Sausage Turkey Stuffing

I’m not a fan of stuffing my bird with stuffing. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE stuffing but I think it takes too long for your turkey to cook when stuffed and it tends to dry the meat out. I love this Sausage Turkey Stuffing because it’s incredibly moist and can be made the day before your big meal. There is nothing worse then spending Christmas day in the kitchen, so the more you can get done ahead of time, the better!

Turkey Sausage Stuffing

1 loaf crusty French bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

2 tbsps fennel seeds
1 1/4 pound bulk pork breakfast sausage
2 tbsps butter
3 1/2 cups chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only)
3 cups chopped onions (about 2 medium)
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup packed golden raisins
1 1/2 tbsps chopped fresh sage
1 1/2 tbsps chopped fresh thyme

2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
6 large eggs, beaten to blend

Spread bread cubes on rimmed baking sheet, let stand uncovered at room temperature over night.

Stir fennel seeds in large non-stick skillet over medium-heat until they become fragrant. About 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Cook sausage in skillet over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, breaking up with back of fork as it cooks. Using a slotted spoon transfer sausage to large bowl. Add butter to sausage drippings and melt. Add leeks, onions, and carrots and cook over medium-high heat until leeks and onions are soft and deep brown, about 20 minutes. Add garlic and fennel seeds and cook 3 more minutes. Transfer vegetable mixture to bowl with sausage, mix in raisins, sage and thyme. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate until needed)

Preheat oven to 350F. Butter 13x9x2 inch baking dish. Mix bread cubes and chicken broth in with sausage-vegetable mix. Season stuffing with salt and pepper; mix in eggs. ( I find it’s best to use your hands for this) Transfer stuffing to to buttered baking dish. Cover with foil, making sure to butter the side facing stuffing. Bake for 35 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake until top is beginning to brown, about 30 minutes.