If you’re craving a show-stopping main that combines savory, herby, and subtly sweet flavors to perfection, then this Turkey Roulade with Herb-Stuffed Sausage and Apple Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine tender, juicy turkey breast wrapped around a flavorful stuffing with sausage, fresh herbs, and crisp apple chunks that bring a delightful contrast to every bite. It’s an impressive dish that’s easier to make than you’d think and guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds. Whether it’s a holiday feast or a cozy weekend dinner, this roulade is a heartfelt way to elevate your meal and wow your loved ones.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays an important role in crafting the perfect balance of taste and texture for the roulade. With simple pantry staples and fresh aromatics, you’ll bring together a vibrant stuffing and a juicy turkey that is bursting with flavor from every angle.
- Celery (2 medium stalks): Adds a subtle crunch and a touch of earthiness to the stuffing.
- Yellow onion (1 medium): Provides a sweet, savory base when sautéed down.
- Sweet-tart apple (1 medium): Brings juicy freshness and a slight tartness that complements the sausage beautifully.
- Garlic (3 cloves): Offers aromatic warmth that enhances every savory element.
- Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): Lends a bright, herbal note that lifts the stuffing flavors.
- Fresh sage (1 tablespoon, chopped): Infuses earthiness that perfectly matches the turkey.
- Fresh thyme (1 tablespoon, chopped): Adds subtle floral and woodsy undertones.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons, divided): Used for cooking and adds rich creaminess.
- Kosher salt (3 teaspoons, divided): Essential for seasoning and enhancing all flavors.
- Uncooked pork sausage (8 ounces, casings removed): Brings juicy, seasoned meatiness to the stuffing.
- Cornbread (4 ounces, crumbled): Absorbs the juices and herbs, creating a hearty texture.
- Whole skin-on, boneless turkey breast (about 5 pounds): The star protein that encases the stuffing with succulent tenderness.
- Low-sodium chicken broth (1 cup): Keeps the roulade moist during roasting.
- Olive or vegetable oil (2 tablespoons): Used to rub the turkey for a crispy exterior.
- Freshly ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a touch of mild heat and balance.
How to Make Turkey Roulade with Herb-Stuffed Sausage and Apple Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven for Success
Set the stage by preheating your oven to 350°F. Make sure to place the rack in the middle for even roasting. This simple step ensures your turkey roulade cooks evenly and comes out perfectly juicy every time.
Step 2: Prepare the Flavor-Packed Stuffing
In a large skillet, melt part of your butter and gently cook the finely chopped celery, yellow onion, and apple until they are tender and fragrant. This creates a lovely base of sweetness and texture that really shines when combined with the sausage. Next, add the pork sausage, cooking it until browned and irresistible. Finally, stir in the crumbled cornbread along with freshly chopped parsley, sage, and thyme, seasoning everything with some of the kosher salt to bring the flavors together beautifully.
Step 3: Prepare and Roll the Turkey Breast
Lay out the turkey breast and use a mallet or rolling pin to pound it evenly, ensuring consistent thickness for even cooking. Season the surface lightly with salt, then artfully spread the prepared stuffing over the entire surface. Now comes the fun part: carefully roll the turkey into a tight log, enveloping all that flavorful stuffing. Secure your roulade firmly with kitchen twine to keep everything intact during roasting.
Step 4: Roast to Juicy Perfection
Place the turkey roulade in a baking dish alongside the chicken broth to maintain moisture. Rub the outside with olive or vegetable oil and finish by seasoning with freshly ground black pepper and the remaining salt. Roast in the oven for 70 to 80 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 160°F. This slow roasting allows the flavors to deepen while keeping the turkey tender.
Step 5: Rest, Slice, and Serve
Once out of the oven, resist the urge to cut immediately—let your roulade rest for about 10 minutes so the juices redistribute and slicing yields perfect, juicy rounds. Remove the kitchen twine and slice into generous portions. Garnish with extra fresh herbs for a pop of color and aroma, and watch your guests’ faces light up with every bite.
How to Serve Turkey Roulade with Herb-Stuffed Sausage and Apple Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh thyme, sage, or parsley leaves makes a wonderful garnish that adds bright color and an herbaceous scent that complements the roulade’s rustic heartiness. A drizzle of pan juices or a simple gravy can also elevate the serving experience with their silky, savory goodness.
