Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe (2024)

Published: by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

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Everyone needs a good apple sausage stuffing recipe that always turns out delicious. This dish would be the perfect side for Thanksgiving. Follow along for all my tips to make a delicious stuffing!

Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe (1)

Have you check out our Thanksgiving recipe collection? Our homemade stuffing recipe and spiced turkey are family favorites and we love serving them with garlic mashed potatoes or cheesyscalloped potatoes and top it all with homemade turkey gravy! This sausage stuffing is another favorite that shows up at our Thanksgiving table year after year!

Table Of Contents:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Serving suggestions
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Variations
  • Notes and tips
  • More Thanksgiving recipes
  • Step-by-Step Recipe

Ingredients

Sausage - I used chicken sausage for this recipe, but you can also use pork sausage if preferred.

Onion and celery - This would be the base of the stuffing. Make sure to chop the vegetables finely.

Apples - Granny Smith apples work best for this recipe because of their slight sourness.

Herbs - You need parsley and thyme to make apple sausage stuffing. If fresh thyme isn't available, you can use dried thyme.

Croutons - When it comes to croutons, both homemade and store-bought would work.

Stock - You can use either vegetable or chicken stock. Check out this homemade stock recipe if you'd like to make it from scratch.

Instructions

  • Start by cooking the chicken sausage over medium high heat until browned and cooked. Break the sausage into crumbles as you cook it. Transfer the browned sausage to a plate and set it aside.
  • In the same pan, cook onions, celery and apples. Add in the spices, salt and pepper. Add the cooked sausage back to the pan and stir to combine.
  • Add the croutons and stir well.
  • Mix in the chicken stock and transfer everything to an oven safe dish and bake in the oven at 350 degrees F until crispy on top, about 30 minutes.
Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe (2)

Serving suggestions

As stuffing is part of a the Thanksgiving meal, it's usually served alongside roasted turkey or herbed turkey breast. If you don't have enough drippings, try my turkey gravy without drippings. Of course, you can't forget the cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole and creamy mashed potatoes. It's once a year but it's a good one!

Frequently asked questions

Do you cook stuffing inside the turkey?

I always cook the stuffing separately either in a pan on stove top or in a dish in the oven. Cooking stuffing inside the turkey keeps too long and also might make the turkey a bit dry. Therefore it's always safer to cook it separately.

Do you cook stuffing covered or uncovered?

I usually cook the stuffing uncovered so it gets that crispy top that I love the most. You can also bake it covered for 30 minutes and uncovered for the last ten minutes.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can make stuffing up to two days in advance. Cook the sausage, onions, celery and apples with the spices, mix with croutons and chicken stock. Transfer the mixture to an oven safe dish and cover tightly. Refrigerate until ready to cook and then cook for 30 minutes at 350F.

Can I freeze stuffing?

Yes, stuffing keeps well in the freezer for up to three months. Store stuffing in an airtight container and freeze. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven at 350F for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Variations

You can elevate this easy stuffing recipe quite simply:

  • Sausage apple cranberry :leave the celery out and add cranberries instead. This one would have a tart flavor that would be perfect with apples.
  • Apple stuffing:leave out the sausage and use sage to add more flavor.
  • Vegetarian :use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
  • Turkey sausage stuffing recipe:Leave out the chicken sausage and use turkey sausage instead.
Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe (3)

Notes and tips

  • You can use either store bought or homemade croutons. Store bought croutons are usually smaller and yield a denser stuffing whereas homemade croutons usually make a more sparse stuffing.
  • Any kind of sausage would work in this recipe so go with what you love most. I personally prefer chicken or turkey sausage and award bonus points if it's spiced.
  • Don't want to use the oven? Just cover the pan after adding the chicken stock and turn the heat to medium low and let the stuffing cook for 25 to 30 minutes.
  • I used granny smith apples for this recipe because of the sweet and tart flavor they bring to the dish. Honeycrisp or pink lady apples would work very well, too. The apple should be crisp and not soft.

More Thanksgiving recipes

  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes
  • Baked Sweet Potato Recipe
  • Roasted Acorn Squash
  • Mediterranean Stuffed Acorn Squash

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

Step-by-Step Recipe

Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe (8)

Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe

Shadi HasanzadeNemati

Everyone needs a good Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe that always turns out delicious. This recipe is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings 8 servings

Calories 253 kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 oz chicken sausage
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 Granny Smith apples diced
  • ½ cup parsley chopped
  • 2 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoon maple syrup optional
  • 6 cup croutons homemade or store-bought
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock More if needed

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F. Coat an oven safe dish (9X9 or 9X13) with non stick spray.

  • Place a large pan over medium heat. Once heated, cook the chicken sausage and break it into pieces as you cook. Transfer the cooked sausage to a plate. Set aside.

  • In the same pan, melt the butter and add the olive oil. Sauté the onion and celery until translucent.

  • Add in the diced apples and cook for 5 minutes.

  • Add in the cooked sausage, parsley, thyme, salt, smoked paprika and maple syrup if using. Stir well so that everything is combined.

