Turkey With Sage And Sausage Stuffing

Turkey With Sage And Sausage Stuffing
4.5 from 2 ratings
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Prepare for a well-scented kitchen as you whip up this sage-seasoned stuffing and turkey combo. This recipe by Joe Gray appeared in the Chicago Tribune.
Prep Time
40
minutes
Cook Time
3.23
hours
Servings
14
servings
Turkey with sage and sausage stuffing
Total time: 3.9 hours
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 white onions, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 2 links mild italian pork sausage, casings removed
  • 20 fresh sage leaves, coarsely chopped
  • 1 loaf rustic country bread, cut in 1 2-inch cubes
  • 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth, plus more if needed
  • 1/2 cup each: dried cranberries, toasted pecans, see note
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 1 turkey, 12-14 pounds, thawed, giblets removed
  • 5 fresh sage leaves, minced
  • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • freshly ground pepper
Directions
  1. For the stuffing, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the onions, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt.
  2. Cook, stirring, until onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the celery; cook, stirring, until celery is translucent, about 3 minutes.
  4. Transfer mixture to a large bowl; set aside.
  5. Add the sausage to the skillet, breaking up with a spoon into small pieces.
  6. Cook, stirring, until browned, about 6 minutes.
  7. Add the sausage to the bowl with the vegetables; stir in the sage, bread, 1 cup of the chicken broth, cranberries, pecans, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Moisten with more chicken broth if mixture seems dry.
  9. Place the stuffing in a large, greased casserole dish; set aside.
  10. For turkey, heat oven to 325 degrees.
  11. Mash the sage into the softened butter; rub butter all over the bird.
  12. Season all over and inside the cavity with the salt and pepper to taste.
  13. If stuffing the bird, spoon the stuffing inside, placing any remaining in a greased casserole dish.
  14. Place the turkey in a roasting pan; bake turkey and stuffing until thermometer inserted in thickest part of inner thigh reaches 165 degrees, about 3 to 3 3/4 hours.
  15. If cooking stuffing inside the bird, make sure the center of the stuffing reaches 165 degrees. A stuffed bird will take 3 1/2 - 4 hours.
  16. Remove the turkey to a cutting board; let rest 15 minutes before carving.
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