Side Dishes
Pair this roulade with creamy mashed potatoes or a buttery wild rice pilaf to soak up all those wonderful juices. Roasted root vegetables or a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette add lovely textural contrasts and freshness to complete the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant touch, slice the roulade into medallions and arrange them fan-style on a platter with colorful roasted veggies nestled alongside. Consider serving on rustic wooden boards or warm ceramic plates to enhance the cozy, homemade vibe of this dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap any leftover roulade tightly in aluminum foil or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This ensures the flavors stay fresh and the turkey remains moist.
Freezing
If you want to freeze the roulade, slice it first and arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. This makes future meals quick and stress-free.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm slices covered in foil at 300°F in the oven until heated through, about 15–20 minutes. You can also microwave leftovers covered with a damp paper towel for a quick, moist result, but the oven is best to keep the texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of pork sausage in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey for the pork sausage, but keep in mind that pork sausage adds a lot of savory, spiced richness that ground turkey alone might lack. Consider seasoning the ground turkey well or mixing in some herbs and spices to mimic that flavor.
Is it necessary to pound the turkey breast?
Pounding the turkey breast ensures even thickness which helps the roulade cook uniformly and stay juicy. If your turkey breast is already fairly even, you can skip this step, but it’s highly recommended for best results.
Can this roulade be made ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prep and roll the turkey roulade a day in advance, then refrigerate it covered until ready to roast. This makes the day of serving much easier and less stressful.
What type of apples work best in this recipe?
Sweet-tart apples like Honeycrisp or Gala are ideal because they provide a nice balance: enough sweetness and crunch to contrast the savory sausage stuffing without becoming mushy.
How do I know when the roulade is fully cooked?
The most reliable way to check doneness is by using a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 160°F in the thickest part of the roulade. This ensures the turkey is safe to eat and perfectly tender.
Final Thoughts
This Turkey Roulade with Herb-Stuffed Sausage and Apple Recipe is one of those dishes that feels both lovingly traditional and a little adventurous, thanks to the delightful interplay of flavors and textures. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that adds excitement to your table without overwhelming the cook. I can’t wait for you to try it and discover how incredibly rewarding homemade roulade can be!
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Turkey Roulade with Herb-Stuffed Sausage and Apple Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A flavorful and impressive Turkey Roulade recipe featuring a savory sausage and cornbread stuffing with apples and fresh herbs. This dish is perfect for a special family dinner or holiday meal, offering tender roasted turkey breast rolled around a deliciously seasoned filling.
Ingredients
For the Stuffing:
- 2 medium stalks celery, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1 medium sweet-tart apple (such as Honeycrisp or Gala), chopped (about 1 cup, no need to peel)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves, chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 8 ounces uncooked pork sausage (casings removed if necessary)
- 4 ounces cornbread (store-bought or homemade), crumbled (about 1 1/2 cups)
For the Roulade:
- 1 whole skin-on, boneless turkey breast (about 5 pounds)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and position a rack in the middle to ensure even roasting of the roulade.
- Prepare Stuffing: In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté the celery, onion, and apple until tender. Add minced garlic, then incorporate the pork sausage, cooking until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat and stir in crumbled cornbread and chopped fresh herbs (parsley, sage, thyme). Season with half of the kosher salt to taste and mix thoroughly.
- Prepare Turkey: Lay the turkey breast flat and pound it evenly to a uniform thickness. Season the turkey evenly with the remaining kosher salt. Spread the prepared stuffing across the surface of the turkey breast, leaving a small border around the edges. Carefully roll the turkey breast into a tight log around the stuffing. Secure the roll with kitchen twine at intervals to hold its shape during roasting.
- Roast the Roulade: Place the roulade seam-side down in a baking dish. Pour the low-sodium chicken broth into the dish around the roulade to keep it moist during cooking. Rub the olive or vegetable oil over the surface of the roulade, then season with freshly ground black pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 70 to 80 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F as measured with a meat thermometer.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the roulade from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Carefully remove the kitchen twine, then slice the roulade into desired thickness. Garnish with additional fresh herbs and serve warm.
Notes
- Ensure the turkey breast is pounded evenly to promote even cooking and prevent undercooked areas.
- A meat thermometer is highly recommended to check the internal temperature for food safety and optimal doneness.
- You can prepare the stuffing mixture ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.
- If preferred, turkey can be brined beforehand for added moisture and flavor, but this is optional.
- Letting the roulade rest before slicing helps keep it juicy and easier to cut.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
