Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (2024)

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Ah, stuffing I do love you so. One bite of this incredibly easy vegan stuffing recipe made with traditional sage and onion flavors from my childhood in Ireland, and you’ll be in love too.

Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (1)

Your guests will find it hard to believe that it’s both dairy-free and eggless!

Back home no Sunday lunch or Christmas dinner was complete without some traditional stuffing.

As a vegetarian in a country that wasn’t very vegetarian friendly I always ended up eating roast potatoes, vegetables, and some delicious sage and onion stuffing – not the most balanced meal, but delicious nonetheless.

(Of course this was in the past – Ireland is much more vegetarian and vegan-friendly now, especially Dublin)

The recipe was very easy to veganize and the whole recipe comes together in just ten minutes (or less if you can get your hands on a bag of fresh breadcrumbs).

We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in Ireland, or in Spain where I live now, but this addictive recipe would also make a great side dish for that popular holiday.

You can use this recipe to make stuffing balls or a tray of stuffing, crisp golden stuffing or steamed delicious goodness.

Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (2)

Stuffing is best served alongside a hearty vegan main with roast potatoes or mashed potatoes and some other tasty sides. If you’re looking for recommendations I recommend it paired with the tasty dishes below.

Stuffing: breadcrumbs versus cubed bread

While not a hard and fast rule, American style-stuffing tends to be made with cubes of bread, while for Irish stuffing (and British stuffing) fresh breadcrumbs are preferred.

The smaller size of breadcrumbs can allow for a better distribution of herbs and fats. Basically this normally means that you can get away with only adding some very simple ingredients.

You also don’t need to wait a day or so for the bread to become “stale” so you can cut it into cubes, and the fresh breadcrumbs give a softer end result.

Having said that you can make perfectly adequate “fresh” breadcrumbs out of slightly stale bread (e.g. a day old and a bit hard, not hard as a rock).

If you’re partial to Irish recipes I have also veganized other popular recipes of ours such as soda bread, barmbrack, and Christmas cake.

Vegan stuffing binder

Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (3)

In Ireland, melted butter is usually added to stuffing, and some recipes also call for an egg. These fatty liquids help the breadcrumbs to bind together and add flavour. In Ireland butter is usually always from grass-fed cows, and as such adds quite a bit of flavor.

In this recipe no egg replacer is needed (I always disliked sage and onion stuffing made with eggs, it gave it a heavy texture). You can use either tasty olive oil (the flavor pairs wonderfully with the sage) or melted vegan butter/vegan margarine.

I recommend Earth Balance or Flora if you go the buttery route. Just make sure it’s a brand you like the taste of.

Breadcrumbs

Fresh breadcrumbs are very easy to make. In Ireland, you can buy a bag of fresh breadcrumbs in the supermarket due to stuffing’s popularity as a side for Sunday lunch. I live in Spain though, so no such luck.

I found out you can grate bread to make breadcrumbs. Note that this only works if the bread is slightly stale, otherwise you’ll end up desperately trying to squeeze a handful of mushed up bread through the holes on the grater.

The best and easiest way to make breadcrumbs is with a food processor, or failing that, a blender. Tear two-three slices of bread into bite-sized pieces, chuck them in, pulse a few times, and voila, fresh breadcrumbs.

Balls or tray-baked?

Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (4)

Personally I’m a fan of the non-golden tray bake version, but handsome hubby and the kids like golden slightly-crisp stuffing balls, so that’s the way I make it more often than not. I could literally eat just a bowl of stuffing (and I have) and be happy, that’s how much I love it.

This is really a matter of personal preference. You will get different results depending on how much liquid you add and whether you cover it for baking or not. I’ve tested different ways of cooking stuffing with different amounts of liquids and compiled the results in the table below.

Tray or ballsMethodResult
Tray-bakedCovered and baked for 20 minutesPerfectly moist stuffing with individual crumb preserved
Tray-baked plus 1 tablespoon vegetable stockCovered for 20 minutes, uncovered for 10-20 moreSomewhat moist stuffing with a slightly crunchy top layer.
BallsCovered and baked for 20 minutesPerfectly moist stuffing but very delicate balls
Balls plus 1 tablespoon vegetable stockCovered and baked for 20 minutesPerfectly moist stuffing balls that stick together a little better
Balls plus 2 tablespoons vegetable stockCovered and baked for 20 minutes, uncovered for 10-20 moreSomewhat moist stuffing balls that are reasonably sturdy

My preference is the first method but you do you. A word of caution is that you should be very exact with measuring and adding liquids to traditional vegan stuffing.

Too much and you will have an unredeemable bowl of herbed bread paste, so follow the guidelines above and only add one tablespoon at a time before stirring to make sure that it is evenly distributed.

If baking uncovered to get a golden outer layer, 10 minutes will give a slightly harder and pale gold layer while 20 will give a crunchier deeper gold.

Make it ahead

Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (5)

Whether for Thanksgiving, Christmas or Sunday lunch, you’re going to be very busy cooking so I highly recommend making this vegan stuffing ahead if you get the chance.

