If you’re hunting for a show-stopping centerpiece that’s both impressive and downright delicious, you’ve got to try this Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish combines juicy turkey breast with savory, herb-studded sausage stuffing – it’s a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Trust me, once you make it, your family and friends will be begging you to whip it up again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfectly Juicy Turkey: The roulade technique keeps the turkey tender and moist, no dry bird here.
- Savory Sausage Stuffing: The Italian sausage adds a burst of flavor that pairs beautifully with the herbs in the stuffing mix.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare this up to a day in advance, which is a total lifesaver for busy holidays.
- Impresses Every Time: Looks fancy but super doable with some easy steps and tips I’ll share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything in this Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe works together to build layers of flavor and texture. When shopping, try to get fresh ingredients and a good-quality turkey breast and sausage – it really makes a difference!
- Turkey breast: Look for a skinless, boneless turkey breast around 3 pounds; it makes rolling easier and ensures even cooking.
- Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the saltiness in the recipe; plus, it browns nicely on the turkey.
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper: Simple seasoning essentials that bring out the natural flavors.
- Garlic powder: Adds subtle warmth and depth without overpowering the sausage or herbs.
- Italian sausage (casings removed): Choose a quality sausage for that perfect savory stuffing base.
- Yellow onion and celery: These aromatics soften and create a lovely flavor base for the stuffing.
- Chicken broth: Keeps the stuffing moist and flavorful as it cooks inside the roulade.
- Herb stuffing mix: I recommend Pepperidge Farm’s herb stuffing mix; it has a great balance of herbs and texture.
Variations
I’ve played around with this Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe quite a bit, and I encourage you to make it your own. Adjust the stuffing ingredients or spices depending on your mood or the season – it’s super forgiving.
- Herb Swap: I once swapped traditional herb stuffing mix for a sage and rosemary blend I made at home, and it gave a fresher, more aromatic twist that we all loved.
- Veggie Add-In: Toss in some finely chopped mushrooms or spinach with the onions and celery for extra earthiness and color.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika to the sausage mixture if you like a little heat.
- Gluten-Free: Using gluten-free stuffing mix works perfectly; just double-check your sausage’s ingredients.
How to Make Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe
Step 1: Make That Flavorful Sausage Stuffing
Start by cooking the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it browns. Once it’s cooked through and nice and crumbly, push it to one side of the skillet. Then, melt butter on the empty side of the pan and sauté the diced onion and celery for about five minutes until soft and fragrant. Mix the sausage back in, sprinkle the herb stuffing mix on top, then gradually stir in chicken broth until the mixture is moist but not soupy. If it feels too dry, add a little more broth—you want that stuffing to be flavorful and tender inside the roulade.
Step 2: Butterfly and Prepare the Turkey Breast
Lay your turkey breast flat on a cutting board and carefully slice it horizontally, stopping just before you cut all the way through, so you can open it like a book. This step can feel intimidating, but take your time and use a sharp knife—it really helps prevent tearing. Then, place plastic wrap over the flattened turkey and use a meat mallet (or rolling pin) to pound it evenly to about half an inch thick. This evenness helps it cook more uniformly, so no one part is dry or underdone. Don’t forget to season both sides with salt and pepper for basic but vital seasoning.
Step 3: Assemble the Roulade
Spread your sausage stuffing evenly over the flattened turkey, leaving a small border around the edges so the stuffing doesn’t spill out when you roll it. Depending on your turkey size, you might not need to use all the stuffing, and that’s totally fine. Then, carefully roll the turkey up from one of the longer edges, keeping it tight but gentle. Tie the rolled turkey securely with kitchen twine at 2-inch intervals to keep everything in place during roasting.
Step 4: Butter Bath and Bake
Mix softened butter with kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, then slather half of this mixture all over your rolled turkey. Pop it into a baking pan and place it in your preheated 375°F oven. After 35-40 minutes, bump the temperature up to 400°F for the final 20 minutes, and generously drizzle or brush the remaining melted butter over the turkey to get that gorgeous golden crust. The turkey is done when an internal thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part – don’t skip this step! Rest the roulade for 15 minutes once it’s cooked, then slice and watch everyone’s eyes light up.
Pro Tips for Making Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe
- Butter Basting: I learned that saving half the butter for basting at the end makes the exterior beautifully golden without burning the herbs.
- Even Thickness Matters: Pounding the turkey to a consistent thickness ensures even cooking and avoids dry edges.
- Rest Before Slicing: Letting the roulade rest locks in the juices and makes slicing cleaner and easier.
- Don’t Rush the Butterfly Cut: Take your time slicing the turkey—it’s worth it for the perfect roll and presentation.
How to Serve Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping the turkey roulade with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme right before serving. It adds a pop of color and a fresh aroma that brightens the dish. Sometimes I also add a drizzle of pan juices or a simple gravy on the side for extra indulgence.
