Description
This French Meat Stuffing recipe combines ground pork and savory spices with creamy mashed potatoes to create a flavorful, hearty side dish perfect for holidays or comforting meals any time of year. Infused with traditional French-Canadian spices like cinnamon, cloves, sage, and thyme, it delivers a unique taste that pairs beautifully with poultry or can be enjoyed on its own with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 lb ground pork (or a mix of pork and beef)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Seasonings and Mix-ins
- 1 cup mashed potatoes (plain, leftover or freshly made)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth (as needed for moisture)
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground pork (or pork and beef mix) to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked, approximately 8–10 minutes. Drain excess grease if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the mashed potatoes, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, dried sage, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly combine all flavors.
- Adjust Moisture & Simmer: If the stuffing appears too dry, add the chicken or vegetable broth a few tablespoons at a time until the desired consistency is achieved. Let the mixture simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
- Final Seasoning & Serve: Taste the stuffing and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot as a side dish, stuffing for poultry, or alone with crusty bread. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- This French-Canadian-inspired meat stuffing is traditionally served during holidays but works as a comforting side dish year-round.
- For variations, substitute mashed potatoes with day-old bread crumbs or cooked rice.
- The stuffing mixture also makes an excellent filling for meat pies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
