Savory Herb & Apple Dressing

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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This Savory Herb & Apple Dressing is a must-have dish for your holiday table. With its delightful blend of herbs and the subtle sweetness of apples, it offers a comforting twist on the classic dressing. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy family dinner.

Ingredients for Savory Herb & Apple Dressing

Bread cubes form the base of your dressing, soaking up all the wonderful flavors. Using stale bread helps it hold its shape better when combined with the liquid ingredients.

Unsalted butter is used to sauté the vegetables, adding a rich flavor to the mix. By using unsalted, you control the saltiness of your final dish.

Onion and celery are classic aromatics, providing a savory backbone that enhances the herbal notes.

Granny Smith apples offer a tart sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savory elements. Their firm texture also holds up well during cooking.

Fresh parsley, sage, and thyme deliver vibrant, earthy flavors that are quintessential to a good dressing.

Salt and black pepper are essential for seasoning, bringing out the best in each ingredient.

Chicken broth adds moisture and depth, infusing the bread cubes with flavor.

Eggs help bind the dressing together, contributing to a cohesive texture.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a mix of bread types for added texture and flavor complexity.
  • If your bread isn't stale, cube it and bake it at 250°F for 15 minutes.
  • Make it vegetarian by swapping chicken broth with vegetable broth.

Serving Suggestions

This dressing pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken. For a complete meal, serve it alongside green beans or a fresh salad. It's also fantastic as a side for pork chops or a hearty beef roast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it a day ahead and bake it right before serving.
What if I don't have fresh herbs?
You can substitute with dried herbs, but reduce the quantity by a third.

Savory Herb & Apple Dressing Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it's ready when you need it. While that's warming up, grab a large skillet and melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the onion and celery, letting them cook until they're nice and soft, which should take about 7 minutes.

Next, stir in your apples, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let them mingle and cook for another 5 minutes, releasing their fragrant aromas.

In a large bowl, combine your bread cubes with this sautéed mixture. It's important to mix gently to keep the bread intact.

Pour in the chicken broth and the beaten eggs. Stir everything together until well combined, ensuring that the bread is evenly coated but not mushy.

Transfer this mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover it with foil, and pop it into the oven. Bake for 30 minutes covered, then remove the foil and let it bake for another 15 minutes to get that lovely golden-brown top.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors.
  • Easy to make with simple, fresh ingredients.
  • Great for making ahead and reheating.
  • Versatile enough to complement a variety of main dishes.

Ingredients

10 cups cubed stale bread
1 cup unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cups celery, diced
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups chicken broth
2 large eggs, beaten

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery, cooking until softened, about 7 minutes.
3. Stir in apples, parsley, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes with the sautéed mixture.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and beaten eggs, mixing gently until well combined.
6. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.

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