23 Best Vegetarian Stuffing and Dressing Recipes for Thanksgiving
Looking for the best vegetarian stuffing recipes for Thanksgiving? Nearly any of our favorite Thanksgiving stuffing recipes can be made vegetarian—just skip the sausage or bacon and replace the chicken or turkey stock with vegetable stock. But these recipes go a step further, packing in plenty of vegetable-centric flavor, no meat required.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele1/23The Best Vegetarian Stuffing Ever
This fan-favorite vegetarian stuffing recipe is sure to be the star of your Thanksgiving meal.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Ali Nardi2/23
Simple Is Best Dressing
The familiar mix of herbs in this dressing offers homey comfort. Simply use vegetable broth instead of the chicken broth to keep this dressing vegetarian-friendly.
- Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott3/23
Rye, Kale, Mushroom, and Pumpkin Seed Stuffing
Again, you'll need to sub in vegetable stock instead of the chicken stock in this hearty, flavorful stuffing for a vegetarian take, but this recipe welcomes it, since it's packed with umami-rich mushrooms, pepitas, and savory rye bread.
- Photo by Ed Anderson4/23
Kale and Wild Rice–Stuffed Winter Squash
Nutty, salty Pecorino Romano cheese gives this gorgeous stuffed squash a boost. Wild rice and toasted walnuts add chewy texture, while lemon and a little Dijon mustard keep things bright.
- Photo by Elinor Carucci5/23
Butternut Squash and Cheddar Bread Pudding
Fresh butternut squash adds just the right amount of sweetness to this bold vegetarian dressing that's laced with Tuscan kale and extra sharp cheddar cheese.
- Photo by Christopher Testani6/23
Herby Barley Salad With Butter-Basted Mushrooms
While it isn't baked like traditional dressing, this barley salad hits all the right stuffing notes—feel free to toss in some dried fruits or chopped nuts if that's what you're accustomed to.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Mariana Velasquez7/23
Vegan "Tofurkey" With Mushroom Stuffing and Gravy
Clearly this vegan roast is a full meal-in-one, but it's worth paying attention to the mushroom mixture, which makes a fine stuffing on its own. Flavored with wine, garlic, and thyme, with bread, celery and pecans for texture, it's great stuffed into the miso-enriched tofu, or simply cooked to serve alongside the rest of the meal.
- Gieves Anderson, food styling by Anna Hampton8/23
Skillet Stuffing With Apples, Shallots, and Cranberries
Plenty of fall fruit gives this dish a sweet-and-savory vibe. Again, use veggie stock in place of the chicken stock called for the recipe to make it vegetarian.
- Michael Graydon and Nikole Herriott9/23
Kale Dressing
Crispy around the edges and soft in the center, this side dish laced with fennel, onions, and slow-cooked kale will please everyone at the table. Just remember that tip about veggie stock.
- Photo by Deborah Jones10/23
Leek Bread Pudding
This decadent but simple savory bread pudding keeps things rich (but meat-free) with milk, cream, and plenty of melty cheese—it's definitely one of our favorite vegetarian stuffings.
- Photo by Allen Owens, Limoncello Productions11/23
Cornbread-Stuffed Roasted Squash
This stuffed squash is loaded with classic fall flavors. Pack the filling into acorn squash for a satisfying vegetarian main dish or bake it in a pan to put on a buffet.
- Photo by Elizabeth Cecil12/23
Winter Panzanella With Stuffing Croutons
Is it stuffing? Is it salad? Let's just call it both. This bright and crunchy dish is a playful way to combine the flavors of a classic stuffing with lighter, more refreshing ingredients like endive and apple.
- Christopher Testani13/23
Italian Mother-In-Law Dressing
A good vegetarian dish needs varied texture and a balance of flavors. This one rocks it: Swiss chard, olives, raisins, and pine nuts mix up the standard flavors well. Be sure to replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock to keep it vegetarian.
- Photo by Romulo Yanes14/23
Wild-Mushroom Bread Pudding
Combine all the luxurious flavor of wild mushrooms sautéed in cream with good buttered toast in these single-serving puddings, which give each guest a perfect mix of crisp, golden surface and warm, tender interior.
- Jennifer May15/23
Chestnut, Wild Rice, and Pistachio Dressing
Between the rich chestnuts and the buttery rice, this side dish has the chops to be a main and is a go-to vegetarian stuffing recipe if ever we tasted one.
- Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell16/23
Mushroom and Three-Cheese Strata
A strata takes on the role of Thanksgiving dressing but in an eggier, cheesier way—it's a stuffing and protein in one, with tons of flavor from the mushrooms.
- Photo by Christopher Testani17/23
Wild Rice, Fruit, and Pecan Stuffing
Cook wild rice in vegetable stock, then toss with dried and fresh cranberries, dried apricots, golden raisins, and pecans for a flavor-packed stuffing–salad hybrid that will liven up any Thanksgiving menu.
- 18/23
Farmhouse Herbed Stuffing
The beauty of this American classic is its adaptability. Keep it simple by swapping in vegetable stock for the turkey stock. Adding pecans and dried apricots makes it even more delicious.
- Roland Bello19/23
Rye Bread Stuffing
The rye bread in this stuffing adds a bit of intrigue: there's still that wonderful contrast between the crisp, browned bread on the top and the soft pieces moistened with stock or broth below, but there is an undercurrent of warm, toasty sweetness. The recipe works just fine with vegetable stock so all your guests can enjoy it.
- Elinor Carucci20/23
Rustic Bread Stuffing with Red Mustard Greens, Currants, and Pine Nuts
Wilted mustard greens give piquant bite to this dressing, while dried currants and lemon zest add aroma and sweetness. Again, use vegetable stock in place of the chicken broth called for in the recipe.
- Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich21/23
Wild Rice Dressing
This savory wild rice dish is the ultimate gluten-free and vegetarian stuffing. This grain salad is loaded with fresh herbs and will definitely have people coming back for seconds!
- Con Poulos22/23
Wild Rice Dressing with Roasted Grapes and Walnuts
Roasted red and green grapes add juicy flavor and refreshing tanginess to this satisfying pilaf-style dressing that will fit right in on any vegetarian Thanksgiving menu.
- Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich23/23
Classic Herb and Fennel Stuffing
If your Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without a craggy-topped, herb-infused, crusty-bread-based stuffing, this one's for you. You know the drill: switch the chicken broth for veggie broth and you've got a completely vegetarian stuffing.
Katherine Sacks
Katherine Sacks