Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing

This Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing is the ultimate holiday side dish, bursting with savory sausage, sweet-tart cranberries, and the warm, nutty crunch of pecans. It’s a comforting classic that brings everyone to the table.

Imagine a golden-brown, perfectly baked stuffing with layers of delightful textures and a fragrance that fills your home with the spirit of the season.

Recipe Details

• Flavor Profile: Savory, herby, slightly sweet, with a hint of tang.
• Texture Profile: A delightful mix of tender bread cubes, crispy edges, chewy cranberries, and crunchy nuts, all held together by a savory custard.
• Total Active Time: Approximately 30 minutes.
• Total Bake Time: 45-50 minutes.
• Difficulty Level: Easy – perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.

What You’ll Need

To create this beautiful Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing, you’ll need your favorite hearty bread, savory sausage, aromatic vegetables, sweet cranberries, crunchy nuts, a flavorful broth, eggs for binding, and a medley of fresh herbs.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes on the key ingredients that make this stuffing so special:

• Sausage – Mild Italian turkey sausage or beef sausage provides a savory, slightly spiced base. Make sure to remove the casings for easy crumbling.
• Bread Cubes – Day-old sourdough or white bread works best. It absorbs the liquid beautifully without becoming mushy. Cutting it into 1/2-inch cubes is ideal.
• Butter – Unsalted butter is perfect for sautéing the aromatics and adds a rich flavor.
• Cranberries – Dried cranberries offer a lovely burst of sweetness and a slight chewiness that complements the savory elements.
• Nuts – Chopped pecans or walnuts add a wonderful nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch. Toasting them beforehand can enhance their flavor even more.
• Chicken Broth – Low-sodium chicken broth is used to moisten the stuffing and infuse it with flavor.
• Fresh Herbs – Sage, thyme, and parsley bring a fresh, aromatic depth that is quintessential to holiday stuffing.

Add-ins and Substitutions

While this Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing is wonderfully delicious as is, feel free to customize it to your liking:

• Add an Apple: For a touch of sweetness and a different kind of tartness, consider adding one finely diced apple along with the onions and celery.
• Different Nuts: If pecans or walnuts aren’t your favorite, chopped almonds or even toasted sunflower seeds could be interesting alternatives.
• A Touch of Spice: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic can provide a gentle warmth.
• Vegetable Variations: You could also add finely diced mushrooms or leeks for extra depth of flavor.

How to Make Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing

This stuffing comes together with simple steps, making it an approachable dish for any occasion.

1. Prepare and Preheat: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. This usually takes about 6-8 minutes. Once done, transfer the cooked sausage to a large bowl. Add the dried bread cubes and dried cranberries to this same bowl.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: Melt the butter in the same skillet you used for the sausage. Add the diced yellow onion and celery and sauté them until they are tender and translucent. Then, stir in the minced garlic, chopped sage, chopped thyme, and your salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about one minute more, until fragrant.
4. Combine Ingredients: Add the sautéed vegetables to the large bowl with the sausage, bread cubes, and cranberries. Gently mix in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
5. Add the Liquid Binder: In a separate, smaller bowl, whisk together the low-sodium chicken broth and the beaten eggs until well combined. Pour this mixture over the bread mixture in the large bowl. Toss everything gently with a spoon or your hands, ensuring that all the bread cubes are nicely coated.
6. First Bake (Covered): Transfer the stuffing mixture into your prepared baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.

7. Second Bake (Uncovered): After 30 minutes, carefully remove the aluminum foil from the baking dish. Continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top of the stuffing is beautifully golden brown and has a delightful crispy texture.

   Pro Tip: Don’t overmix once you add the liquid. Gently tossing ensures the bread doesn’t turn to mush, but keeps its structure for that perfect stuffing texture.

Recipe Tips

Here are a few helpful tips to ensure your Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing turns out perfectly every time:

• Bread is Key: Using day-old bread is crucial. Fresh bread can become too soft and gummy when baked.
• Don’t Skimp on Browning: Ensure the sausage is well-browned for maximum flavor. This caramelization adds a wonderful depth.
• Even Coating: Gently toss the bread mixture with the liquid to ensure even moisture distribution. This prevents dry spots and soggy areas.
• Crispy Top: The final uncovered bake is essential for achieving that sought-after crispy, golden-brown top. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning, but aim for that beautiful color.
• Pan Prep: A lightly greased baking dish prevents the stuffing from sticking, making serving a breeze.

FAQs

• Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried?
  While fresh cranberries can be used, they will likely pop open and release more liquid when baked. If you choose to use fresh, you might need to reduce the amount of chicken broth slightly and cook them down a bit with the onions and celery. Dried cranberries offer a more consistent texture and sweetness for this recipe.
• What kind of bread is best for stuffing?
  Stale, dense breads like sourdough, French bread, challah, or even a good quality white bread work very well. The key is that the bread is dry enough to absorb the liquid without disintegrating.
• How do I know if the stuffing is done?
  The stuffing is done when the top is golden brown and crisp, and the center is heated through. You can insert a knife to test for tenderness, but the visual cues of a golden top are usually the best indicator.
• Can I make this vegetarian?
  Yes! You can omit the sausage entirely. Consider adding more sautéed mushrooms or a bit of extra celery and onion for more texture and flavor. You might also want to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Serving Suggestions

This Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing is a crowd-pleaser that pairs wonderfully with a variety of holiday favorites:

• Roasted Meats: It’s the perfect accompaniment to roasted turkey, chicken, or a succulent beef roast.
• Gravy: A generous drizzle of homemade gravy is always a welcome addition.
• Mashed Potatoes: For an ultimate comfort food experience, serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes.
• Green Beans: A simple side of steamed or roasted green beans offers a fresh contrast.
• Cranberry Sauce: While there are cranberries in the stuffing, a side of whole berry cranberry sauce can add another layer of festive flavor.

Make This Recipe in Advance

This Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing is a great make-ahead dish to simplify your holiday preparations.

• Prep Ahead: You can prepare the stuffing mixture (up to step 5) a day in advance. Store the dry ingredients and the sautéed vegetable/sausage mixture separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, combine them, add the liquid, and proceed with the recipe, noting it might need a few extra minutes to bake if the mixture is chilled.
• Fully Assembled: You can also assemble the entire stuffing in the baking dish (up to step 6) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove it from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before baking to allow it to come to room temperature, then bake as directed, potentially adding a few extra minutes to the initial covered bake if needed.

Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing

---

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 10-12 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

This Festive Sausage Cranberry Stuffing is a delightful holiday side dish, combining savory sausage, sweet-tart cranberries, fresh herbs, and crunchy nuts for a comforting and celebratory meal. It offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors with a moist interior and a crispy golden-brown topping.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

1 lb mild Italian turkey sausage or beef sausage, casing removed
10 cups dried sourdough or white bread cubes
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
2.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

---

Instructions

Warm your oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light greasing.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the turkey sausage until browned and crumbled, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer it to a large bowl along with the bread cubes and dried cranberries.

Melt the butter in the same skillet. Saut the onion and celery until tender, then stir in the garlic, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper for one minute.

Add the cooked vegetables to the bread bowl and mix in the chopped pecans.

Combine the chicken broth and beaten eggs, then pour this mixture over the bread. Toss gently to ensure everything is nicely coated.

Place the stuffing into your prepared baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.

Take off the foil and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes, or until the top is beautifully crispy and golden.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Side Dish
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: Estimate not provided
• Fat: Estimate not provided
• Carbohydrates: Estimate not provided
• Protein: Estimate not provided