Sausage & Bramley Apple Herb Stuffing with Crispy Bacon
A deliciously savory stuffing with sausage, Bramley apple, and fresh herbs, wrapped in crispy bacon – a perfect holiday side dish!
Equipment
- large pan
- mixing bowl
- 900g loaf tin
- Baking parchment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 celery stick finely chopped
- 1 large onion chopped
- 2 x 400g packs Cumberland sausages
- 1 Bramley apple peeled and chopped (about 325g)
- 85 g fresh white breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage
- 5 tbsp chopped fresh parsley plus extra for garnish, optional
- 1 large egg
- 10 rindless streaky bacon rashers
Instructions
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the celery and onion, cooking for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Stuffing: Remove the sausagemeat from the sausage casings and add it to the bowl with the cooked vegetables.
- Add the chopped Bramley apple, breadcrumbs, sage, parsley, egg, and seasoning.
- Mix thoroughly, ideally by kneading the mixture with your hands.
- Use 1/4 of this stuffing to fill the neck cavity of the turkey if preparing with a roast.
- Assemble the Loaf: Line a 900g loaf tin with 8 rashers of streaky bacon, overlapping slightly.
- Spoon the remaining stuffing into the tin, pressing it down evenly.
- Fold the bacon over the top and cover with the last 2 bacon rashers.
- Bake the Stuffing: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) or gas mark 4.
- Bake the stuffing for 40-50 minutes, until cooked through.
- This can be made ahead to this point and chilled for 2-3 days if needed.
- Brown the Bacon: Turn the stuffing loaf out onto a baking-parchment-lined baking tray.
- Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan) or gas mark 7, and return the stuffing to the oven for 15-20 minutes to crisp the bacon.
- If chilled, reheat at 160°C (140°C fan) for 45 minutes, covered in foil, then remove foil and cook at the higher temperature for the last 15 minutes.
- Serve: Allow the stuffing to stand for about 15 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
Wine Advice
Pair with a light, fruity red wine such as Pinot Noir or a medium-bodied Merlot to balance the savory flavors of the sausage and bacon.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 485 kcal | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Protein: 20 g | Fat: 34 g | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 8 g | Salt: 1.5 mg