Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without a classic stuffing recipe! This beloved side dish is a delicious mix of bread, herbs, and dried cherries that goes perfectly with turkey, ham, and gravy.
This year, I threw some dried Montmorency Tart Dried Cherries into my mom’s classic Italian stuffing. This little tweak adds a pop of color and a hint of natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory herbs and buttery bread.
This post is in partnership with the Utah Red Tart Cherry Marketing Board.
Why Dried Montmorency Tart Cherries?
Dried cherries add just the right hint of sweetness and a touch of tartness, pairing perfectly with classic stuffing flavors like sage, thyme, and rosemary.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
Montmorency tart cherries are the predominant variety of tart cherries cultivated in the U.S. You can find them in dried, juice, canned, and frozen forms throughout the year. In my preparation, I used dried cherries in my classic stuffing recipe.
Tart cherries are gaining popularity due to their delicious tart-sweet flavor, appealing to those preferring less sugary foods. Their unique taste and versatility make them a trending ingredient in sweet and savory dishes.
Now, you might be wondering why tart cherries specifically. Well, let me tell you, these little ruby-red gems are bursting with flavor! Their tartness contrasts the other salsa ingredients and creates a delicious blend of sweet and tangy. Plus, tart cherries are rich in antioxidants and have a unique tang that adds depth to your dishes. They are indeed nature’s gift to our plates.
These little ruby-red gems are packed with flavor! Their tartness balances out the other salsa ingredients, creating a tasty mix of sweet and tangy. Plus, tart cherries are loaded with antioxidants and bring a unique zing that adds depth to your dishes. They’re nature’s gift to our plates!
Throwing some dried cherries into your Thanksgiving stuffing is a simple way to jazz up this holiday classic. This fun twist will surprise your guests and add warmth and flavor to your table.
Recipe ingredients
- French Bread: Use stale or dried-out bread cubes. Sourdough, white bread, or a country loaf are also good choices.
- Butter: To sauté vegetables and add richness to the stuffing.
- Veggies: Chopped onions, celery, and garlic provide a classic base.
- Herbs: Fresh or dried sage, thyme, and rosemary infuse the dish with that comforting Thanksgiving flavor.
- Dried Cherries: Toss in a cup for just the right amount of tart-sweet flavor.
- Milk: Turkey or vegetable broth to moisten the bread.
- Eggs: Help bind the stuffing and give it structure.
Stuffing Tips
Pair this classic stuffing with
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Classic Stuffing
Ingredients
- 10 cups Italian or French Bread 1 inch chunks
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cups celery sliced
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 cups milk
- 5 ounces tart dried cherries
Instructions
- Break up bread into 1-inch chunks and let it sit on a baking sheet for 2-4 hours to dry out. Best results if done overnight.
- In a large saucepan cook and crumble Italian sausage until it is completely cooked and browned. Strain grease from meat and place in a small mixing bowl for later.
- In the same pan over medium-high heat sauté butter, celery, and onions until tender.
- Remove pan from heat, add cubed bread, whisked egg and all of the remaining dry ingredients. Toss mixture to combine, pour in milk and toss again to combine. Place stuffing in a 2 qt casserole dish.
- Bake at 350 for 1 hour covered with lid. Then bake an additional 30 minutes uncovered.
- If you desire a crispier top, which I suggest, place oven on low broil and broil 5-10 minutes or until top of stuffing is a light golden brown.
Notes
This is making me so hungry! Stuffing is my favorite part of the holiday meal! It has been since I was a girl.
What a wonderful twist on a classic! Adding Montmorency Tart Dried Cherries is such a clever idea—it sounds like the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and I can imagine how beautifully it complements the herbs and buttery bread.
Delicious! The perfect side dish for Thanksgiving – the cherries really do definitely make the whole thing!
This classic stuffing recipe was exactly what I needed for our holiday dinner! It had the perfect blend of herbs and a wonderful texture.
We will not make another stuffing recipe for Thanksgiving! The dried cherries and all the herbs are so good. I had not done one with Italian sausage before but it was fantastic.
So glad you enjoyed it – we love it too!