  • Mix in the croutons and stir well.

  • Mix in chicken stock using a wooden spoon.

  • Transfer the stuffing to the oven safe dish. Make sure everything is well combined.

  • Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until golden brown and crispy on top.

Notes

  1. You can use either store bought or homemade croutons. Store bought croutons are usually smaller and yield a denser stuffing whereas homemade croutons usually make a more sparse stuffing.
  2. Any kind of sausage would work in this recipe so go with what you love most. I personally prefer chicken or turkey sausage and award bonus points if it's spiced.
  3. Don't want to use the oven? Just cover the pan after adding the chicken stock and turn the heat to medium low and let the stuffing cook for 25 to 30 minutes.
  4. I used granny smith apples for this recipe because of the sweet and tart flavor they bring to the dish. Honeycrisp or pink lady apples would work very well, too. The apple should be crisp and not soft.
  5. You can use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. Also, turkey broth would work great, too.
  6. If you like all parts of the stuffing to be soft and not crispy, cover the dish with an aluminum foil and then bake in the oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 596mgPotassium: 209mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 635IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

More Thanksgiving Recipes

  • Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini Sauce
  • Best Holiday Recipes: Main Dishes
  • Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes Recipe with Rosemary and Pomegranate

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ashley

    Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe (13)
    I don't really love traditional stuffing so I love the addition of apple and sausage in this one. It's always a favorite!

    Reply

    • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

      Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

  2. Karly

    Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe (14)
    Oh my, this apple sausage stuffing was fantastic! I'm glad I tested it out before the holiday season because I am DEFINITELY serving this now!

    Reply

    • Shadi HasanzadeNemati

      Sausage stuffing is great for the holidays!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Apple Sausage Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

How soggy 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.

Is it OK to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

What is sausage stuffing made of? ›

A mixture of sage, sausage, onion, garlic, and celery lends this stuffing classic flavor.

What can you use as a binder instead of eggs in stuffing? ›

16 egg substitutes
  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. Fruit puree will help bind a recipe in a similar way to applesauce. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

What can I substitute for eggs in stuffing? ›

Best Egg Substitutes
  • Flaxseed Meal. Flaxseeds have an earthy, nutty flavor and are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Chia Seeds. ...
  • Mashed Banana. ...
  • Applesauce. ...
  • Silken Tofu. ...
  • Aquafaba. ...
  • Starches. ...
  • Vinegar + Baking Powder.

Can you prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time and refrigerate? ›

If you don't plan on stuffing the bird, but preparing the dressing as a side dish, you can prepare uncooked stuffing ahead of time as long as you freeze the stuffing immediately after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing.

Can you mess up stuffing? ›

Your Bread Is Too Fresh

There's nothing better than soft, fresh bread—except for when it comes to stuffing. If you want your stuffing to hold up and not end up a soupy, soggy mess, make sure your bread is dried out or staled for a few days.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

It's a matter of preference, but adding a beaten egg to your stuffing mixture acts as a binder and keeps the bread moist.

Why can't you refrigerate uncooked stuffing? ›

Because stuffing is an excellent medium for bacterial growth, it's important to handle it safely and cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature as measured with a food thermometer. Here are some common ques- tions consumers ask. Stuffing should not be prepared ahead.

Can you use week old bread for stuffing? ›

In fact, using stale bread and fresh bread will both leave you with equal amounts of mush. The longstanding tip to use old, stale bread for the perfect stuffing is actually a myth. Letting bread go stale doesn't actually dry it out. After sitting out on your counter, bread goes through the process of retrogradation.

Can I make stuffing the night before and reheat? ›

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.

Why use a sausage stuffer? ›

You will be surprised how easy it is to stuff your seasoned ground meat into sausage casings with a sausage stuffer. You can use your meat grinder with stuffing tubes to stuff your sausages, but a sausage stuffer is easier to control, especially if you are doing large batches of sausage.

How long is sausage stuffing good for? ›

Stuffing/dressing: If stored properly in the fridge, stuffing or dressing is good to eat up to three to four days after you cooked it.

Why use an egg as a thickener? ›

Creamy desserts such as crème brûlée also benefit from eggs' ability to emulsify and produce smooth, satiny, hom*ogeneous mixtures. Their ability to hold up to four times their weight in moisture makes eggs a good thickener for sauces, custards and curds. The proteins in eggs coagulate or set at different temperatures.

How do you keep stuffing moist? ›

Typically, baking the stuffing inside the bird helps keep the mixture moist. “I prefer stuffing (in the bird) to dressing (outside of the bird) because all those delicious drippings that come off the turkey gets absorbed right into the stuffing,” Bamford says.

Why do we need to apply egg yolk in some dressing? ›

Egg yolks are especially recommended for their emulsifying and thickening properties in mayonnaise, salad dressings, ice cream, and baked goods, combined with their coloring properties.

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Stuffing is not strictly a healthy food, because it is typically high in calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates. 1 But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it, All foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation.

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