Apple, Bacon & Fennel Stuffing - This bread dressing is the perfect combination of sweet and savory! | foxeslovelemons.com

On my Thanksgiving table, it’s a tale of two stuffings. There’s my recreation attempt of Jeff’s grandma’s old fashioned dressing, which I get a little closer to perfecting each year. And then there’s a secondary stuffing.

Well, I shouldn’t call it secondary, because in no way is this stuffing a second fiddle. It’s my chance to experiment. One time, I did a gluten free vegan stuffing. Last year, I did a chorizo and cornbread stuffing. This year, I’ll be making this Apple, Bacon & Fennel Stuffing.

Side note: in Michigan, we call it “stuffing,” whether or not it’s stuffed into the actual bird (mine never is). I know it technically should be called “dressing,” but that’s just not what we say here. Moving on . . .

Epic Thanksgiving - A flavor-packed, chef-inspired Thanksgiving dinner that YOU can make at home! | foxeslovelemons.com

This Apple, Bacon & Fennel Stuffing celebrates my love of the combination of sweet + savory. The salty bacon plays perfectly with the snappy, slightly sweet flavor of Michigan Gala apples (my favorite variety for cooking). And if you love the combo of apples and bacon as much as I do, you’ll want to try my Skillet Mac and Cheese with Bacon & Apples.

The fennel adds a hint of anise (licorice) flavor, and a handful of fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary and thyme) complete this chef-inspired stuffing.

Apple, Bacon & Fennel Stuffing - This bread dressing is the perfect combination of sweet and savory! | foxeslovelemons.com

Psst – if you have extra rosemary (you will!) – try out something new with my lemon bourbon cocktail.

Apple, Bacon & Fennel Stuffing - This bread dressing is the perfect combination of sweet and savory! | foxeslovelemons.com

Apple, Bacon & Fennel Stuffing

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 13 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 baguettes (12 ounces each), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 ounces bacon, cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 large (or 2 small) fennel bulb(s), chopped (reserve fennel fronds for garnish)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 Gala apples, cored and chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Divide bread cubes between 2 rimmed baking pans. Transfer to oven and bake 12 minutes. Transfer bread cubes to large bowl. Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
  2. Meanwhile, in large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes or until crisp, stirring frequently. Use slotted spoon to transfer bacon to bowl with bread cubes. Reserve bacon fat in skillet.
  3. Add celery, fennel and onion to skillet. Cook over medium-high heat 4 to 6 minutes or until slightly softened. Stir in apples, parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook 3 minutes longer, then remove from heat.
  4. Spray 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Add broth, milk and vegetable mixture to bowl with bread cubes. Toss until well combined.
  5. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and cover with foil. Transfer to oven and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 30 minutes longer or until top is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve garnished with chopped fennel fronds.

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I’m so thankful for each and every person that stops by this blog, whether it’s once in awhile or every day. This little corner of the internet has allowed me to change my life and create a career path for myself that brings me so much joy. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Epic Thanksgiving - A flavor-packed, chef-inspired Thanksgiving dinner that YOU can make at home! | foxeslovelemons.com

Disclosure: This was a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Michigan Apple Committee. Sponsored posts help me pay for the costs associated with this blog (groceries…lots of groceries), and help support me as I pursue a career in recipe development and food photography. All opinions are 100% my own.