Side Dishes
This roulade pairs beautifully with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and a crisp cranberry chutney. I often whip up some garlicky green beans to round out the meal. The rich sausage stuffing plays well with earthy vegetables and simple starches.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I slice the roulade into thick medallions and serve them on a platter arranged with fresh rosemary sprigs and roasted baby carrots. It looks festive and inviting. Another fun trick is serving individual roulade slices atop a bed of sautéed greens with a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an elegant touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover turkey roulade keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to three days. I find that wrapping slices tightly in foil or storing in an airtight container keeps them moist and ready for quick lunches or dinner additions.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the whole uncooked roulade before, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. When thawed overnight in the fridge, it roasts just as nicely, though I recommend adding a few extra minutes to the cook time to ensure it’s cooked through all the way.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers without drying them out, I pop sliced roulade in a low oven (around 300°F) covered loosely with foil for about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave slices wrapped in a damp paper towel for a quick warm-up, but the oven method keeps the texture best.
FAQs
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Can I use turkey thighs instead of breast for the roulade?
Turkey breast is preferable for this roulade because it’s easier to butterfly and flatten evenly. Thigh meat is more irregular in shape and higher in fat, which might make rolling trickier and alter the cooking time. That said, if you’re comfortable with deboning and flattening thigh meat, you can certainly experiment!
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How do I know the roulade is fully cooked?
The best way is to use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roulade; it should read 165°F to be safe. Cooking times can vary based on your oven and the shape of your roulade, so the thermometer is key to perfect results.
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Can I prepare the Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! I often prepare the roulade completely, then refrigerate it overnight before baking. Just make sure the stuffing is cooled before assembling. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before popping it in the oven.
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What can I do if I don’t have kitchen twine?
If you don’t have kitchen twine, toothpicks or skewers can work in a pinch to hold the roulade together while cooking. Just be sure to remove them carefully before serving!
Final Thoughts
This Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe has become one of my favorite dishes to bring out for family dinners and special occasions. It’s the type of recipe that feels fancy but actually gives you plenty of room to relax in the kitchen thanks to its forgiving method. I hope you give it a try, because trust me—you’ll find it’s a satisfying way to enjoy turkey with a punch of flavor that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Print
Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Sausage Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Turkey Roulade with Sausage Stuffing is a flavorful and elegant main course perfect for any special occasion or holiday feast. Tender, boneless turkey breast is butterflied, pounded thin, and rolled tightly around a savory Italian sausage stuffing enriched with sautéed onions, celery, and herb stuffing mix. Roasted to juicy perfection and finished with a garlic butter glaze, this dish showcases juicy meat with aromatic herbs and spices, delivering a wonderfully moist and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Turkey
- 1 3-pound skinless boneless turkey breast
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Sausage Stuffing
- ½ pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup finely diced yellow onion
- ½ cup finely diced celery
- 1 cup chicken broth, plus more as needed
- 1 (6-ounce) box herb stuffing mix (such as Pepperidge Farm)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the roulade.
- Make the Stuffing: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles. Push the sausage to one side of the skillet. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté the diced onions and celery for about 5 minutes until softened. Combine the cooked sausage with the vegetables. Add the herb stuffing mix and about 1 cup chicken broth gradually, stirring until moist. Add more broth if necessary to reach the right moisture.
- Butterfly the Turkey: Lay the turkey breast flat on a cutting board. Carefully slice it horizontally, stopping about ¾ inch from the edge to create a “book” effect. Open the turkey breast flat, place plastic wrap on top, and gently pound it with a meat mallet to about ½ inch thickness. Season with about ¼ teaspoon each of kosher salt and black pepper.
- Assemble the Roulade: Spread the prepared sausage stuffing evenly over the flattened turkey breast, leaving about a ⅓ inch border around the edges. Roll the turkey tightly starting from the longer side, ensuring it is snug. Secure the roll with kitchen twine tied at intervals to hold its shape. Place the roulade in a baking pan.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Rub: In a bowl, mix the softened butter with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Rub half of this butter mixture generously all over the turkey roulade, reserving the other half for later.
- Roast the Turkey Roulade: Place the roulade in the preheated oven and roast for 55 to 60 minutes. During the last 20 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Melt the reserved butter and drizzle it over the turkey to enhance browning and flavor.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the roulade reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit at the thickest part, indicating it is safely cooked.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the roulade from the oven and let it rest for 15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Remove the kitchen twine, slice into portions, and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious turkey roulade!
Notes
- Use a boneless turkey breast roast around 3 pounds for easier handling and preparation.
- Avoid overcooking the turkey to prevent it from drying out; cooking times may vary with size.
- For make-ahead convenience, assemble the roulade a day before, refrigerate wrapped tightly, and bring to room temperature before roasting, adding extra cooking time as needed.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg