Published: · Modified: by Emily Criswell · I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article · 52 Comments
Homemade Gluten Free Apple-Cranberry-Herb Cornbread Stuffing - this traditional stuffing, with from scratch honey-sweetened cornbread is so delicious and perfect for the holidays.
this RECIPE
Homemade cornbread stuffing has been a Thanksgiving tradition in my family for many years.
Thanksgiving has been bittersweet for me the last several years.
As some of you know, my mom passed away in 2014 and it was probably the hardest thing I have ever been through. Losing someone you're so close to is incredibly painful and comes with years of up and down waves of grief. It gets easier with time, but the pain never fully goes away.
Fall was my mom's favorite season and her birthday was in November. She loved Thanksgiving! I think being with family was her favorite part about it.
The last Thanksgiving we had spent together, I had just finished pulling my cornbread stuffing out of the oven when my mom got to our home. She walked in and said everything smelled amazing.
Then she noticed the stuffing sitting on the countertop. She walked over to it, grabbed a little nibble and ate it. She made a sound like she was in bliss and told me it was heavenly.
I will forever hold that memoryof her joyful face and the happiness my stuffing brought to her close to my heart.
My mom loved cornbread stuffing, it was one of her favorites. I am so grateful that the last stuffing she got to have was the one that I made with love.
It's easy to make homemade gluten-free cornbread stuffing from scratch.
I have been making my gluten free apple-cranberry-herb cornbread stuffing recipe since I was a teenager. Although I have changed it up a bit since then.
I used to make a store-bought cornbread brand, the cornbread mix came in a can. Now I make my own homemadehoney butter glazed cornbread from scratch.
The cornbread alone adds a super delicious flavor to this Gluten Free Apple-Cranberry-Herb Cornbread Stuffing.
In my teen years I used to include a bunch of dried fruit in the stuffing. I would add dried cranberries, dried cherries and dried diced apricots, but now I prefer it a bit more simple.
Instead, I only add fresh apples and cranberries for the fruit. They offer just a hint of sweetness and a lovely bite.
I hope you enjoy this Gluten Free Apple-Cranberry-Herb Cornbread Stuffing as much as my family does.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
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Gluten Free Apple-Cranberry-Herb Cornbread Stuffing
Yield: 10-12 servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Homemade Gluten Free Apple-Cranberry-Herb Cornbread Stuffing - this traditional stuffing, with from scratch honey-sweetened cornbread is so delicious and perfect for the holidays.
Ingredients
- 1 batch Homemade Honey Butter Glazed Corn Bread, cut into 1 ½ inch cubes
- 1 cup grass-fed butter, melted - plus more for casserole dish and sauté pan
- 1 organic yellow onion, diced
- 5 organic celery stalks and leaves, chopped
- 2 organic sweet apples, peeled, cored and diced {I used Honey Crisp apples}
- 2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup organic cranberries
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (<-- this is my favorite sea salt)
- 2 cups homemade bone broth, homemade stock or store-bought bone broth
Instructions
- Prepare thehomemade cornbreadin advance, this can be done one day before making the stuffing.
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a large casserole dish with butter and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Set aside.
- Cut the cornbread into 1 ½ inch cubes. Place them in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- In a large sauté pan, melt 1-2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Sauté the onion and celery for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the apples and thyme and continue to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add to the cornbread in the large mixing bowl.
- Add the sea salt and cranberries to the large mixing bowl and gently toss well to combine.
- Pour the melted butter andbrothover the stuffing mixture and gently stir to combine.
- Place the stuffing mixture in the greased casserole dish. Bake uncovered for about 40-45 minutes, until lightly golden brown on the top and heated through.
- Serve immediately or allow to cool slightly.
Notes
YOU WILL NEED:Large Casserole Dish{I usethis}, Large Sauté Pan, Cutting Board, Quality Chef's Knife, Pairing Knife {I usethis}, Large Mixing Bowl,Spatulaor Large Spoon
- RECIPE INCLUDES ONE BATCH OF:Homemade Honey Glazed Cornbread
- RECIPE REQUIRES:Homemade Bone Broth,Homemade Stock orStore-BoughtBone Broth
- STORAGE:Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven on a low/warming temperature.
