This paleo stuffing recipe is grain-free but full of traditional Thanksgiving stuffing holiday flavors. A gluten-free stuffing that's a paleo spin on traditional cornbread dressing.
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Think you have to give up Thanksgiving stuffing if you're eating paleo or keto? Not anymore! You can have all the goodness of traditional stuffing in a low carb paleo stuffing that everyone will love.
How to make paleo stuffing
This paleo stuffing is based on the traditional cornbread dressing I've made for years. The hint of sweetness and spice with the vegetables, herbs, and pecans is a family favorite. It's not Thanksgiving at my house unless we have cornbread dressing. This version uses my gluten-free, grain-free (no corn) paleo cornbread recipe.
I always cook the stuffing in a casserole dish, which technically makes it a dressing. But I find it so much easier to assemble the dressing after I put the turkey in the oven. This really speeds up the prep time on Thanksgiving Day.
While the stuffing recipe is not difficult, it is a little bit time-consuming because you have to bake the cornbread first. I bake the cornbread the day before and let it sit out overnight to dry out. Getting this done ahead of time makes it so much easier.
Enlisting help chopping the vegetables also makes the prep quicker. And holidays are all about spending time with family and friends, hanging out in the kitchen. Once you have all the ingredients prepped, the paleo stuffing is easy to put together. Watch the video below to see how to make the paleo stuffing.
Serve this gluten-free stuffing with easy paleo gravy and a side of paleo cranberry sauce for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. For a full paleo Thanksgiving menu, here's every recipe you need for an easy paleo Thanksgiving!
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And for a keto version of this cornbread stuffing, be sure to use a keto cornbread recipe. I love this coconut flour version from Cassidy's Craveable Creations. Cassidy also has amazing keto sandwich bread and buns that are perfect for leftover turkey sandwiches in her Keto Breads cookbook.
Paleo stuffing recipe video
Paleo Cornbread Stuffing
Ingredients
- 8 cups paleo cornbread cubed
- ¼ cup organic ghee
- 1 medium sweet onion chopped
- 3 ribs celery chopped
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 bunch green onion chopped
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ¾ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 eggs beaten
- ¾ cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spread cubed cornbread on a baking sheet and toast 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned. Set aside to cool. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees.
- Melt ghee in large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions, celery, green pepper, and green onion until soft.
- Combine cornbread, cooked vegetable mixture, pecans, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, parsley, and thyme in large bowl.
- Fold eggs into cornbread mixture. Add chicken stock, a little at a time until cornbread is evenly moistened but not soggy.
- Place stuffing in greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees.
Notes
Nutrition
More Thanksgiving recipes
Paleo Pumpkin Pie
3-Ingredient Paleo Cranberry Sauce
Judi
This cornbread stuffing sounds great and I am going to try it next week! I'm guessing you doubled your cornbread recipe to get the 8 cups needed for the stuffing? Thank you!
Lisa
Hi Judy, I don't double it, I just use one batch of cornbread. I cut it into 2 layers, then cut it into 1/2 inch cubes and it makes enough for the stuffing. Hope you enjoy it!
Anette
Could I sub flax eggs?
Amanda
This looks so good! I'm definitely going to try it; I actually just pulled the cornbread out of the oven 😉 I do have a question: when I make my usual cornbread, it has a lot more liquid in it and it is more of a bread pudding like consistency. Is it possible to skip toasting the cornbread and maybe add a little more broth to get that really soft southern dressing texture? Going to try it as written right now, though. ☺
Lisa
Hi Amanda, keep in mind grain-free breads do not absorb as much liquid as traditional cornbread. That having been said, you can definitely adjust the amount of stock you add to your liking. Hope you enjoy it!
Amanda
This looks delicious! Do you think flax eggs would work just as well as the eggs?
Nicole
This looks delicious, do you think I could make it the night before then reheat it the next day?
Lisa
Hi Nicole, I usually bake it on Thanksgiving and reheat it the next day for leftovers so I don't see why not.
Patti Fitzpatrick
I am excited to make this recipe. There are two school of southern cornbread. Sweet vs savory. I fall in the savory camp and NEVER sweeten my cornbread. Can I omit the honey without harming the recipe?
Lisa
Hi Patti, I have not tested the cornbread recipe without the honey so I don't know how it will turn out. It does add some moisture, so you may need to compensate for that if you try leaving it out. Hope that helps!
Barbara A Mulleneaux
I want to make the stuffing. Are 16 squares 8cupsnor does this need to be doubled?
Lisa
Hi Barabara, I use one recipe of the paleo cornbread to make one batch of stuffing.
olivia
Can I leave the onion out? My friend is allergic 🙁
Lisa
Hi Olivia, it will change the flavor a bit but you can leave it out. I would probably sub a little bit of diced carrot in place of the onion to add some natural sweetness.
Nancy Witcher
In my family, we love sage in our dressing. Are there any changes I need to make, if I add sage?
Lisa
You can switch up the herbs to make different variations, but I would go light on the sage since it's such a strong flavored herb.
Terrie
Sounds good but corn is a grain.
Lisa
There is no corn in my paleo cornbread recipe so using that makes it grain free!