Prepare to discover the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish that will transform your holiday meal forever. Once you taste this incredible **sausage and sage dressing recipe**, you’ll understand why our family has cherished it for generations. This isn’t just any stuffing; it’s **Grandma’s Sausage & Sage Dressing**, a recipe steeped in tradition and flavor, and undeniably the highlight of our Thanksgiving celebration year after year.
Grandma’s Sausage and Sage Dressing: A Cherished Thanksgiving Tradition
Growing up, Thanksgiving dinner was always a grand affair hosted by my beloved Grandma Czaplewski. Her home was filled with the irresistible aromas of a feast, and at the heart of it all was her legendary sausage and sage dressing. Even after she passed away, a month after my first son, Spencer, was born, the tradition lived on. The dinner moved to my Mom’s house, but the essence, especially the dressing, remained perfectly unchanged.
Every year, my Mom would playfully ask, “Should I try something different? It’s always the same ‘ol, same ‘ol.” My response was always an emphatic “NO!” I am, by nature, a creature of habit, and this annual Thanksgiving dinner, particularly Grandma’s stuffing, is a culinary touchstone I eagerly anticipate. I want it to be *exactly* as I’ve always remembered, precisely what I envision when I dream of the perfect Thanksgiving spread.
Speaking of memories, in today’s digital age, we effortlessly capture every moment with our camera phones. But back in my grandma’s time, it wasn’t so easy. I had to truly search to find a treasured photograph of my grandma and me to share here. This precious snapshot, featuring her, my husband, and me, dates all the way back to 1991. It reminds me of the beautiful continuity of family, love, and tradition that this recipe embodies.
Why This Sausage and Sage Stuffing is Truly Special
Beyond its incredibly rich and savory flavor, one of the most cherished aspects of this recipe is that it’s one of the few I possess in my Grandma’s own handwriting. There’s something profoundly nostalgic and irreplaceable about seeing her familiar script on the page. It’s a tangible link to her, to her love, and to the culinary legacy she passed down. A handwritten recipe captures a piece of the person, a warmth that simply cannot be duplicated, much like the unique individual who penned it.
This classic **sausage and sage stuffing** isn’t just a side dish; it’s a centerpiece. Its robust flavor profile, combining the savory richness of pork sausage with the aromatic earthiness of sage, creates a comforting and irresistible addition to any holiday table. The perfect balance of textures, from the tender breadcrumbs to the bits of cooked celery and onion, ensures every bite is a delightful experience.
If you’re already a fan of delicious **sausage and sage dressing** and are planning your perfect Thanksgiving menu, you’ll undoubtedly adore these other essential recipes that pair wonderfully with our beloved stuffing: An incredible Smoked Turkey Recipe, the creamy and delightful Instant Pot Sweet Potato Mash, and these elegant Broccoli Stuffed Mushrooms. Each one is designed to complement the rich flavors of your holiday feast.
Making Grandma’s Stuffing with Sausage & Sage: A Family Affair
I recently chatted with my Mom about Grandma’s treasured recipe, the one she meticulously wrote down for me some 35 years ago. While Mom has introduced a few minor tweaks over the years, it’s remarkable how the taste remains consistently the same for me – pure Thanksgiving bliss. Our family is so passionate about this dish that Mom always prepares an extra-large batch. We would undoubtedly “cry” if there weren’t enough leftovers to enjoy!
To accommodate our family’s love for this dish, Mom typically roasts a turkey weighing between 22-24 pounds. She expertly prepares the dressing and generously stuffs as much as the turkey cavity can hold. The remaining portion of this delicious **homemade sausage stuffing** is carefully wrapped in a heavy-duty foil pouch and baked alongside the turkey. This ensures we always have plenty to go around, and frankly, there’s nothing quite like that golden-brown, crispy exterior from the foil-baked dressing. Yay for extra dressing!
I first shared this heartwarming recipe in November 2012, and I was thrilled to update it in 2019 with more detailed instructions and fresh photographs. My Mom had graciously spent a day with me, and together, we recreated her entire Thanksgiving meal. This allowed me to capture every step, ensuring you have the clearest visual guide to making this magnificent **traditional Thanksgiving dressing** for your own family.