- APPLES:I used Honey Crisp, but other apples like Fuji, Gala and Braeburn would work well this stuffing.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 288Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 692mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 7g
This nutritional information was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circ*mstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Are you onPinterest? I pinlots of yummy real food recipes+ more there. I have a board just forFall Inspired + ThanksgivingandWinter Favoritestoo! Come follow along.
MORE THANKSGIVING RECIPES
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« Roasted Maple Citrus Herb Olives
Bacon Green Bean Scalloped Potato Casserole »
About Emily Criswell
Emily Criswell is a chocolate- and sweet treat-loving, holistic-minded mom of 4. She's a 4-time cookbook author -The Art of Great Cooking withYour Instant Pot {ranked in Amazon's top 10 new releases - gluten free recipes}, Amazing Mexican Favorites with Your Instant Pot{ranked as a #1 New Release BEST SELLER!}, Low-Carb Cooking with Your Instant Pot, The Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes, food photographer, homeschooler and the founder of Recipes to Nourish, a gluten-free blog focusing on real food and natural living. She works to empower her readers by showing them that there is a healthier way to eat and live. Her passion is to make healthy, natural living as uncomplicated and enjoyable as possible.Find Emily’s latest recipes and natural living tips atRecipes to Nourish. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram,Pinterest, Twitterand YouTube plus grab her free eBookHolistic Tips to Keep Your Family Healthy. Read more >>About Emily.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Brenda
Really lovely post about your memories of your mother, and so inspiring that you find joy and comfort in remembering her happy face. Isn't it just so important that we stop and take notice of the simple things - like the smile on someone's face - and realize just how deeply special they actually are.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you for your thoughtful words. I completely agree with you. Happy Holidays to you.
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Danielle Nicole
Hi 🙂 Happy Turkey Day from my family to yours. I just wanted to tell you that last year I used this amazing cranberry cornbread stuffing for the first time. It was such a wonderful stuffing that I decided to use it every year. I just finished prepping it for tomorrows dinner and wanted you to know that it is a traditional part of our Thanksgiving Day now because of you and your family. I don't have many positive traditions to pass down to my kids so I have taken some from others to create what we call our family traditions and I pass these down to my kids. I enjoyed making this with my daughter this year and know she will continue the recipe to her family , so your momma lives on through sharing this wonderful recipe. Thank you so much. Happy Holidays!
Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Danielle, thank you so much for sharing that with me! Your words are so kind and meaningful! That made my day 🙂 I love that you made it with your daughter and are passing that on to her. Happy Holidays to you. xo
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Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
this is the stuffing of dreams 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you! So kind of you to say that 🙂
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Renee Kohley
I am making cornbread stuffing this year! I have never done it before! Is this traditionally how it was made I wonder? I love the idea of this! Beautiful pictures too 😀
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
You'll love cornbread stuffing Renee, it's so good. I wonder that too? xo
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Sarah @ Sensibly Sustainable
This looks great! I am totally loving cranberries right now, what an awesome way to incorporate them into a meal, yum! 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks! I love how fresh + festive they make the dish.
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Linda Spiker
I love how beautiful this stuffing is! The cranberries really make it lovely!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Linda! They really add a lovely pop of color.
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linda spiker
Beautiful!
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Anna@Green Talk
I so sorry about your loss. I am glad your cornbread recipe evokes that lovely memory of your mom. Such a beautiful recipe.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you so much Anna. That means a lot to me.
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Naomi
Holidays can be so hard when loved ones have passed away. Moms are still moms, even if we become moms ourselves. So glad you have that lovely memory of your mom eating this delicious sounding stuffing!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you so much for your kind words Naomi. That means a lot to me.
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Loriel @ Naturally Loriel
I'm always looking for great stuffing recipes and this is one of them!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thanks Loriel! 🙂
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Megan Stevens
This recipe looks great!! I can't have cornmeal; but if I could, yours would be the recipe I'd make. It's obvious you've fine-tuned it and it's beautiful. The photos are lovely too. Big sorries regarding the loss of your mom and I hope the stuffing and memories and cozy loved ones make yours a joyful holiday.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Megan you are so dear. Thank you for your kind words.
