Description
This French Meat Stuffing recipe is a savory and aromatic side dish featuring a blend of ground pork and beef seasoned with warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Combined with mashed potatoes and breadcrumbs, it creates a moist, flavorful stuffing perfect for holiday meals or as a tasty accompaniment to turkey and pork dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Binders and Finishers
- 3/4 cup mashed potatoes (plain)
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup water or broth (as needed)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground pork and ground beef to the skillet, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary to prevent greasiness.
- Season Meat Mixture: Stir in ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to evenly distribute the warm spices and flavorings throughout the meat.
- Add Binders: Mix in the mashed potatoes and plain breadcrumbs, combining thoroughly to create a cohesive and moist stuffing mixture. If the mixture feels too dry, add small amounts of water or broth until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Finish and Cool: Cook the combined mixture for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors. Remove the skillet from heat, then stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Allow to cool slightly before using as a stuffing or serving as a side dish.
Notes
- This French-Canadian-inspired stuffing is traditionally served with turkey or pork during holiday meals.
- To reheat and achieve a crispier top, bake the stuffing in a casserole dish at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
- Leftover stuffing makes a delicious savory pie filling for an easy meal the next day.
- You can substitute broth for water to add extra flavor.
- Ensure mashed potatoes are plain without added butter or cream for best results.
