The Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe (2024)

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This flavorful Sausage Stuffing made with chicken sausage, celery, onions, herbs and french bread is my go-to Thanksgiving stuffing recipe!

The Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe (1)

Sausage Stuffing

I don’t know about you, but for me the ONE thing I crave most on Thanksgiving is this stuffing with sausage! Sure, the turkey and gravy are all great too, and yes, even the vegetables and cranberry sauce. But personally, no Thanksgiving is complete without the homemade sausage stuffing, and this recipe never disappoints. This is the stuffing I make every Thanksgiving along with my dry brine Turkey and this delicious Cranberry and Pear Sauce. If you need a gluten-free stuffing, this Cornbread Stuffing is perfect. See more Thanksgiving Recipes to go with your turkey this year!

The Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe (2)

Ingredients

  • Bread Cubes: whole wheat French bread or baguette are used. You can also use sour dough or a rustic loaf.
  • Butter: whipped butter, salted butter, unsalted butter, vegan butter or even olive oil can be used
  • Vegetables: diced yellow onion and diced celery, from about 4 celery stalks
  • Sausage: sweet Italian sausage, chicken or turkey is used but you can also use pork sausage if you prefer.
  • Fresh herbs: fresh sage and fresh thyme are used. If you wish, add some fresh flat-leaf parsley or fresh chopped rosemary for more flavor.
  • Broth: homemade chicken stock or turkey stock can be used or store bought reduced sodium chicken broth
  • Spices: I use salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. You can also add some poultry seasoning.

How To Make Sausage Stuffing

  1. Bread: To make the bread cubes, start with whole wheat baguettes and cut the bread in cubes the night before to let it sit out and harden overnight. You can also do this in the oven the day of, but I personally like to prep as much as possible the night before. (QUICKER METHOD: If you don’t have time to do this overnight, you can place the bread on a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven about 20 minutes, or until the bread is dried out.)
  2. Saute the sausage and vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. In the same pan over medium heat, cook the sausage, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
  3. Combine ingredients in a bowl: Transfer the sausage to the bowl with the onion/celery mixture. Add the bread, sage and thyme to the bowl with the sausage/onion mixture and stir to combine. Pour the chicken broth and stir to evenly coat the bread. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and stir to mix well.
  4. Stuffing Mixture: Transfer the bread cube mixture to the prepared casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir. Continue baking until golden, about 30 to 35 minutes more. About 1 hour total.

Variations

  • If you can’t find a good Italian chicken sausage, turkey sausage would also be great.
  • If you prefer to use pork sausage, feel free to swap it out. Calories will increase.
  • I don’t use egg in this recipe, but if you want to add one as a binder, you can.
  • If you want to add a touch of sweetness, add dried cranberries or apples.

Storage and Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze for up to 3 months.

The Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe (3)

The Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe (4)

More Thanksgiving Side Dishes:

  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Spinach Gratin
  • Roasted Green Beans with Caramelized Onions
  • Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies
  • Stuffing Muffins

The Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe (5)

Sausage Stuffing Recipe

4.92 from 12 votes

This flavorful, savory Sausage Stuffing recipe made with chicken sausage, fresh herbs and french bread, my go-to Thanksgiving stuffing recipe!

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

The Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe (6)

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Total: 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Print Rate Pin SaveWW Points

Yield: 12 Servings

Serving Size: 3 /4 cup

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces whole wheat French bread or baguette, crusts removed (weight after crust is removed)
  • 2 tablespoons whipped butter
  • 1 1/2 cups diced yellow onion
  • 1 3/4 cups diced celery, about 4 celery stalks
  • 13 ounces fresh sweet Italian sausage, chicken or turkey, casing removed
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth, plus more if needed
  • salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Cut the bread into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread the bread out on a sheet pan and let it dry overnight - OR - place the baking sheet in a 350°F oven and bake about 20 minutes, or until the bread is dried out. Set aside.

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a large baking dish with oil.

  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender and translucent, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

  • In the same pan over medium heat, cook the sausage, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer the sausage to the bowl with the onion/celery mixture.

  • Add the bread, sage and thyme to the bowl with the sausage/onion mixture and stir to combine. Add the chicken broth and stir to evenly coat the bread. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and stir to mix well.