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Tessa Simpson
Such a a great and festive combination of ingredients! I love how the bright red cranberries pop against the muted tones! Many foods can take me back to place a time...they're powerful that way!
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Kelly
I love the pop of color the cranberry gives. Looks amazing!
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Cathy
I'm sorry about the loss of your mother. It's good that you have good memories like this one of her enjoying your stuffing.
I love the addition of cranberries and apples in it!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you so much Cathy, that means a lot to me. Happy holidays to you!
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Raia Todd
Oh man, how could this not be delicious with all that butter in there? Yum!
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
LOL gotta have that good ole butter in there 😉
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Shelby @Fitasamamabear
Apples and cranberry are the best combination ever! This looks delicious!
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Lindsey Dietz
I'm not usually a stuffing person, but I've never seen a stuffing as gorgeous as this! Those cranberries and apple flavor... wow! I cannot wait to try this!
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M
Plus the cornbread!! 🙂 I love the texture cornbread adds to stuffing!!
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Annemarie
This looks so good! I love the cornbread base, and the cranberries make it extra pretty. 🙂
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Amy Knight
I love stuffing and always wonder why I don't eat it more often. Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe.
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Joni Gomes
How did you know that stuffing is my favorite holiday side dish? I love the combination of apple and cornbread here. Looks incredible!
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Jean
Oh yum, that pop of color from the cranberries is just so gorgeous! This is such a perfect stuffing and I'll have to try it out this holiday season.
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jennifer
I love the memories that holiday recipes conjure up! This looks so yummy and I don't think I've ever had apples in stuffing (yum) -- actually, I've never even made stuffing myself yet at 51 years old! It's still the job of the matriarchs in my family.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
How fun 🙂 Well maybe one of these days they'll let you help with the stuffing - it's so nice having those family traditions though.
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Renee D Kohley
I made cornbread stuffing for the first time last Thanksgiving and LOVED it! This one looks amazing with the cranberries - what a fun and delicious idea!
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Kiran Dodeja Smith
Just yesterday I realized how close we are to Thanksgiving. I generally make most of the same dishes year after year, but I was hunting for a recipe to incorporate cranberries within. This one is beautiful and just what I was looking for!
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STACEY CRAWFORD
I've been looking for a good GF stuffing recipe, and here it is! Thanks 🙂
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Laura
I love cornbread stuffing and this recipe sounds fantastic! The cranberries add such a stunning pop of color, and your photos are beautiful, as usual 🙂 Thanks for sharing this recipe and the story about your mom. I'm so sorry for your loss but grateful for the reminder about the most important part of the holidays - time with those we love!
Happy holidays to you and your family <3
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you Laura <3 Happy holidays to you and yours too!
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Hope
What a lovely memory of your Mum. I think it is really special that making cooking with love (like you do) can help bring back those memories. We don't celebrate thanksgiving here in New Zealand but I often wish we did, it always looks like a lot of tasty food gets eaten! This looks delicious - I hope your holiday is filled with happiness and fond memories 🙂
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you so much Hope! 🙂 I hope yours is too.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
🙂 thank you Hope! That's right, I forget it's not a traditional holiday that is celebrated everywhere.
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ChihYu Smith
oh my good lord! These are gorgeous! So festive and perfect for the holiday season. Saved !
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Catherine Baez Sholl
Oh my, this stuffing looks so delicious! Perfect this coming Thanksgiving. I think my hubby will love it!
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Anya
I love all that cranberry apple flavor in this stuffing. But mostly I love how food reminds us of the special people in our lives. Always thinking of you as you remember your precious Mama during the holidays especially.
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Emily Sunwell-Vidaurri
Thank you Anya! I'll always remember how we connected over your sweet words about my mom on another post. Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season. xo
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Anne Lawton
I love cornbread stuffing! This recipe looks like one that I have to try out real soon!
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Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
I love cornbread stuffing, and everything about yours looks incredible!
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Shelby @Fitasamamabear
Cranberry stuffing sounds perfect! I adore cranberries but I've never rocked them in a stuffing...
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Mary Voogt
Mmm. Cranberries + cornbread. You're making my mouth water!!
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