5 / 3 votes

Sourdough Dressing with Sausage and Prunes

This sourdough dressing with sausage and prunes pairs pork with prunes for a savory and sweet side that goes well with Thanksgiving turkey.

Prep Time45

Cook Time1 15

Total Time2

Course: Sides

Cuisine: American

Servings: to 10 servings

Calories: 784

▢ 1 pound bulk breakfast sausage with sage, coarsely crumbled
▢ 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, plus more for the baking dish
▢ 4 cups (1 1/4 pounds) finely chopped yellow onion
▢ 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
▢ 2 1/2 pounds sourdough bread slices, 2 or 3 days old, crusts trimmed and bread cut into 1/2-inch cubes
▢ 5 eggs
▢ 5 cups homemade chicken stock or low-sodium canned chicken broth
▢ 2 cups prunes, quartered and pitted
▢ Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage, stirring it occasionally without breaking up too much, until just cooked through and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer the sausage to paper towels to drain. Discard the drippings in the skillet and wipe the skillet clean.
Return the skillet to medium heat and heat the butter until it foams. Stir in the onion and poultry seasoning, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is quite softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

In a large bowl, toss together the bread, sausage, and onion and butter mixture.
In another bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Whisk the stock into the eggs and then stir the stock mixture into the bread mixture. Add the prunes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and mix well.

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Generously butter a 4-quart baking dish. Spoon the dressing into the prepared dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until the dressing is lightly browned on top and well browned on the sides and bottom but still moist, about another 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot.

Loosely cram the dressing in the turkey and truss the larger opening. Increase the roasting time of the turkey by 35 to 45 minutes. Generously butter a baking dish and spoon the remaining dressing into the dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake alongside the turkey for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until the dressing is steaming hot, lightly browned and crisped on top, and well browned on the sides and bottom but still moist, another 25 minutes or so, depending on the size of the baking dish. Serve hot.

Make in advance--Prepare the unbaked dressing up to 1 day in advance. Store, covered, in the fridge until ready to bake. Never stuff a turkey until just before baking.
Drying out fresh bread--If your bread is still fresh, toss the cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and cook in a 300°F oven for 30 minutes to dry them out.
Stop dressing from sticking--Coat the underside of your aluminum foil with cooking spray to stop the top of the dressing from sticking to the foil.