Thanksgiving is, obviously, one of the toughest holidays to get through when you're a vegetarian. You would think there are a lot of sides to choose from — and theoretically, there are. It's just that meat tends to invade everything on Turkey Day. Bacon is added in everything from brussels sprouts to mashed potatoes to creamed corn. Ham is mixed in to lots of dishes, like green bean casserole and even peas and onions. And stuffing? Forget about it. Stuffing is traditionally made with some of the turkey or sausage — and sometimes even put in the turkey! For the first few years of my vegetarian life, I counted stuffing out as something I could eat... until I found the perfect vegetarian stuffing recipe that I now make almost every year. However, the journey to finding the right recipe was tough, and so I wanted to share a few vegetarian stuffing recipe options so that it's not as hard for anyone else.
A lot of the vegetarian stuffing options out there don't even seem like real stuffing. Many of them aren't made with bread, which seems blasphemous, and they seem more like rice dishes than anything else. A lot of them just aren't as tasty as traditional stuffing, which is kind of a bummer. But there's no reason you can't have a delicious stuffing just because you don't eat meat! Whether you're hosting or not, offer to bring your own veg option so that you're not stuck without one, and choose one of the options below. They're full of flavor and are good enough that even meat eaters will be into them.
Check out these vegetarian stuffing recipes, and your only problem will be picking just one!
1. Sourdough Stuffing With Kale, Almonds, And Grand Marnier Apricots
Sourdough bread is perfect for stuffing: it's easy to find, it's hearty enough to stand up against the wet ingredients, and it tastes great. This sourdough stuffing from The Pig and Quill looks awesome. Kale and almonds give a nice flavor, while the Grand Marnier apricots offer some sweetness to balance everything out.
2. Crockpot Vegetarian Stuffing
Making your own stuffing can take a lot of time, which you might not have around Thanksgiving. A crockpot stuffing like this one from Show Me The Yummy will make your life a lot easier. It cooks while you get other things done! This vegetarian option is really similar to a traditional stuffing, so it's great if you're looking for something more basic.
3. Apple Cranberry Stuffing
This sweet stuffing from Veggie Primer isn't just vegetarian, it's also vegan and gluten-free, which can be hard to find! Sweetened with fall flavors like apples and cranberries, it's rounded off with warming herbs and spices that make it super tasty.
4. Butternut Squash And Wild Mushroom Stuffing
If you're looking for a hearty stuffing that's similar to the traditional version, this butternut squash and wild mushroom stuffing from Half-Baked Harvest is for you. Big mushrooms, sweet squash, and sourdough bread make this a lot more than just soggy bread. Fall herbs like sage and thyme lend a perfect Thanksgiving flavor. The recipe says to make it with chicken or turkey broth, but this would be just as good made with vegetable broth.
5. Sweet Potato And Cranberry Stuffing
Have a stuffing so sweet it's almost like a savory dessert with this recipe from Diethood. It's easy to put together and full of lots of colors that make it aesthetically pleasing as well as delicious.
6. Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
If you're looking for a gluten-free, vegetarian options, this quinoa stuffed acorn squash recipe from Delightful Mum Food is great. Quinoa mixes with nuts, cheese, spinach, and herbs for yummy, unique take on stuffing. Placed in acorn squash halves, they look awesome.
7. Vegan Sourdough Bread Stuffing
At first glance, you'd never be able to tell that this savory stuffing from Vegan Huggs is even vegan. It looks like traditional stuffing, but it's better: it's made with sourdough bread, hearty mushrooms, and lots of herbs. You won't miss the eggs, meat, or butter, promise.
8. Wild Rice Stuffing With Butternut Squash, Pears, And Pecans
I love bread in my stuffing, but hey, maybe it's not your thing. That's cool! If so, this wild rice stuffing from The Roasted Root is a great option this Thanksgiving. Wild rice is mixed with sweet squash, pears, and cranberries, and all of the seasoning added in makes it so good, you won't give bread a second thought.
9. Rosemary Mushroom Stuffing
This stuffing from Canned-Time is also vegan, which is great. Rosemary and mushrooms mix together so well that the combo basically tastes like the holidays. Currants and fennel makes this even more comforting.
10. Stuffed Butternut Squash
Stray from the traditional with this stuffed butternut squash dish from Well Plated. Made with quinoa instead of bread, it's actually a healthier version of stuffing, and the presentation is amazing.
11. Vegetarian Rye Bread, Onion, And Apple Stuffing
Don't feel like you have to stick with sourdough or some kind of white bread in your stuffing — something like rye is a great idea. This rye bread stuffing from Savory Nothings is mixed with apples and onions and herbs for a slightly different flavor.
12. Avocado And Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash
Another healthier stuffing option is this avocado and quinoa stuffed acorn squash recipe from Love and Lemons. Avocado might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Thanksgiving, but in this dish, it works. It's so impressive looking!
13. Pretzel Bread Quinoa Stuffing With Garlic Butter Mushrooms
If you think quinoa is weird in stuffing, then you haven't seen this pretzel bread stuffing recipe from How Sweet It is. The garlicky butter mushrooms are what really make this dish a home run. It says to make with chicken broth, but you can easily substitute veggie broth.
14. Herbed Wild Rice And Quinoa Stuffing
Speaking of quinoa stuffing, let's talk about this one from Kitchen Treaty. Mixed with wild rice, apples, cranberries, sage, pecans, and more, it's full of fall flavor and makes a great and unique dish for Thanksgiving.
15. Butternut Squash And Asian Pear Cornbread Stuffing
Another perfect bread for stuffing is cornbread, which makes it taste even more rich and delicious. This cornbread stuffing recipe from Carrie's Experimental Kitchen mixes savory cornbread with sweet pears and squash, and is guaranteed to be a hit.
16. Crockpot Stuffing With Wild Rice, Cranberries, And Almonds
Another easier version of stuffing is this crockpot recipe from Well Plated. It has all of the fall flavors and more, and can make your Thanksgiving prep a whole lot easier.
Images: The Pig and Quill; Show Me the Yummy; Veggie Primer; Half-Baked Harvest; Diethood; Delightful Mum Food; Vegan Huggs; The Roasted Root; Canned-Time; Well Plated (2); Savory Nothings; Love and Lemons; How Sweet It Is; Kitchen Treaty; Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
