This 9-ingredient vegan stove top stuffing is incredibly easy to make. Skip the boxed stuffing and go for this! It’s vegan, oil-free, and absolutely delicious!
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This stuffing recipe is a twist on the classic. It’s vegan and oil free! This means no butter (or vegan butter for that matter) was used. But don’t worry, there is still plenty of flavor! You won’t even notice it’s gone!
Why I Love This Stove Top Stuffing
I’ve made stuffing in the oven for YEARS but it’s just so time consuming. Juggling to make everything for a Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner is stressful enough, but using precious oven space for a side dish? No thank you. I’d rather save that precious oven space for my Lentil Loaf or Vegan Shepherd’s Pie.
That’s why in recent years I’ve switched to making stuffing on the stove. Not only is it faster, but it can be made in advance and reheated the day of.
Ingredients
This vegan stove top stuffing recipe requires on 9 ingredients that you most likely already have on hand:
- Whole grain bread—I like Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Bread but any whole grain bread will do. Use a hearty gluten-free bread if needed.
- Yellow onion
- Celery
- Dried sage and thyme
- Salt and black pepper
- Low-sodium vegetable broth
- Lentils—I used canned to save even more time. Cooking dried lentils ahead of time is also option.
How to make
Here’s the step-by-step process for making the vegan stove top stuffing. For the full details, check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: You’ll want to prepare your bread the night before. Cut your bread into cubes and set it in a large bowl on the counter to dry out. You want it to be the texture of day-old bread—noticeably dry but not rock hard.
If you forgot to dry out your bread you can bake it in the oven at 400°F (205°C) for about 5 minutes until crispy and golden. If they are still soft, bake for an additional minute or two.
Step 2: In a nonstick pan over medium heat, add the onion and celery using a tablespoon or two of water or broth at a time to keep it from sticking. The onion should “sweat” out excess moisture so that it doesn’t stick but if the pan is looking dry add more water or broth as needed. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the sage, thyme, salt, and black pepper to the pan, stirring for a minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Mix in the broth and lentils followed by the bread, tossing gently to combine. Remove from heat and cover for 10-12 minutes until soft.
If you prefer it crispy on top, you can transfer it to a baking dish and broil for a few minutes until golden.
Tips
- Adjust the broth as needed—I like a heartier bread in general but if you’re using a softer bread like white bread, feel free to reduce the broth. I would start with half the broth and add more as needed until you reach your desired consistency.
- Leftover bread is best—stale bread is the best consistency for making a sturdy stuffing that doesn’t become soggy quickly. Baking your bread works in a pinch if needed.
Make Ahead
You can prepare this vegan stuffing ahead of time to save time the day of. Simply add a splash of vegetable broth as needed and reheat on the stove or bake at 400F (205C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
Serving Ideas
Pair the stuffing with a vegan gravy and serve as a side dish to a lentil loaf or a hearty vegan stew.
Use the stuffing as a filling for sandwiches or wraps. It would be delicious in this BBQ seitan sandwich or this kale wrap.
Make it an appetizer. Shape the stuffing into balls and pan-fry or bake for a tasty appetizer or side dish!
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Single servings can easily be reheated in the microwave.
FAQs
Ground flaxseeds and chia seeds are some of the best binders for stuffing. Aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas) and silken tofu are also decent options.
Yes, there are vegan stuffing mixes that are available. However, a lot of vegetarian stuffings use eggs or egg whites. You’ll often see chicken or chicken broth listed in the ingredients. Make sure to check the label to ensure it’s vegan. Kraft Stove Top uses chicken broth, making it not suitable for vegans.
More Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes
Want more vegan holiday recipes? Check out this post with 7 Hearty and Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes that will go perfectly with this stuffing!
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The BEST Stove Top Vegan Stuffing
Method
- Stovetop
Ingredients
- 9-10 cups whole grain bread dried, sliced into ½-inch cubes
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 4 stalks celery sliced or diced, (a little less than 1 cup)
- 1 teaspoon dried ground sage
- 1 teaspoon dried ground thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth *
- 1 cup lentils cooked (I use canned, drained and rinsed)
Instructions
- The night before, cut your bread into cubes and place in a large bowl to dry out. You want it to be the texture of day old bread—noticeably dry but not rock hard. If you forgot to dry out your bread you can bake it in the oven at 400°F (205°C) for about 3-5 minutes per side until crispy and golden. Spread the cubes out in a single layer on a baking sheet for best results.9-10 cups whole grain bread
- In a nonstick pan over medium heat, add the onion and celery using a tablespoon or two of water or broth at a time to keep it from sticking. Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.1 medium yellow onion, 4 stalks celery
- Add the sage, thyme, salt, and black pepper to the pan, stirring for a minute until fragrant.1 teaspoon dried ground sage, 1 teaspoon dried ground thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Mix in the broth (*if you are using a softer bread you made not need as much broth, start with 1 cup and add more as needed) and lentils followed by the bread, tossing gently to combine. Remove from heat and cover for 10-12 minutes until soft. Stir every few minutes and add more broth (½ cup at a time) as needed until desired stuffing consistency is reached.2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, 1 cup lentils
- Prefer it crispy on top? You can transfer it to a baking dish and broil for a few minutes until golden.
Notes
Nutrition
This looks so good. I could eat something like this all day!
Oh me too 🙂 Can’t have too much stuffing!
Oh yum! All that flavor sounds incredible and so much better than the boxed version. Definitely perfect for the upcoming holidays.
Thanks, Tara! Yes, it’s perfect for the holidays 🙂
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!
Thank you, Shadi! I’m so glad!
This was so delicious. I made it today! It was approved by my entire family! I am adding it to the rotation! YUMMMM
I am so happy to hear that, Cindy! So glad everyone enjoyed it!
This is a perfect stuffing for the whole family to enjoy.
Thanks so much, Andrea!