The Turkey Roulade is a festive and flavorful dish that is perfect for any special occasion or holiday gathering. This dish features turkey tenderloin rolled around a savory stuffing made of pork sausage, fresh bread crumbs, dried cranberries, and herbs, creating a combination of rich, hearty flavors. It’s an elegant yet easy-to-make meal that allows you to spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen. The dish can be prepared ahead of time, making it convenient for busy hosts. The turkey is perfectly tender, and the stuffing adds a lovely sweetness from the cranberries with a savory depth from the sausage and herbs. It’s a showstopper that will impress your guests and leave them asking for seconds.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
For the Stuffing:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces pork sausage (such as Jimmy Dean®)
- 1 cup fresh bread crumbs (2 slices bread, torn)
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries (such as Craisins®)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
For the Roulade:
- 1 (24 ounce) package turkey breast tenderloins (such as Jennie-O®)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 1 ¼ cups chicken stock or broth, divided
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Directions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Prepare the Stuffing:
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add the pork sausage, cooking and stirring until it crumbles and becomes lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the sausage.
- Stir in the bread crumbs, cranberries, parsley, thyme, sage, and the beaten egg. Season with salt and pepper, mixing everything together well.
- Prepare the Turkey Tenderloins:
- Butterfly the turkey tenderloins by cutting them lengthwise, almost all the way through, so they can be opened up like a book. Place the tenderloins between two sheets of plastic wrap and use a meat mallet to flatten them to a thickness of about 1/3 inch.
- Season both sides of the turkey with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Assemble the Roulade:
- Lay the two tenderloins side by side, slightly overlapping, to form one large tenderloin. Press gently with the meat mallet to seal them together.
- Spread the prepared stuffing evenly over the turkey, leaving about a 1/3-inch border around the edges.
- Carefully roll the tenderloin into a tight log, jelly-roll style. Use kitchen string to tie the roulade with 4–5 pieces of string, securing it in place. You can refrigerate the roulade at this point if you plan to cook it later.
- Brown the Roulade:
- In an ovenproof roasting pan, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the roulade and brown it on all sides, about 8–10 minutes.
- Bake the Roulade:
- Pour the dry white wine and 1 cup of chicken stock over the roulade. Cover the pan with a lid or aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 160°F (71°C). Baste occasionally with the pan juices.
- Prepare the Gravy:
- Once the turkey roulade is cooked, remove it from the pan and tent with aluminum foil. Let it rest for about 10–15 minutes.
- In the same pan, whisk together the remaining chicken stock, cornstarch, and Dijon mustard. Simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 3–4 minutes.
- Serve:
- Remove the kitchen strings from the roulade and slice it into ½-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on a serving platter, drizzle with the gravy, and serve.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
(Note: Nutritional values are estimated based on general portion sizes, as the recipe was not directly linked to a detailed nutrition guide.)
- Calories: Approximately 300–350 kcal per serving
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sodium: 500mg
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Vitamin A: 450 IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 40mg
- Iron: 3mg
Tips:
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the roulade in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Simply bake it when ready to serve.
- Stuffing Variations: Feel free to adjust the stuffing ingredients to your liking. Add nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch, or swap the cranberries for raisins or apricots for a different flavor.
- Perfect Gravy: For extra richness, you can add a splash of heavy cream to the gravy before simmering to make it even creamier.
This Turkey Roulade is the perfect dish for impressing your guests and making any meal feel special. With its flavorful stuffing, tender turkey, and delicious gravy, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
The Origins and Inspiration Behind the Turkey Roulade
A roulade, in culinary terms, refers to a dish in which ingredients are rolled up tightly, often resembling a log or cylinder. It’s a French term that simply means “to roll,” and it’s used in many cuisines around the world to create beautifully stuffed and rolled meats. The turkey roulade, specifically, is an elegant alternative to the traditional roasted turkey, offering a more refined presentation without sacrificing flavor. This dish is ideal for those who want to serve a turkey without the hassle of carving a whole bird at the table.
The stuffing in this recipe, made with pork sausage, cranberries, and herbs, brings a traditional, comforting element to the dish. The combination of the savory sausage and the sweet, tangy cranberries creates a harmonious flavor profile, complemented by the herbs and spices. It’s a perfect balance of richness and freshness—a signature of great comfort food.
Why This Turkey Roulade with Pork Sausage Stuffing is the Best Choice
1. A Flavorful Twist on Traditional Turkey
Turkey is often the centerpiece of holiday meals, but it can sometimes be dry or bland, especially when served without flavorful stuffing or gravy. This recipe solves that problem with its moist, flavorful turkey roulade, which is stuffed with a rich mixture of pork sausage, fresh herbs, and cranberries. The stuffing adds a burst of flavor, ensuring each bite is filled with savory goodness and a touch of sweetness. The turkey itself remains tender and juicy, thanks to the careful roasting technique and the addition of flavorful pan juices during baking.
