8cupsCornbreadday-old, cut into 1-inch cubes (homemade or store-bought)
6tablespoonsButteror dairy-free alternative like vegan butter
1largeYellow Oniondiced (about 2 cups)
3stalksCelerydiced (about 1 cup)
2largeCarrotsdiced (about 1 cup)
4clovesGarlicminced
8ouncesTurkey Sausagecasings removed, or chicken sausage alternative
3cupsVegetable Brothlow-sodium, or chicken broth
2largeEggslightly beaten
2tablespoonsFresh Sagechopped, or 2 teaspoons dried sage
2tablespoonsFresh Thymechopped, or 2 teaspoons dried thyme
1tablespoonFresh Rosemarychopped, or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1teaspoonSaltor to taste
1/2teaspoonBlack Pepperfreshly ground
1/4cupFresh Parsleychopped, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Cut day-old cornbread into 1-inch cubes and place in a large mixing bowl. If using fresh cornbread, spread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes to dry them out.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons of butter. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and onion is translucent.
Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add turkey sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Stir in fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute to release the herb oils. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Add the cooked vegetable and sausage mixture to the bowl with cornbread cubes. Toss gently to combine.
In a separate bowl, whisk together vegetable broth and beaten eggs. Gradually pour this mixture over the cornbread, stirring gently until evenly moistened. The mixture should be moist but not soggy.
Transfer the stuffing mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove foil and continue baking for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The center should be set when gently shaken.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Notes
TEXTURE GUIDANCE:
The finished stuffing should have a crispy golden top with a moist, cohesive interior. If the mixture seems too dry before baking, add broth 1/4 cup at a time until properly moistened.MAKE-AHEAD:
Assemble the stuffing up to 1 day ahead, cover and refrigerate. Add 10-15 minutes to baking time if cooking from cold. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.STORAGE:
Store leftover stuffing covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through, covering with foil to prevent over-browning.SUBSTITUTIONS:
For gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free cornbread. Fresh herbs can be substituted with dried at a 3:1 ratio (use 1/3 the amount of dried herbs). Vegetarian option: omit sausage and add 1 cup diced mushrooms or chopped walnuts.