The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (2024)

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Meet your must-have Christmas side dish! Homemade Stuffing with sausage meat, apricots and chestnuts. It’s SO GOOD, it’ll be the star of the show! Also perfect for a special roast dinner at any time of year.

The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (1)

What’s your favourite Christmas lunch side dish? After roast potatoes (OBVIOUSLY), Stuffing is mine.

For me, it should be super tasty, with the texture of good, meaty sausages, but added fruity bits and a crunchy top.

This recipe is so easy, makes enough for 12 people AND you can prep it ahead of time, leaving you precious time in the kitchen when it’s all going on!

It’s a lovely addition to have ready in your freezer too for special dinners throughout the year. Super simple but super special too – you can’t say fairer than that for a humble side dish!

Why you’ll love this Sausage Meat Stuffing recipe

⭐️ So quick and easy to whip up

⭐️ Fruity and full of flavour

⭐️ Easy to make in advance

The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (2)

How we came up with this recipe

For me, Christmas dinner (and every dinner) is all about getting the most out of the corners we can cut and easy wins we can take while making the best meal we can.

This Christmas Stuffing recipe ticks that box. I wanted to come up with a delicious and special side dish but an achievable one, which is why I’ve made sure this can be made ahead of time AND is freezer-friendly.

I hope you love it!

Stuffing recipe Ingredients

  • Butter
  • Onion
  • Sausages – You favourite good quality ones with a high meat content
  • Dried apricots
  • Chestnuts – The peeled, vacuum-packed type
  • Breadcrumbs – I like Panko
  • Fresh sage
  • Salt
The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (3)

How to make stuffing

  1. Pan fry the onions in the butter until slightly soft.
  2. Add the butter and onions to the rest of ingredients and mix well (you may need to use clean hands for this job!)
  3. Spoon the mixture into a shallow dish.
  4. Bake for 45 minutes in a preheated oven on 180C until cooked through.

Substitutions

  • Dried fruit – You can swap the apricots and chestnuts for other dried fruit if you prefer. It is what gives this stuffing its gorgeous texture though!
  • Dried sage – You can use this instead of fresh, but add it in with the onions and butter when you’re frying, so it softens

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. It’s fine to eat leftover stuffing cold, or you can reheat it, covered, fully before serving.

In the freezer Wait until it’s totally cold and then put into a freezer proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating.

Top tipS

How to make stuffing in advance

Follow the recipe to step 4, cover it and put in the fridge (it will keep here for up to 2 days). When you’re ready to cook, continue the recipe process, but be aware it may take an extra 5 or 10 minutes in the oven if it’s come straight out of the fridge.

To freeze

You can also store the uncooked stuffing in the freezer for up to a month. Again, make the recipe up to step 4, then freeze covered. Allow it to fully defrost before baking as normal from step 5.

Sausages

Use any good quality sausages you and your family enjoy which have a high meat content. I tend to use a fairly plain one without too many other flavourings as we are adding lots in the recipe.

Chestnuts

You can buy them peeled and precooked in a vacuum pack in most supermarkets (particularly if you’re making this around Christmas time!)

Servings

This makes enough for 12 servings as a side dish. Feel free to halve or reduce the recipe quantities to suit you.

If you do make less, you will probably need to reduce the cooking time slightly so it doesn’t overcook. Just be sure to check it’s completely cooked inside before serving.

FAQ

When and what should I serve with stuffing?

While we don’t really use stuffing to actually ‘stuff’ a meat cavity to cook anymore, it is still a hugely popular side dish because it’s so delicious.

Traditionally we eat it on our main Christmas lunches alongside Roast Turkey, but we can also have it as part of any roast dinner the rest of the year – or even on its own! And leftovers are perfect in sandwiches.

Serve this next to some other festive (or non-festive) sides, such as sprouts, red cabbage, cauliflower cheese or carrots and parsnips.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (4)

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5 from 34 votes

The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots}

By Sarah Rossi

Meet your must have Christmas side dish.Homemade Stuffingwith sausage meat, apricots and chestnuts. It's SO GOOD, it'll be the star of the show!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 12 People

Ingredients

  • 50 g Butter
  • 1 Large onion
  • 900 g Sausages
  • 100 g Dried apricots
  • 180 g Chestnuts, The peeled, vacuum packed type
  • 100 g Breadcrumbs, I like Panko
  • 15 g Fresh sage
  • Salt

ImperialMetric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180C.

  • Pan fry the chopped onion in the butter for 5 minutes, until slightly softened.

  • Mix all of the other ingredients together, along with the onions and butter that they were cooked in.

  • Stir until everything is thoroughly mixed (you may need to use clean hands!) and spoon into a shallow dish. (Don't smooth the top, as the lumps and bumps give a good texture.)

  • Bake for 45 minutes or until cooked all the way through.

Notes

Make in advance: Follow the recipe to step 4, cover it and put it in the fridge (it will keep here for up to 2 days). When you’re ready to cook, continue the recipe process, but be aware it may take an extra 5 or 10 minutes in the oven if it’s come straight out of the fridge.