It will keep covered in the fridge for up to five days. The longer it sits the more flavor the dried herbs will release into the breadcrumbs, although cooking it straight away will also yield delicious results.

If you’re going to be adding any vegetable stock, however, hold off until just before baking and check the texture. This is because the onions will release more moisture into the stuffing while it sits so you may not need to add any stock.

Storing it

Just cover your delicious vegan stuffing with some aluminum foil or pop into a Tupperware container and leave in the fridge for up to five days. Leftover stuffing is delicious either cold or heated up.

Don’t judge me too harshly but my favorite thing to do with leftover stuffing is to crumble lots of it into a sub which has been spread with vegan mayo, and top with sliced onion, tomatoes and peppers, with a final sprinkle of cheddar cheese style shreds.

How to make it

This is such an easy recipe that you barely need instructions but I’ve included this section along with some process photos so you can check in on the progress of your vegan stuffing if you’re not sure all is well.

Finely chop the onions and add to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave uncovered on high for four minutes (image 1 below).

If you haven’t been able to buy fresh breadcrumbs, whip out your blender or food processor and make them while the onion is in the microwave by blending two-three slices at a time (image 2 below) and tipping the crumbs out into a large mixing bowl (image 3 below).

Note I will only use regular white sandwich bread (you basically need soft bread without a strong flavor) for making breadcrumbs for stuffing, and it’s perfectly fine to include the crusts.

Baguettes or rolls can give blenders trouble because of the hard crust. I also don’t recommend using brown, wholegrain, or artisanal bread as the flavor will overpower the herbs.

Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (6)

Once you have the breadcrumbs prepared, add in all the dried herbs (dried ground sage, thyme, and parsley), salt, and pepper (image 4 above).

You can substitute fresh herbs in half the amounts given for the dried but I prefer not to as the tiny dried herbs give a more consistent taste. Whichever you use, mix well with the breadcrumbs (image 5 below).

Next, add in the onions and any juice that may have collected in the bottom of the bowl and mix very well (image 6 below).

Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (7)

Add the olive oil or melted vegan butter one tablespoon at a time (image 7 above). Mix it in quickly and vigorously, using the back of a wooden spoon to drag it over the breadcrumbs as well.

Don’t be tempted to dump all the oil or butter in at once, or the top layer of breadcrumbs will soak it up quickly and you’ll have some very oily breadcrumbs, and some dry ones.

Taste and check for seasoning. The texture should clump easily (image 8 above) and you can make stuffing balls now if that is your preference (will make around 12). If the mixture does not clump together when you grab a handful and squeeze, this is when you may need to add in vegetable stock.

Add in the vegetable stock, if you are going to add any, just before baking, and only a little at a time as the crumbs will soak up the stock even faster than oil.

Do not exceed the maximum of two tablespoons of stock or your stuffing will be ruined – fresh breadcrumbs absorb the liquid much faster than cubes of stale bread and become pasty.

Add to a baking pan or tray with a lid or cover your stuffing with aluminum oil for twenty minutes at 350F/320F fan. Bake an additional 10-20 minutes uncovered if you’d like a crispy exterior layer. Done!

If you make this recipe I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! Or you can take a photo and tag me on Instagram (@the_fiery_vegetarian). If you’re a Pinterest fan like me, follow me on Pinterest for more recipes, or sign up to my mailing list and never miss out.

Yield: 6 large/8 small side servings

The Easiest Vegan Stuffing

Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (8)

An easy quick vegan or vegetarian stuffing side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a traditional Sunday lunch. This perfectly moist savory Irish-style herbed stuffing comes together in minutes and can be made up to five days ahead.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 12.5oz fresh breadcrumbs (7 cups/350g)
  • 2 medium onions, chopped finely
  • 2.5 tbsp dried chopped sage
  • .5 tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp salt (don't add if adding stock)
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 tbsp olive oil (or melted plant-based butter/margarine)
  • 1-2 tbsp vegetable stock (optional)

Instructions

  1. Microwave the chopped onions in an uncovered bowl on high power for four minutes.
  2. If you're using sliced sandwich bread to make the breadcrumbs, use a blender or food processor to make them now. In batches of 2-3 slices tear up the bread and pulse in the processor or blender.
  3. Mix all the dried herbs and seasonings into the breadcrumbs.
  4. Mix in the onions and any liquid that may have collected at the bottom of the bowl.
  5. Drizzle one tablespoon of oil or melted vegan butter at a time over the breadcrumb mixture before quickly mixing the crumbs to distribute the oil.
  6. Repeat with the remaining oil/butter.
  7. If you are adding the vegetable stock, mix it in little by little just before baking.
  8. Place the mixture in a baking dish or shape it into balls and place them in the dish.
  9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350F/320F fan/ (180C/160C fan) for 20 minutes. Done, or you can continue to point 10.
  10. If you would like a crispy exterior after 20 minutes remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes.

