Best 4 Healthy Harvest Stuffing Recipes

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In the realm of Thanksgiving feasts, stuffing, also known as dressing, holds a prominent place. It's a culinary canvas where flavors, textures, and aromas harmoniously blend, creating a delectable symphony for the taste buds. This article presents a collection of healthy harvest stuffing recipes that celebrate the bounty of the season with wholesome ingredients. From classic bread-based stuffings to innovative grain-based variations, these recipes cater to diverse dietary preferences while delivering exceptional taste.

Each recipe is carefully crafted to balance flavors, ensuring a harmonious interplay of savory, sweet, and herbaceous notes. Butternut squash, apples, cranberries, and herbs like sage and thyme infuse the stuffing with vibrant colors and distinct flavors. For those seeking a gluten-free option, quinoa and wild rice provide a nutritious and flavorful base. And for a delightful twist, there's a recipe that incorporates sweet potatoes and black beans, offering a unique blend of textures and flavors. Whether you prefer a traditional or a contemporary take on stuffing, this article has something for every palate.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

HERB AND APPLE STUFFING



Herb and Apple Stuffing image

Serve Ina Garten's crowd-pleasing stuffing at your Thanksgiving feast: Herb and Apple Stuffing from Food Network.

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 2h50m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

16 cups 1-inch bread cubes, white or whole wheat (2 baguettes)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
2 cups medium-diced yellow onion (2 large)
2 cups medium-diced celery (3 large stalks)
2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored and large diced
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds, toasted, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  • Put the bread cubes on a 13 by 18 by 1-inch baking sheet and bake them in the oven for 7 minutes.
  • In a large saute pan, melt the butter and add the onion, celery, apples, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Saute for 10 minutes, until the mixture is soft.
  • Combine the bread cubes and cooked vegetables in a large bowl and add the chicken stock, and almonds, if desired.
  • Place the stuffing into the main cavity of the turkey and into the neck of the bird. I cook a 12-pound turkey for 2 1/2 hours at 350 degrees F in a preheated oven. Make sure the stuffing in the cavity is secured by wrapping the legs tightly with string.

HARVEST SAUSAGE STUFFING



Harvest Sausage Stuffing image

I've been making this stuffing recipe for years and everyone loves it. It's not hard to make and it has a slightly sweet flavor to it that is just different enough to be great!

Provided by DebiY55

Categories     Winter

Time 1h5m

Yield 3 quarts, 10-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb bulk country sausage
2 cups chopped celery
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (about 8 oz)
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
4 teaspoons chicken bouillon (or 4 cubes)
1 -1 1/2 cup boiling water
2 (7 ounce) packages herb seasoned stuffing mix
1 (23 ounce) jar mincemeat
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, coursely chopped
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning

Steps:

  • In large skillet, brown sausage; pour off fat.
  • Add celery, mushrooms and onion; cook until onion is transparent.
  • Dissolve bouillon in water. Add to sausage mixture; cook until mixture boils.
  • In large bowl, pour sausage mixture over stuffing mix, mincemeat, water chestnuts and poultry seasoning. Mix well.
  • Lightly stuff turkey just before roasting. Place any remaining stuffing in greased baking dish; cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until hot. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 640, Fat 25.7, SaturatedFat 8.4, Cholesterol 65.9, Sodium 1263, Carbohydrate 81.7, Fiber 3.4, Sugar 37.1, Protein 19.4

AUTUMN HARVEST STUFFING



Autumn Harvest Stuffing image

The subtlety of leeks and shallots complements the bold flavor of cremini mushrooms in this rich stuffing.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Seasonal Recipes     Fall Recipes     Butternut Squash Recipes

Yield Makes enough for one (12- to 14-pound) turkey

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 (1-pound) loaf rustic white bread, crusts removed, and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
6 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 small leek, white part only, chopped
4 cups cleaned, dried, stemmed, and torn mustard greens
12 ounces cremini mushrooms, trimmed and quartered
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
2 1/4 cups low-sodium store-bought chicken broth
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish, if using

Steps:

  • Arrange bread in a single layer on a baking sheet, and let stand, uncovered, at room temperature overnight. (Alternatively, bake bread in a 250-degree oven until dry but not browned, 25 to 30 minutes.)
  • Transfer bread to a large bowl. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a medium bowl, toss squash with 2 tablespoons olive oil until coated; season with salt and pepper. Arrange squash in an even layer on a baking sheet; transfer to oven and roast until squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer squash to bowl with bread cubes.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallots, celery, and leek. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Fold in mustard greens and cook until just wilted, about 1 minute. Transfer to bowl with bread and squash.
  • Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl with bread and vegetables.
  • Heat chicken broth in a small saucepan with butter and over medium-low heat until butter is melted; pour over bread mixture. Add sage, parsley, and thyme to bread mixture; season with salt and pepper; mix until well combined. Let stuffing mixture cool completely if stuffing in turkey.
  • To cook stuffing in a turkey: Loosely stuff into a turkey, and roast until center of stuffing registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. To bake all of the stuffing outside a turkey: Spoon into a buttered 2-quart baking dish. Cover dish with parchment paper-lined aluminum foil. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes more.

HARVEST STUFFING



Harvest Stuffing image

Categories     Garlic     Onion     turkey     Side     Bake     Sauté     Thanksgiving     Apple     Apricot     Poultry Sausage     Celery     Parade     Dairy Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield makes 12 cups of stuffing, enough for 18 pound turkey

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 pounds well-spiced bulk turkey sausage
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cups each chopped red onions and celery
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried sage leaves, crumbled
12 cups cubed (1-inch) bread, toasted
2 Granny Smith apples, diced
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup each dried apricots and pitted prunes, quartered
2 cups chicken broth
Salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Brown the sausage in a pan, breaking up clumps; remove to a large bowl. Add the oil to the pan; stir in the onions, celery, garlic, thyme, and sage and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Add to the sausage along with the bread, apples and dried fruits. Toss well. Drizzle the broth over the mixture to moisten as desired and season with salt and pepper. Cool before stuffing the turkey.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of bread. This will give your stuffing a more complex flavor and texture. Some good options include white bread, whole wheat bread, cornbread, and sourdough bread.
  • Toast the bread before using it. This will help to give the stuffing a crispy texture and prevent it from becoming soggy.
  • Use fresh vegetables. Fresh vegetables will give your stuffing more flavor and nutrients. Some good options include celery, onions, carrots, and mushrooms.
  • Season the stuffing well. Use a variety of herbs and spices to give your stuffing flavor. Some good options include sage, thyme, rosemary, and black pepper.
  • Don't overstuff the stuffing. The stuffing should be able to expand as it cooks, so don't pack it too tightly into the turkey or casserole dish.
  • Bake the stuffing at a high temperature. This will help to create a crispy crust and prevent the stuffing from becoming soggy.

Conclusion:

Harvest stuffing is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you are making it for a holiday meal or a weeknight dinner, there are many ways to customize it to your liking. By following these tips, you can make a harvest stuffing that is both flavorful and memorable.

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