Easy Vegan Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries

“Sweet-tart apples, tangy cranberries, and golden cubes of bread — this is the vegan stuffing that tastes like the holidays.”

There’s something about the smell of onions, celery, and herbs sautéing in (vegan) butter that instantly feels like the holidays. This Vegan Apple Cranberry Stuffing hits all the cozy notes of traditional stuffing — savory, buttery, and herby — but gets a subtle twist from tart apples and chewy dried cranberries. The flavor is nostalgic yet bright, and it pairs perfectly with vegan gravy, mashed potatoes, or your favorite (vegan) holiday roast.

A vegan holiday table doesn't have to change, just the ingredients do. Start with the classics your family loves, then swap in plant-based ingredients that keep all the comfort and none of the compromise. Think creamy baked mac and cheese, savory homemade "turkey" gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes.

This homemade stuffing needed very few changes - just a switch to vegan butter and veggie broth. If you crave that sausage taste, consider the best tofu sausage crumbles ever created! (Add the cooked vegan sausage crumbles after the apple cranberry stuffing is baked.)

Why You’ll Love This Vegan Stuffing

• Sweet meets savory – Sweet tart apples and cranberries add a festive pop of flavor that complements the herbs.
• Classic texture – Cubed bread soaks up just enough broth to stay soft inside with crisp golden edges.
• Simple and reliable – No special tricks or vegan substitutes that fall flat — just solid, comforting holiday food.
• Make-ahead friendly – Prep the mixture a day in advance, refrigerate, then bake before serving.

Use the right ingredients

You’ll need a vegan-friendly stuffing mix — many boxed brands use dairy or chicken flavoring, so double-check the label. (Tip: Trader Joe’s, 365, and Pepperidge Farm “Herb Seasoned Classic” often have vegan versions, but confirm ingredients as they vary by region.) If you can only find an herbed mix – consider cutting out the added herbs in the recipe.

Use a vegan butter that you genuinely like the flavor of, because it comes through in the finished dish. I like to sauté the onion and celery until tender and aromatic before adding them to the stuffing mix — this builds flavor from the base up.

For the liquid, choose vegetable broth or a vegan “no-chicken” broth (like Better Than Bouillon No Chicken Base) for that familiar holiday flavor.

Choose the right apple! Choose a snappy crisp apple that doesn’t get mushy when it cooks. I do love Granny Smith apples or Pink Ladies. Both varieties stay slightly firm when baked, adding freshness and balance to the richness of the bread, butter, and herbs. Stemilt recommends Pinata or Honeycrisp apples.

The dried cranberries bring tartness and color that make this dish feel like a celebration. Cranberries are naturally tart. Decide on the flavor profile you want and use sweetened or unsweetened dried cranberries, depending on your personal preference.

Ingredients needed to make vegetarian apple stuffing.

The exact ingredients are listed in the printable recipe card below. This list is a general overview.

•  packaged cubed stuffing mix  – Find a vegan mix (see suggestions above).
• vegan butter – Use a stick flavor you like the flavor of. If you are vegetarian, then dairy butter is fine.
• celery stalks and onion
• vegetable broth – Or use a “chicken-flavored” veggie broth for that authentic flavor.
• two snappy apples
• dried cranberries
• dried rosemary,  dried thyme, dried sage – Or if your stuffing mix is already herbed, cut the herbs in this recipe.
• salt and pepper

How to make easy vegan holiday stuffing

The exact instructions are in the recipe card below. The following is an overview.

Steps one and Two – Prep and chop

Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease your casserole dish with vegan butter. Wash and chop the apples, onions and celery. Keep the apples separate because you’ll be adding them after the sauté step.

Step Three – Sauté the Aromatics

In a skillet, melt vegan butter and cook the chopped celery and onion until fragrant and soft — about 5 minutes.

Step Two – Combine the Ingredients

In a large bowl, add your cubed stuffing mix, sautéed vegetables, diced apples, cranberries, rosemary, thyme, sage, pepper, and warmed broth. Stir to combine. Taste a bit and adjust the seasoning — it’s the little details that make homemade stuffing shine.

Step Three – Bake Until Golden

Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and bake uncovered for 30–40 minutes, until the top is crisp and golden brown. The inside should stay tender and moist.

Recipe Tips

• If your mixture looks too dry before baking, drizzle in a bit more broth — different bread mixes absorb liquid differently.
• For extra flavor, toss in a handful of toasted pecans or walnuts.
• Want it extra crispy on top? Dot with small pieces of vegan butter halfway through baking.

Serving Suggestions

This stuffing is the ultimate companion for homemade cranberry sauce, buttered herbed corn, or sweet potato casserole. It’s also delicious the next morning, reheated with a drizzle of maple syrup for a sweet-savory twist.

If you enjoy this recipe, you might also like Vegan Pumpkin Bread or Orange Cranberry Bread — both bake beautifully in a bread machine and make your kitchen smell just as comforting.

Final Thoughts

This vegan stuffing is proof that holiday traditions don’t need to be complicated to be meaningful. The apples and cranberries give it a cheerful, modern touch, while the familiar herbs keep it rooted in nostalgia. Whether it’s the centerpiece of your vegan feast or a side dish for a mixed table, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Make it once, and it’ll be part of your holiday table every year.