The Southern twist on classic Thanksgiving stuffing (or dressing)! This super easy Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing recipe is vegan, allergy-free, and perfect for a holiday crowd! A traditional old-fashioned favorite with minimal ingredients, homemade cornbread, and grandma's touch of Southern hospitality!
What's (possibly) better than Thanksgiving stuffing? SOUTHERN-style Thanksgiving stuffing! That means we're ditching the gluten-free white bread for gluten-free cornbread! Has anyone ever passed up a serving of cornbread? No (and I think that's a sin in the South). Has anyone passed on the stuffing? Yes. So what if we use cornbread as our stuffing base? I think you're getting the idea...right?
Drying Cornbread for Stuffing
When it comes to a stuffing recipe, if you don't have the right bread, your entire recipe will be a sad flop. If you're going to be making "baked mushy bread" then it better well be GOOD mushy bread! That all comes down to drying (making stale) your bread or cornbread in this case. To do so, I recommend making a batch of these gluten-free cornbread muffins a day or two in advance, crumbling them, and letting them sit out in an opened bag or container to dry.
If you're short on time and have to make the gluten-free cornbread they day you're making the stuffing, simply crumble and toast the cornbread in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Best Gluten-Free Cornbread for Stuffing
This stuffing recipe calls for one batch of my gluten-free mini cornbread muffins. It's the perfect amount and they are so easy to whip up. Mini muffins are easier to crumble and get the right size for a stuffing recipe. However, if you would like to make a full cornbread, my skillet recipe will work as well.
Cornbread Stuffing vs. Cornbread Dressing
As I mentioned at the bottom of this stuffing recipe, calling it "stuffing" is actually wrong.
- Stuffing = Baking the stuffing in an actual Turkey (or some other food).
- Dressing = Baking the stuffing separately, sans bird.
So this is actually gluten-free cornbread dressing, but depending on where you grew up (in the South they call it dressing) and/or what your family has always called it, whatever rolls off the tongue is fine. Dressing sounds odd, wrong, and like "salad dressing" to me, a New Jersey girl. Stuffing sounds much more like Thanksgiving and comforting side dish. Baking this dish outside of the Turkey is also the safe way to bake it (no food poisoning potential from undercooked stuffing in the bird cavity), and well, it's vegan.
How to make Guten-Free Cornbread Stuffing
Since the cornbread is the dominant "showcase" ingredient, the extra veggies and seasonings shouldn't be overpowering and simply take on a supporting role in this cozy side dish.
What you need:
- Gluten-Free Cornbread
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Fresh Parsley
- Dried Rosemary
- Dried Thyme
- Ground Sage
- Black Pepper
- Vegetable Broth
Easy, simple, heavy on the cornbread and essential Thanksgiving seasonings! Rosemary, thyme, and sage are what I like to call the "Thanksgiving Trifecta" of flavor and aroma!
Steps to make it:
- Prebake, crumble, and "stale" your gluten-free cornbread.
- Saute the veggies, herbs, and spices on the stove.
- Add the cornbread to a large bowl, add the sauteed veggie mixture, and add 1 cup of broth (always add less liquid to begin. You don't want to over saturate your stuffing!)
- Spread the moist stuffing mixture in a baking dish or seasoned cast iron skillet, cover with foil and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake for another 5 minutes to let the top crisp slightly.
Ease the holiday stress and make it ahead of time
Stuffing/dressing is ideal for making the day (or two) before Thanksgiving and/or other holidays. In this vegan stuffing, there aren't even any animal products to worry about. So go ahead and whip this up, let it cook completely, and cover your baking dish with some foil before placing it in the fridge. To reheat the stuffing on the big day, just pop it back in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until it warms through.
Healthy Vegan Cornbread Stuffing
I never understood why typical stuffing recipes called for egg. You 100% do not need eggs in the stuffing. Making it egg-free and vegan in the process (as well as using vegetable broth instead of turkey or chicken stock). This cornbread dressing is a perfectly easy and healthier side dish to add to the holiday table the almost everyone can enjoy without food allergies worries or dietary constraints. It's...
- Gluten-Free
- Vegan
- Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Coconut-Free)
- Oil-Free
- Sugar-Free
- Kid-Friendly
- Healthy, Quick, and Easy!
If you think you don't like traditional stuffing or you have some guests you know will be coming for dinner and they tend to turn their nose up to stuffing, give them a warm heaping scoop of this cornbread dressing and watch as they devour every bite (yes, everyone will need seconds!)
Southern Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing
Southern Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
The Southern twist on classic Thanksgiving stuffing (or dressing)! This super easy Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing recipe is vegan, allergy-free, and perfect for a holiday crowd! A traditional old-fashioned favorite with minimal ingredients, homemade cornbread, and grandma's touch of Southern hospitality!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Ingredients
- 1 Batch of Mini Gluten-Free Cornbread Muffins*
- 2 Cups Chopped Celery
- 1 Cup Diced Onion
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- ¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
- 1 TB Dried Rosemary (crushed)
- 1 Tsp Dried Thyme
- ½ Tsp Ground Sage
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Vegetable Broth
Instructions
- Prebake and crumble your gluten-free cornbread. Allow it to dry/stale for at least 24 hours or spread the crumbled cornbread on a baking sheet to toast in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350°F.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F for the stuffing.
