How to Make Delicious Low-Carb Keto Stuffing Recipes

How to Make Low-Carb Turkey Dressing

Turkey dressing, or stuffing, is a beloved part of any Thanksgiving spread. But with its white bread base, traditional recipes tend to be heavy on refined carbs. Thankfully, you can still enjoy flavorful turkey dressing in a low-carb version that fits into a keto, Paleo, or low-glycemic diet.

Adapting Favorite Turkey Dressing Recipes

Many low-carb swap options exist to create healthier turkey dressing:

• Replace white bread cubes with diced cauliflower or shredded cabbage as the base
• Swap in almond flour, coconut flour or carbquik baking mix
• Use zucchini, eggplant or spaghetti squash strands instead of pasta or rice
• Mix in hearty chopped mushrooms for extra volume and moisture

Play around combining lower-carb ingredients like these into your tried-and-true recipe until you find the right ratios for delicious results. Adding tasty mix-ins like pork sausage, nuts, celery, onions, herbs, and broth covers any veggie flavor.

Keto Turkey Dressing with Sausage and Pecans

This keto stuffing adapted from I Breathe I'm Hungry subs out carb-free vegetables for the bread, keeping the savory flavor intact. With only 6 grams net carbs per hearty serving, it allows you to fill up guilt-free.

Ingredients

• 1 small head cauliflower, riced
• 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 8 oz pork sausage
• 3 c shredded cabbage
• 1 c chopped pecans
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, minced
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 12 tsp black pepper
• 2 c chicken broth
• 2 eggs, beaten

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly grease a 2-qt baking dish.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, saut onions and celery in 1 tbsp oil for 5 minutes until translucent. Transfer vegetables to a large bowl.
3. In the same skillet, brown sausage for 5-7 minutes breaking it into pieces. Add to bowl with vegetables.
4. Add riced cauliflower, cabbage, pecans, and seasonings to bowl and mix thoroughly.
5. In a measuring cup, whisk together chicken broth and eggs.
6. Add liquid mixture to ingredients in bowl and stir well to combine.
7. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish, cover with foil, and bake 20 minutes.
8. Uncover and bake 15 more minutes until set in center. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Gluten-Free Stuffing with Butternut Squash

For gluten-sensitive guests, this Allrecipes recipe swaps the typical bread cubes for protein-rich quinoa flavored with autumnal butternut squash. With only 24 grams net carbs per portion, it makes for a lighter holiday side dish.

Ingredients

• 1 c quinoa
• 1 lb butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 12 tsp dried sage
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 12 tsp salt
• 14 tsp black pepper
• 1 c vegetable broth

Instructions

1. Bring quinoa and 1 12 c water to a boil, then reduce to simmer 15 minutes until fluffy.
2. Meanwhile, roast butternut squash on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400F for 15 minutes.
3. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Saut onions and celery 5 minutes.
4. Add roasted squash, garlic and seasonings to skillet. Cook 2 more minutes stirring frequently.
5. Transfer quinoa and squash mixture to a bowl. Add vegetable broth and stir thoroughly to combine.
6. Spoon into greased baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 400F for 20 minutes.
7. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until crispy on top.

Paleo Sausage Dressing

This Paleo take from The Healthy Foodie opts for flavorful spaghetti squash instead of noodles or rice. With 14 grams of carbohydrates per portion, it lets you enjoy the taste of carb-rich stuffing the healthy way.

Ingredients

• 1 medium spaghetti squash
• 1 tbsp ghee or olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 4 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• 12 tsp fresh sage
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 14 tsp black pepper
• 1 c chicken broth

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Pierce squash with fork in several spots and roast 40 minutes until tender.
2. Meanwhile, heat a skillet with ghee over medium-high. Brown sausage breaking it into pieces, remove from pan.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Saut onion, celery, and mushrooms 10 minutes.
4. Scrape vegetable mixture into bowl with sausage. Add herbs and seasonings and mix thoroughly.
5. Scoop out roasted squash in strands and add to bowl with 1 c broth.
6. Mix well, spoon into greased baking dish, and cover with foil.
7. Bake 30 minutes until heated through and remove foil.
8. Broil 3-5 minutes to brown the top and serve.

What to Serve with Low-Carb Turkey Dressing

While turkey dressing makes for a hearty side, you'll still want to round out your low-carb Thanksgiving plate. Pair your keto, gluten-free or Paleo stuffing with these flavorful veggie-packed dishes:

Green Bean Casserole

For a lighter take, use cauliflower florets in place of the usual heavy cream and top with toasted pecans instead of fried onions.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Brussels sprouts roasted with garlic, olive oil, salt, and crispy bacon bits make for the perfect low-carb vegetable.

Mashed Cauliflower

Cut back on starchy potatoes by blending cauliflower with butter, cream cheese, and garlic for faux mashed potatoes.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Whip up keto sweet potato casserole using almond flour, erythritol, and coconut milk for an orange autumnal bake that's sugar-free.

Turkey Gravy

Make reduced-carb gravy using turkey drippings infused with herbs and thickened with a roux of almond flour and butter.

Tips for Leftover Low-Carb Stuffing

While your low-carb turkey dressing may get gobbled up on Thanksgiving, you'll likely have leftovers. Here are tasty ways to repurpose extras:

Stuffing Fried Rice

Toss cubed stuffing with riced cauliflower, eggs, scallions, soy sauce, and sesame oil for low-carb fried rice.

Stuffing Scramble

Scramble eggs with turkey, leftover stuffing cubes, spinach, and cheddar cheese for a hearty breakfast.

Stuffing Mini Quiches

Press stuffing into greased muffin cups, fill with whisked eggs, turkey, and veggies, then bake for handheld quiches.

Stuffing Bake

Layer stuffing, turkey gravy, and cheese between thinly sliced roasted turkey or chicken for an easy casserole.

With a little creativity, you can find tons of ways to repurpose leftover low-carb turkey dressing!

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.