Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe (2024)

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The Best Vegan Thanksgiving dressing / stuffing recipe Italian style, made with mushrooms, pine nuts, roasted butternut squash, farro, beans and a smooth basil pesto dressing. Otherwise known as Panzanella, technically an amazing bread salad dressed up for the holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas can bring it!

Jump to Recipe

Feel free to adapt this recipe to whatever veggies you have available. I wanted to have a very hearty, filling dish perfect for a hungry crowd, so I added cannellini beans and whole-grain farro in addition to the bread.

You can make your stuffing gluten-free by simply swapping the farro with brown rice or lentils and using gluten-free bread.

I really love that all the ingredients for this dressing can be prepared ahead then warmed through and tossed together with the pesto before serving.Ultimately a very easy recipe to execute that delivers in flavor like a boss. If basil pesto isn’t your thing swap it with this sun dried tomato pesto.

Simply the Best Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing Ever!

It is now a staple in our home not only during the holiday season but all year round, changing with the seasons. Think artichokes and tomatoes in the summer time, roasted root veggies all through the fall and winter months.

Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe (2)

Dressing Add Ins Ideas:

Apples & Sage

Dried Apricots & Chestnuts

Cranberries or Capers

Roasted Broccoli

Beyond Meat Italian Sausage (pan seared)

Vegan Bacon Bits

Brussels Sprouts.

Choosing the Right Bread for Stuffing /Dressing:

It’s really important to use a bread that holds together nicely and has lots of crust. Any crusty loaf or baguette will work, just stay away from soft, prepackaged sweetened breads like potato bread or brioche.

To complete your ultimate Vegan Thanksgiving menu, make sure to add this pumpkin pie, mushroom gravy and cranberry wild rice into the mix. You won’t regret it!

P.S. If you make this stuffing recipe please come back here to rate it, snap a photo and tag us with #VeggieSociety on Instagram, it totally makes my day! Xo’s ~ Florentina

Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe (6)

5 from 2 votes

Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing

The best vegan stuffing recipe Italian style with mushrooms, pine nuts, roasted butternut squash, farro and a smooth pesto dressing.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:25 minutes mins

Cook Time:45 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup farro
  • 1 medium butternut squash -peeled and diced into 1 inch cubes (about 3 cups)
  • 1/2 lb shiitake mushrooms, chanterelles or porcini -sliced
  • 3/4 cup cannellini beans -cooked
  • 1/2 whole wheat baguette or crusty loaf (day old or grilled cut into 1 inch pieces)
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup toasted pinenuts (or roasted chestnuts)
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion -diced
  • 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes halved (optional)
  • 1 tsp red peppers flakes
  • 1/3 cup fresh herbs (basil, chives, thyme, sage, parsley)
  • 1/3 cup red onion thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (for the mushrooms)

Vegan Pesto

  • 1 bunch Genoese Basil leaves only
  • 3 cloves garlic grated
  • 3 tbsp vegan parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 lemon juiced + more to taste
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or veggie stock +more as needed

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Make the Pesto:

  • Add the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil (or veggie stock for WFPB) and vegan parmesan to to bowl of a food processor and puree until smooth. Adjust seasoning to your taste with sea salt and lemon juice and use some more veggie stock or water to stretch out the pesto sauce if needed. Refrigerate until ready to use

Roast the Butternut Squash:

  • Preheat your oven to 400”F.

    In a large mixing bowl toss together the butternut squash cubes with a drizzle of olive oil, a good pinch of sea salt and red pepper flakes. Spread them out on a large parchment lined baking dish without touching each other. Roast for about 45 minutes until softened and they start to caramelize at the edges.

Cook the Farro:

  • Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. Season with a good pinch of sea salt the add the farro. Simmer for about 20 minutes until al dente, a little bit chewy. Strain in a colander and rinse well with water. Set aside or refrigerate until needed.

Sautee the Mushrooms:

  • Warm up a large skillet over medium flame. Add the diced yellow onion with a pinch of sea salt and a splash of water. Stir to coat well and sautée for a few minutes until translucent. Add the sliced mushrooms and hit it with the white wine. Add the fresh thyme and allow to simmer until the mushrooms have wilted and the liquid has reduced almost completely. Taste and adjust seasonings with some sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Assemble the Stuffing:

  • In a large mixing bowl add 3/4 of the pesto sauce, cooked farro, cannellini beans, the cooked mushrooms, red onion and about 3/4 of the roasted squash (reserve some for garnish If you like). Slice or tear the bread into bite size pieces and using a spatula gently fold everything together to combine well.

  • Taste and adjust seasonings again then transfer to a serving platter. Top with the reserved squash and drizzle the remaining pesto on top.

  • Sprinkle with the pine nuts and fresh herbs and serve warm.

