Dad’s Thanksgiving Dressing

Thanksgiving dressing, also known as stuffing, is a beloved and cherished dish in many families during the holiday season. This particular recipe holds a special place in our family’s Thanksgiving tradition, passed down from my grandma and dad. The dressing is cooked separately from the turkey, and its delicious combination of flavors makes it almost like a savory sausage bread pudding.

The key to this dressing’s irresistible taste lies in the combination of moistened white bread, flavorful ground sausage, sautéed onions, and a delightful mix of spices like poultry seasoning and black pepper. The result is a comforting and hearty side dish that perfectly complements the Thanksgiving meal.

Serves 8 to 12 as side dish

INGREIENTS:

• 1 large loaf white bread, sliced and crusts removed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1-pound tube ground sausage (something like Jimmy Dean)
• 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 egg, loosened
• 1 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Bread: Tear the white bread into 1–2 inch pieces, removing the crusts, and set it aside.
3. Brown Sausage: In a large skillet or frying pan, brown the ground sausage over medium heat. Once cooked, drain the excess fat and set the sausage aside.
4. Cook Onions: Wipe out the skillet and melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat until it becomes soft and translucent.
5. Moisten Bread: In a large mixing bowl, place the torn bread pieces and drizzle water over them until they become very damp and almost squishy. Alternatively, you can run the bread loaf under the faucet and tear it into the bowl.
6. Combine Ingredients: To the bowl with moistened bread, add the cooked sausage, sautéed onion, poultry seasoning, ground black pepper, loosened egg, salt, and stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
7. Bake Dressing: Butter a large casserole dish and transfer the dressing mixture into it. Bake the dressing, uncovered, in the preheated oven for 45 to 60 minutes, or until it turns golden brown and slightly puffed.

TIPS:

• For a richer flavor, you can use homemade or high-quality bread for the dressing.
• Feel free to customize the spices to suit your taste preferences. You can add a touch of sage, thyme, or other herbs for additional depth of flavor.
• To make it vegetarian-friendly, you can replace the sausage with sautéed mushrooms and diced vegetables.
• Leftover dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days and reheated for delicious leftovers.

Almost every family I know has their own version of Thanksgiving dressing. Whether it’s made from scratch or out
of a box, it’s the one they think of when they think of the holiday meal. Our family is no exception. My grandma and
my dad have always made this dressing. It was always cooked separately from the turkey. It’s almost like a sausage bread pudding. We love it, and I hope you will too.

So, tie on your apron, grab your favorite utensils, and let’s embark on this culinary adventure together. Get ready to create unforgettable meals that will bring joy and satisfaction to your family and friends.

Bon appétit!