This is the best sausage stuffing recipe for a Thanksgiving turkey. In fact, I would say it is the best stuffing recipe of all stuffing recipes. The recipe is a basic herb stuffing enhanced by the flavor of sausage. It’s loaded with all the textures and flavors that make Thanksgiving a favorite fall meal.My very favorite thing about this stuffing is the little sweet surprises baked within. Dried cranberries and crisp, Golden Delicious apple chunks lighten the savory sausage and herbs flavors beautifully. It’s really a meal all on its own.
Ingredients for Sausage Stuffing
Thanksgiving without stuffing is like Christmas without cocoa! This Cranberry Sausage Stuffing is the perfect dish to serve alongside a plump, juicy bird and all the fixings. Oven-baked bread cubes, succulent sausage, and a hint of sweet cranberries and apples make this a treat your guests will ask for again and again.
Bread loaf – Day-old bread is the best! It has a crunchy outer layer and soft inside. We used both whole wheat and white bread cubed. Sage pork sausage – We love Bob Evans brand. It already has the flavor in the premium pork and has the best protein percentage. Jimmy Dean also a sage sausage as well. Italian sausage can be used, but we love the extra sage flavoring in sage sausage. Vegetables – Chop your onion and celery stalks the same size to help cook it evenly. Seasonings – Combine together fresh sage leaves, fresh chopped rosemary, flat-leaf parsley, and fresh thyme – dried or freshly chopped seasonings work well. Golden Delicious apple – Core and chop an apple to add to the pan. Cranberries – Dried cranberries or craisins add in a sweet and soft texture to the stuffing. Unsalted butter – Melt in the microwave for the stuffing mixture. Turkey stock – Adds in moisture and helps bring flavor when stirred together. Nuts – Almonds or walnuts or any kind of nut, need to be chopped in a food processor. Salt and black pepper – Add to taste!
Substitutions and Additions to Sausage Stuffing
Bread Varieties – Pick your favorite bread that is in your home. French bread, Italian bread, sourdough bread, brioche, or challah bread. These are all high-quality breads that are crunchy and add flavor to the stuffing. Apple varieties – We like using golden delicious apples but you can also use Fuji, pink lady, Jonagold, or even Granny Smith apples. Egg – Try adding and egg to the mix, eggs are binding and can hold the stuffing together nicely. Chicken broth – Chicken broth is a great liquid to substitute for turkey stock. Mushrooms – Add some sautéed mushrooms to the stuffing for another flavor profile Garlic – Roast up some garlic cloves, mash them, and add it to the stuffing for a brighter, more garlic-y flavor.
How to Toast the Bread for Sausage Stuffing
In my mind, there’s nothing worse than soggy, flavorless bread stuffing. This sausage stuffing is gloriously golden brown with just the right amount of flavor and texture. The secret? Toast the bread cubes in the oven for a little bit! This will give your bread a crispy outer crust with a tender inside and allows the herbs and flavors to adhere to the bread pieces. It is so delicious and never soggy! The method is so easy, and it is cheaper than buying bread cubes that have already been dried. All you have to do is cut bread into cubes. I like to use a combination of white and wheat bread. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a sheet pan. Bake 5-7 minutes at 350-degrees or until evenly toasted. That’s it!
Make Sausage Stuffing Ahead of Time
This stuffing is one of a kind and the best holiday side dish! It is perfect to make ahead and you can prepare the stuffing in a baking dish. Place all the ingredients into a casserole or baking dish. Wrap with plastic wrap or cover with foil and store in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Once you are ready to bake, let thaw to room temperature, then bake.
More Delicious Stuffing Recipes
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
We have loads of Thanksgiving side dishes like this cranberry sausage stuffing. Here are some of out favorites:
Gluten Free Stuffing
Cornbread Dressing
Thanksgiving Stuffing with Bacon
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Homemade Mashed Potatoes
Turkey Gravy
Sweet Potato Casserole
Dinner Rolls
How to Make Sausage Stuffing
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