Wild Rice Dressing (Gluten Free Stuffing)

Wild Rice Dressing Recipe – Everyone at the table will love this fabulous gluten-free stuffing! It’s made with rice, plus your favorite classic Thanksgiving dressing ingredients, like veggies and savory seasonings.

While the main dish might be the centerpiece of a holiday table, we all know that the sides are what make the meal something special. Because regardless of whether or not people are fond of turkey, nearly everyone loves those must-have classic side dishes like mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, and – of course – dressing (AKA stuffing).

But just because a dish is traditional doesn’t mean you can’t put your own spin on things… Especially if you are sticking to a particular diet. Looking for a unique Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Stuffing recipe? Skip the bread and go with rice!

Gluten Free Wild Rice Stuffing

This decadent dressing has all the appeal of classic stuffing, yet is made with long grain or wild rice.

Wild rice is fun to use because it offers a nuttier flavor than white rice, and a dark rich color. When cooked, combined with veggies and bold aromatics, the rice becomes wonderfully tender and savory. The texture is perfectly firm with that scoop-ability of traditional stuffing that we all love.

Prepare our GF-friendly rice dressing recipe as a vegetarian and vegan dish, or add sauteed sausage for a meatier version. Then enjoy as-is, bake it in the oven for a crunchy top, or stuff your turkey for the classic Thanksgiving experience!

Ingredients You Need

• Thai wild rice – or long-grain wild rice
• Butter – or plant-based butter
• Onion – chopped
• Bell pepper – chopped
• Celery – chopped
• Carrot – chopped
• Mushrooms – diced
• Fresh chopped sage – or dried sage
• Fresh thyme leaves – or dried thyme
• Vegetable broth – or veg bullion + water
• Parsley – chopped
• Salt and pepper

How to Make Wild Rice Dressing

First, chop and prep all the fresh produce and herbs.

Next, set a large 6 to 8 quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the butter. Once melted, stir in the onions, bell pepper, celery, carrots, and mushrooms. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, then stir and sauté until all the vegetables are softened.

Now add in the chopped sage and thyme. Sauté for one more minute.

Add the rice and vegetable broth to the pot.

Stir well. Then cover and simmer according to the rice package instructions, usually 15 to 20 minutes.

Once the rice has absorbed all the broth and there are vent holes on the top of the rice, turn off the heat. Allow the rice to sit covered and steam another 5-10 minutes. Then fluff with a fork and stir in the parsley.

Get the Complete (Printable) Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Taste, then salt and pepper as needed.

Serve the dressing warm with your favorite Thanksgiving and Christmas main and side dishes.

It’s perfect to enjoy alongside holiday staples such as roasted or smoked turkey, with a boat of homemade gravy to drizzle (or pour on, whatever your preference!).

Recipe Tips and Variations

• This side dish recipe is gluten-free and vegan if using plant-based butter. However, you can add 1 pound of pork sausage to give it a deeper meaty flavor if desired. Brown the sausage first in the pot before adding the chopped veggies to saute.
• If using vegetable base instead of broth, I like to use 4 “heaping teaspoons” to give the stuffing a little extra oomph!
• This wild rice dressing can be served as-is, stuffed in a turkey and roasted, or placed in a casserole dish and baked for a crispy top. 

Storage Suggestions

When the stuffing cools completely, transfer to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat by baking in a casserole dish in a 350 degree F preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.

Looking for More Delicious Holiday Side Dish Recipes?

• Garlic Butter Roasted Parsnips
• Quick Maple Glazed Carrots with Cinnamon
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts Gratin
• Sausage Mushroom Thanksgiving Stuffing
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Raspberries

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Wild Rice Dressing (Gluten Free Stuffing)

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Everyone at the table will love this fabulous vegan gluten-free stuffing! It's made with rice plus your favorite classic Thanksgiving dressing ingredients, like fresh veggies and savory seasonings.

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

• 2 cups dried Thai wild rice or white long-grain rice
• 3 tablespoons butter or plant-based butter
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1 cup diced mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons fresh chopped sage 1 tb dried sage
• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tb dried thyme
• 4 cups vegetable broth or 4 tsp vegetable base + 4 cups water
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

• Chop and prep all the fresh produce and herbs.
• Set a large 6 to 8 quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the butter. Once melted, stir in the onions, bell pepper, celery, carrots, and mushrooms. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Stir and sauté for 5 to 8 minutes to soften all the vegetables. Then add in the chopped sage and thyme. Sauté for one more minute.
• Add the rice and vegetable broth. Stir well. Then cover and simmer according to the rice package instructions, usually 15 to 20 minutes.
• Once the rice has absorbed all the broth and there are vent holes on the top of the rice, turn off the heat. Allow the rice to sit in steam another 5-10 minutes. Then fluff the rice dressing and stir in the parsley. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

Notes

This dressing can be served as-is, stuffing in a turkey, or placed in a dish and baked for a crispy top. 

It is gluten-free and vegan if using plant-based butter. However, you can add 1 pound pork sausage to give it a deeper meaty flavor if desired. 

If using vegetable base instead of broth, 1 like to use “heaping teaspoons” to give the dressing a little extra oomph!

Leftovers will keep well for up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup, Calories: 217kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 535mg, Potassium: 397mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 4029IU, Vitamin C: 34mg, Calcium: 52mg, Iron: 2mg

Course: Holiday, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Holiday, vegan, vegetarian

Author: Sommer Collier

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