Seward Co-op stuffing sausage is the perfect complement to harvest celebration meals. Talented staff members make it with local Community Foods producer Peterson Craftsman Meats pork, back fat, organic herbs, and fresh apples.

Below are some tips and a recipe for cooking with our Stuffing Sausage. There are two common ways to make stuffing: Cook it on its own or inside your turkey. Not sure which approach is best? Consult your family, and they will surely produce some strong opinions. Either way you cook it, pay attention to the temperature.

First: Safety

If cooking your stuffing separately, use an oven-safe dish. Cook covered or with some liquid added to keep the stuffing moist. Cook in a medium-heat oven (325-375 degrees Fahrenheit) until it’s 155 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate the risk of foodborne illness. If cooking your stuffing inside a bird, make sure the temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any pathogens that can be found in poultry. Don’t overstuff the cavity, or it will be difficult to cook the stuffing thoroughly.

Second: Simple recipe

We suggest 1 pound of meat stuffing for every 6-7 pounds of turkey—and a pound of dried bread or 8-10 cups of breadcrumbs. We prefer to use well-baked loaves such as Rustica Bakery levain or olive bread, or Baker’s Field Flour & Bread loaves. Cubes of bread have lots of pockets to hold the juices and fats. Breadcrumbs will make a texture more like mashed potatoes—spongy and dense. Want to get a little fancier? Try the simple recipe below.

Seward-made Stuffing Sausage Stuffing
1 large onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1/4 c. golden raisins
1 lb. Seward-made Stuffing Sausage
3 c. stale bread, cut in 1-inch cubes
1-2 c. broth, depending on preferred moisture level

Sauté vegetables until translucent. Add Seward-made Stuffing Sausage to vegetables; brown meat and break up. Add broth to moisten but not saturate bread cubes. Cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, covered for 30 minutes and uncovered for 15 minutes.