It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Well, almost. The holidays are upon us which means family, friends, and FOOD. Scratch that, we’re talking feasts. Maintaining healthy eating habits throughout all of the festivities is tough business for some, but fortunately, we’re hard at work gathering up recipes that are delicious, indulgent, and guilt-free.
The bird is the main focus, and you can’t go wrong with turkey, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. That’s why we’ve uncovered the best of the best when it comes to grain-free, paleo stuffing recipes. From slightly sweet to AIP-compliant to cornbread stuffing (yes, you heard that right), we’ve got the dish that will have your guests coming back for seconds… and thirds.
Need some extra menu planning inspiration? Check out our Paleo Thanksgiving board on Pinterest for all these recipes and more.
Best Ever Paleo Stuffing from Zenbelly
Who says stuffing needs bread? When you have this many delicious ingredients, there’s no such need. The substance in this recipe mostly comes with pork, but the addition of mushrooms and pecans give it a little more meat. Healthy and hearty, this paleo stuffing has it all with bell peppers, apples, and cranberries so each bite is jam-packed with veggies and color. In all of its glory, nobody will notice the lack of grains.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 cups diced onions
- 2 cups diced bell peppers
- 4 cups (about 1 pound) diced mushrooms
- 2 cups diced apples
- 8 oz fresh cranberries
- 1 cup toasted chopped pecans
- 2 T duck fat, bacon fat, butter, or coconut oil
- 1 T fresh rosemary, minced
- 1 T fresh thyme, minced
- 2-3 leaves fresh sage (or 1/2 t dried)
- sea salt
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup chicken or turkey stock
- 2 T coconut flour
Read the full recipe from Zenbelly here
Corn Bread Paleo Stuffing from A Girl Worth Saving
Corn bread is a Thanksgiving staple. Unfortunately, its name and ingredients aren’t quite paleo-friendly. This paleo stuffing recipe uses a grain-free substitute which lends its golden hue and buttery taste to please all palates. Granny Smith apples and celery offer a lovely green bite while sage finishes this side dish off with a complex and luscious flavor that can’t be beat.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups diced granny smith apple
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup broth
- 2 stalks of celery, diced
- ½ tsp cumin
- heaping ½ tsp of fresh sage leaves, diced
- 1 tbsp ghee
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Read the full recipe from A Girl Worth Saving here
Grain-Free Stuffing from Detoxinista
If you’ve got a family full of dietary restrictions to feed, this simple recipe is all you need. The cavemen and the vegans will be able to get in on this delectable dish since it’s all veggies. Parsnips and carrots offer their starchy substance while mushrooms will stand in for the meat in this dish. Fresh herbs are the key to making this paleo stuffing recipe stand out, so don’t forget ’em. Use rainbow carrots for a more colorful variation!
Ingredients:
- 4 cups parsnip, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 10 oz. mushrooms, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pat butter, or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (from 4-6 sprigs)
- 2 sprigs fresh sage (10-12 leaves), chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
Read the full recipe from Detoxinista here
The Best Grain Free Thanksgiving Stuffing from Pork and Greens
What exactly makes this paleo stuffing recipe the best? Well, it’s hard to choose its standout feature from the long list of ingredients. Butternut squash is the ideal winter squash with its sweet and creamy taste and texture, and it serves as the base of this dish. Italian sausage will inject it with flavor and moisture that no bread-filled stuffing can stand up to. Serve this on the side, and it’ll be gobbled up before you know it.
Ingredients:
- 1 butternut squash, peeled, cored and cut into a fine dice
- 24 cremini mushrooms, washed and quartered
- 3 tbsp of butter, divided
- Coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 2 Italian sausages
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 stalks of celery, diced
- A handful of celery leaves, finely chopped
- 2 large carrots, diced
- 2 apples, peeled and diced
- Olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
- 1 150g bag of roasted peeled chestnuts, halved
- ¼ cup chicken stock
Read the full recipe from Pork and Greens here
Grain-Free Sage and Pecan Stuffing
Sage and pecans are a match made in heaven. These are two ingredients that automatically make a dish just a tad bit more cozy which is what we aim for in our holiday cuisine. This is yet another meatless recipe that will accommodate most dietary restrictions, so take note if you’ve got picky people to please. Cauliflower rice stands in for the grains in this one, and the overall recipe is light enough that you won’t feel so bad grabbing your second serving. Save room for what matters most – pie!