  • Transfer to the baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, gently stir. Continue baking until golden, about 30 to 35 minutes more. Serve immediately.

Last Step:

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Notes

Makes about 9 cups.

Nutrition

Serving: 3 /4 cup, Calories: 166 kcal, Carbohydrates: 19 g, Protein: 9 g, Fat: 6.5 g, Saturated Fat: 2.2 g, Cholesterol: 30 mg, Sodium: 549 mg, Fiber: 2.5 g, Sugar: 2.9 g

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Categories:

  • Chicken Recipes
  • Christmas
  • Egg Free Recipes
  • Fall
  • Freezer Meals
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Kid Friendly
  • Recipes
  • Sides
  • Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Weight Watchers – WW Recipes

Photography by Sarah Fennel.

The Best Sausage Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

What is sausage stuffing made of? ›

Sausage Stuffing Ingredients

Butter: Cook the vegetables in a mix of butter and sausage drippings. Vegetables: You'll need finely diced celery and a chopped onion. Bread: The white bread cubes should ideally be slightly stale. If your bread seems too soft, lightly toast it in the oven.

Can you prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate? ›

If you don't plan on stuffing the bird, but preparing the dressing as a side dish, you can prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time as long as you freeze the stuffing immediately after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing.

What can you use as a binder instead of eggs in stuffing? ›

16 egg substitutes
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. Fruit puree will help bind a recipe in a similar way to applesauce. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

How do you keep stuffing moist when cooking? ›

Typically, baking the stuffing inside the bird helps keep the mixture moist. “I prefer stuffing (in the bird) to dressing (outside of the bird) because all those delicious drippings that come off the turkey gets absorbed right into the stuffing,” Bamford says.

How much water do you put in sausage before stuffing? ›

Add at least 1 oz. of water per pound of meat to aid in the stuffing process. This aid in mixing the meat with the seasoning and will ease the stress put on the gears of your meat mixer and sausage stuffer. Try experimenting with liquids other than water when mixing your next batch of sausage.

What do you stuff sausage with? ›

Coat the sausage stuffer tube with vegetable shortening. Then, gently place a casing onto the sausage stuffer tube, ensuring you leave approximately four inches to securely tie off one end. Using the food pusher, feed the meat down and into the casing until about 4-6 inches of the casing remains.

How do you keep sausage casings from breaking when stuffing? ›

Soak the casing in water for at least 5 minutes to make them more pliable and easier to work with.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

It's a matter of preference, but adding a beaten egg to your stuffing mixture acts as a binder and keeps the bread moist.

What is the most expensive stuffing in the world? ›

The “most expensive stuffing in the world” of this gold turkey is made of Japanese pork that costs $475 per pound, and both white and black truffles, while the turkey gravy is infused with a $3,300 bottle of bourbon.

What is the best bread to use for stuffing? ›

Sourdough, Italian, and white bread are standard choices for stuffing; however, journeying beyond your comfort zone can produce excellent results.

Is stuffing better moist or dry? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

Because stuffing is an excellent medium for bacterial growth, it's important to handle it safely and cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer. Here are some common ques- tions consumers ask. Stuffing should not be prepared ahead.

Is it better to freeze stuffing cooked or uncooked? ›

If you want to prepare your stuffing in advance of Thanksgiving, freezing it uncooked will ensure it stays nice and moist. Simply follow the steps of your stuffing recipe, but before baking it, wrap the baking dish in plastic wrap first, then aluminum foil to make it air tight.

Why use an egg as a thickener? ›

Creamy desserts such as crème brûlée also benefit from eggs' ability to emulsify and produce smooth, satiny, hom*ogeneous mixtures. Their ability to hold up to four times their weight in moisture makes eggs a good thickener for sauces, custards and curds. The proteins in eggs coagulate or set at different temperatures.

Why do we need to apply egg yolk in some dressing? ›

Egg yolks are especially recommended for their emulsifying and thickening properties in mayonnaise, salad dressings, ice cream, and baked goods, combined with their coloring properties.

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Stuffing is not strictly a healthy food, because it is typically high in calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates. 1 But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it, All foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation.

Why do people add eggs to everything? ›

Not only do eggs add an element of creamy indulgence, there's even some science behind their joy. “Eggs are a perfect emulsifier and binder so work really well to make many dishes cohesive,” she continues.

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