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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Video

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

How to make stuffing Gordon Ramsay? ›

Make the stuffing, melt butter in a large frying pan and gently sauté onion and garlic for five minutes until soft. Stir in the herbs for one minute then add breadcrumbs to absorb butter. Mix in zest, pine nuts and seasoning and cook over medium heat for about seven minutes until crumbs start to brown and crisp.

How much water to add to sausage before stuffing? ›

Add at least 1 oz. of water per pound of meat to aid in the stuffing process.

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

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

Do you use the blade when stuffing sausage? ›

Spacer Plates are 2-hole plates, primarily used with a stuffing tube to stuff casings. When used for this purpose remove the grinding knife.

How to make stuffing jamie oliver? ›

Tear the stale bread into small chunks and whiz into breadcrumbs. Add these to the bowl, then crush and crumble in the chestnuts. Place the diced pork into the food processor, pick in the sage leaves, roughly chop and add the bacon, followed by 1 level teaspoon of white pepper and a good pinch of sea salt.

How can I enhance the flavor of sausage? ›

Ground spices are the best choice when making your own seasoning as they provide an even flavour throughout the sausages. Add a total of 4 teaspoons (7 grams) of your favourite herbs and spices into a bowl and mix all the ingredients together with a spoon. Experiment with different combinations to find your favourite.

Why is my sausage stuffer hard to turn? ›

I also found the smaller the stuffing tube used, the harder it becomes. Try putting less product in the stuffer. This should reduces some of the pressure.

How to make sausage taste better? ›

Seasonings, spices and herbs are added to give the sausages extra flavour. Small pieces of cooked apple, caramelised onions or other ingredients that pair well with pork can also be added to create interesting varieties.

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Turkey stuffing was popularized in the early days of Thanksgiving, as it is written in many 16th-century Boston area documents. Stuffing most often uses dried bread, herbs, and vegetables that are reconstituted with liquid, stuffed into the turkey cavity, and baked until it is firm and finished cooking.

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.

Is it okay to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

Why does the casing of sausage keep breaking when stuffing? ›

During the filling process, if the sausage mix is stuffed too tightly into the casings there would be no room for expansion when cooking and also when linking the skins – and they would be at their maximum capacity. One other cause would be placing a sausage into a piping hot frying pan.

Are you supposed to cook the stuffing before putting it in? ›

Fully cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood ingredients before adding to stuffing. Combine the ingredients and place them in your bird immediately before cooking. Don't stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. In addition to the turkey, the stuffing's center needs to reach 165 F.

Is it better to make stuffing with fresh or dry bread? ›

Any attempts to make stuffing with soft, fresh baked bread will result in a bread soup with a soggy texture. Follow this tip: Stale, dried-out bread makes the best stuffing.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

It's all about personal preference. If you want a sturdier dressing, eggs can help do that. I don't use eggs in this recipe, though, because I like a lighter, more crumbly texture in my dressing.

What's the difference between stuffing and filling? ›

Although most people in America debate on whether the dish should be called stuffing or dressing the people of Pennsylvania call it filling. Essentially filling is the same as stuffing or dressing. The name suggests that it will fill something like stuffing does.

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