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 4 cups raw cauliflower rice
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Read the full recipe from In Sonnet’s Kitchen here
Classic Real Food Thanksgiving Stuffing from Purely Twins
This plantain bread recipe is easy and untouchable. Seriously, if you haven’t tried it, DO IT. Most grain-free breads don’t offer much in the way of nutrition, but plantains are much more nutritious than most flour substitutes. There’s no better way to give it a test run than with this luscious paleo stuffing recipe. This chunky loaf will have everyone thinking they’re eating the real deal. Shredded brussels give it the green factor making this one healthy Thanksgiving side dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 recipes of Purely Twins’ plantain bread
- 2 cups of homemade chicken broth
- sea salt and black pepper to liking
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup thinly chopped onions
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms
- 1 cup shredded brussel sprouts
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
Read the full recipe from Purely Twins here
Cranberry-Flax Paleo Stuffing from A Healthful Pursuit
More cranberries? But of course! Skip out on the canned stuff this holiday season and opt for fresh instead. This recipe incorporates grain-free bread and celery for a short list of food ingredients. If you’re going for a classic feel, this paleo stuffing is it. Its character is developed with a warm toss-up of spices from fresh thyme and sage to little bits of ginger and cinnamon. Everyone will be asking, “What’s that smell?”
Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of grain-free bread (recipe here)
- ½ cup dried unsweetened cranberries
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 red onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried ground sage
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Read the full recipe from A Healthful Pursuit here
Butternut Squash, Apple, and Leek Bread Stuffing from Tasty Yummies
Some of us truly value our daily serving(s) of leafy greens, and this recipe will help you meet your quota. Consider it two side dishes in one as you’ll be stirring in a whole bunch of collards or kale – whichever you prefer. Bonus? A grain-free bread recipe that will toast up perfectly for that crunch-factor. Apples and butternut squash join forces to turn this paleo stuffing into something straight out of your dreams. Get cooking!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cubed butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed
- 1 apple, cored and diced small
- 1 large leek
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 bunch collard greens or kale, large stems removed, cut into ribbons or roughly chopped
- 5 cups dried/toasted bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (see Tasty Yummies’ recipe)
- 1 farm fresh egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups broth
Read the full recipe from Tasty Yummies here
Leek and Lemon Stuffing from AIP Lifestyle
Following the autoimmune protocol over the holidays is just about ten times harder than sticking to paleo, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor or time. This incredibly simple recipe is a unique paleo stuffing that makes staying compliant easy. The main ingredient? Leeks! The secret ingredient? It’s optional, but bacon grease will add great piquancy to this already delectable dinnertime dish.
Ingredients:
- 6 cups chopped leeks
- 1/2 meyer lemon chopped fine
- 1 medium sized head cauliflower
- 1 Tbls + 1 tsp fresh chopped rosemary
- 1 Tbls + 1 tsp fresh thyme
- salt to taste
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 tbls bacon grease (optional)
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Read the full recipe from AIP Lifestyle here
Apple Cranberry Holiday Stuffing from Autoimmune Paleo
And on that note, we’ll top this list off with a bit more bacon. There are two things people like: bread and bacon. When we’re opting for grain-free recipes, we must resort to the latter. Sweet potatoes, cranberries, green apple, and cauliflower rice pack this baby with a ton of produce and color. It’s AIP-friendly to boot, so if you’re stepping outside of simple, this paleo stuffing takes the cake.
Ingredients:
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- ¾ cup bone broth
- 4 slices pastured bacon
- ½ onion, chopped
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons rosemary, minced
- 1 tablespoon solid cooking fat
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced thinly
- 1½ heads of cauliflower “rice”
- 1 green apple
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Read the full recipe from Autoimmune Paleo here
Cheers to a happy, healthy holiday! Looking for a sweet treat after dinner? Thanksgiving feasts aren’t limited to pumpkin pie. The more dessert, the better. Take a look at our favorite apple crisp recipes to serve up some spicy, seasonal goodness.
If you’re looking for more accountability, motivation, and a way to challenge yourself, come join us for the next 30 Day KickStart! A new 30 Day KickStart begins each month. Find out why it’s proven to 5X your commitment to healthy eating.
