Gourmet Citrus and Sausage Stuffing
Elevate your holiday feast with this exquisite stuffing, featuring the zesty notes of orange liqueur paired with savory spicy Italian sausage. The sweetness of caramelized apples and the crunch of pecans create a symphony of textures and flavors, making this stuffing a standout side for any festive meal. Easy to prepare, this recipe yields enough stuffing to generously fill an 18 to 20 pound turkey, ensuring no guest leaves the table without a taste of this enchanting dish. For a personalized touch, feel free to substitute thyme for the sage, depending on your flavor preferences. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any gathering where you want to impress your guests with a unique culinary creation.
N/A
Servings
140
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Raisins
1 cup (Soaked in orange liqueur)
Orange liqueur
1 cup (For soaking raisins)
Unsalted butter
1/2 cup (Melted, for sautéing vegetables)
Chopped celery
2 cups (Fresh, for sautéing)
Large onion
1 (Chopped, for sautéing)
Hot Italian sausage
1 lb (Casing removed, crumbled)
Herb seasoned stuffing mix
1 (16 ounce) package (Ready to use)
Chopped pecans
1 cup (Toast lightly if desired)
Granny Smith apples
4 (Peeled, cored, and chopped)
Unsalted butter
1/2 cup (Melted, for mixing into stuffing)
Chicken broth
2 1/2 cups (For moisten mixture)
Chopped fresh sage
4 teaspoons (Fresh, for seasoning)
Salt and pepper
to taste (For seasoning)
Instructions
1
Start by placing the raisins in a small saucepan and covering them with 1 cup of orange liqueur. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and let the raisins soak.
2
In a large skillet, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the chopped celery and onion. Sauté for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized. Transfer this mixture to a large mixing bowl.
3
In the same skillet, add the hot Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook over medium-high heat until it's browned and crumbled, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat and add the cooked sausage to the bowl with the vegetable mix.
4
To the mixing bowl, add the herb seasoned stuffing mix, soaked raisins (along with the liqueur), chopped pecans, and peeled, chopped Granny Smith apples. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
5
Drizzle the mixture with the melted butter and chicken broth. Gently fold the ingredients until the stuffing is thoroughly moistened. Adjust the consistency if needed; it should be damp but not soggy.
6
Season the stuffing with chopped fresh sage, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well to ensure even seasoning throughout.
7
Your stuffing is now ready to be used! You can stuff it into your turkey or bake it separately in a greased baking dish until heated through and golden brown.
Nutrition Information
6.5g
Fat
15g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gourmet Citrus and Sausage Stuffing?
It is an exquisite holiday side dish featuring orange liqueur, spicy Italian sausage, caramelized apples, and pecans.
What size turkey will this stuffing recipe fill?
This recipe yields enough stuffing to generously fill an 18 to 20 pound turkey.
Can I substitute the sage in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute thyme for the sage depending on your personal flavor preferences.
How are the raisins prepared?
The raisins are brought to a boil in one cup of orange liqueur and then left to soak.
What kind of sausage is recommended?
The recipe calls for one pound of hot Italian sausage with the casing removed.
What type of apples should be used?
Four Granny Smith apples are recommended, which should be peeled, cored, and chopped.
How many calories are in a serving of this stuffing?
There are 140 calories per serving.
How much butter is required for the recipe?
A total of one cup of unsalted butter is used, divided into two half-cup portions.
What provides the citrus flavor in the stuffing?
The citrus notes come from one cup of orange liqueur used to soak the raisins.
Can this stuffing be baked outside of a turkey?
Yes, it can be baked separately in a greased baking dish until heated through and golden brown.
How much chicken broth is needed?
The recipe requires 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth to moisten the mixture.
Do the pecans need to be toasted?
The recipe calls for one cup of chopped pecans, which can be toasted lightly if desired.
What vegetables are included in the stuffing?
The recipe includes two cups of chopped celery and one large chopped onion.
How long should I sauté the celery and onion?
Sauté the vegetables in butter for about 10 minutes until they are tender and slightly caramelized.
How long does it take to cook the sausage?
The sausage should be cooked over medium-high heat for about 8-10 minutes until browned and crumbled.
What type of stuffing mix is used?
One 16-ounce package of herb seasoned stuffing mix is required.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 6.5g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this stuffing provide?
There are 3g of protein per serving.
What is the ideal consistency for the stuffing?
The stuffing should be damp but not soggy.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients including the seasonings.
Should the sausage fat be drained?
Yes, you should drain any excess fat after browning the sausage before adding it to the mix.
How much fresh sage is used for seasoning?
The recipe calls for 4 teaspoons of chopped fresh sage.
Is this recipe suitable for Thanksgiving?
Yes, it is described as a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or any festive holiday meal.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to place the raisins in a saucepan with orange liqueur and bring them to a boil.
What seasonings are added at the end?
The mixture is seasoned with chopped fresh sage, salt, and pepper to taste.
Can I use a different type of onion?
The recipe specifies one large onion, though you can use any variety you prefer for sautéing.
Are the apples cooked before being added to the mix?
No, the peeled and chopped Granny Smith apples are added directly to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients.
Is this stuffing sweet or savory?
It is a savory stuffing with sweet and zesty notes from the apples, raisins, and orange liqueur.
What is the total amount of celery needed?
You will need 2 cups of chopped fresh celery.