This Vegan Stuffing Recipe tastes just like the classic and is buttery and so flavourful with well-seasoned vegetables and the best herbs. It’s an incredible side dish for Thanksgiving, one that will have everyone going for seconds!

vegan stuffing in a casserole dish with a spoon and a scoop taken out

I’ve heard your cries friends – a vegan stuffing recipe is finally on the site!

Whether you call it stuffing, filling or dressing – this, this my friends is delicious! I remember that boxed stuffing that I used to love eating. My mom made it all year round, not just as Thanksgiving. This version is vegan, tastier and so incredible!

There are two very important things when making stuffing – ensuring it has the best flavour and the best texture. I went above and beyond to ensure this was bursting with buttery, flavourful notes. I also walk you step by step on how to start with the right bread texture, and end with a stuffing that everything will be reaching for.

Notes on the Ingredients

ingredients for the vegan stuffing

sourdough bread – this is my favourite bread to use for this vegan stuffing. Feel free to use regular bread like my dutch oven no knead bread too, but you want to ensure you choose a thick and hearty type of bread.

vegan butter or oil – you can use either, but I highly recommend using vegan butter for the flavour!

celery or leeks – I tested both celery and leeks and either works great here. You could even use leeks instead of the onions (same family).

thyme or sage – these are my choice of herbs but you can add or switch out for marjoram, rosemary and any of your favourite fall herbs

vegetable broth – get a great quality vegetable broth/stock. It helps so much in flavouring the bread.

Step by Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F/ 200°C.

dried out bread for stuffing

Ensure your bread is dried out. Add it to a baking pan, and bake for about 5 minutes or so until dried out. It should feel like just gone stale bread (and slightly crispy).

cooked down veggies in a pan side by side shots

In a pan over medium heat, melt the vegan butter and add the onion, garlic, celery. Add the thyme, sage, salt and pepper, stir together.

finished sautéed down veggies in a pan side by side

Cook until onions are tender and garlic is fragrant about 8 minutes. Remove from heat.

stuffing ingredients cooked down veggies and bread in bowl to mix

In a large bowl, add the dried bread pieces. Add the cooked-down veggies. Pour the vegetable broth 1 cup at a time over, and stir everything together once more to incorporate. Continue until all the veggie broth is finished (you may not need everything – you want it moist, not with liquid pooling in the bottom after mixing it all together). 

uncooked stuffing in casserole dish before cooking

Pour everything into your 8×11 or 9×13 casserole dish. Sprinkle extra thyme on top. Cover with foil and place in the centre of your centre rack.

finished baked stuffing side by side shots

Bake for 35 minutes covered, and then remove foil. Bake for another 20 to 30 minutes until cornbread is set and the top becomes golden brown and slightly crusty.

Remove, cool slightly and serve. Enjoy!

Expert Tips & FAQ

It’s crucial that you start with dried out bread. Stale and crispy. It provides the best texture to properly absorb the liquid for that incredible end texture! Don’t skip this step. 

scooped out slice of stuffing on plate with gold fork and thyme beside plate

Add your vegetable broth in increments. You might not need it all (although I usually use all of it). You want to ensure there is no pool of liquid at the bottom of your bowl. If there after you’ve stirred it all around (like it’s not being absorbed) just pour it off, trying not to pour any seasonings out with it. 

Feel free to switch up the type of bread. You can of course just use my cornbread stuffing, or try challah, brioche – any kind. Try french bread, or even a bakery loaf of bread.

Can I make stuffing ahead of time?

Yes you can! You can make several layers of this ahead of time. You can dry out the bread then freeze it until ready. Or you can assemble the entire casserole, then place it in your fridge tightly covered for up to two days before. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking (to come to room temperature) Toss one more time, cover with foil then bake when ready!

vegan stuffing in a casserole dish with a spoon in it

Enjoy friends! If you make this Vegan Stuffing Recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much! 

vegan stuffing in a casserole dish with a spoon and a scoop taken out

Vegan Stuffing

This Vegan Stuffing Recipe tastes just like the classic and is buttery and so flavourful with well-seasoned vegetables and the best herbs. It's an incredible side dish for Thanksgiving, one that will have everyone going for seconds!
5 (from 16 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 10 cups sourdough bread, torn into 1 inch pieces and dried out for a day on a sheet (no larger than this)
  • 3 tablespoons vegan butter or oil
  • 2 onions, chopped finely (1 ½ cups worth)
  • 5 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 6 ribs of celery, finely diced or 2 cups leeks, cut in half and thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, removed from stalks and chopped finely
  • 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped finely
  • 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 1/2 cups vegetable broth, or more for your preference

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F/ 200°C.
  • Ensure your bread is dried out. Add it to a baking pan, and bake for about 5 minutes or so until dried out. It should feel like just gone stale bread (and slightly crispy).
  • In a pan over medium heat, melt the vegan butter and add the onion, garlic, celery. Add the thyme, sage, salt and pepper, stir together, and cook until onions are tender and garlic is fragrant, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • In a large bowl, add the dried bread pieces. Add the cooked-down veggies. Pour the vegetable broth 1 cup at a time over, and stir everything together once more to incorporate. Continue until all the veggie broth is finished (you may not need everything – you want it moist, not with liquid pooling in the bottom after mixing it all together).
  • Pour everything into your 8×11 or 9×13 casserole dish. Sprinkle extra thyme on top. Cover with foil and place in the centre of your centre rack.
  • Bake for 35 minutes covered, and then remove foil. Bake for another 20 to 30 minutes until stuffing is set and the top becomes golden brown and slightly crusty.
  • Remove, cool slightly and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

It’s crucial that you start with dried out bread. Stale and crispy. It provides the best texture to properly absorb the liquid for that incredible end texture! Don’t skip this step. 
Add your vegetable broth in increments. You might not need it all (although I usually use all of it). You want to ensure there is no pool of liquid at the bottom of your bowl. If there after you’ve stirred it all around (like it’s not being absorbed) just pour it off, trying not to pour any seasonings out with it. 
Feel free to switch up the type of bread. You can of course just use my cornbread stuffing, or try challah, brioche – any kind. Try french bread, or even a bakery loaf of bread.
celery or leeks – I tested both celery and leeks and either works great here. You could even use leeks instead of the onions (same family).
Can I make stuffing ahead of time?
Yes you can! You can make several layers of this ahead of time. You can dry out the bread then freeze it until ready. Or you can assemble the entire casserole, then place it in your fridge tightly covered for up to two days before. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking (to come to room temperature) Toss one more time, cover with foil then bake when ready!
Calories: 101kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 436mg, Potassium: 65mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 266IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg

Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.