When you think about Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? For many of us, it’s the turkey, the family gatherings, and of course, the stuffing. It’s that one dish that truly completes the holiday table. We have one of the great Stuffing Recipes Thanksgiving needs.
This recipe is more than just bread and seasoning. It’s a wonderful blend of savory sage sausage, sweet apples, and crunchy walnuts. It’s comforting, full of flavor, and surprisingly simple to put together. It might just become your new family tradition.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
So, what makes this one of the Best Thanksgiving Stuffing recipes you will find? Let me tell you, it’s all about the balance. The savory notes from the sage sausage are a classic holiday flavor everyone loves.
Then, you get a little surprise. The chopped apples add a touch of sweetness and moisture that cuts through the richness. It is a wonderful combination that keeps every bite interesting. You will not find a dry stuffing here.
The textures are also fantastic. You get the soft, savory bread cubes, the hearty sausage, the tender apples, and the lovely crunch from toasted walnuts. This is a stuffing that feels thoughtful and full of goodness.
Best of all, this is one of those stuffing recipes that is really straightforward. You do not need any special kitchen gadgets or complicated techniques. It is a reliable dish, perfect for a busy cooking day.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather. These simple ingredients come together to create one of the most delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes. It is all about quality and flavor.
- One 16 ounce bag stuffing cubes
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan and topping
- 1 pound fresh sage chicken sausage, casings removed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cooking apples, such as Gravenstein, Rome, or Golden Delicious, peeled, cored, and chopped
- 1 to 2 ribs celery with leaves, chopped
- Kosher salt
- 3 cups chicken broth, homemade or low sodium canned
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
- 1/2 cup walnut pieces, toasted
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to make some magic? Follow these simple steps for one of the most satisfying Stuffing Recipes Thanksgiving has ever seen. We will walk through it together. It’s easier than you think.
Step 1: Prepare The Basics
First things first, preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. This ensures it is ready to go when your stuffing is assembled. Grab a large 3 quart casserole dish and butter it generously. This prevents sticking.
Now, take your stuffing cubes and pour them into a very large bowl. You need plenty of room for mixing later on, so do not be shy with the bowl size. Set this aside for a moment.
Step 2: Cook The Sausage And Veggies
Place a large skillet over medium high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into smaller crumbles as it cooks. You want it to lose its pink color.
This should take about 5 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it, as you want it to remain tender. Once done, transfer the sausage and all those tasty pan drippings into the bowl with the stuffing cubes.
Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet. Add the chopped onion, apple, and celery. Sprinkle in about a half teaspoon of salt. Cook this mixture, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften up. This usually takes around 5 minutes.
Step 3: Combine Everything Beautifully
Pour the chicken broth and chopped parsley into the skillet with the vegetables. Bring this mixture to a boil. The aroma at this point is just incredible. It smells just like the holidays should.
Carefully pour this hot vegetable and broth mixture over the stuffing cubes and sausage in your large bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss everything together until the cubes are evenly moistened.
Next, mix in the toasted walnuts and the beaten eggs. The eggs are important as they act as a binder, helping the stuffing hold its shape. Keep mixing until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Bake To Golden Perfection
Transfer the stuffing mixture to your prepared casserole dish. Pack it in loosely. You do not want to press it down too hard, as that can make it dense. A loose pack helps create a fluffy texture.
Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes. You are looking for the top to form a nice, light crust. This is the first stage of baking for our favorite Stuffing Recipes Thanksgiving dish.
After 40 minutes, carefully take it out. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of melted butter or, even better, some turkey pan drippings over the top. This adds so much flavor and helps the top get extra crispy.
Return the dish to the oven and bake for about 20 more minutes. The stuffing is done when the top is beautifully crisp and golden brown. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your amazing creation!
How To Store Leftovers
Let’s be honest, leftover stuffing is one of the best parts of the holiday. To store it, first let the stuffing cool completely to room temperature. This is an important step to prevent sogginess.
Once cool, transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When you want to reheat it, you can use the microwave for a quick warm up or the oven for a crispier top.
For oven reheating, place the stuffing in an oven safe dish, add a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist, and bake at 350 degrees F until warmed through. It is one of the best Thanksgiving Food Ideas for days after the feast.
Tips
Want to make this Best Thanksgiving Stuffing even better? Here are a few simple tips. First, toasting your nuts is a small step with a big payoff. Just spread them on a baking sheet and toast them in a 350 degree F oven.
