Indulge in the cozy charm and gourmet allure of this Festive Cranberry Pecan Stuffing, a culinary celebration of elegant comfort food that will elevate your holiday table with its refined flavors and sensory-rich experience. Crafted with love and attention to detail, this dish perfectly encapsulates the warm and confident spirit of CrennRecipes.com.
Why You’ll Love This Festive Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
Prepare to be enchanted by the irresistible interplay of tart cranberries, rich pecans, and fragrant herbs in this decadent stuffing. The luscious, gourmet flavors and delicate textures will transport you to a world of refined indulgence, while the comforting familiarity of this holiday classic will infuse your table with a joyful sense of tradition. Elevate your festive feast with this beautiful and satisfying dish that will have your guests raving.
Ingredients
Assemble a gourmet pantry of premium ingredients, including fresh bread cubes, tart cranberries, crunchy pecans, sautéed onions and celery, aromatic herbs, and a delicate touch of butter and broth. This carefully curated blend of flavors and textures creates a truly heavenly stuffing experience.
- 8 cups – Cubed day-old bread or sourdough
- 1 cup – Fresh cranberries, halved
- 1 cup – Chopped pecans
- 1 cup – Diced onion
- 1 cup – Diced celery
- 4 tbsp – Unsalted butter
- 1 cup – Chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tsp – Dried sage
- 1 tsp – Dried thyme
- 1 tsp – Kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp – Ground black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Gluten-free: Substitute the bread cubes with your favorite gluten-free bread or cubed cornbread — a refined swap that keeps the balance.
- Vegan: Use a plant-based butter or olive oil in place of the traditional butter — perfect for dietary or texture variation.
How to Make Festive Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
Follow these simple steps to create a gourmet stuffing that will delight your senses and elevate your holiday table.
Step 1 — Prep Work
Begin by cubing the bread and toasting it to a delicate golden-brown. Sauté the onions and celery until they’re softened and fragrant, then add the fresh cranberries and pecans, allowing the flavors to mingle and create a warm, inviting aroma.
Step 2 — Main Cooking Process
Carefully fold the toasted bread cubes into the sautéed vegetable and nut mixture, gently incorporating the broth and butter to create a beautifully moist and cohesive stuffing. Season with a harmonious blend of herbs and spices, ensuring every bite is bursting with gourmet flavor.
Step 3 — Final Steps/Assembly
Transfer the flavorful stuffing to a baking dish and bake until the top is golden-brown and the edges are crisp, creating a stunning presentation that will delight the senses. The kitchen will be filled with the tempting scent of this elegant comfort food, setting the stage for a truly indulgent dining experience.
Step 4 — Finishing Touches
Once the stuffing is baked to perfection, let it cool slightly before serving. The aroma of the caramelized pecans and fragrant herbs will fill the air, inviting your guests to savor every bite of this extraordinary dish.
Chef Tips & Variations
- Decadent Twist: Consider adding sautéed mushrooms or crumbled sausage to the stuffing for a more indulgent flavor profile.
- Autumnal Flair: Experiment with the addition of diced apples or a touch of maple syrup to enhance the cozy, seasonal flavors.
- Elevated Presentation: Incorporate fresh herbs or a light dusting of powdered sugar on top of the finished dish for a stunning visual appeal.
- Versatile Variations: Adapt the recipe to accommodate dietary preferences, such as using gluten-free bread or plant-based butter for a vegan version.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Roasted poultry, such as turkey or chicken, or as a satisfying vegetarian main course.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen for longer-term enjoyment.
Reheat: Gently reheat the stuffing in the oven or microwave before serving.
Make-Ahead: The Festive Cranberry Pecan Stuffing can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
Nutrition Information
This indulgent stuffing is a harmonious balance of carbohydrates, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. Each serving provides a satisfying source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a wholesome addition to your holiday feast.
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbs: 30 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Sodium: 455 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?
Absolutely! The Festive Cranberry Pecan Stuffing can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake. This allows the flavors to meld and develop, enhancing the overall taste and texture of the dish.
How do I ensure the stuffing is moist and flavorful?
The key is to strike the perfect balance between the bread cubes, broth, and butter. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more broth or butter if the mixture seems too dry. Baking the stuffing in a covered dish also helps to retain moisture.
Can I stuff the turkey with this stuffing?
While this stuffing can be used to fill a turkey, we recommend baking it separately in a casserole dish. This ensures the stuffing cooks evenly and allows the flavors to truly shine, without the risk of overcooking the turkey.
Is this stuffing gluten-free?
The standard recipe can be easily adapted to be gluten-free by using cubed gluten-free bread or cornbread in place of the regular bread cubes. This makes it an accessible and inclusive option for your holiday table.
How can I make this stuffing vegan?
To create a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative, such as olive oil or vegan butter. You can also omit the butter entirely and use vegetable broth to moisten the stuffing.
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Festive Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Festive Cranberry Pecan Stuffing is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, perfect for your holiday table. With the tartness of cranberries and the crunch of pecans, it elevates any meal with a touch of elegance.
Ingredients
– 1 loaf of crusty bread, cubed
– 1 cup pecans, chopped
– 1 cup dried cranberries
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 4 cups vegetable broth
– 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
– 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Instructions
1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and celery, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in the sage, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, pecans, and cranberries.
5. Pour the vegetable broth over the mixture and stir until well combined.
6. Transfer to a baking dish and cover with foil.
7. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Notes
For a richer flavor, use homemade vegetable broth. This stuffing can be prepared a day in advance and baked just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Seasonal & Holiday Comfort
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg