Homemade Stuffing Recipe

Who says you need bread in your stuffing? This homemade stuffing recipe brings all the hearty flavor and comforting texture you crave—without the grains. A savory blend of caramelized onions, leeks, and mushrooms, enriched with fragrant herbs, lemon zest, and crunchy hazelnuts, this Paleo-friendly stuffing is equally at home filling your turkey or standing alone as a star side dish.

Light, yet luxurious, it’s easy to customize to your needs—make it dairy-free by swapping ghee for olive oil, or add extra herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage for a fresh, aromatic lift. With minimal prep and less than an hour from start to finish, this stuffing is ideal for holiday meals, special dinners, or any time you want something that feels both elegant and wholesome.

Perfect alongside your roasted turkey or as a meat-free side for any festive spread, this stuffing delivers depth of flavor and cozy satisfaction in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a family feast or a casual dinner, it’s the rustic, flavorful accompaniment you’ve been waiting for.

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How to Make Homemade Stuffing

Using Caramelized Leeks, Onions, Mushrooms and Hazelnuts

Recipe Details

Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 yellow onions, very thinly sliced lengthwise
• 3 tablespoons Ghee (or olive oil for dairy-free)
• 5 leeks, rinsed and chopped
• 3/4 cups Chicken Bone Broth, divided
• 3 tablespoons Raw Honey
• Sea salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons chopped rosemary
• 3 tablespoons chopped sage
• 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
• 4 cups mixed roughly chopped mushrooms
• Zest of 1 large lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 1 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 tablespoon Coconut Flour

Recipe Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and let onions caramelize for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. In another pan, melt ghee over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook until softened (~5 minutes). Stir in ¼ cup broth, honey, salt, and pepper; simmer for 5 minutes. Finish with a high-heat minute to coat, then combine with onions.
3. In a separate saucepan, melt additional ghee. Add garlic and herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme), then mix in mushrooms. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Combine mushroom mixture with the onion-leek mix. Stir in lemon zest, nutmeg, and hazelnuts; season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer mixture to a 12×9-inch ungreased baking pan. Whisk together eggs, remaining broth, and coconut flour; pour over the stuffing.
6. Bake until set, approximately 15 minutes.

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Nutrition Facts for this Stuffing Recipe

*Estimated per serving (recipe yields 6–8 servings according to the live post).

Serving Size	1 serving
Calories	≈ 220 kcal
Protein	≈ 6 g
Carbs	≈ 10 g
Sugar	≈ 2 g
Fiber	≈ 3 g
Fat	≈ 16 g

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Homemade Stuffing Variations & Tips

• Dairy-free version: Use olive oil instead of ghee if you want it fully dairy-free, as suggested in the original post.
• More herbs: Increase or vary the herb amounts—try adding more sage, thyme, or even a bit of tarragon for extra dimension.
• Swap nuts: If you’re allergic to hazelnuts, use chopped walnuts, pecans, or pine nuts instead.
• Moisture balance: If the stuffing seems dry, use a bit more bone broth (within the allowance) to adjust texture before baking.
• Make ahead: You can prep the mixture a day ahead (without eggs) and bake fresh the next day; keep components separately refrigerated until baking.
• Pan vs stuffing turkey: The recipe works either in a baking dish or stuffed inside a turkey cavity—just adjust cooking time for internal heat.

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Best Pairings for Stuffing

• Roasted turkey or herbed chicken — classic pairing; the stuffing complements poultry beautifully.
• Garlic mashed cauliflower or potatoes — creamy, comforting side that intersects well.
• Glazed root vegetables (carrots, parsnips) — their sweetness balances the savory depth.
• Sautéed greens (kale, spinach, Swiss chard) — a light, leafy contrast to the richness.
• Cranberry-orange relish — tart, fruity component to brighten the plate.

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Popular Times for Stuffing

• Thanksgiving or holiday feasts — ideal as a standout grain-free, flavor-packed stuffing alternative.
• Family dinner parties — makes a centerpiece-worthy side dish.
• Fall or autumn gathering — seasonal flavors (mushrooms, herbs, nuts) make it fitting.
• Sunday roast meals — elevate your regular roast with a refined stuffing side.
• Paleo / grain-free dinner menus — perfect complement in menus avoiding grains.

Photo credit: Paul Delmont