Classic Homestyle Thanksgiving Sausage Stuffing
Savory Thanksgiving sausage stuffing made with seasoned pork sausage, crisp celery, onions, herbs, and golden baked bread cubes. The ultimate classic holiday side dish for your turkey feast.
Ingredients
- 1 lb sausage (in the tube either plain or sage)
- 12 cups dried bread cubes (1 large loaf white bread cubed or torn and dried)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- The tops of celery with leaves and 1/4 whole onion
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups celery, diced
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped (to taste)
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped (to taste)
- 1 tbsp poultry seasoning (to taste)
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tsp kosher salt (to taste)
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
Ingredients Prep & Toasting
- Heat oven to 200°F. Cut or tear bread into 1–1½ inch cubes. Spread in a single layer across 2 baking pans and toast until dry and lightly golden
- Dice celery, chop onion, and finely chop fresh herbs.
Broth & Sausage
- In a 2-quart saucepan, combine 1 quart low-sodium chicken broth, celery tops with leaves, bay leaves, and ¼ of an onion. Simmer for 10–15 minutes, then strain.
- Brown the sausage in a large skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Remove to a plate with a slotted spatula, reserving the rendered fat in the pan. (Add whole turkey gizzards here if using).
Veggie Base & Mixing
- Melt a stick of unsalted butter and a splash of vegetable oil in the reserved sausage juices over medium-low heat. Cook celery and onion until soft and translucent (do not brown). Stir in herbs, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper until fragrant; remove from heat.
- Place toasted bread in a large mixing bowl. Top with the veggie-herb mix and cooked sausage, then gently fold together.
- Slowly pour the strained broth into the mixture in stages, folding gently until the bread is evenly saturated (use slightly less than 1 quart). Taste and adjust seasonings.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13 baking pan, leaving the top rough (do not press down).
- securely with foil and bake for 20–25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes to brown the top. Serve warm!
