Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (2024)

home Vegan Recipes Side Dishes

5 from 4 votes

30 minutes minutes

by Marly

9

Jump to Recipe

Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure Policy

This easy vegan stuffing recipe is perfect served warm as a delicious side dish for your next amazing vegan dinner. Of course, you’ll want this recipe for your vegan Thanksgiving dinner as well!

Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (1)

Here’s my favorite vegan Thanksgiving: This vegan stuffing is served with vegan turkey, vegan gravy, vegan cranberry sauce, and some vegan garlic mashed potatoes for a perfect holiday meal or any special occasion!

What do you call this dish? Dressing? Or stuffing? I think I’ve used both. I love this article from Southern Living on the Debate about whether to call it dressing or stuffing.

My mom always made the best homemade stuffing for Thanksgiving. It was served in a hugecasserole dish, so we’d have leftovers, at least for the next day.

My mom put a lot of work into that recipe. She’d make the cornbread from scratch, and she’d search far and wide for the best kind of sage to add as a seasoning.

I used to do that, too, especially after we adopted a vegan lifestyle. And then, one day, I discovered a way to make a simple vegan stuffing.

The good news? This recipe takes less than 30 minutes. Perfect!

Table of Contents show

Why This Recipe is a Winner

  • The use of a cornbread stuffing mix makes this easy so easy to make
  • The addition of vegan butter makes this taste like traditional stuffing, even though it’s vegan
  • Baking the stuffing creates a crispy topping that makes every bite delicious

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Vegan butter— Use your favorite vegan butter or margarine here.
  • Celery— You’ll need about 2 stalks or 1 cup of chopped celery.
  • Onion— We’ll be using about 1 cup of chopped onion.
  • Vegetable Broth — I recommend a high-quality vegetable broth like Better than Bouillon No-Chicken or Vegetarian broth.
  • Stuffing Mix — I buy a seasoned stuffing mix. Just look at the container to make sure it’s dairy-free. See below for more info on options.

Marly’s Tips

If you place your onion in the freezer for about 30 minutes before chopping it, you’ll reduce the amount of eye irritation you feel. No more tears!

How to Make Vegan Stuffing

  1. Cook celery and onion with butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes.
  2. Pour the vegetable broth into the pan and cook until it just begins to boil.
  3. Add the stuffing mix and stir to combine.
  4. Pour the stuffing into a prepared baking dish and bake for 20 minutes, until golden on the top.

I tried many ways to make the best vegan stuffing for you. And do you know what I decided was the best? Using a vegan-friendly package of ready-to-make stuffing combined with my homemade broth mixture. It was easy and delicious.

Easy and Delicious are my favorite ingredients!

Step One: Cook Celery and Onion

Add vegan butter to a saucepan over medium heat and cook until the butter is melted. Add chopped onion and 2 stalks chopped celery and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions are tender.

Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (2)

Step Two: Add Vegetable Broth

Add the vegetable broth and bring that to a boil.

Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (3)

Step Three: Add Stuffing Mix

Once the broth begins to boil, remove it from heat and stir in the stuffing mix. Take a taste here and add more seasoning if you want.

Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (4)

Step Four: Bake (optional)

At this point, you could serve it as a vegetarian stovetop stuffing straight from the pan. It’s pretty tasty as is. I just happen to like to bake it like a casserole. So, once it’s ready, pour it into a casserole dish and bake it for about 20 minutes until the top crust has some crispy, golden peaks.

You might want to make a double batch so you’ll still have some leftovers after your guests leave.

Storage Tips

Store the stuffing in the baking dish by covering it with foil and refrigerating it. Otherwise, transfer leftovers to an airtight container. They will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days. Or they can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Dairy-Free Meatless Stuffing

To make any stuffing dairy-free and meatless, do the following:

  • Replace the turkey or chicken broth with vegetable broth
  • Use vegan butter or olive oil in place of dairy butter
  • Use a Vegan Cornbread recipe or purchase a dairy-free stuffing mix
  • Don’t add any meat like sausage or turkey.

You’ll notice I didn’t mention eggs above. Some recipes will call for eggs in the stuffing to help create a more bread-like finished product. However, eggs are not necessary.

Marly’s Tips

  • These are the traditional stuffing spices I use: rubbed sage, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
  • Add a half cup or so of freshcranberries before baking to add color and flavor
  • You could also add a 1/2 cup of sliced apples
  • Add 1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms before you bake it to make this into a vegan stuffing with mushrooms
  • Includesome vegan sausage crumbles to give it a heartier flavor
  • Drizzle some melted vegan butter over the top to make a crispier crust
  • You can make it the day before and simply reheat before serving. The flavors of vegan stuffing just grow better over time, so you’ll be fine either way.

Vegan Stuffing Mix Options

When buying store-bought vegan stuffing mixes, be sure to read the label because sometimes manufacturers change their formulas. Currently, these are the stuffing mixes that are made without dairy, eggs, or lard (paid links):

I’m pleasantly surprised to see so many options available these days.

You can make your vegan cornbread stuffing from scratch, but this easy stuffing recipe is so tasty, I say keep it simple!

Vegan Holiday Sides

How to Steam Broccoli

15 mins total

Vegan Cauliflower Gratin

35 mins total

Balsamic Green Beans

20 mins total

Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (9)
Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (10)

Subscribe and get a free Easy Vegan Recipes eBook

Plus our latest vegan recipes, delivered right to your inbox!

Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (11)

Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (12)

Vegan Stuffing

Make this simple and delicious vegan stuffing recipe in 30 minutes or less! Bake it or serve it as a stove top stuffing. It's perfect for an elegant Thanksgiving dinner or a simple Tuesday evening side dish!

