Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Dinners
  • Side Dishes

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.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated June 15, 2022

Trending Videos

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)

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

How many pounds of stuffing do I need per person? ›

I think it's safe to plan for 1 1/2 pounds per person. What's the worst that could happen? A leftover turkey sandwich?! 3/4 cup of stuffing per person should be plenty.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

It's a matter of preference, but adding a beaten egg to your stuffing mixture acts as a binder and keeps the bread moist.

Why do you 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? ›

Bacteria can multiply in the stuffing and cause foodborne illness when a stuffed bird is refrigerated. The wet and dry ingredients for the stuffing should be prepared separately and refrigerated until ready to use. Mixing dry and wet ingredients produces an environment that bacteria may thrive in hours before cooking.

How much stuffing do I need for 10 adults? ›

How much stuffing do you need for Thanksgiving? Plan to serve about 3/4 cup of stuffing per guest. That amounts to roughly 4 cups of prepared stuffing for 5 guests and 7-1/2 cups for 10 guests.

How much stuffing do I need for 4 people? ›

Nov. 21, 2011— -- Everyone loves your Thanksgiving turkey, but do you really know how much stuffing is the right amount to make? In order to fill the cavity of the bird you are stuffing, you should make 3/4 cup of stuffing per person.

Is it OK to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

No matter where you fall, getting a head start on what can be prepared before the big day is essential. One question that always crops up: Can you make stuffing ahead of time? The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Stuffing is not strictly a healthy food, because it is typically high in calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates. 1 But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it, All foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation.

What happens if you don't cook stuffing? ›

It Could Give You Salmonella Poisoning

If that stuffing doesn't reach 165 degrees F, the bacteria won't be killed off, meaning you're passing it on to your guests.

Why is Thanksgiving stuffing so good? ›

Juices from the turkey soaked into the stuffing, infusing it with fat and flavor. "You've got those juices, and those juices taste great,” Smith said.

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

Classic stuffing made with bread cubes, seasonings, and held together with chicken stock and eggs. A holiday staple!

Why is turkey stuffing so good? ›

When made from scratch and seasoned right, it is rich, moist and savory, shot through with different textures and flavors that give cooks plenty of room to play. That basic amalgamation of starch, fat and aromatics is indisputably delicious.

What do Americans call stuffing? ›

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.

Do you cook stuffing first before putting it in the 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.

Should you stir stuffing? ›

The bread in the stuffing absorbs moisture, but if it's dry (as it should be, see above), it takes some time for the liquid to settle in. I suggest adding a little at a time, say 1 cup of broth for every 4 cups of dry mix. Give it a good stir, then let it sit for a minute. The stuffing should be moist but not wet.

How do I know how much stuffing to buy? ›

How Much Stuffing Per Person
  1. 4 people – 3 cups.
  2. 6 people – 4.5 cups.
  3. 12 people – 9 cups.
  4. 20 people – 15 cups.
  5. 4 people – 3 cups.
  6. 6 people – 6 cups.
  7. 12 people – 12 cups.
  8. 20 people – 19.5 cups. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Check how much gravy per person you need for Thanksgiving dinner here.
Nov 19, 2023

How much is a serving of stuffing? ›

Try sticking to 1/2 cup (about the size of an ice cream scoop).

How many boxes of stuffing do I need for 5 people? ›

How much stuffing per person? A 14-ounce bag of stuffing makes about 11 servings; a 6-ounce box of stuffing mix makes 6 servings.

What is a portion of stuffing? ›

Serving size: ½ cup, or about the size of a standard ice cream scoop. Calories: 180. Cornbread.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 5998

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.