Sweet Potato & Pork Thanksgiving Stuffing

This is my family’s recipe for Thanksgiving stuffing, and it is absolutely delicious. The sweet potatoes add a lovely sweetness to the dish, and the pork really makes it hearty and filling. We always make a big batch of this stuffing, because it always goes so quickly!

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, ghee, or duck fat (divided)
• 2 pounds ground pork
• 1 cup yellow onion, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1/2 cup port or sweet sherry
• 2 large pears, peeled and diced
• 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries (optional)
• 1 cup fresh herbs, chopped OR 3/4 cups flat parsley and 1/4 cup mixed fresh sage, chervil, and thyme.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F. Toss sweet potato cubes with ghee, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.

While sweet potatoes are roasting, melt ghee in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown pork in batches, breaking up into crumbles as it cooks. Transfer to a bowl with a slotted spoon when done.

In the same skillet used for pork, sauté onion, carrot, and celery with salt for 5 to 7 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent. Transfer to the bowl with pork.

Add roasted sweet potatoes, pears, cranberries, and herbs to the bowl and mix well. Taste and add more salt or herbs if needed. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer stuffing mixture to it. Spread into an even layer.

Bake stuffing uncovered for 30 minutes or until top is browned and fragrant. Let cool briefly before serving. If you’re not adding the pecan crumble topping: Bake stuffing uncovered for 30 minutes instead of 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

• Serving size: 1/12 of recipe
• Calories: 220
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated fat: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Protein: 7 g

Frequently Asked Questions

Why sweet potatoes are not good for you?

Sweet potatoes are not good for you because they contain high amounts of oxalates, which may increase the risk of calcium-oxalate kidney stones. Sweet potatoes also contain beta-carotene, and their excessive consumption can lead to hypervitaminosis A (vitamin A toxicity), in which excess vitamin A accumulates in the liver.

What is the healthiest way to eat sweet potatoes?

There are many different ways to cook sweet potatoes, but boiling them is the healthiest option. Boiling helps to retain more of the beta-carotene nutrient, which is beneficial for your health. To further retain the beta-carotene, limit the cook time to 20 minutes or less. This way, you can enjoy the delicious taste of sweet potatoes while also getting the most nutritional value from them.

Why is sweet potato good for weight loss?

There are a few reasons why sweet potato is good for weight loss. First, sweet potatoes are high in fiber and water content, which promotes fullness. Eating fewer calories may lead to weight loss, and sweet potatoes can help with that by making you feel fuller longer. Additionally, sweet potatoes are a low-glycemic food, meaning they don’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels. This is important because stable blood sugar levels can help reduce hunger and cravings.

Is sweet potato healthier than potato?

Yes, sweet potatoes are healthier than regular potatoes. Here’s why:

Sweet potatoes are higher in Vitamin A than regular potatoes. This means that they can help keep your eyes and skin healthy. They also have more fiber, which can help with digestive health.

Regular potatoes provide more potassium than sweet potatoes. Potassium is important for heart health and blood pressure control. It can also help with muscle function and nerve transmission.

Who should avoid sweet potatoes?

There are a few groups of people who should avoid sweet potatoes. First, those with kidney or liver issues may be at risk for kidney failure if they eat sweet potatoes. Second, those with heart or stomach problems may find that their condition is exacerbated by eating sweet potatoes. Finally, those with blood sugar issues may find that their condition is worsened by consuming sweet potatoes.