Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing
Here is a moist and flavorful vegan Thanksgiving dressing that the whole family will love. Loaded with tasty ingredients and baked until golden brown, this is the perfect vegan dish to serve at your holiday table.
This recipe is just as delicious as a traditional stuffing, it’s honestly the best vegan stuffing recipe I’ve made.
It has a wonderful texture and can be made ahead of time to make your meal planning a little easier on your big day. Serve this wonderful recipe as a main dish or as the perfect side dish, either way, it’ll go down a treat!
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe
- Customizable: Adjust the seasoning, add more herbs, or include your favorite veggies for a stuffing that suits your family.
- Healthy: By using low-sodium vegetable broth and vegan ingredients, this stuffing is a healthier alternative to the classic Thanksgiving side dish, reducing sodium and saturated fats while keeping all the savory goodness.
- Perfect for gatherings: This vegan Thanksgiving dressing is a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
- Herby aromatics: The addition of fresh sage leaves and parsley not only adds incredible flavor but also fills your kitchen with a delightful aroma as it bakes.
- Easy to make: This vegan sausage stuffing recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare. Even if you happen to be a beginner, you should find this super simple.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare this stuffing in advance and then bake it on the day of your vegan Thanksgiving dinner, saving you precious time and oven space.
- Nostalgic: This vegan stuffing recipe is a traditional twist on the classic dish. Just as pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce belong on your Thanksgiving table, so does stuffing.
Ingredients and Substitution
- Italian or French bread: Use day-old Italian or French bread for the best texture in your stuffing. Stale bread will absorb the flavors and moisture more effectively.
- Vegan butter: Choose a high-quality vegan butter substitute with a rich, creamy flavor. Look for one that is suitable for baking and has a buttery taste.
- Vegan sausage: Choose a vegan product that complements the vegan Thanksgiving dressing, like an Italian or French-style vegan sausage. You can find various plant-based sausage options made from ingredients like seitan, tofu, or vegetables.
- Yellow onion: These are ideal for stuffing as they provide a mild, sweet flavor when cooked. Dice the onion finely to ensure it blends well with the other ingredients.
- Celery: This adds a refreshing crunch to your stuffing.
- Garlic cloves: My personal recommendation is to use fresh garlic to infuse the stuffing with a robust, savory flavor.
- Fresh sage leaves: These are the star herbs in this stuffing. Their earthy and slightly peppery flavor will enhance the overall taste.
- Low-sodium vegetable broth: Choose a good-quality, low-sodium vegetable stock to provide the essential moisture and depth of flavor to the stuffing. Adjust the saltiness to your taste, as some vegetable broths can be pretty salty.
- Just Egg: This vegan egg substitute acts as a binder, helping to hold the stuffing together. It provides the structure without using traditional eggs.
- Parsley leaves: Fresh herbs add a lovely taste and color.
Pro Tips and Tricks
- Choose the right bread: Go for high-quality Italian or French bread, preferably day-old or slightly stale. You can play around with another type of white bread if you’d prefer. Stale bread absorbs flavors and moisture better than freshly baked bread.
- Vegan butter selection: Use a premium vegan butter substitute with a rich, buttery flavor.
- Sausage variety: Experiment with different types of vegan sausages (Italian, spicy, or herbed).
- Don’t overcook the vegetables: Be mindful not to overcook the onion, celery, and garlic. You want them softened but not mushy. This will maintain texture in your stuffing.
- Proper seasoning: Taste as you go and season the vegan sausage stuffing carefully. Vegan dishes often require more seasoning, so don’t be shy with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices.
- Moisture control: Adjust the amount of vegetable broth carefully. Start with less and add more as needed to achieve your desired stuffing consistency. You want it moist but not soggy.
- Texture matters: Maintain a balance of textures in your stuffing. The bread should be soft and moist on the inside but have a slightly crispy, golden top layer for contrast.
- Make it ahead: Prepare the stuffing a day in advance and refrigerate it. This allows the flavors to meld together and simplifies your Thanksgiving day cooking schedule.
Variations and Add-Ins
- Mixed mushrooms: Sauté a mix of mushrooms, like cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms, for added umami flavor and a meaty texture.
- Dried fruits: Mix dried fruits like cranberries, apricots, or cherries into your vegan Thanksgiving dressing.
- Crunchy nuts: Fold in toasted nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds.
- Roasted chestnuts: For a festive and hearty element to your vegan sausage stuffing.
- Fresh apples or pears: Dice fresh apples or pears to introduce a sweetness that pairs well with the savory herbs and sausage.
- Spinach or kale: Stir in wilted spinach or kale.
- Vegan cheese: Sprinkle in vegan cheese shreds, like vegan mozzarella or cheddar, over the top of your stuffing for a cheesy, melty finish.
- Spicy: Add a little red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Vegan gravy: Serve your stuffing with a drizzle of vegan gravy.
- Citrus zest: Brighten the vegan sausage stuffing’s taste with lemon or orange zest.
- Vegan bacon bits: Adding bits or tempeh bacon for smoky, salty flavors.
- Caramelized onions: Instead of sautéing onions, caramelize them for a sweet and rich onion flavor.
- Artichoke hearts: Add some chopped canned or marinated artichoke hearts.
