5 Best Low Carb Stuffing Recipes for Any Meal

Enjoying Delicious Stuffing Without All the Carbs

Stuffing is a beloved side dish for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Who doesn't love the savory blend of bread, vegetables, herbs and seasonings? Unfortunately, traditional bread-based stuffing is loaded with carbs. Just one cup of stuffing can have between 20-30 grams of carbs.

The good news is you don't have to give up enjoying great tasting stuffing just because you are watching your carb intake. There are many delicious and creative ways to make low carb stuffing recipes that are healthier but still full of flavor.

Tips for Making Low Carb Stuffing

Here are some tips for reducing the carbs when making stuffing:

• Use low carb bread, wraps or lettuce instead of regular bread cubes.
• Increase the amount of vegetables and replace potatoes with cauliflower.
• Cook quinoa or wild rice instead of white rice or stuffing mixes.
• Flavor with herbs, chicken or vegetable broth instead of relying on bread for taste.
• Roast vegetables and bread replacement separately before combining.
• Skip sugary ingredients like cranberries, apples and maple syrup.

Low Carb Bread Replacement Options

The easiest way to lighten up your stuffing is swap out regular bread with one of these low carb alternatives:

Lettuce Leaves

Romaine, iceberg or other lettuce leaves make a solid base for stuffing and add nutrition while keeping carbs negligible.

Cauliflower Florets

Roast cauliflower florets until slightly crispy then use them as you would bread cubes for a veggie-packed stuffing.

Low Carb Tortillas

High fiber, low carb tortillas can be cut into squares and baked to mimic croutons with just a fraction of the carbs.

Low Carb Bread

Several brands like ThinSlim and Franz make low carb bread with just 1-5g net carbs per slice.

Pork Rinds

Crushed pork rinds add crunch and richness to stuffing without boosting carbs or using bread at all.

5 Delicious Low Carb Stuffing Recipes

Here are 5 recipe ideas for how to make irresistible low carb stuffing:

1. Cheesy Cauliflower Stuffing

This tasty stuffing swaps cauliflower for bread. Cheddar cheese and cream cheese add richness while keeping it keto-friendly.

Ingredients:

• 1 small head cauliflower, chopped into florets
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1⁄2 tsp dried sage
• 1⁄2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1⁄4 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss cauliflower florets in 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20 minutes until browned and tender.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook onion and celery in 1 tbsp olive oil until soft, 5-7 minutes.
3. Toss together the roasted cauliflower, cooked onion and celery, poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, chicken broth and salt/pepper in a casserole dish.
4. Bake 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.

2. Sausage & Mushroom Low Carb Stuffing

Italian sausage and sliced mushrooms make this stuffing filling and adds lots of flavor beyond just the bread.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups low carb bread cubes
• 1⁄4 cup chicken broth
• 2 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Remove sausage to a plate.
2. Add onion, celery, and mushrooms to skillet. Cook 5 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in bread cubes, chicken broth and seasonings. Cook 5 more minutes.
4. Return sausage to skillet and mix together. Serve warm.

3. Keto Bacon & Brussel Sprouts Stuffing

Crispy bacon and shredded brussel sprout hash browns make an awesome low carb stuffing base.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices bacon
• 1 lb brussel sprouts, shredded
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble and set aside.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the brussel sprouts in 2 tbsp olive oil until browned and crispy, about 15 minutes.
3. Add shallot and celery and cook 5 minutes until tender.
4. Toss brussel sprout hash with crumbled bacon, remaining olive oil, thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

4. Savory Low Carb Quinoa Stuffing

For a protein-packed stuffing, cook quinoa instead of using bread. Sausage, pecans and cranberries add delicious flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 lb Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 cup pecans, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup dried cranberries
• 1⁄4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chicken or vegetable broth as needed

Instructions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions with chicken or veggie broth instead of water.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage, onion, celery, and pecans until softened and browned.
3. Add quinoa, cranberries, parsley, and seasonings to skillet. Toss to combine.
4. Add additional broth if needed to achieve desired texture.

5. Poultry Herb Low Carb Stuffing

Ground turkey adds lean protein while an herbed portabella mushroom mixture mimics the texture of bread stuffing.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 3 portabella mushroom caps, finely chopped
• 1 shallot, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1⁄2 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground turkey until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes.
2. Add mushrooms, shallot and garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in herbs and season with salt and pepper.
4. Combine turkey-mushroom mixture together and serve.

Tips for Low Carb Stuffing Success

Follow these tips for the best results when making low carb stuffing recipes:

• Roast vegetables and any bread replacements first to drive off moisture for a fluffier texture.
• Cook fresh herbs like sage and thyme briefly at the end to retain bold flavor.
• Use chicken, turkey or vegetable broth to boost moisture instead of relying on bread.
• Add cream cheese, sour cream or broth a little at a time to achieve your desired consistency.
• For keto diets, avoid sweet fruits like apples or cranberries as ingredienets.
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator, not at room temperature to avoid spoilage.

With a little creativity, you can enjoy deliciously savory low carb stuffing on any occasion. Vary the herbs, vegetables, and protein to suit your tastes.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.