Notes

You can use any bread to make breadcrumbs, but I prefer to use regular white sandwich bread as it gives the softest crumbs.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per ServingCalories 249Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 0mgSodium 409mgCarbohydrates 35gFiber 3gSugar 4gProtein 6g

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Easiest Vegan Stuffing Recipe (Sage & Onion) - The Fiery Vegetarian (2024)

FAQs

What can I use instead of eggs to bind stuffing? ›

16 egg substitutes
  1. Mashed banana. Mashed banana can act as a binding agent when baking or making pancake batter. ...
  2. Applesauce. Applesauce can also act as a binding agent. ...
  3. Fruit puree. Fruit puree will help bind a recipe in a similar way to applesauce. ...
  4. Avocado. ...
  5. Gelatin. ...
  6. Xanthan gum. ...
  7. Vegetable oil and baking powder. ...
  8. Margarine.
Mar 30, 2021

Is Quixo sage and onion stuffing vegan? ›

This product may or may not be vegan as it lists 1 ingredient that could derive from animals depending on the source.

Is Pepperidge Farm Classic stuffing vegan? ›

Pepperidge Farm

Vegans can enjoy the Herb Seasoned Classic and Corn Bread Classic stuffing mixes. But, don't forget about the Herb Seasoned Cubed, Sage & Onion Cubed, and Country Style Cubed varieties.

Is sage and onion stuffing healthy? ›

There are 134 calories per portion in this Sage and Onion Stuffing, which means it falls into our Everyday Light category. This Sage and Onion Stuffing is perfect if you're following a calorie controlled diet and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.

What do vegans use to bind instead of eggs? ›

Ground flax seeds

One of the most popular egg substitutes in vegan baking is a flax egg. This is made by combining ground (not whole) flax seeds with water and leaving to sit for 15 minutes until the mixture becomes thick, almost the same consistency as a regular egg.

What is a vegan binder to replace eggs? ›

Combine a tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water, stir to combine, and let stand for 5 minutes to thicken. Ground flaxseed emulates eggs' binding qualities in breads, cakes, muffins, cookies, burgers, and vegan meatballs.

Why is stuffing not vegan? ›

Traditionally stuffing isn't vegan because it uses dairy butter and sometimes even eggs, but I've figured out how to get rid of all that stuff. What is this? It's called stuffing because traditionally it's what people stuff turkey with before roasting.

Why is stuffing not vegetarian? ›

Most stuffing uses Egg and/or butter to bind the ingredients together, and consequently it is not suitable for vegans - though it is suitable for vegetarians.

What is vegan stuffing made of? ›

In this vegan stuffing recipe, I keep the celery, onions, and crusty bread, but I use a generous amount of olive oil instead of butter, which adds robust flavor. Then, I increase the veggies. Along with the onion and celery, I add a hefty amount of shiitake mushrooms, kale, and tons of fresh herbs.

Is there a vegetarian stuffing mix? ›

Made from specially baked stuffing bread, and then dusted with just the right touch of herbs and spices. It is the ideal complement to your entrées.

Is stovetop cornbread stuffing vegetarian? ›

This product contains 2 ingredients that are not vegetarian and 2 ingredients that may not be vegetarian.

Is stove top herb stuffing vegetarian? ›

This product contains 2 ingredients that are not vegetarian and 3 ingredients that may not be vegetarian.

Can you eat too much stuffing? ›

What happens when I feel full to bursting? The food can go one of two ways, further into the digestive system or back where it came from in the form of vomiting. Overeating causes indigestion, when the stomach acid churns up into the oesophagus.

What does stuffing do for your body? ›

Is Stuffing Healthy? Stuffing provides carbohydrates for energy, and if you choose whole grain bread as a primary ingredient, you're likely to boost your fiber intake. Some recipes also include apples or other fruits or vegetables that provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. However, stuffing can be high in fat.

What can I use instead of onion in stuffing? ›

Winslow says if your meatball or meatloaf recipe first calls for cooking down onions, consider instead working raw scallions into the ground meat for a brighter taste. Ditto stuffing, where scallions and shallots can deliver that fresher flavor in addition to a pleasant crunch.

Are eggs necessary in stuffing? ›

The most important ingredient of stuffing may be the binder, which keeps all the other elements in place. For a fluffy texture, use eggs. Stock is the most-used binder. Less conventional possibilities include fruit juice (such as apple or orange) and alcohol (wine or liqueur).

Can I use milk instead of egg to bind? ›

Using a 1/4 cup of milk or yogurt in place of eggs is perfect for baked goods where moisture is key, such as cakes or muffins. (Vegans can use plant-based milks or yogurt in its place.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of eggs as a binder? ›

There are more than a few reasons why mayo makes sense as a substitute for egg wash. Since they both share the same main ingredient (eggs), they function in very similar ways. Much like egg wash acts as a binding agent to help seasonings and breadcrumbs stick to meat, creamy mayonnaise also manages to do the same.

What can I use as a binder for breadcrumbs instead of eggs? ›

You could also try milk or yogurt. For heavier coatings (like panko or breadcrumbs), you might dust the fish with flour first. Once the floured fish is dipped in the butter or milk, it will get a little gummy and help the coating adhere better.

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