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Cornbread Stuffing
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Cornbread Stuffing

This savory cornbread stuffing with sausage, apple, and herbs will steal the show at your Thanksgiving. It's easy to make ahead too!

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 372 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Cornbread:
  • 6 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 1 cup milk at room temperature, nonfat
  • 1 tablespoons white vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 cup cornmeal I use medium grind, yellow
  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 egg at room temperature, large
For the Stuffing:
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth reduced sodium
  • 2 egg large
  • 1 pound Italian sausage I use chicken or turkey sausage, sweet
  • 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 1 yellow onion finely chopped, medium
  • 4 celery cut in small dice, stalks
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 3 garlic minced (about 1 tablespoon, cloves
  • 1 apple peeled and 1/4- to 1/2-inch diced, Granny Smith
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage chopped or 2 teaspoons rubbed sage
  • 1 tablespoon thyme fresh leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1 tablespoon parsley flakes or 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Bake the cornbread (do this up to 2 days in advance): Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, with a baking rack on the middle level. Coat an 8×8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Melt the butter and let come to room temperature.
  2. In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, stir together the milk and vinegar. Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the milk has curdled slightly (you can also swap the milk for buttermilk, omit the vinegar, and skip this step). Stir in the honey, eggs, and melted butter.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the wet ingredients and fold gently to combine.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 16 to 20 minutes, until the cornbread is light and golden brown, with a deeper golden brown at the edges. A toothpick inserted into the middle should come out clean. Set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 degrees F.
  5. Once the cornbread is cool, cut it into 1-inch cubes (since the pan of cornbread is thicker than 1 inch, I cut mine into 1-inch cubes from the top, then turn each "row" of cubes on its side and then cut it in half again through the middle). Spread in a single layer on an ungreased or parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. The cubes can touch, but don't overlap them (if your pan is too small, divide them onto two pans). Toast in the oven for 15 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
  6. Make the stuffing: Lightly coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. In a very large bowl, whisk together the eggs and chicken broth.
  7. In a large skillet on the stove, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, salt, and pepper. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  8. Add the sausage to the skillet (if it’s in its casing, you can squeeze them into the skillet directly). Cook, breaking up the meat into crumbles. Add the apple.
  9. Continue cooking until the sausage is cooked through almost completely, about 4 minutes more, then stir in the cranberries, sage, thyme, and parsley.
  10. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool a few minutes. Pour into the bowl with the broth and eggs, along with any cooking juices.
  11. To the bowl, add the toasted cornbread cubes. With your largest spoon, stir very gently to combine the ingredients. Continue stirring and folding, until everything is evenly moistened.
  12. Spoon into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until toasted on top and the center is moist but not overly damp. Serve warm.

Notes

  • TO STORE: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days.
  • TO FREEZE: Freeze leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • TO REHEAT: Remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature so it will cook more evenly. Cover the pan with foil, then place it in a 350 degrees F oven and reheat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Depending on how much you're reheating, this will take about 30 minutes.
  • FOR A CRISPY TOP:To recreate the crispy top after storing it in the fridge (a critical stuffing factor!), remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes of reheating; you can also pop it under the broiler for a few minutes.
  • TO KEEP IT MOIST: If the stuffing feels dry, add a splash of stock (or even turkey juices) before reheating.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1(of 8) Calories 372kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Monounsaturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 122mg (41%) Potassium 296mg (6%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 16g (32%) Vitamin A 640IU (13%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 111mg (11%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 372

% Daily Value*

Serving 1(of 8)
Calories 372kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 122mg 41%
Potassium 296mg 6%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 16g 32%
Vitamin A 640IU 13%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 111mg 11%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.