This easy vegan stuffing recipe transforms crusty bread, fresh herbs, and savory vegetable broth into a delicious side dish that rivals traditional stuffing at your holiday table.
This easy stuffing recipe is vegan, vegetarian, and oil-free.
It’s time to transform simple ingredients into the best vegan stuffing you’ll ever taste. This easy vegan stuffing recipe delivers all the traditional flavors of a classic Thanksgiving side dish using fresh herbs, perfectly toasted bread cubes, and savory vegetable stock.
Whether you’re making it for the first time or looking to perfect your favorite holiday recipes, this delicious vegan stuffing will become a staple at your holiday table.
So, flip the bird this year and enjoy your vegan Thanksgiving recipes. Let’s start by making this vegan stuffing!
Why This is Your New Favorite Side Dish
Let’s settle the age-old debate – whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this savory classic deserves a place among your vegan Thanksgiving recipes. Gone are the days when good stuffing required chicken broth or turkey drippings.
This vegetarian stuffing recipe proves that plant-based cooking can deliver all the classic flavors and more.
The good news is that you don’t need any unique ingredients or complicated techniques. With just a handful of simple ingredients and some basic steps, you can create a delicious side dish that rivals any traditional stuffing.
The best way to convince skeptics that vegan cooking can be just as satisfying as conventional recipes is to let them taste this pan of golden perfection.
In This Post
- Why This is Your New Favorite Side Dish
- Essential ingredients for vegan stuffing
- How to make the best vegan stuffing recipe
- Top Tips For The Best Results
- Storage and Make-Ahead Options
- Vegan Stuffing Trouble Shooting Tips
- Recipe Variations
- Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Pairings for Your Holiday Table
- The Best Vegan Stuffing
- 💬 Community
Essential ingredients for vegan stuffing
Here are all the ingredients you need to make this classic stuffing. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll need.
The Bread Base
The foundation of any good stuffing starts with the right bread. While soft bread works for sandwiches, you’ll want stale bread or day-old bread for this recipe. Here are your best options:
- Crusty sourdough bread
- Italian bread
- French bread
- Whole grain bread
- Good gluten-free bread (for dietary restrictions)
Fresh Herbs and Seasonings
Fresh herbs elevate this from a basic bread mixture to a savory masterpiece:
- Sage
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Black pepper
- Poultry seasoning (yes, it’s usually vegan!)
The Aromatics and Liquid
- Celery and onions (sautéed to golden brown)
- Low-sodium vegetable broth (the easiest way to add moisture and flavor)
- A generous amount of vegan butter (optional but recommended)
- Olive oil for sautéing (if not making oil-free)
NOTE: Recipe card with accurate nutritional information and detailed ingredients/instructions follows
How to make the best vegan stuffing recipe
Day Before Preparation
- Cut your chosen bread into 1-inch cubes
- Spread bread pieces on a baking sheet or baking tray
- Leave at room temperature overnight to dry out
Pro tip: If you’re short on time, dry bread cubes in a 250°F oven for 30-45 minutes.
Making the Stuffing Mixture
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Sauté diced onions and celery until translucent (about 5-7 minutes)
- Transfer to a large bowl
- Add dried bread cubes and fresh herbs
- Gradually add vegetable stock, stirring until the bread is just saturated
- Transfer to a casserole dish or baking dish
- Cover with aluminum foil
- Bake for 30 minutes, covered
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top of the stuffing is golden brown.
Top Tips For The Best Results
If you’re going to make this recipe, make sure to follow these top tips!
- Don’t add too much liquid – bread should be moist but not soggy
- Add extra flavor with dried cranberries, roasted nuts, or sautéed mushrooms
- Make stuffing balls by forming the mixture into spheres before baking
- For a crispy top, remove foil for the last 15 minutes of baking
- Test moisture level by pressing the stuffing mixture – it should spring back slightly
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
You can make this vegan stuffing ahead of time, store leftovers properly in an airtight container, or freeze them for your next special occasion.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Prepare the stuffing mixture up to 2 days in advance:
- Complete all steps except baking
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator
- Add a little bit of extra broth before baking
- Bake as directed when ready to serve
Freezing Instructions
- Cool completely
- Place in a freezer bag or airtight container
- Freeze for up to 3 months
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator
- Reheat covered at 325°F for 20-30 minutes
Leftover Stuffing Ideas
Don’t let leftover stuffing go to waste! Try these creative uses:
- Use as a savory topping for soups
- Make breakfast hash with vegan eggs
- Create stuffing-crusted vegetables
- Form into patties and pan-fry
Vegan Stuffing Trouble Shooting Tips
Add warm vegetable stock gradually until the desired moisture level is reached.
Bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes to crisp up
Increase fresh herbs or add poultry seasoning.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free bread and adjust the liquid as needed
- Wild Mushroom: Add sautéed mixed mushrooms for umami flavor
- Fruit & Nut: Include dried cranberries and toasted pecans
Why This Recipe Works
This vegan stuffing recipe succeeds because it:
- Uses traditional techniques for optimal texture
- Incorporates classic flavors through fresh herbs and seasonings
- Provides the perfect bread-to-liquid ratio
- Allows for customization while maintaining characteristics of a classic stuffing recipe
Perfect Pairings for Your Holiday Table
Create the ultimate vegan Thanksgiving dinner by serving this stuffing alongside:
Remember, the key to good stuffing is finding the right balance of moisture and seasoning.
Whether it’s your first time making vegan stuffing or you’re a seasoned pro, this recipe delivers consistent results that will have everyone at your holiday table asking for seconds.
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The Best Vegan Stuffing
- Total Time50 minutes
- Yield8 servings 1x
- DietVegan
Making the best Vegan Stuffing is so easy and it’s an absolute must-have for your Thanksgiving and Christmas table! Made with 7 simple ingredients, this healthy version of a classic is so satisfying and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of hearty whole-grain bread cut into 1” cubes
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2 tsp. dried thyme
- 2 tsp. sage
- 2 tsp. oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 ½ cups low-sodium vegetable broth
Instructions
Day Before Preparation
- Cut your chosen bread into 1-inch cubes
- Spread bread pieces on a baking sheet or baking tray
- Leave at room temperature overnight to dry out
Pro tip: If you’re short on time, dry bread cubes in a 250°F oven for 30-45 minutes.
Making the Stuffing Mixture
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Sauté diced onions and celery until translucent (about 5-7 minutes)
- Transfer to a large bowl
- Add dried bread cubes and fresh herbs
- Gradually add vegetable stock, stirring until the bread is just saturated
- Transfer to a casserole dish or baking dish
- Cover with aluminum foil
- Bake for 30 minutes, covered
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top of the stuffing is golden brown.
Notes
A loaf of good whole-grain bread is what I prefer. But, other good options are sourdough bread, French bread, Italian bread, and crunchy baguettes. But, a regular loaf of whole-wheat bread off the shelf works as well.
Depending on the type of bread you use, you may increase or decrease the amount of veggie broth. You want the bread to be just saturated. Not too wet and not too dry.
Adding things dried cranberries and maple roasted pecans for extra flavor and texture is excellent. But, any healthy dried fruit, nuts, or seeds will work.
Use whatever veggies you have on hand. I really like adding mushrooms and carrots if I have them.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 8
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 3.6 g
- Sodium: 287.3 mg
- Fat: 1.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.5 g
- Fiber: 4.2 g
- Protein: 6.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Prep Time: 15 mins.
- Cook Time: 35 mins.
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, Thanksgiving
I made this! Happy Thanksgiving!
Do you think a loaf of Ezekiel bread would work here as well?
It should but I’ve never tried it.
I have made this several times the past year. My first “skip that turkey” year was last year and Shane’s recipes helped us all hang on. This year, I have to go out of town but my children (all young adults in their 20’s) have requested I leave our favorites ready to bake. All Shane’s recipes. Thank you for sharing your gift!
I don’t have sage can I use poultry seasoning instead in this recipe?
Absolutely!
OMG!!! This is so freaking good and I can’t believe how simple it is to make! Thank you!!!
Question Shane, I am unsure which brand bread to get for this suggestions? I am in strict Esselstyn plan . Which did you you use?
Thanks
I used a whole grain loaf I found at my local bakery.