Christmas in Texas: Pepper Jelly Stuffing

Looking to elevate your holiday table with a side dish that’s bold, flavorful, and unforgettable? This Sweet & Spicy Sausage Stuffing is the perfect complement to turkey, whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Made with Texas Pepper Jelly, savory sausage, and a hint of applesauce, this stuffing brings together sweet heat and classic comfort in every bite. It’s easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bulk pork sausage, cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup finely chopped onion, sautéed until translucent
• 1 cup Texas Pepper Jelly (choose your favorite flavor – we prefer Apple Habanero)
• 1 cup diced celery, sautéed until tender
• ½ cup diced carrots, sautéed until just tender
• ½ cup sweet corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ½ cup melted butter
• 9 cups bread cubes (a mix of white and wheat adds great texture)
• 3 tsp poultry seasoning or ground sage
• ¼ cup chicken broth (low-sodium or MSG-free if preferred)
• APS (All Purpose Seasoning) to taste

How to Prepare the Stuffing:

Prep the ingredients:

Cook the sausage in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease and set aside. In the same pan, sauté the chopped onions, celery, and carrots in a bit of butter until soft and fragrant – about 5–7 minutes. Add the corn and cook for another 2 minutes to warm through.

Build the base:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes, cooked sausage, sautéed vegetables (including carrots and corn), applesauce, melted butter, poultry seasoning, and APS. Pour in the chicken broth and Texas Pepper Jelly, stirring gently to coat the bread without breaking it down.

Bake the stuffing (two options):

Option 1 – Traditional Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and spoon in the stuffing mixture, spreading it evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake an additional 20–30 minutes until the top is golden and slightly crisp.

Option 2 – Cast Iron Skillet (One-Pan Method): Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Use the skillet you prepared the cooked ingredients in. Lightly grease the cast-iron skillet and spoon the stuffing mixture into the skillet. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 20–30 minutes until the edges are crisp and the center is heated through. Serve straight from the skillet for a rustic, one-pan presentation.

Serve and enjoy:

Let the stuffing rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Variations & Tips

• Make it meatless: Skip the sausage and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted pecans for a vegetarian twist.

• Add fruit: Match your Pepper Jelly flavor with chopped apples, dried cherries, or cranberries for extra depth.

• Spice it up: Use a dash of one of our Ghost Pepper Hot Sauces for a bold kick.

• Stuffing vs. dressing: We recommend baking this dish separately from the turkey to ensure even cooking and avoid excess grease.

Why Texas Pepper Jelly Makes It Better

Texas Pepper Jelly offers more than just jelly; it’s a full flavor experience. Our Rib Candy and Bird Bath products are pourable, shelf-stable, and packed with real fruit and bold peppers, making them perfect for glazing, layering, or finishing meats and sides.

While our traditional pepper jelly has a classic jelly texture, it still delivers that signature sweet heat when folded into stuffing, dips, or spreads. Whether you’re baking or basting, there’s a Texas Pepper Jelly product that fits the moment and elevates the flavor.