Midwest Sausage and Dried Cherry Stuffing
🕒 Cook Time: 1 hour
🕒 Prep Time: 1 hour
🕒 Total Time: 2 hours
Description:
Indulge in the heartwarming flavors of the Midwest with this delightful Sausage and Dried Cherry Stuffing recipe. Perfect for festive occasions like Christmas or Thanksgiving, this savory dish combines the richness of pork sausage with the sweet tanginess of dried cherries, creating a symphony of flavors that will delight your taste buds. Whether you choose to bake it inside the turkey or separately, this stuffing is sure to become a beloved tradition at your holiday table.
Recipe Category:
Christmas
Keywords:
Thanksgiving, Weeknight, < 4 Hours
Ingredients:
- 6 cups bulk pork sausage
- 1 stick butter
- 1/2 cup onions, diced
- 2 cups celery, diced
- 4 sage leaves, chopped
- 2 1/2 tsp thyme leaves
- 1 1/2 cups dried cherries
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 loaf bread, cubed
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
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Sauté the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the bulk pork sausage until browned, ensuring it’s fully cooked. Once done, drain the excess grease and transfer the sausage to a large bread bowl, setting it aside for later.
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Prepare the Vegetables: In the same skillet, melt the stick of butter, then add diced onions, celery, chopped sage leaves, and thyme leaves. Sauté the vegetables for approximately 10 minutes, or until they become soft and fragrant. Once done, remove the vegetables from the skillet and transfer them to a separate bowl.
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Combine Ingredients: In the bowl with the cooked sausage, add the sautéed vegetables, dried cherries, chopped walnuts, and cubed bread. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
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Moisten the Mixture: Gradually add chicken broth to the bread mixture, ensuring it’s just enough to moisten the ingredients without making them too soggy. Be cautious not to overdo it, as you want the stuffing to have a moist texture without being overly wet.
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Stuff the Turkey (Optional): If you prefer to bake the stuffing inside the turkey, loosely pack the stuffing into the neck and cavity of the bird, folding the neck skin under and securing it with a skewer. Ensure the stuffing is packed lightly to allow for even cooking.
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Bake the Turkey: Roast the stuffed turkey in the oven preheated to 325°F (165°C), allowing approximately 15 minutes of cooking time per pound of turkey. Ensure the internal temperature of the bird reaches 170°F (77°C), and the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced with a fork. Once cooked, let the turkey rest for at least 20 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.
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Bake Separately: If you choose to bake the stuffing separately, lightly pack it into a large, shallow baking dish. Drizzle a small amount of chicken broth over the top to keep it moist during baking.
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Bake the Stuffing: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for 20 to 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Then, uncover the dish and bake for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a golden brown crust on top.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once baked to perfection, serve the Midwest Sausage and Dried Cherry Stuffing alongside your favorite holiday dishes, and watch as your guests indulge in its irresistible flavors. This stuffing is sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions for years to come.
Embrace the warmth of the Midwest with every mouthful of this delectable Sausage and Dried Cherry Stuffing, where savory meets sweet in perfect harmony. Whether enjoyed alongside roast turkey or as a standalone dish, this recipe is bound to be a hit at your next festive gathering!
