About This Recipe
Stuffing for your Thanksgiving turkey is very personal. Many people have their own stuffing recipe, usually passed down through the generations, that they make every year. But if you don’t, or if you want to try something new, I have a great stuffing recipe: Chestnut Cranberry Stuffing.
It was inspired by My Great-Grandmother’s Stuffing recipe that my family has served for many decades. A few tweaks and some flavor changes resulted in this new fabulous stuffing. This is a simple recipe without a lot of fancy herbs and spices, but I think that’s what makes it so good.
Chestnuts are new to me. My mom didn’t use them growing up, and we certainly couldn’t buy them at the grocery stores in the tiny midwestern towns where we lived. I buy my chestnuts for this recipe online. The ones to get are canned: they are shelled and roasted and are soft enough to crumble. They are fabulous in this flavor and delicious stuffing recipe.
You can use this recipe to stuff your turkey or you can bake it in a casserole dish in the oven or even make it in the slow cooker. Enjoy every bite.
Tips for the best Chestnut Cranberry Stuffing:
- Make sure that you cook the onions and garlic long enough in the first step. They will not soften while the stuffing bakes, either in the turkey or in a casserole dish. You can let the onion caramelize if you’d like; just cook them until they are light golden brown. You have to watch them carefully though so they don’t burn.
- Do not mash this stuffing to mix it. Toss the ingredients together lightly. And don’t pack the stuffing into the turkey or the casserole dish. Packed stuffing is tough, and it make not reach a safe temperature in the center if it’s all bashed together.
Why this recipe works:
- Chestnuts add a sweet and nutty note to this classic dressing. Cranberries are tart and sweet and add a chewy texture.
Steps
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1
Done
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In a small saucepan, combine the onion, garlic, and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. |
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2
Done
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In a very large bowl, combine the bacon, cubed bread, apples, chestnuts, and dried cranberries and toss. |
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3
Done
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Drizzle the stuffing mixture with the onions and garlic in the butter, the eggs, and the chicken broth and toss to coat. |
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4
Done
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Use this mixture to stuff a turkey. Place the leftovers in a casserole dish and refrigerate. Or put all of the stuffing into a casserole dish, cover, and refrigerate. |
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5
Done
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Roast the turkey with the stuffing inside (NEVER stuff a turkey ahead of time). If you are baking the stuffing, bake at 350°F for one hour covered, then uncover and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer registers 160°F. To cook in the slow cooker, cook on low for 7 to 9 hours or until 160°F. |