Oven Temperature: If you’re cooking this with your oven at a higher temperature (say 200C for Roast Potatoes) this is fine, but they may cook more quickly. Also, put them on a lower shelf where the oven is slightly cooler if possible!

To freeze: Make the recipe up to step 4, then freeze covered. Allow it to fully defrost before baking as normal from step 5.

Sausages: Use any good quality sausages you and your family enjoy which have a high meat content. I tend to use a fairly plain one without too many other flavourings as we are adding lots in the recipe.

Chestnuts: You can buy them peeled and precooked in a vacuum pack in most supermarkets (particularly if you’re making this around Christmas time!)

Servings: This makes enough for 12 servings as a side dish. Feel free to halve or reduce the recipe quantities to suit you. If you do make less, you will probably need to reduce the cooking time slightly so it doesn’t overcook. Just be sure to check it’s completely cooked inside before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 13gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 566mgPotassium: 393mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 465IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Family Food

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Categorized as:
Christmas Recipes, Collections, Light Bites, Recipes, Side Dishes

The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (5)

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2 Comments

  1. The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (11)
    Absolutely delicious, made this recipe this evening and it is so tasty. Definitely my new go to stuffing recipe going forward

    Reply

  2. The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (12)
    It’s not over clear ? Presume you skin the sausages and chop finely the chestnuts and apricots

    Reply

The Best Stuffing Recipe {with Sausage & Apricots} (2024)

FAQs

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

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

How long can you keep sausage meat stuffing in the fridge? ›

Do not refrigerate uncooked stuffing. If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.

What is Christmas stuffing made of? ›

Starting with dried sourdough bread, celery, onion, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, chicken broth and eggs. A whole stick of butter goes in the pan adding onions, herbs and garlic (sausage is optional). Eggs combine everything together before going in the oven on a baking dish.

How can you tell if stuffing is done? ›

Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature of the stuffing. The center should reach the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

Eggs add richness to the stuffing, and makes it cohere better. I'd use two eggs per pound of bread.

How do you keep stuffing moist when cooking? ›

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.

Can I refrigerate stuffing overnight before baking? ›

USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing. Why? Remember, stuffing can harbor bacteria, and though bacteria grow slower in the refrigerator they can cause problems because stuffing is a good medium for bacteria growth, therefore a higher risk food in terms of cooking safely.

What temperature should stuffing be cooked at? ›

After preparation, immediately place into an oven no lower than 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a food thermometer to ensure that the stuffing reaches the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees, whether it is baked separately or inside a bird.

Can you freeze leftover sausage stuffing? ›

Stuffing can be frozen either fully cooked or uncooked, which is good news if you're looking for some make-ahead recipes to save time on the big day.

What is Pepperidge Farm stuffing made of? ›

MADE FROM: ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, SALT, SUGAR, YEAST, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: VEGETABLE OILS (CANOLA AND/OR SUNFLOWER AND/OR PALM), MOLASSES, SPICES, CELERY, ONION POWDER, CALCIUM PROPIONATE TO EXTEND FRESHNESS, MALTED BARLEY ...

What is stuffing called when it is not stuffed? ›

Some people insist that it should be called dressing when it hasn't actually been stuffed inside a bird. But many people insist on one term or the other regardless of how it's prepared or what's in it. The term dressing is most commonly used in the South, but it's popular in pockets throughout the US.

What is British stuffing made of? ›

Stuffing consists of a mixture of savoury ingredients such as breadcrumbs, herbs, fruit, nuts, sausagemeat and onion which are bound together with egg or liquid to form a semi-solid mixture. It is usually cooked with roast meat such as chicken, pork or lamb and is served as an accompaniment to the sliced, cooked meat.

Why does my stuffing come out mushy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush.

How wet should stuffing be before cooking? ›

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.

How many cups of stuffing are in a pound? ›

5. Makes about 9 cups (enough for a 10-to-12-pound turkey). Note: Allow 1 Slider for each pound of turkey, which will be equal to 3/4 cup of stuffing per pound.

What does adding an egg to a recipe do? ›

Eggs play an important role in everything from cakes and cookies to meringues and pastry cream — they create structure and stability within a batter, they help thicken and emulsify sauces and custards, they add moisture to cakes and other baked goods, and can even act as glue or glaze.

What can I use instead of egg to bind stuffing? ›

Some common egg substitutes include:
  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. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

How are eggs used as a binder? ›

A whole egg coagulates at about 156°F (69°C). Eggs can act as binding agents. As their proteins set, eggs bind ingredients together giving strength and stability to meatloaves, casseroles and baked goods. Eggs are used to coat foods with crumbs, flour, etc.

What does adding egg to bread do? ›

Eggs help the dough rise and create a large crumb that's great for soaking up liquids, like a bowl of chocolat chaud (hot chocolate). The egg yolks give the bread a golden interior, and butter adds an extra boost of moisture. The result is a rich, buttery flavor, and deep golden-brown crust.

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