Meat Stuffing for Turkey

Meat Stuffing Recipe for Turkey

Hello! We are going to prepare a delicious turkey meat stuffing, perfect for giving a special and juicy touch to your turkey on any festive occasion. This recipe is simple, full of flavor, and combines ingredients you surely have at home.

Preparation time

This dish is prepared with reasonable times that will allow you to enjoy it without rushing.

• Preparation: 25 minutes
• Cooking: 45 minutes
• Total: 70 minutes
• Servings: 6 to 8
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the meat filling

• 500 g ground beef (you can mix with pork for more juiciness)
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 green pepper
• 100 g grated white bread
• 100 ml chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 sprig of fresh parsley
• Optional: chopped walnuts or cranberries for a special touch

If you don't have white bread, you can use whole wheat bread or even crushed crackers; the important thing is that they help bind the stuffing without overpowering the flavor.

Utensils we will use

• Medium frying pan
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Large mixing bowl
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Grater or food processor for the bread
• Stockpot or heating container

Preparation

1. Prepare the ingredients

1. Wash and chop.
   • Wash the parsley and chop finely.
   • Peel the onion and cut into small cubes (~5 mm).
   • Do the same with the garlic.
   • Cut the bell pepper into small cubes so it mixes well into the filling.
2. Wash the parsley and chop finely.
3. Peel the onion and cut into small cubes (~5 mm).
4. Do the same with the garlic.
5. Cut the bell pepper into small cubes so it mixes well into the filling.
6. Grate the bread.
   • Use dry white bread or process it to get breadcrumbs.
   • If using crackers as a substitute, crush them finely so the filling is uniform.
7. Use dry white bread or process it to get breadcrumbs.
8. If using crackers as a substitute, crush them finely so the filling is uniform.

2. Cook the meat and vegetables

1. Heat the oil. Place the pan over medium heat and add the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
2. Sauté the onion and garlic. Cook until the onion is translucent and the garlic fragrant, approximately 4 minutes, being careful not to burn them to avoid bitterness.
3. Add the bell pepper. Cook together for 3 more minutes until tender but without losing texture.
4. Incorporate the ground meat. Add all the meat and break up the clumps with a spoon so it cooks evenly.
5. Season. Add salt, black pepper, and ground cumin. Cook, stirring, until the meat is uniformly browned and no longer red, approximately 8-10 minutes.

3. Mix and prepare the stuffing

1. Let cool slightly. Remove from heat to avoid cooking the egg when mixing.
2. Add the breadcrumbs, broth, and egg. Incorporate these ingredients into the bowl with the meat and vegetables, mixing well to combine.
3. Finally, add the parsley. This will give freshness and color to the stuffing.
4. Taste and adjust. If you like it more seasoned, add a little more salt or pepper now.

To finish and serve

This stuffing is ideal for using directly in the turkey before baking, ensuring it cooks together and stays juicy. If you decide to cook the stuffing separately to use as a side dish, place it in an oven-safe dish and bake at 180 °C for 20-25 minutes. Serve hot with white rice or roasted vegetables for a complete and tasty meal.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 320 kcal
• Proteins: 25 g
• Fats: 18 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g

These values are approximate per serving and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and the amount of oil used.

5 keys to make it perfect

• Fresh and quality meat: Use fresh ground meat and, if possible, mix beef and pork to add juiciness.
• Uniform chopping: Cutting onion, garlic, and bell pepper into similar sizes helps the stuffing have a homogeneous texture.
• Oil temperature: Heat the oil before adding the ingredients for a good sear and better flavor.
• Suitable breadcrumbs: The bread should be dry or lightly toasted, which helps prevent the mixture from becoming too wet.
• Rest before stuffing: Let the mixture cool a bit so it doesn't affect the turkey's cooking and the egg doesn't overcook.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

This turkey meat stuffing it's perfect for family celebrations, especially on dates like Christmas and Thanksgiving, when turkey is the star. It also works for special dinners or gatherings where you want to surprise with traditional and homemade flavors. Its combination of ingredients gives a classic touch but full of personality, ideal to enjoy accompanied with dishes like stuffed pork loin or a baked chicken with herbs recipe.

Comparison with similar stuffings

Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. Don't hesitate to comment on how this turkey meat stuffing turned out for you, what variations you tried, or what tricks worked best for you! Your experience can inspire others to prepare equally delicious dishes.

Culinary glossary

• Grate: To shred a food, in this case bread, using a grater to turn it into powder.
• Sear: To cook meat at high temperature so that a crust forms that retains juices.
• Broth: Liquid made with bones, meat, or vegetables, used to add flavor to dishes.
• Parsley: Common aromatic herb that provides freshness and color.
• Bell pepper: Mild-flavored vegetable that is used chopped to add touch and texture in stuffings.