Baked Cranberry, Cherry, and Walnut Bread Stuffing
A festive twist on traditional stuffing with dried cherries, tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts, and fresh sage for a sweet-savory holiday side. This american-inspired thanksgiving ready in about 70 minutes pairs white sandwich bread cubes, unsalted butter, large yellow onion, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 10, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 10 cups white sandwich bread cubes
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 3 medium celery stalks, diced
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread 10 cups of white sandwich bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 12 minutes until crispy and golden. Set aside.
- Step 2: Melt 5 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion and 3 diced celery stalks, sauté for 7-8 minutes until tender and translucent. Stir in 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage and cook for 1 additional minute.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, sautéed vegetables, 1/2 cup dried tart cherries, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk 2 large eggs with 2 1/2 cups chicken broth. Pour the liquid mixture over the bread mixture, gently tossing to coat everything evenly without becoming mushy.
- Step 5: Transfer the stuffing into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the top is browned and crisp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cranberry, Cherry, and Walnut Bread Stuffing take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Cranberry, Cherry, and Walnut Bread Stuffing?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep white sandwich bread cubes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cranberry, Cherry, and Walnut Bread Stuffing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Cranberry, Cherry, and Walnut Bread Stuffing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Cranberry, Cherry, and Walnut Bread Stuffing?
American thanksgiving like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The best stuffing I've ever made! The cranberries and cherries add such a nice tang.
- ★★★★★
This stuffing is a game-changer. So much better than the usual sage and onion. Will make it every year!
- ★★★★★
The cranberry-cherry-walnut combo was perfect for my Thanksgiving table. My family kept asking for seconds!