Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (2024)

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Have you noticed my no-bread theme? Whether it’s no-bread sandwiches or no-bread pizza crusts, I’m determined to find simple and tasty ways to renovate old favorites with a grain-free twist.

I desperately wanted a stuffing recipe I could prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, so I went to the drawing board to come up with a solution for bread-free stuffing. I settled on a few special ingredients to provide a dense, satisfying texture with a deeply savory flavor.

I’ve been working on this recipe since last year, which meant I’ve been eating this stuffing since September for recipe testing. And I certainly don’t plan on relegatingthis dish to the holidays in the future… it is one of my favorite vegetable recipes ever.

I used chanterelle mushrooms in the recipe pictures here, but feel free to substitute your favorite mushrooms.

This recipe is inspired by Mickey’s recipe for an autoimmune-paleo-friendly cranberry stuffing (I adore Mickey’, her site, and her book, The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook. I did a book review here). She uses chopped mushroom, riced cauliflower, some chopped sweet potato and some chopped apple. I’ve tweaked this version to be lower carb, using squash instead of the sweet potato and upping the veggies.

A couple of years ago I share my Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Menu, and I will be inspired by that same menu this year – with the addition of this stuffing, of course.


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Bread-Free Holiday Stuffing

Serves:About 6 cups, for 6 hearty servings

Want to enjoy the savory flavor of holiday stuffing, but without the bread?Roasted cauliflowerflorets, along with sautéd mushrooms, apples, and butternut squash providelayers ofumamiand a hearty base.

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbs. ghee, bacon grease, coconut oil, or olive oil
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 2 - 3 cups diced butternut squash
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 8 oz chopped mushrooms of choice (I've used chanterelles, baby bellas, or sh*takes)
  • 1 granny smith apple, diced
  • ½ tsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • ½ tsp. chopped fresh rosemary
  • Sea salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 and line two baking sheets/glass baking dishes with unbleached parchment paper. Put the cauliflower on one sheet, and the squash on the other. Toss the cauliflower and squash each with 1 Tbs. of melted cooking fat.
  2. Roast until the cauliflower is tender and has golden brown edges, about 30 minutes. Stir halfway through. Roast the squash until golden and tender, stirring halfway through, about 40 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, melt the last 2 Tbs. cooking fat in a heavy skillet. Add the onion and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, over medium head until soft and almost caramelized.
  4. Add the garlic, cook for a minute. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finally, add the diced apple and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened but still firm. If necessary, add another tablespoon of fat.
  5. Finely chop the herbs. In a large serving dish, toss together all the components: the squash, cauliflower, and mushrooms. Season with the herbs, salt and pepper.

Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (5)

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Reader Interactions

26 Comments

  1. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (10)Beetleinthekitchen

    We had this for dinner tonight after many nights of Thanksgiving and its leftovers. It was wonderful. Thank you so much.

    reply to this comment

  2. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (11)Linda C

    Had this for Thanksgiving dinner today and it was soooo delicious. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe, Lauren. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends.

    reply to this comment

  3. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (13)Hara

    I made this for Thanksgiving and stuffed the turkey with it. My friend is a professional chef & brought a traditional bread stuffing. Guess which one got absolutely rave reviews? Yep, I was thrilled and it tasted even better the next day. I used organic mushroom broth to moisten it and it was soooo good. Thank you Lauren.

    reply to this comment

  4. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (14)Michelle Lalonde

    Do you stuff the turkey with this mixture, then cook the turkey as usual??

    reply to this comment

  5. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (15)Elena Ara

    Can this be made one day before?

    reply to this comment

  6. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (16)mom2one

    How crucial are the mushrooms in this recipe? I have picky eaters who do not like them.

    reply to this comment

  7. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (17)John

    Made this with our Thanksgiving dinner, and it was amazing!

    reply to this comment

  8. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (18)Nora

    My friend is a professional chef & brought a traditional bread stuffing. Had this for Thanksgiving dinner today and it was so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe, Lauren. I was thrilled and it tasted even better the next day. I used the organic mushroom broth to moisten it and it was so good.

    reply to this comment

    • Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (19)Lauren Geertsen

      That’s awesome to hear, so glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      reply to this comment

  9. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (20)Jayme Silvestri

    I tried this last night after finding it on Pinterest and we loved it! It’s definitely on my list to make again!

    reply to this comment

  10. Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (21)Cindy T

    How do you reheat it?

    reply to this comment

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Bread-Free Paleo Holiday Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What makes stuffing unhealthy? ›

Stuffing is not strictly a healthy food, because it is typically high in calories, fat, sodium, and refined carbohydrates. 1 But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it, All foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation.

What can I serve instead of stuffing? ›

6 Healthy Alternatives for Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing
  • Wild rice stuffing. Though rice is often eaten as an entrée, it makes for a delicious stuffing. ...
  • Cauliflower stuffing. ...
  • Quinoa stuffing. ...
  • Farro stuffing. ...
  • Rye bread stuffing. ...
  • Chickpea stuffing.
Nov 6, 2020

Does it matter what bread you use for stuffing? ›

You can use almost any type of bread when you are making bread cubes for stuffing! Old French bread loaves, buns that weren't eaten, a few slices of bread from a homemade or store-bought loaf all work in this recipe.

What is gluten free stuffing made of? ›

Toasted gluten free bread cubes are tossed with sizzling Italian sausage, savory Parmesan cheese, buttery vegetables, and fresh herbs and garlic, then drizzled with just enough broth to create a stuffing that's creamy in the center and crispy on top after baking.

Is Pepperidge Farm stuffing bad for you? ›

Another product from a well-known brand, Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoning Stuffing, gets a “5” in EWG's Food Scores. That's not too bad, but it's in the “yellow” range because of its nutritional content.

Why not stuff a turkey? ›

Stuffing Safety

Despite the benefits of stuffing a turkey, it's not a safe practice, says Baker. That's because the turkey and stuffing might cook at different rates, often leaving the stuffing uncooked and unsafe to eat by the time the turkey is ready.

What can I use instead of stuffing for turkey? ›

Here are a few ideas:
  1. Citrus fruits: Stuffing a turkey with citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, or limes can add flavor and moisture to the meat.
  2. Herbs and spices: You can stuff a turkey with herbs and spices such as rosemary, thyme, sage, and garlic to infuse the meat with flavor.
Aug 27, 2022

What is stuffing called in the South? ›

But for the Thanksgiving side dish in the South, the term dressing was adopted in place of stuffing, which was viewed as a crude term, during the Victorian era. Although dressing and stuffing are interchangeable terms, the signature ingredient of this Thanksgiving side dish in the South is cornbread.

Is it OK to make stuffing a day ahead of time? ›

No matter where you fall, getting a head start on what can be prepared before the big day is essential. One question that always crops up: Can you make stuffing ahead of time? The short answer to whether you can making stuffing ahead of time is yes.

Why use day old bread for stuffing? ›

dry!" The reason for this is that stale or dry bread will hold up better after cooking and keep its texture even after adding your broth or liquid. If you use soft, fresh bread, you'll ultimately wind up with a soggy, mushy stuffing. So, how do you dry bread for stuffing? There are two ways to go about it.

What is the flat bread with pocket that is perfect for stuffing called? ›

Pita bread, also known as Arabic bread, Syrian bread, or pocket bread, is a round flatbread that is typically made from wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt. Its unique feature is the pocket that forms when baked, making it perfect for stuffing with all sorts of fillings.

What is Christmas stuffing made of? ›

Ground pork, seasoned and mixed with grated apple, chopped dried apricots, pistachio nuts, parsley, lemon zest and sage. Gordon Ramsay rolls the stuffing in sage leaves for presentation, and hides a spicy sausage surprise in the middle. The whole lot is rolled in tinfoil and baked in the oven.

Is Pepperidge Farm cornbread classic stuffing gluten-free? ›

It is crucial to ensure a well-rounded diet that includes a variety of nutrient-dense foods to support overall health and well-being. In conclusion, Pepperidge Farm corn bread stuffing contains enriched wheat flour, making it unsuitable for those following a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

How do you stuff a turkey? ›

Place the prepared stuffing in the whole turkey just before roasting. Stuffing the night before could cause food-borne illness. Stuff both the neck and body cavities of a completely thawed turkey, allowing ½ to ¾ cup of stuffing per pound. Don't pack stuffing too tightly, as it may cause uneven cooking.

Why is stove top stuffing so bad for you? ›

Like many convenience foods, Stove Top stuffing has gotten a bad rap in recent years, especially from people who have *opinions* about what is healthy to eat. It's got too much sodium, there are weird ingredients that you can't pronounce, and it's just better to make your own stuffing. But “better” is subjective.

What chemicals are in stuffing? ›

Kraft Heinz's Stove Top Stuffing Mix contains other ingredients we would never use at home to make stuffing including Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Caramel Color, Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate which are flavor enhancers, Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT).

Is stuffing bad for your heart? ›

The traditional turkey-day feast, replete with fatty, high-cholesterol, high-fat, and starchy foods like drumsticks, mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing, is generally anything but heart-healthy.

Is stove top stuffing carcinogenic? ›

Stove Top Stuffing - Contains preservatives BHA/BHT which are suspected to be carcinogenic and to impair blood clotting.

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