A gluten-free stuffing that's a paleo spin on traditional cornbread dressing. This paleo “cornbread” stuffing recipe is grain-free but full of traditional Thanksgiving holiday flavors.
This 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 in 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 my prep time on Thanksgiving Day.
While the recipe is not difficult, it is a bit time-consuming. I bake the cornbread the day before and let it sit out overnight to dry out. 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.
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.
How to make paleo stuffing
A gluten-free stuffing that's full of traditional Thanksgiving holiday flavors.
- 8 cups paleo cornbread cubed
- 1/4 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
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 eggs beaten
- 3/4 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
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Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spread cubed corn bread on baking sheet and toast 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned. Set aside to cool. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees.
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Melt ghee in large skillet over medium heat. Saute onions, celery, green pepper, and green onion until soft.
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Combine cornbread, cooked vegetable mixture, pecans, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, parsley, and thyme in large bowl.
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Fold eggs into cornbread mixture. Add chicken stock, a little at a time until cornbread is evenly moistened but not soggy.
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Place stuffing in greased baking dish. Cover with foil and bake 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees.
For vegetarian substitute vegetable stock for chicken stock.
More Thanksgiving recipes
Paleo Pumpkin Pie
3-Ingredient Paleo Cranberry Sauce
Easy Paleo Gravy
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!
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!
Could I sub flax eggs?
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. ☺
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!