Herb Sausagestuffed Turkey Breast with Pan Gravy

Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Stuffed Turkey Breast have you ever tried rolling one for dinner? I made this once for friends. Everyone raved about the crispy skin and sage aroma.
This Herb & Sausage Stuffed Turkey Breast blends savory sausage and bright herbs. Think rich sausage, soft crumbs, and zesty lemon finish. It tastes like Thanksgiving, but in a compact roast.
Fun stat: Americans eat about 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving. Wild, right? That explains why variations exist everywhere.
Brief Overview
This idea borrows from classic roast traditions. It feels like a modern holiday twist.
Origin? It’s rooted in festive poultry roasts. Many families use similar Holiday Stuffed Turkey Breast recipes.
Difficulty is medium. You need some butterflying and rolling skills. Total time is about 2 hours including rest.
Prep time is 30 minutes active. Cook time is 60– 75 minutes and rest is 15 minutes . This yields about six servings from a 3 3.5 lb breast.
Serve sliced with mashed potatoes. Add roasted roots or green beans. It also works as a Weeknight Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe .
Main Benefits
Top health win: it’s high in protein. Turkey breast gives lean protein per serving.
Perfect occasion: family dinners and small holiday gatherings. It’s great as a centerpiece for casual crowds.
What makes it special is the texture contrast. Crisp skin, juicy meat, and meaty stuffing win every time. The filling uses sage and sausage, so the dish feels both homey and elegant.
You can adapt it to a Boneless Turkey Breast Roulade format. Or try a Stuffed Turkey Breast With Cranberry Stuffing for sweet acidity.
For classic flavors, go with Turkey Breast Stuffing Recipes with Sage .
If you love technique, this is your jam. Learn How to Roll and Truss a Stuffed Turkey Breast here. I’ll share tips on tying, chilling, and slicing.
Next up, ingredients and tools. Grab a sharp knife and butcher’s twine. Let’s move on to the ingredient list and step-by-step.
Ingredients & Equipment
I always start with a little promise. My grandma used to say, "Good bird starts with good bits." Nearly nine in ten families serve turkey at holiday dinners.
This recipe keeps that spirit alive.
Main Ingredients
For the turkey:
- 1 boneless, skin-on turkey breast, about 3 3.5 lb (1.4 1.6 kg)
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt , 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 2 tbsp (30 ml / 28 g) olive oil or melted butter
For the stuffing:
- 8 oz (225 g) bulk pork sausage
- 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, ~150 g ; 2 celery stalks, ~100 g
- 1 medium apple, ~150 g (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves , 1 tbsp fresh sage , 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 cups (150 g) day-old breadcrumbs or panko
- 1 large egg , 1/3 1/2 cup (80 120 ml) stock
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt and 1/2 tsp (1 g) pepper
Pan gravy:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine , 1 1 1/2 cups (240 360 ml) stock
Quality tips: use a firm, pale pink turkey breast. Pick sausage with noticeable meat chunks. Use day-old bread for texture.
This makes a lovely Stuffed Turkey Breast . It’s also perfect as a Holiday Stuffed Turkey Breast or simpler Weeknight Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe .
Seasoning Notes
Essential combo: sage, thyme, parsley. They sing together. Add a pinch of fennel seeds for sausage warmth.
Brighteners: lemon zest and a splash of apple cider vinegar.
They cut richness.
Quick swaps: no pork sausage? Use turkey sausage or mushrooms plus extra butter. Dried herbs work if fresh aren’t handy.
Equipment Needed
Must haves: sharp chef’s knife, cutting board, meat mallet or rolling pin, butcher’s twine, roasting pan with rack, and an instant read thermometer.
The thermometer matters cook to 165° F ( 74° C) .
Household alternatives: use a rolling pin instead of a mallet.
Use skewers or toothpicks if you lack twine. A rimmed baking sheet and wire rack can replace a roasting pan.
Honestly, the first time I rolled a Boneless Turkey Breast Roulade , I butchered the tie. Lessons learned. Now, when friends ask about How to Roll and Truss a Stuffed Turkey Breast , I give them my messy, useful tips.
This version also works as Herb and Sausage Stuffed Turkey Breast and pairs beautifully with Stuffed Turkey Breast with Pan Gravy .
Cooking Method
I love a good Stuffed Turkey Breast.
Fun fact: 70% of cooks prefer stuffed birds for flavor.
Oh my gosh, this Herb & Sausage Stuffed Turkey Breast saved my holiday once.
It’s a Weeknight Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe, honestly.
Prep Steps
Get your mise en place first.
Chop herbs, dice celery, and measure breadcrumbs.
Brown the sausage and cool it slightly.
Lay out butcher’s twine and an instant read thermometer.
Safety note: always wash hands after handling raw poultry.
Keep raw meat separate from other ingredients.
step-by-step Process
- Make the stuffing and cool it. Spread evenly.
- Butterfly the breast and pound it flat.
- Season and spread stuffing, leaving a 1 inch border.
- Roll tightly into a log and truss it.
- Roast at 375° F ( 190° C) until done.
- Rest 15 minutes before slicing.
Visual cues: skin should be golden and crisp.
Slice juices must run clear, not pink.
Insert thermometer into center of stuffing.
Target internal temperature: 165° F ( 74° C) .
For a 3 3.5 lb breast expect 60 75 minutes .
Start checking at 55 60 minutes .
