Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (2024)

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Sausage and Herb Stuffing – easy, classic recipe from scratch. The best stuffing recipe cooked outside the turkey and the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (1)

The holidays are here and homemade stuffing is where it’s at. This classic side dish always takes center stage at the Thanksgiving table.

If you usually punt to boxed stuffing, watch the VIDEO – you may be surprised how easy it is to make stuffing from scratach like mom or grandma’s.

Golden cubed bread flavored with sausage, fresh herbs and vegetables – it’s the best stuffing recipe you’ll find.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (2)

what’s in SAUSAGE AND HERB STUFFING?

  • good quality bread (white or french) for bread cubes
  • butter
  • onion
  • celery
  • fresh parsley, sage and thyme
  • salt and black pepper
  • turkey stock
  • bulk sausage

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (3)

how to make bread sausage stuffing:

This is an easy sausage stuffing recipe cooked outside the turkey. Let’s do it!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then butter a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with 1 tablespoon of softened butter and set it aside.

Cut the bread into about 1” cubes then transfer the bread cubes to a rimmed baking sheet in a (mostly) single layer.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (4)

Bake the cubes 30 minutes or until they’re golden and crisp. Let the dry bread cubes cool completely then transfer them to a large bowl.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat then add the onion and celery. Season lightly with salt and pepper and sauté 5-7 minutes or until the onions have softened.

Blend in the parsley, sage and thyme then pour the butter and vegetables over the bread cube mixture letting it cool a few minutes to room temp.

Once the stuffing is cool enough to handle with your hands, break up the (raw) sausage into the bowl.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (5)

Blend in the parsley, sage and thyme then pour the butter and vegetables over the bread cube mixture letting it cool a few minutes to room temp.

Once the stuffing is cool enough to handle with your hands, break up the (raw) sausage into the bowl.

Season lightly with salt then combine using your hands (works better than a spoon).

Slowly add the stock, combining until the cubes are evenly moistened (you don’t want a pool of stock in the bottom of the bowl).

Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish then cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

After 40 minutes uncover and continue baking 15 minutes for a lightly crispy top (the stuffing will stay moist inside).

Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (6)

VARIATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS AND FAQ:

  • It’s sometimes hard to find basic ingredients these days. If you can’t find turkey stock, chicken stock or chicken broth can be used.
  • Jimmy Dean regular pork breakfast sausage is the sausage I always use. It’s a delicious, savory mild sausage that adds great flavor to the stuffing.
  • I recommend fresh herbs instead of dry.
  • I’ve never tried using turkey sausage or chicken sausage, but if that’s what you prefer, I’d love your feedback!

WHAT KIND OF BREAD IS BEST FOR STUFFING?

  • I use a good quality white or French loaf. I’ve even blended white and whole grain with great results.
  • Sourdough bread is another delicious choice.
  • Stale bread (not moldy) or dried out bread will crisp easier and in less time when you cube and bake it (fresh bread takes longer to crisp).

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVERS:

Leftover stuffing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

MORE FAVORITE THANKSGIVING STUFFING RECIPES:

Turkey Gravy – easy recipe with OR without drippings.

Herb-Garlic Air Fryer Turkey Breast – cooks in just 1 hour.

Green Bean Casserole (NO canned soup!) – small batch recipe can easily be doubled.

Brown Butter Honey Glazed Carrots – one of the most popular recipes on the blog – delicious sweet-savory flavor.

Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes – ultra creamy mashed potatoes with gouda cheese.

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole – roasted cauliflower in a creamy 3-cheese sauce.

Slow Cooker Applesauce – easy, 4-ingredient crockpot recipe.

Whether you call it stuffing or sausage dressing, this is truly the best sausage stuffing recipe and always a hit at any holiday dinner.

Enjoy!

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (14)

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Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (15)

Sausage Herb Stuffing

A Gouda Life

Sausage Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe from scratch baked outside the turkey for the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish.

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories

Equipment

  • large baking sheet

  • large bowl

Ingredients

  • 1 pound good quality bread white or French cut into 1” cubes (approx. 10 cups)
  • 1 stick butter + 1 tablespoon for baking dish
  • 1 cup yellow onion chopped
  • 1 cup celery chopped
  • 1/3 cup Italian parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
  • salt and pepper
  • 8 ounces bulk breakfast sausage
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups turkey or chicken stock

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then butter a 9 x 13 glass baking dish with 1 tablespoon of softened butter and set it aside.

  • Cut bread into about 1” cubes then transfer to a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer.

  • Bake the cubes 30 minutes or until they’re golden and crisp. Let the dry bread cubes cool completely then transfer them to a large bowl.

  • While the cubes are toasting, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat then add the onion and celery. Season lightly with salt and pepper and sauté 5-7 minutes or until the onions have softened.

  • Blend in the parsley, sage and thyme then pour the butter and vegetables over the bread cube mixture letting it cool a few minutes to room temp.

  • Once the stuffing is cool enough to handle with your hands, break up the (raw) sausage into the bowl.

  • Blend in the parsley, sage and thyme then pour the butter and vegetables over the bread cube mixture letting it cool a few minutes to room temp.

  • Once the stuffing is cool enough to handle with your hands, break up the (raw) sausage into the bowl.

  • Season lightly with salt then blend using your hands (I find this works better than a spoon).Slowly add the stock, combining until the cubes are evenly moistened (you don’t want excess stock in the bottom of the bowl).

  • Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish then cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

  • After 40 minutes uncover and continue baking 15 minutes for a lightly crispy top (the stuffing will stay moist inside).

  • Remove from the oven and serve warm.

Keyword thanksgiving stuffing, sausage herb stuffing, classic stuffing, traditional bread sausage stuffing, easy stuffing recipe, best stuffing recipe, best thanksgiving side

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life (2024)

FAQs

Sausage and Herb Stuffing - easy, classic recipe - A Gouda Life? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

Should I put eggs in my stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

Can I mix up my stuffing the night before? ›

Absolutely. Most Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made at least partially in advance since: A) They're easily assembled a day or two ahead of Thanksgiving Day; and B) They're often baked using a two-step process (once covered with foil to cook through, then uncovered to achieve a crispy top).

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.

How long does uncooked sausage meat stuffing last in the fridge? ›

Do not refrigerate uncooked stuffing. If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.

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.

How moist should stuffing be before baking? ›

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.

Can I refrigerate stuffing overnight before baking? ›

USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing. Why? Remember, stuffing can harbor bacteria, and though bacteria grow slower in the refrigerator they can cause problems because stuffing is a good medium for bacteria growth, therefore a higher risk food in terms of cooking safely.

Can you eat stuffing cold the next day? ›

If the turkey and stuffing were cooked and refrigerated separately, both should be safe. Keep these cold foods cold and refrigerate them immediately upon arrival at home (always within 2 hours). Serve the meal within 3 to 4 days. Do not reheat a whole cooked turkey.

Why is my sausage stuffer hard to turn? ›

Stuffer is hard to crank:

Sausage mixture has become too stiff. Add water to mix. Add lubricant (mineral oil or vegetable oil) to the Piston Gasket and the interior of the Cylinder.

What makes sausage moist? ›

Properly salting the pork and letting it rest for eight hours in the refrigerator allows the meat to retain moisture and ensures the cooked sausage will have a juicy, springy texture.

Can you freeze uncooked sausage stuffing? ›

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.

Is it OK to reheat sausage meat stuffing? ›

If you're looking for the best way to reheat your stuffing leftovers, the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen recommends reheating it in a pan on the stovetop. Not only will this ensure the crispiest result, it's also one of the fastest methods!

Can I eat sausage that has been in the fridge for a week? ›

Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 °F or less). Hard or dry sausage (such as pepperoni and Genoa salami), whole and unopened, can be stored indefinitely in the refrigerator or for up to six weeks in the pantry.

What can I use instead of egg to bind stuffing? ›

Some common egg substitutes include:
  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. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

How do you keep stuffing from falling apart? ›

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.

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.

References

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