This classic homemade filling recipe is a healthy take on the traditional. Even tastier with wholemeal bread and olive oil!
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we wanted to keep sharing some holiday-related recipe ideas—though they might as well be enjoyed without the holidays as an excuse! Stuffing is always the highlight of the Thanksgiving table for Alex and I. It’s funny to think soggy bread is something to write home about, but you can’t beat the taste of oatmeal. We’ve enjoyed everything from the filling straight out of the box with these perfectly symmetrical cubes to my grandparents’ version with offal (which I always chose).
How to make this classic homemade filling recipe
This year we wanted to create a classic homemade filling recipe with a healthy twist. We wanted to repeat our traditional family recipe without the bulk of butter and fragile white bread! So for our classic homemade filling recipe, we used an artisanal whole wheat bread instead of the typical typical white bread.
Instead of butter, we opted for a healthy fat: olive oil! (This also makes it a plant-based/vegan filling.) We’ve also reduced the amount of fat by boosting the flavor of celery and leeks. The entire recipe for the classic homemade filling only uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil. With reasonable portions, it’s a great option for a healthy Thanksgiving table.
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving celebration? Or, if you don’t live in a country that celebrates this holiday, a favorite holiday meal?
It’s also a vegan filling recipe!
Now that vegan and plant-based eating is on the rise, more and more people are asking us about vegan recipes for Thanksgiving. This recipe is also a vegan filling recipe as it’s made with only olive oil: no butter or other dairy! It’s a great choice for the holidays as it caters to so many diets around the table. For gluten free bread, use the highest quality gluten free bread you can find.
Looking for more Thanksgiving recipes?
This classic homemade filling recipe is one of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes. Here are some other Thanksgiving recipes on A Couple Cooks:
This classic whole grain filling is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based and dairy-free.
The description
This classic homemade filling recipe is a healthy take on the traditional. Even tastier with wholemeal bread and olive oil!
- 1 artisanal whole grain bread, cut into cubes (9 at ten Cups)
- 1 big onion
- 3 celery sticks
- 2 Leek
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 cups vegetable soup
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut the bread into cubes. Place on a baking sheet and bake until golden and toasted, 15 to 25 minutes, stirring and checking occasionally.
- Meanwhile, chop the onion and celery.
- Chop the leeks (watch the video!): Cut off the dark green stalks and root of the leeks, then halve lengthwise. Place each half leek, cut-side down, on the cutting board, then slice into thin crescents. Rinse thoroughly in a colander to remove dirt. Chop the sage and parsley.
- In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add celery, onion and leeks with a few pinches of kosher salt; Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the herbs.
- Place the bread cubes and vegetables in a bowl, add 1 teaspoon Kosher salt and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper and mix to combine.
- Pour mixture into a 9 x 13 casserole dish and add 3 cups vegetable broth. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.
- Category: garnish
- Method: Cooked
- Kitchen: American
Keywords: Stuffing, Classic Stuffing, Homemade Stuffing Recipe, Thanksgiving, Healthy, Wholemeal, Vegetarian
