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

Why put eggs in 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.

Why is stuffing cooked separately? ›

Stuffing cooked inside the turkey could become contaminated with salmonella if the bird is stuffed too early, if the stuffing is left in too long, or if the stuffing doesn't come to a high enough temperature while cooking. Even Health Canada recommends cooking stuffing separately in the oven or on the stove top.

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

Cornstarch. This is our binder! Cornstarch makes a great egg substitute in vegan baked goods. Turns out it's great for making an eggless stuffing as well!

Are you supposed to cook the stuffing before putting it in? ›

Fully cook raw meat, poultry, or seafood ingredients before adding to stuffing. Combine the ingredients and place them in your bird immediately before cooking. Don't stuff whole poultry with cooked stuffing. In addition to the turkey, the stuffing's center needs to reach 165 F.

What brings out the flavor of sweet potatoes? ›

Browning butter packs in tons of flavor, without dulling the sweet potatoes. Slow-roasting the sweet potatoes activates endogenous enzymes that bring out their natural sweetness. A touch of maple syrup, butter, and a bit of chopped thyme are the only embellishments these naturally sweet sweet potatoes need.

What meat pairs best with sweet potato? ›

Let's delve into the meats that harmonize best with sweet potato mash, creating a perfect balance of savory and sweet.
  1. Pork Tenderloin: A Symphony of Flavors. ...
  2. Roasted Duck: An Opulent Pairing. ...
  3. Grilled Chicken: A Lighter Complement. ...
  4. Braised Beef Short Ribs: Comfort in Every Bite. ...
  5. Seared Salmon: An Unexpected Harmony.

What makes sweet potatoes better? ›

Because of their fiber and vitamin contents, sweet potatoes are often considered the healthier choice between the two. Sweet potatoes are likely healthier than regular potatoes. They have a lower GI, more fiber, and large amounts of beta carotene.

How to make stuffing Gordon Ramsay? ›

Make the stuffing, melt butter in a large frying pan and gently sauté onion and garlic for five minutes until soft. Stir in the herbs for one minute then add breadcrumbs to absorb butter. Mix in zest, pine nuts and seasoning and cook over medium heat for about seven minutes until crumbs start to brown and crisp.

Is it better to stuff the turkey or make the stuffing on the side? ›

If you cook the stuffing outside the turkey, first of all, it's no longer "stuffing" — it's "dressing." Both it and the turkey will cook more reliably, and you can fill the inside of the turkey (loosely) with aromatics if you're going for that Thanksgiving-y turkey-cornucopia look.

Why is my stuffing gummy? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

Why is my stuffing always mushy? ›

You'll need day-old loaves to get stale so that the stuffing doesn't get too mushy. Don't cube that bread! Ragged, imperfect pieces of bread have more surface area; it's those nooks and crannies that give you good texture. Speaking of texture, that's what stuffing is all about--you want a mix of crispy and soft pieces.

How soggy should stuffing be 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.

What is the purpose of adding eggs? ›

Eggs play an important role in everything from cakes and cookies to meringues and pastry cream — they create structure and stability within a batter, they help thicken and emulsify sauces and custards, they add moisture to cakes and other baked goods, and can even act as glue or glaze.

How are eggs used as a binder? ›

Eggs can act as binding agents. As their proteins set, eggs bind ingredients together giving strength and stability to meatloaves, casseroles and baked goods.

How do you keep stuffing moist when cooking? ›

Typically, baking the stuffing inside the bird helps keep the mixture moist. “I prefer stuffing (in the bird) to dressing (outside of the bird) because all those delicious drippings that come off the turkey gets absorbed right into the stuffing,” Bamford says.

Why do we add egg to dough? ›

It makes the bread lighter and fluffier. The reason for that is the fat in the yolk that inhibits gluten formation just as any other fat would. This results in a looser dough that can expand and puff up more.

References

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