Pro Tips
Use an instant read thermometer. Always.
Chill the roll 20– 30 minutes for a neater slice.
Sear seam side down for 2 minutes for color, if you like.
Common mistakes: overstuffing the roll. That makes it sloppy.
Don’t skip the rest time. Slicing hot meat loses juices.
If skin browns too fast, tent with foil.
make-ahead option: assemble and chill overnight.
Roast from chilled, add 10– 15 minutes to cook time.
This method works for variations. Try Stuffed Turkey Breast With Cranberry Stuffing.
Or make a Boneless Turkey Breast Roulade.
I’ve turned this into a Holiday Stuffed Turkey Breast several years running.
It hits all the Turkey Main Dishes notes.
If you want, I’ll show How to Roll and Truss a Stuffed Turkey Breast next.
Fun fact: About 46 million turkeys are roasted in the U.S. at Thanksgiving. Crazy, right? If you want all that holiday flavor without a giant bird, try my favorite: the Stuffed Turkey Breast .
I swear it feels fancy but is doable on a weeknight.
Serving Suggestions
Plate the slices so each piece shows the stuffing spiral. A few slices of roasted carrot and a green sprig finish the plate nicely.
For a holiday dinner, call it a Holiday Stuffed Turkey Breast moment. For casual nights, treat it like a Weeknight Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe and keep sides simple mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans work wonders.
I love pairing it with Stuffed Turkey Breast with Pan Gravy . A chilled Pinot Noir or sparkling apple cider pairs beautifully.
Storage Tips
Cool the roast completely before storing. Wrap tightly in foil or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
For longer life, slice and freeze portions. Wrap well and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat gently in a 325° F oven until warm. Don’t overcook. The stuffing can dry out fast.
Variations
Swap the sausage for dried cranberries and walnuts. That gives a lovely sweet contrast. Try a Stuffed Turkey Breast With Cranberry Stuffing if you like fruit forward flavors.
For a lighter option, use turkey sausage or omit meat for a veggie packed stuffing. Seasonal swaps? Add roasted squash in fall.
Swap apples for pears in winter.
Nutrition Basics
Per serving, you get about 38 g protein. It’s higher in protein than many weeknight mains. The herbs add vitamin C and antioxidants.
Using lean turkey keeps fat moderate. Use low-sodium stock to cut sodium.
Tips from my kitchen
I once rolled too tight and the stuffing squirted out. Don’t overpack. Chill the log for 20 30 minutes before tying.
Learn How to Roll and Truss a Stuffed Turkey Breast it makes slicing cleaner. If you want a showstopper, call it a Boneless Turkey Breast Roulade or a Butterflied Turkey Breast Recipe on your menu.
You got this. Make it once, and you’ll be making it again. Serve with pride and enjoy the applause.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Stuffed Turkey Breast and how is it different from roasting a whole turkey?
Stuffed Turkey Breast is a boneless, skin-on turkey breast that’s butterflied, filled with a savoury stuffing, rolled and roasted essentially a compact, single roast alternative to a whole bird.
It gives you the familiar Thanksgiving flavours with shorter cook time, easier carving and better portion control, while still achieving crisp skin and juicy meat.
How do I know when my stuffed turkey breast is fully cooked without overcooking it?
Use an instant read thermometer and check the centre of the roll (through the stuffing): the USDA recommended safe temperature is 165°F (74°C). Also look for clear juices and a golden, crisp skin; rest the roast tented for 15 minutes carryover cooking will finish the centre while the juices redistribute.
Any simple tips for butterflying, stuffing and trussing so the roll stays neat and slices well?
Butterfly and gently pound to an even 1/2 inch thickness, leaving a border so the stuffing doesn’t spill; don’t overpack the filling it should be moist but not soupy.
Roll tightly, tie every 1 1.5 inches with butcher’s twine, and chill 20 30 minutes to firm the shape; use toothpicks to secure any loose skin and optionally sear for deeper colour before roasting.
Can I make the stuffing ahead or freeze a stuffed turkey breast?
Yes you can prepare the stuffing a day ahead and refrigerate it, and you can assemble the stuffed roll and chill it up to 24 hours before roasting for cleaner slices. For longer storage, wrap the raw rolled breast tightly and freeze up to 3 months; thaw fully in the fridge (24 48 hours) before roasting and always cook to 165°F (74°C).
What are easy variations or substitutions for the herb & sausage stuffing?
Try cranberry apple-walnut, spinach & feta, or mushroom & goat cheese for different flavour profiles; swap pork sausage for turkey or chicken sausage, or omit sausage and add sautéed mushrooms and extra butter for moisture.
For dietary needs use gluten-free breadcrumbs or replace with cooked quinoa/wild rice, and swap butter for olive oil to make it dairy-free.
How does Stuffed Turkey Breast fit into a balanced meal what about portions and nutrition?
Estimate one slice (about 1/6 of a 3 3.5 lb breast) per person the recipe yields roughly 480 kcal, ~38 g protein and ~26 g fat per serving, with sodium around 600 750 mg depending on ingredients.
To lighten it, use lean turkey sausage, reduce butter, increase vegetables on the plate, or swap some breadcrumbs for whole grains to boost fibre while keeping the dish satisfying.
Herb Sausagestuffed Turkey Breast With Pan Gravy

Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 480 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 38 g |
| Fat | 26 g |
| Carbs | 18 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |