Savory Sausage and Cranberry Herb Stuffing
This Savory Sausage and Cranberry Herb Stuffing is a delightful blend of flavors that perfectly complements your holiday turkey. A mix of pork sausage, sweet apples, and tart cranberries create a flavor profile that is both rich and refreshing. With herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme, this stuffing offers an aromatic depth that enhances every bite. Preparing it a day ahead allows the flavors to marry beautifully, creating an even more enjoyable dish. Whether stuffed inside an 18-20 pound turkey or baked in a casserole dish, this stuffing is sure to be a favorite at your holiday table. Don't forget to double the recipe for larger turkeys!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
bread cubes
6 cups (a mixture of whole wheat and white bread, toasted)
pork sausage
1 lb (mild Italian sausages, casings removed)
onion
1 medium (finely chopped)
garlic
1 tablespoon (fresh minced)
dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon
celery ribs
2 small (diced)
dried sage
2-3 teaspoons
dried rosemary
2 teaspoons
large apple
1 (peeled, cored, and chopped)
dried craisins (or dried cranberries)
1 cup
fresh parsley
1/3 cup (chopped)
toasted pecans
1/2 cup (chopped)
chicken broth
3/4-1 cup
butter
1/4 cup (melted)
black pepper
1-2 teaspoons (fresh ground)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
Spread the bread cubes onto a large baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for about 6-7 minutes or until golden brown and toasted evenly. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
3
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the pork sausage, breaking it into small pieces, with the chopped onion, minced garlic, and dried thyme until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
4
Add the diced celery, dried sage, and dried rosemary to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, for an additional 2-3 minutes until the celery is tender.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes with the sausage mixture.
6
Fold in the chopped apple, dried cranberries (or craisins), chopped fresh parsley, and toasted pecans. Season with fresh ground black pepper to taste.
7
Drizzle the chicken broth and melted butter over the stuffing mixture. Toss gently to combine, adjusting with more chicken broth if the mixture seems too dry.
8
Spoon the stuffing loosely into the turkey cavity, avoiding packing it tightly. Any extra stuffing can be placed in a greased baking dish and baked separately.
9
If baking extra stuffing, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes in the preheated oven until heated through and slightly crispy on top.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of the Savory Sausage and Cranberry Herb Stuffing?
This stuffing features a blend of savory pork sausage, sweet apples, and tart cranberries, enhanced with aromatic herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme.
What kind of bread should I use for this recipe?
The recipe recommends using 6 cups of bread cubes, specifically a mixture of whole wheat and white bread.
How do I toast the bread cubes?
Spread the bread cubes on a large baking sheet in a single layer and bake at 350 degrees F for 6-7 minutes until golden brown.
What type of sausage is required?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of mild Italian pork sausage with the casings removed.
Can I make this stuffing in advance?
Yes, preparing the stuffing a day ahead allows the flavors to marry beautifully for an even better taste.
How much chicken broth is needed?
You should use between 3/4 to 1 cup of chicken broth, adding more if the mixture appears too dry.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How do I cook the sausage and onions?
Cook the pork sausage, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and dried thyme in a large skillet over medium heat until the sausage is browned.
When should I add the celery to the mix?
Add the diced celery to the skillet after the sausage is browned, along with the dried sage and rosemary, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
What kind of fruit is included in the stuffing?
The stuffing includes one large peeled and chopped apple and 1 cup of dried craisins or cranberries.
Does this recipe include nuts?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 cup of toasted chopped pecans.
What fresh herbs are used?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
How should I pack the stuffing into the turkey?
Spoon the stuffing loosely into the turkey cavity and avoid packing it tightly.
How long should I bake stuffing if it is in a separate dish?
Bake extra stuffing in a greased, foil-covered dish for 30-35 minutes until heated through and slightly crispy.
What size turkey does this recipe accommodate?
This recipe is designed to stuff an 18-20 pound turkey.
What should I do if I have a turkey larger than 20 pounds?
For larger turkeys, you should double the stuffing recipe.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of fresh minced garlic.
What kind of apple is best?
The recipe calls for one large apple that is peeled, cored, and chopped.
How much butter is added to the mixture?
1/4 cup of melted butter is drizzled over the stuffing before tossing.
What is the recommended seasoning for the final mixture?
Fresh ground black pepper is added to taste, typically 1-2 teaspoons.
Should the baking dish be covered for extra stuffing?
Yes, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil when baking the extra stuffing separately.
How many celery ribs are used?
The recipe requires 2 small diced celery ribs.
What dried herbs are needed?
The recipe uses dried thyme, dried sage, and dried rosemary.
Can I use craisins instead of dried cranberries?
Yes, dried craisins are a suitable alternative mentioned in the recipe.
How do I ensure the bread is toasted evenly?
Spread the cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet and monitor them during the 6-7 minute bake time.
How do I combine the liquid and dry ingredients?
Drizzle the chicken broth and melted butter over the bread and sausage mixture, then toss gently.
What is the first step in preparing the stuffing?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and toast the bread cubes.
Is the onion finely chopped?
Yes, the recipe specifies one medium onion that is finely chopped.
What should the sausage look like when it's done cooking?
The sausage should be browned and cooked through, broken into small pieces.
How much dried sage is included?
The recipe calls for 2-3 teaspoons of dried sage.