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate Save

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 248kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup vegan butter half a stick
  • 2 stalks celery about 1 cup, chopped
  • 1 large onion about 1 cup, chopped
  • 2 ½ cups Vegetable Broth
  • 14 ounce Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Cornbread Stuffing

Instructions

  • Heat your oven to 375°F/190°C. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking pan or casserole dish.

  • Heat the vegan butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add the chopped celery and onion. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.

  • Pour the vegetable broth over cooked onions/celery and give it a good stir. Cook over medium heat until this just begins to boil.

  • Pour in the stuffing and stir to combine. Remove from heat.

  • Add more seasoning—like dried sage, salt, and pepper—to taste. Pour into your prepared baking dish.

  • Bake for 20 minutes, until the stuffing is golden and crusty on the top.

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

*I’m able to find Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Mixes in my local grocery store.

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 898mg | Potassium: 20mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 425IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.2mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

This post was originally published in 2019 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2021.

Easy Vegan Stuffing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of eggs to bind stuffing? ›

16 egg substitutes
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. Fruit puree will help bind a recipe in a similar way to applesauce. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

What is vegan stuffing made of? ›

In this vegan stuffing recipe, I keep the celery, onions, and crusty bread, but I use a generous amount of olive oil instead of butter, which adds robust flavor. Then, I increase the veggies. Along with the onion and celery, I add a hefty amount of shiitake mushrooms, kale, and tons of fresh herbs.

What does adding egg to stuffing do? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture.

What do vegans use to bind instead of eggs? ›

Ground flax seeds

One of the most popular egg substitutes in vegan baking is a flax egg. This is made by combining ground (not whole) flax seeds with water and leaving to sit for 15 minutes until the mixture becomes thick, almost the same consistency as a regular egg.

What is a vegan substitute for eggs as a binder? ›

Flaxseed (aka linseed)

Combine a tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water, stir to combine, and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken. Ground flaxseed emulates eggs' binding qualities in breads, cakes, muffins, cookies, burgers, and vegan meatballs.

What is homemade stuffing made of? ›

Classic stuffing made with bread cubes, seasonings, and held together with chicken stock and eggs. A holiday staple!

What is British stuffing made of? ›

Stuffing consists of a mixture of savoury ingredients such as breadcrumbs, herbs, fruit, nuts, sausagemeat and onion which are bound together with egg or liquid to form a semi-solid mixture. It is usually cooked with roast meat such as chicken, pork or lamb and is served as an accompaniment to the sliced, cooked meat.

Can vegans eat olive oil? ›

The short answer is yes, olive oil is vegan! Olive oil is a completely plant-derived product that is made entirely from the fruit of the olive tree. The product does not require animals for sourcing or processing in any way.

What can you use instead of stuffing? ›

10 everyday alternatives to toy stuffing
  • Old tights or socks. Nylons work great, but woolly ones will do too. ...
  • Worn out t-shirts or jumpers. Again, these should be clean. ...
  • Tissues or tissue paper. Not machine washable, but a lightweight solution for ornaments. ...
  • Newspaper. ...
  • Plastic bags.
Jan 22, 2019

What is a substitute for margarine in stuffing? ›

It's easy to swap in coconut oil, olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil for margarine. In most recipes, oil is substituted for margarine at a 3:4 ratio. This accounts for any water or other ingredients in the margarine. So, for every cup of margarine in the recipe, use 3/4 cup of oil.

Is bread usually vegan? ›

At its core, a bread recipe contains four simple ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast — a type of microscopic fungus used to help bread rise. Therefore, the simplest form of bread is vegan. However, some types include additional ingredients like sweeteners or fats — both of which can be of animal origin.

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.

Why put mayo in eggs? ›

Adding fat to scrambled eggs will make them richer and firmer. Many people add extra yolks to their scrambled eggs, and this serves the same purpose since yolks are mostly fat. * Mayonnaise adds to the liquid. Adding more liquid to scrambled eggs makes them more tender and moist.

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.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of eggs as a binder? ›

There are more than a few reasons why mayo makes sense as a substitute for egg wash. Since they both share the same main ingredient (eggs), they function in very similar ways. Much like egg wash acts as a binding agent to help seasonings and breadcrumbs stick to meat, creamy mayonnaise also manages to do the same.

Can I use milk instead of egg to bind? ›

Using a 1/4 cup of milk or yogurt in place of eggs is perfect for baked goods where moisture is key, such as cakes or muffins. (Vegans can use plant-based milks or yogurt in its place.

What can I use as a binder for breadcrumbs instead of eggs? ›

Here are some common egg substitutes for breading:
  • Milk or Buttermilk:Dip the meat in milk or buttermilk before coating it with the breading. ...
  • Yogurt:Plain yogurt can serve as a good substitute for eggs in breading. ...
  • Mustard:Dijon or regular mustard can act as a binder for the breading.
Nov 21, 2023

How do you bind pastry without eggs? ›

Simply stir 1tbsp ground flaxseed into 2tbsp water to replace a single egg. This will provide both binding (making bakes hold together) and leavening (making bakes rise) in place of eggs.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Last Updated:

Views: 5702

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Wyatt Volkman LLD

Birthday: 1992-02-16

Address: Suite 851 78549 Lubowitz Well, Wardside, TX 98080-8615

Phone: +67618977178100

Job: Manufacturing Director

Hobby: Running, Mountaineering, Inline skating, Writing, Baton twirling, Computer programming, Stone skipping

Introduction: My name is Wyatt Volkman LLD, I am a handsome, rich, comfortable, lively, zealous, graceful, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.