- Dry saute the veggies, herbs, and spices on the stove for 5 minutes to soften (you can use the cast iron skillet you'll be baking the stuffing in or a seperate skillet if not).
- In a large bowl, add the crumbled cornbread, sauteed veggie mixture, and 1 cup of broth (add more broth if the mixture is too dry). Mix everything together to coat and combine.
- Spread the moist stuffing mixture in a greased 11x7 inch baking dish or seasoned (at least 10.5 inch) cast iron skillet, cover with foil, and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes to let the top of the stuffing crisp slightly.
Notes
*You can also make a batch of gluten-free skillet cornbread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
Keywords: easy, healthy, cornbread, cornbread dressing, cornbread stuffing, stuffing, dressing, Southern, Southern dressing, holidays, Thanksgiving, vegan stuffing, gluten-free stuffing, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, coconut-free, sesame-free, sugar-free, oil-free, kid-friendly
More Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes:
- The Best Gluten-Free Vegan Stuffing
- Gluten-Free Brown Rice Stuffing Casserole
- Healthy Green Bean Casserole
- 5-Minute Sugar-Free + Vegan Cream-Style Corn
- Rustic Rosemary Thyme Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Creamy Mushroom Gravy
It's recipes like this that make me wonder why stuffing isn't a "normal" side dish to a cozy weeknight meal? While I hated stuffing as a kid, I started loving it a year or two before I was diagnosed with celiac (go figure!). My mom actually did prepare good old Stovetop boxed stuffing on random weeknights, but we, as a collective society, need to make this humble Thanksgiving side dish a much more prominent food on the family dinner table. Who's with me?
So tell me:
+ Dressing vs. Stuffing?
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Helen
This is made FOR the Thanksgiving table!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy!
Miz Helen
I just love a cornbread stuffing!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy!
Johanna Chick
I've never been a big stuffing fan but my aunt introduced me to cornbread stuffing just a few years ago (New England girl here) and I'd honestly forgotten about... it but it was SO good! She modified her recipe to be gluten free for me as well. I may be adding this to our Thanksgiving dinner now that you've reminded me. It looks so delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great, enjoy.
Robin
There's nothing better than southern style cornbread stuffing! I love your gluten-free option. Pinning!
Robin😊
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
So cozy, right?
Ali
This looks so tasty! Stuffing is my favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner. I could honestly eat it at any time throughout the year.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? Never enough!
Bobo Cheung
This look so great and delicous! Thank you, Rebecca!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hope you enjoy some!
Amber S Battishill
Cornbread stuffing is the best! I love that this has simple ingredients and bet it tastes amazing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? Takes the traditional up a notch!
Christie
This looks delicious! My best friend is GF and I always worry about being able to make her something she'll enjoy - you saved Friendsgiving! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
All the recipes you could need, here!
Marisa Hernandez
I'm loving anything cornbread for the Holidays!!! This looks so delicious and easy to make!!! I can't wait to try it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? It's pure comfort food!
Chrystal
This is a great recipe! I have several friends who are gluten intolerant and will be using this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I bet, enjoy.
Helen Little
Ooh I love stuffing! Really makes the meal. Will try this for sure!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just so cozy!
Krissy
This looks delicious. I'm always on the look out for gluten free dishes. I will have to try this one.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy!
Marina
Another great recipe. Will definetely try it x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hope you enjoy.
Krystin
This looks delicious! Stuffing is my favourite, and you had me at vegan! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right? It is the best!
Tiara Cole
I'm a new vegan and I truly needed this recipe! Just in time for Thanksgiving. Thank you 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Enjoy!
Chel
Honestly, I didn't think there was a difference between stuffing and dressing. Ha ha, but shows you what I know when it comes to cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Usually I'm in charged of a dessert that even then I make a mess with, but hey it's the thought that counts, eh?
This stuffing looks so good. I'm not one that enjoys most of the stuffing at the meal because they tend to put too many animal products in it that I can't enjoy it. This is something I might have to try on my own when I want stuffing and mashed potatoes! Yum! Cravings are a must these days. 😀 Thank so much for sharing this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Stuffing and potatoes are the name of the game! #carbs
Trent Peek
Reading this post just made me drool a bit. I will have to make a batch of these during the holiday season for my vegan sister. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Everyone will enjoy!
Debra
Awesome idea. We have a bunch of GF folks coming for Thanksgiving this year and I was looking for a few more recipes that they and EVERYONE would like. BINGO!
★★★★★
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Can't go wrong with a killer stuffing!
Petra
This look delicious. I have never made stuffing. But I think I will give it a try
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Assuming you're not from the states?
Petra Berg
I am not. I live in canada now but grew up in Germany
Debbie
This looks great! I haven't stuffed a turkey for years (even before I was vegan) but I still call it stuffing. 🙂 And I've never made a cornbread stuffing so I'll have to give this a try.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Stuffing just sounds so much better than dressing! (That's for salad!!)