oil cooking spray. Add the chicken or turkey sausage (removed from its casing) to the hot skillet and brown it completely, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain any excess fat. Add the sliced celery, chopped onion, and diced apples to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and the mixture is fragrant.
-
Add ½ cup of chicken broth to the skillet along with a small sprinkle of salt. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the veggies to soften further. Remove the skillet from the heat. Lightly spray a casserole dish (an 8×8 or 9×13 inch dish works well, depending on how thick you like your stuffing) with olive oil cooking spray. Transfer the sausage, veggie, and apple mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Gently stir in the toasted gluten-free stuffing cubes. Now, gradually pour the remaining chicken broth over the top of the stuffing, starting with 1 cup and adding more as needed, until the bread is just barely soaked through. You might not need all 2 cups, depending on your desired moisture level.
-
Brush the top of the stuffing with the remaining 1 tablespoon of melted butter. This helps create a beautifully golden and crispy crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy. For an extra crispy top, you can broil on low for a few minutes at the very end – but be sure to watch VERY carefully and do not walk away, as it can burn quickly!
-
Garnish with fresh thyme leaves before serving for a touch of elegance and fresh herb flavor. Enjoy this incredibly delicious homemade gluten-free stuffing!
Notes
WW link for personal points: Gluten Free Stuffing
Nutrition