This French Meat Stuffing Recipe is pure comfort food, with savory pork and beef cozied up in velvety spices and kissed with buttery onions. Every bite brings a wave of nostalgia and warmth, making it the ultimate sidekick for your holiday turkey, roast chicken, or just a hearty weeknight feast. Whether you grew up with this dish gracing your table or you’re new to its charms, get ready to fall for its aromatic blend of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Trust me, this is one recipe that never loses its appeal!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best things about this French Meat Stuffing Recipe is that it transforms simple, straightforward ingredients into a celebration of bold flavors and hearty textures. Each addition has a part to play, bringing character and classic taste to every spoonful.
- Ground Pork (1 pound): The heart of the stuffing, adding rich, savory depth and plenty of juiciness.
- Ground Beef (1/2 pound): Balances the pork with robust beefy flavor and a bit of texture.
- Onion (1 small, finely chopped): Essential for sweetness and a touch of moisture; it blends perfectly into the meat mixture.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Brings aromatic notes that make the stuffing irresistibly savory.
- Butter (1 tablespoon): Adds silkiness, helps the onions caramelize, and boosts overall flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon): Lends warmth and gentle sweetness – absolutely signature for this recipe!
- Ground Cloves (1/2 teaspoon): Infuses an unmistakable cozy aroma and faintly spicy note.
- Ground Allspice (1/2 teaspoon): Ties together the spice blend with peppery, complex undertones.
- Ground Nutmeg (1/4 teaspoon): A subtle touch, but it rounds out the flavor profile beautifully.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances every savory element – don’t skip it!
- Black Pepper (1/2 teaspoon): For a gentle kick and a little extra depth.
- Chicken Broth (1/2 cup): Keeps the mixture moist and ties all the flavors together.
- Plain Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup): Soaks up the juices, helping the stuffing set yet stay tender.
- Egg (1, beaten): Acts as a binder and gives structure to every serving.
- Fresh Parsley (2 tablespoons, optional): For a lovely fresh finish and a pop of color.
How to Make French Meat Stuffing Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by melting the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. As soon as it’s bubbling and fragrant, add your onions and let them soften, stirring occasionally. After about 3–4 minutes, tip in the minced garlic and allow it to work its magic for another minute. The goal: build a sweet, savory base that will flavor every bite of the stuffing.
Step 2: Brown the Meats
Now, crumble both your ground pork and ground beef into the pan. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to break everything up as it cooks. You’ll want to keep stirring and turning the meat for a good 8–10 minutes, until there’s no more pink. This rich, golden-brown foundation is the backbone of the French Meat Stuffing Recipe, packing in flavor and heartiness.
Step 3: Add the Spices
Once the meat is fully cooked, drain off any excess fat if necessary. Now, sprinkle in all your ground spices: cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, as well as the salt and pepper. Stir the mixture well to distribute the aromatics and continue cooking for another 1–2 minutes. This quick toasting wakes up the spices, infusing the whole skillet with that classic holiday aroma.
Step 4: Mix in Broth and Breadcrumbs
Pour in the chicken broth and add the breadcrumbs. As you stir, the mixture will start to thicken, pulling together as moisture is absorbed. Cook gently for a minute or two until the stuffing is cohesive but not dry. This step ensures every morsel is tender and bursting with flavor.
Step 5: Finish with Egg
Take the skillet off the heat and let the filling cool for about 5 minutes – this helps prevent the egg from scrambling. Stir in the beaten egg until everything is well mixed. The egg adds just the right texture, making the stuffing beautifully sliceable yet moist.
Step 6: Bake or Stuff as Desired
At this stage, your French Meat Stuffing Recipe is ready for its final act. You can spoon it into a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until golden and piping hot, or use it to stuff poultry before roasting. For an extra flourish, scatter on some chopped fresh parsley before serving.
How to Serve French Meat Stuffing Recipe
Garnishes
The finishing touch for this dish is often a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, giving vivid color and freshness to the rich flavors. If you want even more flair, try a tiny pinch of extra nutmeg or a light drizzle of pan drippings for extra flavor and sheen.
Side Dishes
This stuffing always shines beside roast turkey, juicy chicken, or a festive ham. Pair it with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad to round out your plate. The subtle spices and rich meats pair especially well with simple vegetable preparations.
Creative Ways to Present
While the French Meat Stuffing Recipe is fantastic baked in a casserole, you can also use it to stuff hollowed-out vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or pattypan squash. Or, roll it into hand pies for a unique, portable treat. Any leftovers can be pan-fried and tucked into a sandwich with a handful of greens for a hearty lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover French Meat Stuffing Recipe can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it cool completely before storing, and try to keep air exposure to a minimum so it stays moist and aromatic.
Freezing
This stuffing freezes surprisingly well! Simply portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, label, and freeze for up to 2 months. For best texture, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, you can microwave individual servings or pop the whole pan, covered with foil, into a 350°F oven until hot through. Add a splash of broth if it seems a bit dry, and always garnish with fresh parsley for a revived splash of color.
FAQs
Can I use just pork or just beef?
Absolutely! While the classic French Meat Stuffing Recipe uses a combination of both for the best flavor and texture, you can use all pork or all beef if you prefer or if that’s what you have on hand.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
It can be! Just substitute your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs and make sure your broth is gluten-free, and you’ll have a delicious gluten-friendly version of the French Meat Stuffing Recipe.
What can I use instead of chicken broth?
If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth or beef broth work well and will bring their own subtle twist. Even water will do in a pinch, but broth boosts the richness significantly.
Can I make this stuffing ahead of time?
Definitely! Prepare the French Meat Stuffing Recipe up to the point of baking, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you’re ready, simply bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if needed to heat through fully.
Why does the recipe use so many spices?
The special blend of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg gives this dish its signature festive flavor. These warm spices echo classic French-Canadian holiday tastes and set this stuffing apart from the usual savory stuffings.
Final Thoughts
If you want to bring a little French-Canadian tradition to your table, you can’t go wrong with this French Meat Stuffing Recipe. Trust me: it’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and positively packed with comfort and flavor. Give it a try this season, and it just might become your new family favorite too!
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French Meat Stuffing Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This French Meat Stuffing recipe is a savory and spiced dish that pairs perfectly with poultry, making it an ideal side for holiday meals. Made with a blend of ground pork and beef, aromatic spices, and breadcrumbs, this traditional French-Canadian stuffing will surely impress your family and guests.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/2 pound ground beef
Seasonings:
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Additional:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, sauté onion in butter until soft. Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Cook Meat: Add pork and beef, cook until browned.
- Add Spices: Stir in cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
- Thicken Mixture: Add chicken broth and breadcrumbs, cook until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Finish Stuffing: Mix in beaten egg. Use as desired for stuffing or bake separately.
- Bake: If baking separately, bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until golden.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- This stuffing is a classic accompaniment to poultry dishes, perfect for holiday feasts.
- Prepare in advance and store in the fridge for up to 2 days before use.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop, Baking
- Cuisine: French-Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
