Caramelized Onion & Apple Stuffing Recipe
This Caramelized Onion & Apple Stuffing is a deliciously flavorful side dish perfect for holidays or any comforting meal. It combines sweet caramelized onions and apples with savory herbs and bread cubes, baked to a golden brown. The combination of tender fruit, aromatic herbs, and crunchy bread creates a balance of textures and tastes that will complement your main dishes beautifully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Stuffing Base
- 4 cups bread cubes
Vegetables & Fruit
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 apples, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
Seasonings & Liquids
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the stuffing evenly.
- Caramelize the onions and celery: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and chopped celery, cooking while stirring occasionally until the onions turn golden brown and caramelized, enhancing their sweetness and flavor.
- Add apples and seasoning: Stir in the peeled, diced apples along with dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking the mixture for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors and soften the apples slightly.
- Combine stuffing ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes with the cooked onion-apple mixture. Pour the vegetable broth over the bread and veggies, stirring gently until everything is evenly moistened but not soggy.
- Transfer to baking dish: Grease a large baking dish lightly to prevent sticking, then transfer the stuffing mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Bake the stuffing: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp. This baking step helps the flavors to develop fully and gives the stuffing a lovely texture contrast.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving for a fresh, herbal finish.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use homemade bread cubes instead of store-bought.
- Feel free to add nuts like pecans or walnuts, or dried fruits such as cranberries or raisins for extra texture and dimension.
- This stuffing can be prepared a day in advance and reheated just before serving to save time on your busy holiday schedule.
Keywords: Caramelized Onion, Apple Stuffing, Holiday Recipe, Vegetarian Stuffing
