Description
This Savory Vegan Stuffing recipe combines hearty comfort with vibrant flavors, featuring fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and perfectly toasted bread cubes. It’s a delicious, plant-based side dish perfect for holiday dinners or any warm, satisfying meal. Easy to make and bursting with balanced seasoning, this stuffing is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and sure to delight vegans and non-vegans alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups day-old sturdy bread cubes (such as sourdough or French bread)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-ins
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (to replace or add with celery)
- ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts
- ½ cup dried cranberries or cherries
Instructions
- Prep the Bread: Cut your day-old bread into 1-inch cubes and spread them evenly on a baking sheet. Toast in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes until crisp and golden, stirring halfway through to ensure even browning. This step is key to avoid soggy stuffing later.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, celery, and minced garlic, cooking until softened and translucent, about 7-8 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning and release the sweet aromas.
- Add Herbs and Seasoning: Sprinkle in the chopped fresh sage, thyme, and rosemary. Stir for a minute to bloom the herbs and deepen their flavor, then season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Combine Bread and Broth: Transfer the toasted bread cubes to a large mixing bowl. Pour in the sautéed vegetables and gradually add the vegetable broth while gently tossing to moisten but not soak the bread. The consistency should be moist yet hold together.
- Bake to Finish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the stuffing mixture into a greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes to crisp the top. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Use Day-Old Bread: Fresh bread tends to make stuffing mushy; slightly stale bread holds texture better.
- Don’t Skip Toasting: Toasting enhances crunch and prevents the stuffing from becoming soggy when baked.
- Fresh Herbs Are Essential: Dried herbs won’t give the same punch; fresh ones brighten the dish magnificently.
- Adjust Broth Gradually: Add liquid slowly to avoid over-moistening and ensure perfect binding.
- Cover When Baking: Covering keeps the stuffing moist inside, while uncovering at the end crisps the top beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: vegan stuffing, plant-based stuffing, holiday stuffing, savory stuffing, gluten-free stuffing option
