Healthy Stuffing Recipes

Find healthy, delicious stuffing recipes including bread, chicken, sausage and turkey stuffing. Healthier recipes, from the food and nutrition experts at EatingWell.

Staff Picks

Crab Cake Stuffing

Rating: 4 stars
1
This crab-cake-meets-stuffing recipe gets a double dose of crabby goodness--little bits of claw crabmeat add flavor throughout the stuffing while pieces of higher-grade “jumbo lump” crabmeat contribute big bites of crab. Shape the stuffing into cakes or bake in a casserole dish. Look for crab in the seafood department of large supermarkets. The recipe that's included for Bay Spice Blend makes 1 cup, but you'll only need 1 teaspoon for the stuffing. Try the extra spice blend in a turkey brine, sprinkled on almost any type of seafood and/or in recipes calling for Old Bay Seasoning.
By Bill Scepansky

Squash & Oyster Stuffing

This healthy oyster stuffing recipe with butternut squash is a lightened-up version of the must-have holiday side. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, you can make it moist or crispy. If you're an extra-moist-stuffing type, bake it covered for the full 50 minutes; if you like some crispy bits on top, follow the oyster stuffing recipe as written: bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Stuffing-Topped Chicken

Rating: 4.5 stars
2
Here's a one-skillet version of chicken and stuffing made with wholesome ingredients. We use chicken thighs because we love the rich flavor of dark meat, but boneless, skinless breast works too. Serve with Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Turkey & Stuffing for Two

Rating: 5 stars
1
You don't have to skip the traditional Thanksgiving dinner if it's just the two of you--and you also don't have to eat turkey for days. In fact, you may not want to wait for a special occasion to have this satisfying mini celebration.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Cornbread Stuffing with Brussels Sprouts & Squash

Rating: 4.25 stars
3
Brussels sprouts and winter squash make this cornbread stuffing look and taste great. You may need to bake two batches of cornbread to have 2 pounds for this recipe--you can even make it the day before.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Apple, Onion & Cranberry Stuffing

Rating: 5 stars
1
Apples and fresh cranberries add a unique twist to this variation on the classic stuffing. Use fresh sage or rubbed sage in this recipe; the ground version is too bitter.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Lemon Chicken with Stuffing

Make chicken and stuffing in the slow cooker for this easy, one-pot recipe. When it's done, top it with a mix of fresh lemon peel, parsley, and walnuts.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Caramelized Onion & Apple Stuffing

Rating: 5 stars
1
Caramelized onions are a sweet and savory addition to this healthy stuffing recipe. Choose an apple that becomes tender yet holds its shape when cooked--try Jonagold or Cortland.
By Summer Miller

Wild Mushroom Stuffing

Rating: 4.67 stars
2
Wild mushrooms make an amazing, rich base for a stuffing for Thanksgiving dinner. This stuffing includes diced turkey liver, which gives it an intense, deep flavor. If you're not a liver lover or if you're serving vegetarians, you can omit it from the recipe. Recipe adapted from Alice Waters.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Sausage-Chestnut Stuffing

Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this healthy sausage-and-chestnut stuffing recipe is a lightened-up version of the must-have holiday side. If you're an extra-moist-stuffing type, bake it covered for the full 50 minutes; if you like some crispy bits on top, follow the recipe as written: bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Wild Rice Stuffing with Apple & Sausage

Rating: 5 stars
1
This amazing wild-rice stuffing recipe is bursting with rustic fall flavors, including rye bread, sausage, apples, dried cherries, pecans and fresh herbs.
By Lia Huber

Sausage Stuffing

Rating: 4.11 stars
3
This classic stuffing pairs turkey sausage with the tangy sweetness of apples. By using turkey sausage instead of pork, we cut the fat content from 19 grams to 4.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen
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Inspiration and Ideas

How to Make the Best Homemade Stuffing

How to Make the Best Homemade Stuffing
Making your own homemade stuffing is easy with our master recipe and simple step-by-step instructions.
4 Mistakes That Ruin Stuffing

4 Mistakes That Ruin Stuffing
Here are a few mistakes to avoid when you're making stuffing from scratch, and tips to fix your stuffing.
Mushroom-Cornbread Stuffing

Mushroom-Cornbread Stuffing
Cornbread & Sausage Stuffing

Cornbread & Sausage Stuffing
Rating: Unrated
6
Roasted Fennel & Italian Sausage Stuffing

Roasted Fennel & Italian Sausage Stuffing
Farro & Mushroom Stuffing

Farro & Mushroom Stuffing

Cornbread & Apple Stuffing

Rating: 3.5 stars
2

Redolent of sage and thyme, this cornbread stuffing has chunks of apples and raisins for sweet balance.

All Healthy Stuffing Recipes

Loaded Bread Stuffing

This bread stuffing has more than your basic celery and onion--you'll love the unexpected addition of mushrooms, red pepper, carrots and water chestnuts! And while it's the perfect addition to your holiday menu, it's also a great choice for serving with chicken or fish any night of the week.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Slow-Cooker Swiss Chard Dressing

Slow-cooker dressing? You bet! It comes out tender and full of flavor. The chard tastes very green, like spinach, and is filled with antioxidants and vitamins. For an extra-special touch, serve this dressing with gravy on top.
By Cooking Light

Apple-Sauerkraut Stuffing

Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this healthy apple-and-sauerkraut stuffing recipe made with seeded rye bread is a flavorful twist on the classic holiday side. If you're an extra-moist-stuffing type, bake it covered for the full 50 minutes; if you like some crispy bits on top, follow the recipe as written: bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Vegan Cornbread Stuffing

Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, now this classic side dish is available to everyone. We love the deep flavor of cornbread in this entirely plant-based recipe. Our secret to getting that traditional flavor without chicken broth or turkey stock is adding in poultry seasoning--despite the name, there is no poultry in it!
By Carolyn Casner

Herbed Cornbread Stuffing

This healthy cornbread stuffing recipe is a favorite, thanks to the flavor from herbs, shallots, celery and apples. For perfect texture--a little soft, a little crispy--bake the cornbread at least a day ahead. To save time, you can use 12 cups (about 2 pounds) of crumbled day-old store-bought cornbread.
By Mary Cleaver

Puerto Rican Mofongo Dressing with Salami

Chunks of hard salami add a salty-tangy edge and toothsome texture to Puerto Rican mofongo dressing. Serve this savory stuffing along with turkey and the rest of your Thanksgiving spread.
By Illyanna Maisonet

Cornbread Stuffing

Rating: 3.5 stars
2
This sturdy cornbread works well in stuffing.
By Charles Pierce

Simple Herb Stuffing

This easy Thanksgiving favorite comes together in a snap. Poultry seasoning, which includes sage and other classic holiday herbs, adds plenty of flavor to this stuffing but if you'd like even more herb flavor you can add 1 teaspoon of dried sage and 1 teaspoon of minced fresh rosemary.
By Andrea Mathis, M.A., RDN, LD

Flounder with Spinach & Walnut Stuffing

Rating: 3 stars
1
Spinach and walnuts are a quick and tasty filling for delicate flounder fillets. Chopped tomatoes strewn over the top make a pretty garnish. Make it a meal: Serve with Garlicky Green Beans and bulgur.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Chestnut Stuffing

Rating: 1 stars
1
Peeling fresh chestnuts may be a bit tedious, but the result is worth the effort. Chestnut meat adds incredible texture and richness (without much fat) to a holiday stuffing. And, after all, it is a once-a-year ritual. But if you lack the patience, jarred vacuum-packed chestnuts are a convenient alternative.
By G. Franco Romagnoli

Carrot-Mushroom Stuffing

This recipe adds shiitake mushrooms and soy sauce to store-bought herb stuffing mix for a fresh, Asian-inspired spin on classic stuffing.
By Diabetic Living Magazine