It only takes about 7 minutes, and it really deepens their flavor. Keep a close eye on them because nuts can burn quickly. You will know they are ready when they are fragrant and slightly golden.
When it comes to timing, you can put the stuffing in the oven during the last hour the turkey is cooking. This is a great way to manage your oven space on a busy day. Everything will finish around the same time.
Feel free to use different types of bread cubes if you like. Sourdough or cornbread would add a lovely new dimension to these stuffing recipes. This recipe is a great base for your own creative touches.
Conclusion
There you have it. A truly delicious and satisfying addition to your holiday table. This is more than just another recipe. It is one of those fantastic Thanksgiving Food Ideas that brings everyone together.
The combination of savory sausage, sweet apple, and toasted walnuts makes it stand out from other Thanksgiving Side Dishes. It is a dish that feels special but is easy enough for any home cook to make.
We hope this becomes one of your go to Stuffing Recipes Thanksgiving celebrations can count on for years to come. Happy cooking, and enjoy the wonderful holiday feast with your loved ones.
FAQ
Can I Prepare This Stuffing Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely. To save time, you can assemble the entire stuffing a day in advance. Prepare it up to the point of baking, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
You might need to add 10 to 15 minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from a colder temperature. It is a great way to reduce stress on Thanksgiving day, making it one of the most practical stuffing recipes.
What Are The Best Apples For This Recipe?
You want to use a firm cooking apple that holds its shape and provides a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors. Gravenstein, Rome, or Golden Delicious are excellent choices. Honeycrisp or Braeburn would also work well.
Avoid apples that get mushy when cooked, like Red Delicious. The apple pieces should be tender but distinct in the final dish. This is a key part of what makes it one of the Best Thanksgiving Stuffing options.
Is There A Vegetarian Alternative?
Of course. To make this a vegetarian dish, you can simply omit the sausage. To add a similar savory depth, consider adding sautéed mushrooms. About a pound of cremini or shiitake mushrooms would be lovely.
Also, be sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. With these simple swaps, you will have a wonderful vegetarian version of these Stuffing Recipes Thanksgiving guests will love. Everyone gets to enjoy this holiday classic.
Savory Sausage Apple Stuffing
This comforting stuffing combines savory sage sausage, sweet apples, and crunchy walnuts for a wonderfully flavorful holiday side. Simple to prepare, it might just become your new family tradition.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Generously butter a large 3 quart casserole dish. Pour stuffing cubes into a very large bowl. Set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken sausage; use a wooden spoon to break it up into smaller crumbles as it cooks until it loses its pink color (about 5 minutes). Transfer sausage and all pan drippings to the bowl with the stuffing cubes.
- Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet. Add the chopped onion, apple, and celery. Sprinkle in about a half teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften (around 5 minutes).
- Pour the chicken broth and chopped parsley into the skillet with the vegetables. Bring this mixture to a boil.
- Carefully pour the hot vegetable and broth mixture over the stuffing cubes and sausage in your large bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently toss everything together until the cubes are evenly moistened.
- Next, mix in the toasted walnuts and the beaten eggs. Keep mixing until everything is well combined and the eggs act as a binder.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to your prepared casserole dish. Pack it in loosely; avoid pressing it down too hard to maintain a fluffy texture.
- Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes, until the top forms a nice, light crust.
- After 40 minutes, carefully remove from the oven. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of melted butter or turkey pan drippings over the top.
- Return the dish to the oven and bake for about 20 more minutes, until the top is beautifully crisp and golden brown. Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your amazing creation!
Notes
For a deeper flavor, spread walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for about 7 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Watch closely to prevent burning.
To optimize oven space on a busy holiday, this stuffing can be baked during the last hour of your turkey’s cooking time.
Feel free to customize by using different bread cubes, such as sourdough or cornbread, to add unique dimensions to this recipe.
To store leftovers, allow the stuffing to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
For reheating, use the microwave for a quick warm-up or the oven at 350°F with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and achieve a crispy top.
This stuffing can be assembled a day in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate. Allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking, adding 10-15 minutes to the overall baking time.
Select firm cooking apples like Gravenstein, Rome, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn, as they hold their shape and offer a balanced sweet-tart flavor. Avoid varieties that become mushy when cooked.
For a vegetarian version, simply omit the sausage and consider adding about a pound of sautéed cremini or shiitake mushrooms for savory depth. Be sure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
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