Published 11/17/2023 When the holiday season comes along, we can’t help but crave every great dish served on Thanksgiving day. One of those dishes is stuffing. While traditional stuffing could never be replaced, it’s nice to switch things up every now and again. This savory quinoa stuffing is the perfect alternative for a gluten-free option or just to add some variety to your holiday meal. Hearty ingredients like ground pork sausage (or plant-based ground!), veggies, butternut squash, quinoa, fresh herbs, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans all get cooked in your broth of choice in an easy Dutch oven for ultimate convenience. Plus, it’s easy to make it vegan or vegetarian if needed. It’s a Thanksgiving side dish, made easy!
What You Need for Quinoa Stuffing
We used a large 7 or 8-quart Dutch oven for this recipe because it holds heat well and has a cover. A pot will work, but the cook time may vary slightly. Highlight ingredients in this recipe include:
quinoa butternut squash dried fruit ground pork mushrooms fresh herbs
Variations and Substitutions for Quinoa Stuffing
Ground pork sausage: For meat eaters, you can sub this out with ground beef, turkey, or chicken if you prefer. If you’re vegetarian, plant-based ground meat also works. Butternut squash: Sub out the butternut squash with sweet potatoes for a different flavor experience! It’ll still taste amazing. Multicolored quinoa: Red quinoa, white quinoa, or black quinoa are all great alternatives. White wine options: We recommend using a dry chardonnay or a Sauvignon blanc for this gluten-free stuffing recipe.
Tips for Quinoa Stuffing
Make this stuffing ahead of time for easy holiday planning. Simply store the cooked stuffing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When it’s time to serve, reheat it in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. If there is excess liquid in the Dutch oven after the bake time, keep the cover on to allow the quinoa to absorb the remaining liquid.
Serving Suggestions with Quinoa Stuffing
Aiming to host a Thanksgiving dinner that keeps all dietary restrictions in mind? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got a ton of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free Thanksgiving options available. Here are just some of our personal favs: Dutch Oven
Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes
Looking for more healthy Thanksgiving recipes to fill your holiday table with? Check out all of our best turkey day recipes in one spot! Vegetarian-friendly:
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole Healthy Green Bean Casserole Best Healthy Mashed Potatoes
Vegan-friendly:
Vegan Green Bean Casserole Super Simple Vegan Mac and Cheese Meatless Instant Pot Chili Lemon Ginger Cranberry Sauce
Protein:
Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans Herby Ranch Roasted Turkey Breast Turkey Roulade
