Imagine a side dish so irresistibly delicious that it becomes the star of your holiday meal. Our Fried Corn Sage and Bacon Stuffing is not just another stuffing recipe – it's a flavor explosion that combines crispy bacon, sweet corn, and aromatic sage in a way that will have your guests begging for seconds. This American-style stuffing transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that elevates any main course from good to unforgettable.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- Bread cubes
- Bacon, chopped
- Corn kernels
- Sage, fresh
- Onion, diced
- Chicken broth
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast until golden and crisp, about 10-12 minutes.
- In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy and golden brown, rendering out the fat. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving the bacon grease in the pan.
- In the same skillet with bacon grease, sauté diced onions until translucent and soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add fresh corn kernels and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until slightly caramelized.
- Chop fresh sage leaves finely and add to the corn and onion mixture. Stir to combine and cook for another minute to release the sage's aromatic oils.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, crispy bacon, corn-onion-sage mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Gradually pour chicken broth over the mixture, stirring gently to moisten the bread cubes without making them soggy. The bread should be damp but not soaking wet.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to create a crispy golden top. Serve hot as a side dish.
Tips
- Use day-old bread for the best texture - slightly stale bread absorbs flavors better and prevents soggy stuffing.
- Don't skip toasting the bread cubes; this adds a crucial crispy dimension to your final dish.
- Reserve the bacon grease for sautéing vegetables - it adds incredible depth of flavor.
- Be careful not to oversaturate the bread with chicken broth; add gradually and mix gently.
- For extra crispiness, spread the stuffing in a wider baking dish to maximize the golden, crunchy top.
- Fresh sage makes a huge difference - if possible, use freshly chopped sage instead of dried.
- Let the stuffing rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld together.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