2. Perfect for Special Occasions
A roulade offers a sophisticated presentation, making it a showstopper for holiday meals, family gatherings, or dinner parties. Whether you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, or simply want to impress your guests, this dish delivers both in terms of flavor and aesthetics. The sliced roulade looks elegant on a platter, and the rich, golden gravy drizzled over the top adds a finishing touch that elevates the entire meal. It’s a perfect dish for those who want to serve something special without the complexity of carving a whole turkey.
3. Moist and Flavorful Turkey Every Time
One of the biggest challenges with cooking turkey is ensuring it doesn’t dry out. With a turkey roulade, the turkey is butterflied and flattened, allowing for even cooking and a more consistent texture throughout. The roulade shape also traps moisture, ensuring that the turkey remains tender and juicy. The stuffing further helps retain moisture, adding an extra layer of flavor that complements the turkey perfectly.
4. Customizable Stuffing Options
While this recipe calls for pork sausage, cranberries, and fresh herbs, the beauty of the roulade is in its versatility. The stuffing can be easily modified to suit your personal preferences or dietary restrictions. For example:
- Vegetarian version: Substitute the sausage with a plant-based sausage or a vegetable mixture like roasted mushrooms and spinach.
- Nutty stuffing: Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or hazelnuts for extra crunch and texture.
- Fruit variations: Swap the cranberries for raisins, apricots, or even dried cherries for a different flavor profile.
These customization options make the turkey roulade a versatile dish that can be tailored to a variety of tastes.
5. Easy to Make Ahead
One of the best features of this recipe is how easy it is to prepare ahead of time. You can assemble the roulade and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake. This makes it an ideal choice for a dinner party or holiday meal, as you can focus on other aspects of the meal while the roulade bakes. The gravy can also be made ahead, reducing the stress of preparing everything at once. The ability to prepare the dish in advance means you’ll have more time to enjoy your guests’ company rather than spending all your time in the kitchen.
Nutritional Benefits of Turkey Roulade with Pork Sausage Stuffing
While this dish is indulgent and flavorful, it also offers a number of nutritional benefits. Let’s break down some of the key elements:
1. Protein-Packed
With turkey as the primary ingredient, this roulade is an excellent source of lean protein. Protein is essential for maintaining and repairing tissues, supporting immune function, and promoting overall health. The pork sausage also contributes to the protein content, providing a richer flavor profile and added depth.
2. Rich in Essential Nutrients
This dish is packed with important vitamins and minerals, including:
- Vitamin A: Essential for eye health and immune function, and it’s abundant in turkey.
- Iron: Found in both turkey and pork sausage, iron helps with oxygen transport in the blood and supports energy production.
- Fiber: The bread crumbs and cranberries provide a modest amount of fiber, which is important for digestive health.
- Calcium: While turkey isn’t particularly high in calcium, the addition of the gravy, which may contain dairy products like butter or cream, can help contribute to calcium intake.
3. Balanced Fats
This recipe does include some fats, particularly from the butter and sausage, but the fat content is balanced by the lean protein from the turkey. The addition of olive oil helps further balance out the fats in the dish, providing some healthy monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health.
Tips for Perfecting Your Turkey Roulade
To make the best Turkey Roulade with Pork Sausage Stuffing, consider these tips:
1. Even Flattening of the Turkey
When butterflying and flattening the turkey tenderloins, try to get an even thickness to ensure the roulade cooks uniformly. Using a meat mallet between two sheets of plastic wrap helps avoid tearing the meat while achieving the desired thickness.
2. Moisture Control
Basting the roulade with pan juices while it bakes helps retain moisture. Be sure to check the internal temperature to avoid overcooking the turkey. A meat thermometer is essential to make sure the turkey reaches the ideal internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
3. Experiment with Stuffing Flavors
Don’t be afraid to get creative with the stuffing ingredients. Different types of bread crumbs (like whole wheat or sourdough) can change the texture, while adding ingredients like caramelized onions, garlic, or mushrooms can elevate the flavor.
4. Gravy Enhancements
If you want to add more richness to the gravy, you can whisk in heavy cream or even a bit of cream cheese for a creamier consistency. A splash of white wine or a touch of sherry can also deepen the flavor of the gravy.
Conclusion: Why Turkey Roulade with Pork Sausage Stuffing is a Must-Try Recipe
Turkey Roulade with Pork Sausage Stuffing is a perfect blend of flavor, texture, and presentation. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday celebration or an intimate dinner, this dish is sure to impress with its tender turkey, flavorful stuffing, and rich gravy. It’s versatile, easy to prepare, and guaranteed to please a crowd.
By choosing this recipe, you get the best of both worlds: the comfort of a traditional turkey dinner, with a modern, sophisticated twist. The stuffing adds depth and sweetness, while the turkey itself remains moist and succulent. Customize it to suit your tastes, and you’ll have a dish that will become a favorite in your recipe repertoire for years to come. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a stunning meal that’s as delicious as it is memorable.