- Vegan sausage varieties: Experiment with different brands and flavors of vegan sausage to find your favorite combination.
- Sourdough bread: Try making the vegan stuffing with sourdough bread for a tangy taste.
- Vegan Stuffing Mix: I used the 365 by Whole Foods Market Mixmultigrain Stuffing. Another option is the Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing.
Make Ahead Instructions and Storage
Making your vegan stuffing ahead of time can be a time-saving strategy during the Thanksgiving rush. Here’s how to prepare, store, and reheat it:
Make-ahead instruction
Follow the recipe instructions up to the point just before baking. Allow the stuffing to cool down to room temperature. This prevents condensation inside the storage container, which can make the stuffing soggy.
Transfer the stuffing to an airtight container or a large, sealable plastic bag. Ensure it’s tightly sealed to prevent air from getting in.
Place the container in the refrigerator. The stuffing can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Storage instructions
If you need to make the stuffing more than 24 hours in advance or want to store leftovers, here’s what to do:
- Cool thoroughly: After baking, allow the stuffing to cool to room temperature.
- Portion and package: Divide the stuffing into individual portions or transfer it to an airtight container.
- Label and date: Label the container with the date it was prepared to keep track of freshness.
- Freeze: If you plan to store the stuffing for an extended period (up to 1-2 months), place it in the freezer. Make sure it’s well-sealed to prevent freezer burn.
FAQs
Can I use gluten-free bread for this stuffing recipe?
Yes, you can use gluten-free bread to make this stuffing.
What can I use as a binder instead of Just Egg or other vegan egg substitutes?
You can use flax or chia eggs instead of vegan egg substitutes. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water to make one flax or chia egg. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens to an egg-like consistency.
Can I prepare the stuffing the night before and bake it on Thanksgiving day?
You can prepare the stuffing the night before and store it in the refrigerator.
Can I make this vegan Thanksgiving dressing without vegan sausage for a milder flavor?
Absolutely! If you prefer milder-flavored stuffing, leave out the vegan sausage and adjust the seasonings to your taste. You can also add more vegetables or other ingredients to bulk it up.
How do I prevent my stuffing from becoming too dry during baking?
To prevent your stuffing from drying out, ensure you have enough vegetable broth and don’t overbake it. Cover it with foil during the initial baking to retain moisture, and uncover it for the last part of baking to crisp up the top.
Can I make this stuffing nut-free?
Yes, you can! If you want to make this stuffing nut-free, omit nuts or nut-based products used as add-ins. You can replace them with extra vegetables or seeds if desired.
How To Make The Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing
Method
- Preheat the oven to 275°F.
- Cut bread into ¾ inch pieces and spread evenly over a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 50 minutes until thoroughly dried, rotating the tray and stirring bread cubes throughout the baking process. Take it out of the oven and let it cool. Increase oven temperature to 350°F
- Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat until it melts. Add the vegan sausage, breaking it into fine pieces, and cook for roughly 8 minutes until it achieves a light browning.
- Stir in the onion, celery, garlic, sage, salt, and pepper, and keep cooking for about 10 minutes until the vegetables become tender. Then, take it off the heat and mix in half of the vegetable stock.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the remaining vegetable stock, Just Egg, and 3 tablespoons of parsley, whisking them together until they form a uniform mixture.
- While continuously stirring with a wooden spoon, gradually pour this wet mixture into the sausage mixture. Then, add the bread cubes and gently fold them in until everything is evenly combined.
- Pour the mixture into a well-greased 9×13-inch rectangular baking dish. Cover it securely with aluminum foil, then bake for 60 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. Once done, take it out of the oven, allow it to cool for 5 minutes, sprinkle with the remaining parsley, and serve.
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Vegan Sausage Stuffing
Ingredients
- 1 lbs sandwich, Italian or French bread
- 1/2 stick of vegan butter or 4 tablespoons
- 28 oz vegan sausage removed from casing
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 4 large ribs of celery chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 cup fresh sage leaves minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves minced and divided
- 3 cups vegetable broth divided
- 3/4 cup Just Egg
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven 275°F
- Cut bread into 3/4-inch pieces. Spread bread pieces evenly over a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for approximately 50 minutes until thoroughly dried, rotating the tray and stirring bread cubes throughout the baking process. Take it out of the oven and let it cool. Increase oven temperature to 350°F
- Heat the butter in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat until it melts. Add the vegan sausage, breaking it into fine pieces, and cook for about 8 minutes until it achieves a light browning.
- Stir in the onion, celery, garlic, sage, salt, and pepper and keep cooking for about 10 minutes until the vegetables become tender. Then, take it off the heat and mix in half of the vegetable stock.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the remaining vegetable stock, Just Egg, and 3 tablespoons of parsley, whisking them together until they form a uniform mixture.
- While continuously stirring with a wooden spoon, gradually pour this wet mixture into the sausage mixture. Then, add the stuffing mix and gently fold them in until everything is evenly combined.
- Pour the mixture into a well-greased 9x13-inch rectangular baking dish. Cover it securely with aluminum foil, then bake for 60 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until the top turns golden brown. Once done, take it out of the oven, allow it to cool for 5 minutes, sprinkle with the remaining parsley, and serve.