When we prepared the stuffing for the step-by-step photos, we mixed it in a large bowl. As I mentioned, Mom usually stuffs the bird and bakes any excess in foil, primarily due to limited oven space during the busy holiday cooking. However, the comprehensive printable recipe card below provides instructions for all methods: stuffing it inside the turkey, baking it in a foil package, or preparing it as a standalone casserole dish, as shown in some of our images. This flexibility ensures you can make this **best stuffing recipe** work for your kitchen setup.
Dressing vs. Stuffing: Unraveling the Delicious Debate
I know, I tend to use the terms “dressing” and “stuffing” interchangeably throughout this post, and it might seem a bit confusing! The culinary world often distinguishes between the two: “stuffing” is typically cooked inside the bird, while “dressing” is baked separately, outside the turkey. However, in our family, that distinction never really mattered. We always called it “dressing” simply because that’s what my Grandma called it. It was her word, and it became our tradition, regardless of how it was prepared.
The truth is, whether you refer to this flavorful creation as **Thanksgiving stuffing** or **holiday dressing**, the most important thing is to *make it*! I guarantee that once you experience the comforting, savory taste of this recipe, you will absolutely *love* it. The name is secondary to the incredible flavor and the joy it brings to the holiday table. So, call it what you will, just get ready to savor every delicious bite!
To Stuff or Not To Stuff Your Turkey: Food Safety and Flavor
Regardless of what you call your delightful concoction, if you choose to cook your **sausage stuffing** inside the turkey, it is absolutely crucial to prioritize food safety. You must remove the stuffing from the turkey cavity as soon as the bird is done cooking. While you certainly want to avoid burning yourself, prompt removal is essential to prevent any risk of bacterial growth that could turn your festive meal into a food safety concern. The turkey’s internal temperature needs to reach a safe level, and the stuffing inside must also reach at least 165°F (74°C) to be safe.
Cooking stuffing inside the bird does offer some appealing benefits. It can help keep the turkey breast moist during roasting, and the stuffing itself absorbs wonderful, rich flavors from the meat juices, resulting in a deeper, more integrated taste. However, if food safety is a primary concern for you, or if you simply prefer not to stuff the bird, you can still achieve a moist and flavorful turkey. Consider adding aromatics like quartered onions, carrots, celery stalks, or herbs such as rosemary and thyme directly inside the turkey cavity. These will infuse the meat with flavor and moisture without the complexities of cooking stuffing inside. Just remember to remove these aromatics promptly after the turkey is cooked.
For complete peace of mind, many home cooks opt to prepare their stuffing as a “dressing,” cooked entirely outside the bird in a separate baking dish or foil packet. This method still yields incredible flavor and texture, eliminating any worries about internal temperature disparities or cross-contamination. You get all the deliciousness without any of the stress!
For a comprehensive guide on cooking turkeys, whether stuffed or unstuffed, including recommended cooking times and temperatures, refer to this excellent turkey cooking guide from Allrecipes.
Key Ingredients for this Irresistible Sausage and Sage Stuffing
This heartwarming **sage pork sausage dressing** relies on a few simple yet essential ingredients to create its signature rich and savory flavor. For the precise measurements and detailed instructions, please scroll down to the bottom of this post where you’ll find the full printable recipe card. Here’s a closer look at what makes this recipe shine:
- Pork Sausage: The foundation of this dressing. I highly recommend using a sage-flavored pork sausage, as it contributes significantly to the dish’s distinct profile. My personal favorites are Bob Evan’s or Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage for their quality and flavor. If you can’t find pre-seasoned sage sausage, don’t worry! Simply use plain bulk pork sausage and add about 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried sage to taste, adjusting as needed to achieve that classic aromatic essence.
- Bread Crumbs: The texture and base of any great stuffing come from the bread crumbs. This recipe calls for a blend of two different types: herb-seasoned and country-style bread crumbs. The herb-seasoned crumbs add another layer of savory flavor, while the country-style crumbs provide a heartier texture, absorbing moisture beautifully to create a perfectly moist interior with just the right amount of structure.
