Harvest Dairy-Free Simple Vegan Stuffing Recipe
This Harvest Dairy-Free Simple Vegan Stuffing is a flavorful and comforting side dish perfect for the holiday season or any cozy meal. Made with toasted pecans, fresh pears, dried cranberries, and a mix of aromatic spices, this gluten-free and vegan stuffing combines a delightful balance of textures and tastes. The dish is baked to golden perfection, resulting in a crisp top and tender bread infused with vegetable broth and seasonal flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy-Free
Ingredients
Scale
Nut and Oil
- 3/4 cup pecans (divided)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Fruit
- 2 cups celery (sliced)
- 2 cups onion (diced)
- 3 cups packed bartlett pears (diced, about 4–5 pears)
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (diced)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (packed, about 2 oranges)
Herbs and Spices
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (minced, plus more for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Bread and Liquid
- 1 loaf vegan and gluten-free bread (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 1 1/3 – 1 2/3 cup vegetable broth
Instructions
- Toast pecans: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the pecans on a small baking sheet and roast them until they turn golden brown and become toasted, about 10 minutes. Once toasted, roughly chop the pecans and set them aside for later use.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced celery and diced onions, cooking them until they begin to brown, which should take about 4 minutes. Next, add the diced pears and continue to cook until they just begin to soften, approximately 2 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: Transfer the sautéed vegetable and pear mixture into a large mixing bowl. Add the diced dried cranberries, minced fresh parsley, ground cinnamon, orange zest, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, and half of the toasted pecans (1/2 cup). Mix all these ingredients well to blend the flavors evenly.
- Mix bread: Add the cubed vegan and gluten-free bread to the bowl. Using your hands, very gently mix everything together until the bread cubes are thoroughly combined and evenly dispersed with the other ingredients, being careful not to break them up.
- Add broth: Pour in the vegetable broth gradually while gently mixing until the bread absorbs the moisture fully. Transfer the mixture into a large casserole dish, lightly packing down the bread to ensure even cooking. Sprinkle the remaining pecans on top evenly to add crunch and garnish.
- Bake the stuffing: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until the top becomes golden brown and crisp while the bread inside is tender and cooked through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the stuffing from the oven and sprinkle with additional fresh parsley for a bright, fresh touch. Serve the stuffing warm as a delicious dairy-free, vegan side dish ready to complement your meal.
Notes
- Use day-old bread or slightly stale bread for better texture in stuffing.
- Adjust vegetable broth quantity for desired moisture level; more broth for a moister stuffing, less for a drier texture.
- To make this stuffing nut-free, omit the pecans or substitute with pumpkin seeds if desired.
- This stuffing can be prepared a day ahead, assembled, and refrigerated before baking to save time on the day of serving.
- For a gluten-free dish, make sure the bread is certified gluten-free as labeled.
Keywords: vegan stuffing, gluten free stuffing, dairy free holiday stuffing, pear stuffing, pecan stuffing, vegan holiday side, vegetable broth stuffing