Notes

If preparing the dressing in advance, make sure to keep all the ingredients separate until ready to toss together and serve. Also remember to warm up the squash, farro, beans and mushrooms before mixing.

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 138mg | Potassium: 873mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 13680IU | Vitamin C: 38.7mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 4.2mg

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: plant based, Thanksgiving Dressing, Vegan Mushroom Stuffing, vegan,

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 327kcal

Author: Florentina

Plant Based Thanksgiving:

Vegan Thanksgiving Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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 is a good substitute for eggs in stuffing? ›

However, if skipping the binder completely sounds like too big of a risk, many egg alternatives exist. Berries and Lime list seven: silken tofu, aquafaba, vegetable oil, baking powder, fruit or vegetable puree, yogurt, and finally, the substitute that Minimalist Baker specifically recommends for stuffing, a flax egg.

Which Stove Top stuffing is vegan? ›

If you're with us on that notion, check out our list of the best store-bought vegan stuffing brands for Thanksgiving 2023.
  • Pepperidge Farm. Multiple Options. ...
  • 365 by Whole Foods Market. Multiple Options. ...
  • Mrs. Cubbison's. ...
  • Olivia's Stuffing. Multiple Options. ...
  • Sprouts Farmers Market. ...
  • Chef's Cupboard by Aldi. ...
  • Stove Top. ...
  • Ener-G Foods.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

It's a matter of preference, but adding a beaten egg to your stuffing mixture acts as a binder and keeps the bread moist.

What box stuffing is vegan? ›

Pepperidge Farm: Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing

Pepperidge Farm makes classic stuffing so scrumptious; you wouldn't guess that there are no animal ingredients in it. The plant-based vegan recipe is made with the farm's premium white and wheat-baked loaves and homegrown herbs.

Why put eggs in stuffing? ›

Broth: Chicken broth keeps the stuffing moist without making it soggy. Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency.

How do you bind ingredients without eggs? ›

For one egg, whisk 1½ tbsp oil, 1½ tbsp water and 1 tsp baking powder together. Use to create an egg-free binding agent in recipes.

Can I use mayo instead of eggs? ›

Mayonnaise. Eggs are a key ingredient in mayonnaise, so it makes sense that it can be a perfect substitute when you're out of eggs. Use 3 tablespoons of mayo as an egg substitute.

How much vegetable oil to replace 1 egg? ›

Oil is used in place of eggs for recipes where the egg is included as a Leavening Agent to make the baked goods rise. To make the replacement, mix 1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil mixed with 1-1/2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon baking powder per egg.

Is Kraft Stove Top stuffing vegan? ›

Ironically, as another user pointed out in comments, the Stove Top Sage stuffing is not vegan as it contains trace amounts of dried cooked chicken. Many users thanked Dee for the tip. “I would never in a million years [have] picked that up and read the ingredients,” said one user. “Thank you.

Is Stove Top stuffing as good as homemade? ›

Also, the chicken Stove Top stuffing is the best. Stove Top makes a decent product for what it is: a pre-mixed, boxed stuffing mix. It's fine for a quick side dish, on a weeknight, or to use as a base for something more. But practically any homemade stuffing recipe will beat it, hands down.

Did Stove Top stuffing change their recipe? ›

In 1991, the recipe was tweaked slightly so that it can be made in the microwave rather than in a pan on the stovetop, and the prep time has been cut down from 15 to 5 minutes over the years.

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.

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.

Should you stir stuffing? ›

The bread in the stuffing absorbs moisture, but if it's dry (as it should be, see above), it takes some time for the liquid to settle in. I suggest adding a little at a time, say 1 cup of broth for every 4 cups of dry mix. Give it a good stir, then let it sit for a minute. The stuffing should be moist but not wet.

What is stuffing usually made of? ›

Many American stuffings contain a starchy ingredient like bread or cereals, usually together with vegetables, ground meats, herbs and spices, and eggs. Middle Eastern vegetable stuffings may be based on seasoned rice, on minced meat, or a combination thereof. Other stuffings may contain only vegetables and herbs.

What is stuffing mostly made of? ›

Stuffing is a mix of edible ingredients such as herbs, bread and a binder such as egg, traditionally stuffed into a meat cavity before it is cooked. Other ingredients in stuffing might be meat, nuts, butter, chopped vegetables and even fruit or oysters.

What is traditional stuffing made of? ›

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

Is Kraft Stove Top Stuffing vegan? ›

Ironically, as another user pointed out in comments, the Stove Top Sage stuffing is not vegan as it contains trace amounts of dried cooked chicken. Many users thanked Dee for the tip. “I would never in a million years [have] picked that up and read the ingredients,” said one user. “Thank you.

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