- Celery: Diced celery is crucial for both flavor and texture. It imparts a subtle freshness and a pleasant crunch that contrasts with the softer breadcrumbs and sausage, adding depth and a classic aromatic component to the stuffing.
- Onion: Any variety of onion, finely minced, will contribute essential savory depth and a touch of sweetness when cooked. Onion is a fundamental aromatic that forms the flavor base for many beloved dishes, and this stuffing is no exception.
- Chicken Broth/Chicken Stock: This liquid gold is vital for adding moisture and infusing the stuffing with even more savory flavor. It helps bind all the ingredients together and prevents the dressing from becoming dry. While chicken broth is traditional, you can also use turkey stock for an even deeper Thanksgiving flavor, or vegetable stock for a slightly lighter touch.
- Butter: Both salted or unsalted butter work perfectly here. Melted butter is used to sauté the vegetables, enriching their flavor and adding a lovely richness to the overall dish. It also contributes to the dressing’s moistness and golden-brown crust.
Be sure to continue reading below for additional tips and tricks, suggestions for substitutions, and answers to common questions you might have about mastering this delightful **sausage sage stuffing recipe**.
How to Make This Unforgettable Sage Sausage Stuffing Recipe
Creating this rich and flavorful **dressing with sausage and sage** is surprisingly straightforward, involving just a few simple steps. Follow this guide to prepare a dish that will become a new holiday favorite for your family.
- Brown the Sausage: Begin by browning your sage-flavored pork sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until it’s completely done, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Once browned, remove the cooked sausage from the pan and set it aside, leaving any rendered fat in the skillet. This fat will add incredible flavor to your vegetables.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In that same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add your diced celery and minced onion to the melted butter and cook until they become tender and translucent, which usually takes about 10 minutes. This step softens the vegetables and brings out their sweet, aromatic qualities. Allow the cooked vegetables to cool slightly so they are comfortable to handle in the next step.
- Combine Ingredients: In a very large mixing bowl, combine the cooked celery and onion, the browned pork sausage, and both types of bread crumbs.
- Moisten and Mix: Using your clean hands, begin to thoroughly mix all the ingredients together. This is the best way to ensure everything is evenly distributed. Gradually add the chicken stock, a little at a time, continuing to mix with your hands. The goal is to achieve the right consistency where the mixture is moist enough to stick together and form a loose ball when gently squeezed, but not soggy. The exact amount of liquid needed can vary depending on your bread crumbs, so working slowly and adding broth incrementally is key.
My mom, ever the expert, demonstrates here how the dressing will come together and form a cohesive ball when it has absorbed just the right amount of moisture. This visual cue is perfect for ensuring your stuffing is never too dry or too wet.
The gentle touch of hands is truly the best way to incorporate the chicken stock, allowing you to feel when the mixture reaches that ideal, moist consistency. This step is crucial for the final texture of your delicious **homemade sausage stuffing**.
Once your **sausage and sage dressing** is perfectly mixed:
- Stuff the Turkey (Optional): Generously stuff your turkey cavity. We typically prepare a 20-pound bird, which can hold a good amount of this savory stuffing.
- Bake Separately: Any remaining stuffing, or the entire batch if you prefer not to stuff the bird, should be wrapped tightly in heavy-duty foil. Alternatively, you can bake it in a casserole dish (see notes in the recipe card for instructions).
- Roast the Turkey: Bake your turkey according to its size and the package instructions for a stuffed bird. Ensure proper internal temperatures are reached for both the turkey and the stuffing for food safety.
- Bake Foil Packages: If baking stuffing in foil, place the packages in the oven with the turkey for approximately 45 minutes before the turkey is expected to be done. This timing ensures it heats through and develops a lovely crust.
- Remove Stuffing Promptly: Once the turkey is fully cooked, immediately remove all stuffing from its cavity to prevent any bacterial growth.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This **traditional Thanksgiving dressing** is so good, you’ll want to savor every last bit! Leftover stuffing will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the oven for a crispy exterior or the microwave for a quicker, softer result. For longer storage, you can freeze leftovers of this **sausage stuffing recipe** for up to 3 months. Always thaw frozen stuffing in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to ensure even warming.
