Bacon Apple Stovetop Stuffing
This bacon apple stovetop stuffing is the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table! It's so flavorful, and so easy to make!
Are you a big stuffing fan like I am? It's always perplexing to me that what I consider to be a staple of the Thanksgiving table is so polarizing for some people. When I was growing up, my Aunt Lorene (whom I adored and wanted to be just like) detested stuffing and wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole. I remember hanging out in the kitchen with her and my mom while my mom was preparing our Thanksgiving meal, and watching her snag bites of crispy turkey skin while bemoaning the fact that we had the dreaded soggy bread on the dinner table. I guess what's most funny to me is that I absolutely detest soggy bread (I will throw away a whole sandwich or burger if the bread/bun gets wet or soggy) but I absolutely love stuffing! In my mind, it's not soggy bread at all... it's bread transformed into something else. Something magical.
When I first started making stuffing on my own, I mostly just stuck to the boxed mix, which is kind of neither here nor there, flavor-wise. It's not wonderful, it's not terrible. A few years ago I decided to branch out and try making stuffing from scratch, and that's when I discovered that there's a bit of a learning curve as far as how much moisture to add, which ingredients work well together, and how to get that perfect consistency of tender stuffing that's neither mushy nor dry. I've tried a lot of stuffing recipes in the last few years, but this bacon apple stovetop stuffing is definitely my favorite!
This stuffing has the perfect texture, and the most delicious combination of flavors! I also love that it's made on the stovetop, which frees up a little oven space when you're trying to coordinate everything else that needs to be cooked on turkey day. Honestly, it's so easy that it's totally manageable on a weeknight as a side dish for grilled chicken or baked salmon. I made my own bread cubes from some leftover wheat bread, but you can make them from any bread you happen to have on hand, or even just buy some store-bought bread cubes. If you can't find any fresh sage (I happened to have some in my kitchen herb garden), you can use a teaspoon or two of dried sage instead. The recipe makes enough for two meals for my family, so I usually put half in the freezer for another day. If you're making it for a crowd, I would guess it would serve 10-12 adults, and the recipe should be pretty easy to scale up or down as needed. If you love stuffing like I do, then you definitely need to give this one a try!
Bacon Apple Stovetop Stuffing
4 slices thick cut bacon, cut into pieces
4 tablespoons butter
1 medium apple, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups dried bread cubes*
Add the bacon to a large pot over medium heat. Cook until crispy, stirring frequently. Add the butter, apple, celery, onion, and garlic to the pot, and cook until the vegetables are tender. While the vegetables are cooking, heat the chicken broth, poultry seasoning, sage, and salt in a microwave safe bowl or small pot until hot. Add the dried bread cubes to the pot with the vegetables and butter, and stir until they are coated in butter. Pour the broth mixture over the top of the bread cubes and stir to combine. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 10-15 minutes, until the bread is soft.
* To make the dried bread cubes, cut a loaf of crusty bread into one inch cubes. Lay the cubes in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 200 degrees for 60-90 minutes, or until the bread is lightly toasted and completely dried out. You can do this several days in advance and just store the bread cubes in an airtight container or zipper bag.
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