Ananda Kaplan This flavorful wild rice stuffing is a nutritious, gluten-free alternative to traditional stuffing. Loaded with mushrooms, chestnuts, cranberries, and nuts, this hearty dish pairs well with any holiday main.
Wild Rice Stuffing
Servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
Wild Rice
- 1½ cups wild rice
- 2¼ cups broth
- 1 dried bay leaf
- Salt and pepper
Stuffing Mix
- 1 cup protein of choice (ground turkey, beans, tempeh, or tofu)
- 2 tbsp oil or butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- ½ tsp dried rosemary (or 1 tbsp fresh)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup chopped chestnuts
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup nuts or seeds, chopped
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
Directions:
- Cook Wild Rice: Simmer wild rice, broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper for 40-45 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes, remove bay leaf, and fluff.
- Prepare Stuffing Mix: Sauté protein in 1 tbsp oil/butter with salt/pepper, remove and set aside. In the same pan, add remaining oil/butter and cook mushrooms, onion, and celery until browned. Add thyme, rosemary, garlic, chestnuts, and sage. Cook until fragrant.
- Combine & Serve: Mix rice with stuffing ingredients, cranberries, nuts, and Parmesan if using. For a crunchy top, bake at 425°F for 10 minutes.
Nutrient Highlights:
- Wild Rice: A high-protein grain packed with fiber, promoting gut health, reducing inflammation, and supporting satiety.
- Chestnuts: Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which increase when cooked, and high in fiber for blood sugar control and digestive health.
- Mushrooms: Contain beta-glucan fiber, vitamin D (when sun-exposed), and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting immune and heart health.
- Chickpeas/Beans (if used): Provide plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and folate, promoting a healthy gut microbiome and heart health.
- Onions & Garlic: Prebiotics that nourish gut bacteria. Allicin in garlic has antioxidant and cardioprotective benefits.
- Cranberries: Rich in antioxidants, supporting urinary and immune health, while adding a festive, tart flavor.
- Sage, Thyme, and Rosemary: These herbs are rich in antioxidants and contribute anti-inflammatory properties to support overall wellness.
