Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (2024)

  • Side Dishes
  • Thanksgiving Stuffings
  • Gluten-Free
  • Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  • Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes

Gluten-free and Paleo Thanksgiving stuffing! Sweet potatoes, ground pork, and onions with a crunchy nut topping. Make-ahead!

By

Sabrina Modelle

Sabrina Modelle

Sabrina has been a professional recipe developer for ten years and has been published in magazines and newspapers from California to Tel Aviv.

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Updated June 15, 2022

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Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (1)

Call it stuffing. Call it dressing. Either way, there is no doubt that it is one of the most iconic dishes on the holiday table.

Here is a version that's perfect for any gluten-free or Paleo guests at your table!

This stuffing is full of rich ingredients, like sweet potatoes and ground pork, and it has plenty of big holiday flavor. And yes, it's great with turkey!

Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (2)

I’ll admit, my first attempts at this Paleo stuffing came out a bit too heavy and one-note.

I found myself missing the bread, which is off limits to anyone on a gluten-free or grain-free diet, of course. I still wanted to bring in some toasty flavors and starchy goodness, and I ultimately settled on roasted sweet potatoes as the perfect stand-in.

The other thing I truly missed was that crunch you get at the edges of a traditional stuffing where the bread gets crisped and toasty. I solved this problem by adding a pecan crumble to the top! This addition adds both crunchy texture and another layer of holiday flavor.

If you are allergic to nuts, just skip the pecan topping. I'd recommending add extra garlic and herbs to the stuffing instead.

Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (3)

Finally, I wanted to really boost the richness and savory flavor of the whole dish. I did this by browning the ground pork really thoroughly, sautéing the vegetables in the rendered pork fat, and then deglazing the pan with a little port wine.

In the end, I ended up with a Paleo stuffing that I think could rival any traditional stuffing I have made. You can bet it will be on our table this holiday season.

Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing

Prep Time45 mins

Cook Time40 mins

Total Time85 mins

Servings8to 10 servings

This dish can be prepped the day or two before. Cooking time will be a bit longer if you’re cooking the unbaked stuffing from the fridge, so start checking for doneness at 40 minutes.

This recipe also makes a great filling for stuffed winter squash!

Ingredients

Stuffing ingredients:

  • 2 (8 to 10 ounces) large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, ghee, or duck fat (divided)

  • 2 pounds ground pork

  • 1 cup yellow onion, diced (from 1/2 medium onion)

  • 1 cup carrots, diced (from 1 large carrot or 2 small carrots)

  • 1 cup celery, diced (from 2 to 3 celery stalks)

  • 1/2 cup port or sweet sherry

  • 2 large pears, peeled and diced

  • 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries (optional—leave this out if you’re avoidingsugars)

  • 1 cup fresh herbs, chopped (I used 3/4 cups flat parsley and 1/4 cup mixed fresh sage, chervil, and thyme.)

  • 3 large eggs

Pecan crumble ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted pecans

  • 1/4 cup dried cranberriesor cherries

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, ghee, or duck fat (room temperature, if it was in the refrigerator)

  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped

  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs (I used mostly parsley with just a couple rosemary needles and a few thyme leaves.)

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Special Equipment

  • Food processor

Method

  1. Roast the sweet potatoes:

    Preheat oven to 425F and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat. Toss the sweet potato cubes with 1/2 tablespoon of your cooking fat (if it is ghee or duck fat, melt it first) and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Spread them evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, stirring the potatoes halfway through the cooking time.

    When done, they should be golden brown and easily pierced with a fork.

    Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (4)

  2. Brown the meat:

    While sweet potatoes are roasting, melt another tablespoon of your cooking fat in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

    Brown the ground pork in 2 to 3 batches. Break up the pork as it cooks to make small crumbles. Cook until the meat is well-browned and no longer pink, 5 to 7 minutes per batch. Add additional cooking fat as needed if the pan becomes dry.

    As each batch is finished, transfer it to a large bowl with a slotted spoon.

    Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (5)

  3. Sauté the vegetables:

    In the same skillet used for the pork, melt a small amount (1 to 2 teaspoons) of cooking fat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery to the hot skillet.

    Season with salt and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes or until the onions begin to turn translucent. Transfer to the bowl with the pork.

    Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (6)

  4. Deglaze the pan:

    Place the empty pan back over high heat and add the port. Simmer the port for about a minute, scraping up any browned bits that have gotten stuck to the bottom of the pan. Pour the port over the vegetables and pork in the bowl.

  5. Heat the oven to 350F:

    Grease a 9x13-inch or other 3-quart baking dish.

  6. Combine the stuffing ingredients:

    Add the roasted sweet potatoes, sautéed veggies, pears, cranberries, and herbs to the bowl with the browned meat. Mix well. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or herbs, if needed.

    At this point, the stuffing can be covered and refrigerated for 1 to 2 days before cooking.

    Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (7)

    When you're ready to bake the stuffing, add the eggs and mix thoroughly to combine. Transfer the stuffing to the greased baking dish and spread into an even layer.

    Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (8)

    Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (9)

  7. Bake the stuffing for 20 minutes, uncovered

  8. Prepare the pecan crumble topping:

    While the stuffing cooks, pulse all ingredients in a food processor until the mixture is crumbly. Be careful not to over process or you’ll end up with garlicky nut butter!

    Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (10)

    Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (11)

  9. Top the stuffing with the crumble:

    Remove the stuffing from the oven and scatter the pecan crumble evenly over the top. Bake for 20 more minutes, uncovered. The top should be toasted and smell very fragrant. (If you're not adding the pecan crumble, just bake the stuffing for 30 minutes total.)

  10. Cool and serve:

    Let the stuffing cool briefly before serving.

Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (12)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
531Calories
37g Fat
22g Carbs
28g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8to 10
Amount per serving
Calories531
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g48%
Saturated Fat 9g46%
Cholesterol 141mg47%
Sodium 246mg11%
Total Carbohydrate 22g8%
Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 28g
Vitamin C 11mg53%
Calcium 76mg6%
Iron 2mg14%
Potassium 715mg15%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should stuffing be moist before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much. Add more bread to soak up the excess moisture. If the mix is still dry and crumbly, add more liquid and toss gently until it starts to clump together.

Why add eggs to turkey stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

What is Thanksgiving stuffing made of? ›

The BEST traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe is easy to make dried bread cubes, sausage, diced vegetables, and chicken broth. It's a great side dish to make ahead of time and it definitely tastes best homemade! Pair this easy homemade stuffing with our popular turkey recipe, homemade rolls, and Thanksgiving pie.

What is pork stuffing made of? ›

Ingredients
900ggood-quality pork sausagemeat or finely minced pure pork
25gsage, chopped
75gstale white bread, crusts removed
1large onion, cut into chunks
2 tablespoonswater
1 more row

Should you put egg in your stuffing? ›

Eggs add richness to the stuffing, and makes it cohere better. I'd use two eggs per pound of bread.

Should you make stuffing the day before or the day of? ›

"Make-ahead stuffing freezes well and can be made as much as two months early if stored in the freezer properly," Tiner says. "Stuffing that is made ahead and only refrigerated should be used within seven days."

Should stuffing be cold when putting in turkey? ›

Give stuffing a head start by heating it up before placing inside the turkey. Like the turkey, stuffing needs to reach the 165 degree mark. If the bird is done before the stuffing, remove stuffing from the cavities and continue to cook in a baking dish.

Can you prepare uncooked dressing ahead of time and refrigerate? ›

Do not refrigerate uncooked stuffing. If stuffing is prepared ahead of time, it must be either frozen or cooked immediately. To use cooked stuffing later, cool in shallow containers and refrigerate it within 2 hours. Use it within 3 to 4 days.

What can you use as a binder instead of eggs in stuffing? ›

16 egg substitutes
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. Fruit puree will help bind a recipe in a similar way to applesauce. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

What is stuffing called when it's not in a turkey? ›

Stuffing and dressing are commonly used as different names for the same thing—a dish consisting of bits of bread (or other starchy things) and various seasonings. The dish can be made by stuffing it (hence the name) inside a turkey or other bird that will be roasted, or by baking or cooking it separately.

What is Pepperidge Farm stuffing made of? ›

MADE FROM: ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, SALT, SUGAR, YEAST, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: VEGETABLE OILS (CANOLA AND/OR SUNFLOWER AND/OR PALM), MOLASSES, SPICES, CELERY, ONION POWDER, CALCIUM PROPIONATE TO EXTEND FRESHNESS, MALTED BARLEY ...

What is the best bread to use for stuffing? ›

Sourdough, Italian, and white bread are standard choices for stuffing; however, journeying beyond your comfort zone can produce excellent results.

What is British stuffing made of? ›

Stuffing consists of a mixture of savoury ingredients such as breadcrumbs, herbs, fruit, nuts, sausagemeat and onion which are bound together with egg or liquid to form a semi-solid mixture. It is usually cooked with roast meat such as chicken, pork or lamb and is served as an accompaniment to the sliced, cooked meat.

What's the difference between stuffing and filling? ›

It it's to be put inside an animal, it's stuffing. If it's to be put inside a whole vegetable, it also will be called stuffing, but may be called filling in some circ*mstances. If it's to be put inside anything else, it's filling. This is all style based, though - "stuffed ravioli" is a common idiocy.

How do you keep stuffing from drying out in the oven? ›

Heat the oven to 350°F and transfer the stuffing to an oven-safe dish (or, you can keep it in the dish that it was originally cooked in). If it seems dry, you'll want to add a splash of broth.

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