Brussels Sprouts & Bacon Stuffing

This healthy Brussels sprouts-and-bacon stuffing recipe is a lightened-up version of the must-have holiday side. We love the soft texture and eggy flavor of challah bread, but any type of rustic, country-style bread works well. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, you can make this recipe moist or crispy. If you're an extra-moist-stuffing type, bake it covered for the full 50 minutes; if you like some crispy bits on top, follow the recipe as written: bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Mushroom-Cornbread Stuffing

This healthy mushroom-and-leek cornbread stuffing recipe is a lightened-up version of the must-have holiday side. Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, you can make this recipe moist or crispy. If you're an extra-moist-stuffing type, bake it covered for the full 50 minutes; if you like some crispy bits on top, follow the recipe as written: bake covered for about 30 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 20 minutes.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Cornbread & Oyster-Mushroom Stuffing

Rating: 5 stars
1
Mushrooms are a rich, meaty addition in this healthy cornbread stuffing recipe. Here we use oyster mushrooms, but you can use any variety you like. If you have time, bake the cornbread a day or two in advance so it has time to dry out a bit, which lets it absorb the flavors more readily.
By Mary-Frances Heck

Chorizo, Chestnut, Brussels Sprout & Apple Stuffing

Rating: 5 stars
1
Who says a Thanksgiving stuffing recipe has to be dominated by the bread? Check out this veggie-packed healthy stuffing, with 4 cups of Brussels sprouts topping the list. Chorizo adds some piquant flavor, in this case a zesty chile-pepper-and-vinegar kick found in the Mexican version of the sausage, but quite frankly you won't go wrong using any type of fresh, spicy sausage.
By Breana Killeen

Slow-Cooker Sausage & Apple Stuffing

Rating: 5 stars
1
This sausage and apple stuffing is extra-moist and full of classic fall flavors. Using a slow cooker makes this side dish even easier and saves on oven space.
By Carolyn Casner

Sausage, Apple & Herb Stuffing for Two

This easy make-ahead stuffing for two comes in its own single-serving dish. Turkey sausage and hearty whole-wheat bread combined with apples make this sweet and savory stuffing one you'll want to turn to again and again. Serve it with turkey for a small Thanksgiving celebration or make it any night to go with a chicken dinner.
By Hilary Meyer

Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing

Sage and sausage add a burst of flavor to this healthy side dish. Plus, you'll omit a couple dishes from Thanksgiving cleanup--this gluten-free dressing recipe uses just one skillet.
By Devon O'Brien

Sausage, Apple & Wild Rice Stuffing

Swapping in cauliflower rice can help create a lower-carb holiday side. To ensure a perfect texture, wild rice and riced cauliflower are cooked separately and then combined.
By Andrea Kirkland M.S., RD

Classic Slow-Cooker Stuffing

Save space in your oven and use your slow cooker to whip up this easy, classic stuffing. Hearty whole-grain bread gets toasted in the oven for only 10 minutes (and you can toast the cubes ahead of time!) while your slow cooker does the rest.
By Pam Lolley

Turkey & Stuffing

Thanksgiving in a skillet. Leftover homemade corn muffins are perfect for the stuffing, but if you don't have any, pick one up at the supermarket bakery or your local coffee shop.
By EatingWell Test Kitchen

Vegan Sourdough Stuffing

Mushrooms and leeks add savory flavor to sourdough bread in this easy vegan stuffing recipe.
By Carolyn Casner

Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing

During the autumn season in Italy, turkey is often deliciously paired with a stuffing of chestnuts and sausage. The wild turkey was brought to Europe from the New World, and once domesticated, returned there to breed as the classic festive bird. It also became one of the large courtyard fowl animals in Lombardy. With Italy being one of the largest producers of chestnuts, it was expedient to put the two together in another happy marriage of New and Old World.
By G. Franco Romagnoli

Fennel Cornbread Stuffing

This unique cornbread stuffing is seasoned with sweet fennel and kohlrabi. Starting with a packaged corn muffin mix saves prep time and allows you to focus on other holiday dishes while this bakes in the oven.
By Diabetic Living Magazine
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