Roast Turkey with Sausage-Cabbage Stuffing

By Addie

This turkey and trimmings recipe is a staple in my family. No one guesses that there's cabbage in the stuffing! — Alma Winberry, Great Falls, Montana

Ingredients

• STUFFING:
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 turkey (12 to 14 pounds)
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• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage
• 3 cups chopped cabbage
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons half-and-half cream
• 3/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 3 cups seasoned stuffing cubes
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 2/3-3/4 cup chicken broth

Preparation

Step 1

In a small bowl, mix the butter, thyme, salt and pepper. Place turkey on a rack in a shallow roasting pan, breast side up. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from the turkey breast; rub half of the butter mixture under the skin. Rub remaining butter mixture over turkey. Tuck wings under turkey; tie drumsticks together.

Bake at 325° for 3 to 3-3/4 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thigh reads 180°. Baste occasionally with pan drippings.

For stuffing, in a Dutch oven, cook sausage over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings, reserving 1 tablespoon.

Add the cabbage, carrot, celery and onion to reserved drippings; cook and stir over medium heat until tender. Stir in cream, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.

Add the stuffing cubes, egg and sausage; toss to combine. Stir in enough broth to reach desired moistness; transfer to a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-15 minutes longer or until lightly browned.

Remove turkey from oven; cover loosely with foil and let stand for 15 minutes before carving. Serve with stuffing. Yield: 12 servings (about 8 cups stuffing).
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REVIEWS:

YUM! I made this for Thanksgiving dinner this year, for a very "traditional" family. I wasn't sure if the change of recipe would be well recieved, but everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. They have already asked if I will be making it again for Christmas dinner! In addition to being delicious, it is easy to make and smells great while cooking.

Have to make MORE next time!