As autumn leaves dance to the ground, I’m reminded of my favorite comfort food that bridges traditional flavors with modern dietary choices. I’ve spent years perfecting this vegan sausage and apple stuffing recipe, transforming the classic holiday side dish into something that everyone at my table can enjoy.
The combination of savory plant-based sausage and sweet apple creates an intricate dance of flavors that’ll make you forget it’s vegan. While I’m happy to share my recipe, there’s a special technique to achieving that perfect balance of crispy top and moist interior that makes this dish truly exceptional.
Recipe
Vegan Sausage and Apple Stuffing brings the classic comfort of traditional stuffing to the plant-based table. The combination of savory vegan sausage crumbles with sweet, tender apples creates a perfect balance of flavors while fresh herbs add an aromatic depth that makes this dish truly memorable.
This stuffing relies on day-old bread as its foundation, allowing it to better absorb the flavorful vegetable broth while maintaining its structure during baking. The result is a satisfying side dish that features a golden-brown crispy top layer while remaining delightfully moist inside, making it an ideal accompaniment for holiday meals or special occasions.
- 1 pound day-old bread, cubed
- 4 vegan sausage links
- 2 medium apples
- 2 celery stalks
- 1 large onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 2½ cups vegetable broth
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook crumbled vegan sausage until browned. Add diced onions, celery, and apples, cooking until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and herbs, cooking for another minute.
Transfer to a large bowl with bread cubes and gradually add vegetable broth, stirring until bread is evenly moistened. Pour mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking 15-20 minutes until top is golden brown and crispy.
For optimal results, cut bread into uniform 1-inch cubes and allow them to dry out overnight at room temperature. If short on time, spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast at 250°F for 20 minutes before using in the recipe.
The stuffing mixture can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking – just add extra broth if needed, as the bread will continue absorbing liquid while it sits.
Step-By-Step Cooking Instructions
You’ll want to start by cutting your bread into uniform cubes and letting them dry out overnight for the perfect texture.
Next, brown your vegan sausage in a skillet before adding the vegetables and apples, then combine everything in a large bowl with your dried bread cubes and broth until evenly mixed.
Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and cover with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking, then remove the foil and continue baking until you’ve got a beautifully golden-brown, crispy top.
Step 1. Cut Bread and Dry Overnight
Begin preparing your stuffing a day ahead by slicing the bread into uniform 1-inch cubes. Spread the cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap.
Let them sit out uncovered at room temperature overnight, which allows them to dry out naturally and develop the perfect texture for your stuffing.
If you’re short on time, you’ll find a quicker alternative that works nearly as well. Place your bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast them in a 250°F oven for about 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
You’ll want them to feel dry to the touch but not completely hardened or browned. The goal is to remove excess moisture while maintaining the bread’s ability to soak up your savory broth mixture later.
Whether you’re using the overnight method or quick-dry technique, proper bread preparation is crucial for achieving that ideal stuffing consistency – crispy on top while staying perfectly moist inside.
Once your bread is properly dried, it’ll be ready to absorb all those delicious flavors from your herbs, sausage, and apples.
Step 2. Brown Meat and Vegetables
The next crucial step in your stuffing preparation starts with heating a large skillet over medium heat. Add your olive oil and let it warm up for about 30 seconds before adding the crumbled vegan sausage. Cook the sausage for 5-7 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until it’s nicely browned and slightly crispy around the edges.
Once your sausage has developed a good color, add the diced onions, celery, and apples to the same skillet. You’ll want to cook this mixture for another 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions become translucent and the celery softens. The apples should be tender but not mushy.
Now’s the time to add your minced garlic, sage, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for just another minute or two until the garlic becomes fragrant and the herbs release their oils. Don’t overcook the garlic, as it can become bitter.
Season the mixture with salt and pepper, giving everything a good stir to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the vegetables and sausage.
Step 3. Mix Ingredients Together
Assembling your stuffing mixture brings all the carefully prepared components together in perfect harmony.
In a large mixing bowl, combine your browned vegan sausage crumbles with the sautéed onions, celery, garlic, and apples. Add the dried bread cubes, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Sprinkle in the fresh sage, thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper, gently tossing everything together with a large spoon or clean hands. You’ll want to ensure the herbs are well distributed to create consistent flavor in every bite.
Now comes the crucial part – adding the vegetable broth. Pour it in gradually, about half a cup at a time, while continuously stirring. You’re looking for the bread to be uniformly moist but not soggy. The cubes should hold their shape while being tender enough to absorb the flavors.
Once you’ve achieved the right consistency, transfer your mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish. Spread it evenly, but don’t pack it down too tightly – you’ll want some texture variation for those perfectly crispy tops during baking.
Step 4. Bake Covered in Foil
With your stuffing mixture perfectly arranged in the baking dish, it’s time to cover it with aluminum foil for its initial trip to the oven.
You’ll want to seal the edges tightly to trap the moisture inside, which helps the bread absorb the flavorful broth and prevents the top from browning too quickly.
Place your covered dish on the center rack of your preheated 375°F oven.
During this first 30-minute covered bake, the heat and steam will work together to help the flavors meld while keeping everything moist.
The vegan sausage will continue to release its savory notes, and the apples will become tender, creating pockets of sweetness throughout.
If you’ve prepared your stuffing in advance and it’s coming straight from the refrigerator, you’ll need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the covered baking time.
You’ll know it’s ready for the next step when you can see the broth bubbling around the edges and the stuffing has heated through completely.
Don’t peek too often, though – each time you open the oven, you’ll release valuable moisture.
Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown
After thirty minutes of covered baking, you’ll remove the foil to begin the crucial browning phase. This final step transforms your stuffing from soft and steamy to perfectly golden with an irresistible crispy top.
Keep the oven temperature steady at 375°F and continue baking for 15-20 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.
You’ll know your stuffing is ready when the top layer has turned a rich golden brown, and the edges have become slightly crispy. The contrast between the crunchy surface and the moist, tender interior creates that classic stuffing texture everyone craves.
If some areas are browning faster than others, rotate your baking dish for even coloring.
To test for doneness, insert a knife into the center – it should come out warm, and the stuffing should feel set but still moist. If you notice any spots that seem too dry, drizzle a small amount of warm vegetable broth over those areas.
Once perfectly browned, remove from the oven and let the stuffing rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to settle and making it easier to portion.
Why I Love This Dish
This vegan stuffing holds a special place in my heart since it perfectly captures all the cozy flavors I remember from family holiday meals, but in a plant-based version I can feel good about serving.
I’m particularly drawn to how the savory vegan sausage creates that familiar heartiness, while the sweet apples add an unexpected brightness that makes everyone ask for seconds.
What I love most is how versatile this recipe has become in my kitchen. I’ll make it for Thanksgiving, of course, but I’ve also served it at casual dinner parties and even prepped it on Sunday for weekday meals.
The herbs – especially the fresh sage – remind me of my grandmother’s cooking, but the plant-based twist makes it uniquely mine.
I’m always delighted by guests’ reactions when they discover it’s vegan. The stuffing maintains that perfect contrast between the crispy top and moist interior that everyone craves, and I don’t have to sacrifice tradition to accommodate dietary preferences.
It’s become my go-to contribution for potlucks and family gatherings.
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