Loved This Recipe? Pin It for Later!
If you’re as excited about this incredible **sausage and sage dressing recipe** as our family is, make sure you save it so you can find it easily for all your future holiday meals! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go, and share the love with your friends and family!
Complete Your Feast: More Thanksgiving Recipes to Love
While Grandma’s Sausage and Sage Dressing is a star, the key to a truly unforgettable Thanksgiving dinner is, of course, the turkey. Many people assume that preparing a perfectly roasted turkey and a rich, homemade gravy is a daunting task. I promise you, it’s not! I’ve put together a simple, step-by-step recipe to help you make the Perfect Turkey and Homemade Turkey Gravy every single time. This guide will turn you into a holiday hero, ensuring your centerpiece is as impressive as it is delicious.
Our Thanksgiving table simply wouldn’t be complete without a vibrant and tangy cranberry sauce. My Mom’s Cranberry Sauce, with its delightful hint of orange, is truly unlike any other you’ll taste. It’s a fresh, zesty complement to the rich flavors of the meal. And what’s Thanksgiving without creamy Mashed Potatoes? Making them in your slow cooker is a game-changer, saving precious stovetop space during the holiday rush. Finally, you’ll need the perfect roll to sop up every last drop of gravy and dressing on your plate. My Aunt Carol’s Poppy Seed Roll recipe is incredibly easy, utilizing frozen bread dough for a wonderfully fluffy and flavorful result with minimal effort.
When it comes to the grand finale – dessert – I take the reins. My Thanksgiving dessert spread always features classic apple pie, made extra special with my signature Homemade Apple Pie Spice. Alongside it, you’ll find traditional pumpkin pie and my rich, decadent Pecan Pie. For feeding a larger crowd, I also love to prepare these crowd-pleasing Pumpkin Pie Bars, complete with a buttery shortbread crust that everyone adores.
This photo captures a precious moment from the late 1980s, featuring my Mom, my Grandma, and me. It represents the enduring love and traditions that continue to shape our family holidays, with Grandma’s famous sausage and sage dressing at the heart of it all.
From my Mom, my Grandma, and me, we wish you a truly Happy Thanksgiving filled with warmth, delicious food, and cherished memories. We hope this **family stuffing recipe** brings as much joy to your table as it has to ours.
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!
Print Recipe
Mom’s Sausage and Sage Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sage flavored pork sausage
- 2 (12 ounce) packages Pepperidge Farm bread crumbs, 1 Herb Seasoned, 1 Country Style
- 3 cups celery chopped
- 1 cup onion minced
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 2 sticks (1 cup) butter melted
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown sausage until cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In that same skillet, melt butter. Add celery and onion and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly so you are able to touch it for the next step.
- In a big bowl, combine sausage, celery, and onion with your bread crumbs. Working with your hands, add small amounts of broth until dressing is moist, and forms into a ball.
- Stuff your turkey full. (We typically make a 20-pound bird.) Wrap remaining stuffing in heavy-duty foil. *See notes to prepare in a casserole dish.
- Bake turkey according to size and package instructions for a stuffed bird.
- To bake the foil package, place in oven with turkey about 45 minutes before turkey is done.
- When turkey is cooked, remove stuffing immediately.
Notes
This recipe is easily cut in half for smaller turkeys.
Nutrition
Calories: 249kcal |
Carbohydrates: 31g |
Protein: 6g |
Fat: 16g |
Saturated Fat: 9g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g |
Cholesterol: 27mg |
Sodium: 312mg |
Fiber: 19g |
Sugar: 2g
This cherished **sausage and sage dressing recipe** was originally posted in November 2012, shared from the heart of our family kitchen. It received comprehensive updates in 2019 to provide more detailed instructions and fresh photography, ensuring it’s as helpful as possible for your holiday cooking. We further refined it in 2025 to improve user experience and ensure its timeless appeal continues for generations to come.
This inviting photo perfectly captures how the delicious **sage stuffing** looks each year at my mom’s house, lovingly served in that beautiful, familiar bowl she brings out every holiday season. It’s a symbol of tradition and a testament to the enduring appeal of this incredible dish.
