Whether you are transitioning to a gluten-free diet, or a seasoned pro, the holidays can be particularly challenging. I don't know about you, but food for me is celebration, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are not times that I want to feel deprived. Luckily, it isn't all that challenging to make safe versions of your favorites. I think the whole crowd will agree that this Gluten Free Stuffing Recipe is pure bliss.
The Whole Crowd is Going to Love This Gluten Free Stuffing!
There are some things that the holidays just wouldn't be the same without.
Stuffing is one of them, don't you agree?
When I first went gluten-free, I thought that it meant that I would have to give up dressing.
I mean, there was no way I was going to convince the rest of the family that my gluten-free version was as good as the "real thing".
And with the holiday already being 50 Shades of Crazy around my house, I wasn't making a separate dish just for myself.
(Because as much as I love holiday food, I love sleep. And most of the time during this time of year adding just one more thing to my to-do list means sleep goes out the window. And that isn't a good thing. Ask my kids.)
Since that time, I've learned that with a little effort, you can make almost anything gluten-free delicious enough that the whole family will enjoy it. And that includes this Gluten Free Stuffing.
You guys, it is yummy!
In fact, I would argue that this dressing is so good, you are almost going to WISH you'd made it just for yourself. (Minus the whole having to make another one for the family.)
The good news is that even if you are entertaining enough people that two stuffings are required, this one is fairly easy to make.
How Do You Make Gluten-Free Stuffing?
1 The first thing that you want to do is toasted the bread. Preheat your oven to 275 and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. While the oven is preheating, cut the bread into cubes. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bread is dry to the touch. Allow to cool and transfer to a large bowl. (Tip: This can be done ahead of time!)
2 Next, you want to chop your onions, carrots, celery and apple. Now is a great time to go ahead and chop your herbs as well.
3 Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Add the apple, and continue to cook for about 4 minutes. Add the garlic to the pan, and cook for one more minutes.
4 Transfer the fruit and vegetable mixture to a large bowl. Stir in pecans, dried cranberries, thyme, sage, salt and pepper.
5 In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and broth. Pour over the bread mixture. Season with salt and pepper, and add additional broth as needed to ensure that the bread is hydrated.
6 Spray a baking dish with oil, and transfer the bread mixture to it. Cut butter into small pieces, and dot over the bread mixture.
7 Spray a piece of parchment paper with oil, and place on top of the dish. Cover with foil. Bake for about 25 minutes! Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Gluten Free Stuffing
- You can used purchased gluten free bread, but I like a thicker cut bread, because it absorbs flavors better. I used this Quinoa Bread Recipe. (I left the sesame seeds off.)
- Bread may be dried in the oven up to 3 days ahead of time. Allow to cool completely and store in a zip top bag.
Mix it Up!
- Use 3 Granny Smith apples, 1 cup diced roasted chestnuts, ½ cups dried cranberries, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme.
- Add in 1 pound ground turkey sausage for a more hearty dish.
- Mix in 1 ½ cups of Wild Rice and 1 pound sautéed diced mushrooms.
Other Gluten Free Holiday Recipes to Try:
- Gluten Free Corn Muffins are a delicious and easy side that also packs a nutritional punch.
- This Mushroom Cauliflower Risotto is a delicious side that doesn't require the oven. It is sure to leave your taste buds doing a happy dance.
- Being gluten free doesn't mean you have to give up bread! This Gluten Free Rosemary Focaccia is so good! Even my picky boys love it.
- Start your holiday off right with these crazy-good Gluten Free Crepes. It sounds fancy, but they are so easy to make.
Tools You Will Need
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Gluten in Stuffing?
Yes, most stuffings and stuffing mixes contain gluten. You can find a boxed version, but make sure you read the labels carefully.
Can you freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Allow the stuffing to cool completely and place in an air-tight container with a lid. Freeze for up to three months. To serve, allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. (Never put a cold casserole dish in the oven. Either bring the dish to room temperature before heating or put the casserole dish into a cold oven and allow them to preheat together.)
What brand of bread should I use in this recipe if I don’t want to make my own?
I am a big fan of Canyon Bakehouse Breads for taste and clean ingredients. (Disclosure: I have never worked with them, but they have sent me products in years past.)
Can I make gluten-free sausage stuffing?
Absolutely! One of the best things about stuffing is that it is infinitely adaptable. I would recommend adding ¾ of a pound of browned sausage to the bread mixture.
This all seems like a lot of work. Can I buy gluten-free stuffing mix?
Yep! Some brands to consider:
Gluten Free Stuffing Recipe
This Gluten Free Stuffing recipe is the perfect dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas! Best of all, no one will mind that it is gluten-free. It tastes just like the "real thing"!
Gluten Free Stuffing
Ingredients
- 12 ounces gluten free bread cut into cubes
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 carrots chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 1 large Gala apple diced (or 2 small)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¾ cup pecans toasted and chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped or 2 teaspoons dried
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups broth
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup grass-fed butter
- For Cooking: Parchment paper and Foil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275. Coat a 13 x 9 baking dish with oil. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place bread cubes on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until dry to the touch, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool and transfer to a large bowl.
- Increase oven temperature to 350.
- Meanwhile, heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes. Add apple and cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Transfer mixture to the bowl with bread and stir in pecans, dried cranberries, thyme, sage, salt and pepper.
- Whisk together eggs and broth in a medium bowl. Stir over the bread mixture, seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste. Add additional broth, as need to ensure the bread is hyrdrated.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish.
- Cut butter into small pieces and dot over the bread mixture.
- Spray parchment paper with oil and place on top of dish. Cover with foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
Notes
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Gluten Free Stuffing
- You can used purchased gluten free bread, but I like a thicker cut bread, because it absorbs flavors better. I used this Quinoa Bread Recipe. (I left the sesame seeds off.)
- Bread may be dried in the oven up to 3 days ahead of time. Allow to cool completely and store in a zip top bag.
Variations for Gluten Free Stuffing:
- Use 3 Granny Smith apples, 1 cup diced roasted chestnuts, ½ cups dried cranberries, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme.
- Add in 1 pound ground turkey sausage for a more hearty dish.
- Mix in 1 ½ cups of Wild Rice and 1 pound sautéed diced mushrooms.
Nutrition
More Gluten Free Holiday Recipes:
- Most foods are better with real ingredients, and this Keto Green Bean Casserole proves it! This is one that the whole crowd is going to love.
- Looking for a delicious main that is something other than turkey? It doesn't get much better than this Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken.
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